Van Gogh pastel pencils
 

I have recently come across Van Gogh pastel pencils. They are the softest pastel pencil I have ever used. I find this exciting as you can now achieve the detail without the 'texture'. My biggest issue with pastel pencils has always been the way in which they carve through previous layers of pastel regardless of how much pigment you want to leave behind.

I have not extensively used or invested as yet but would appreciate anyone else's experience/ comments.

Van Gogh pastel pencils are also guaranteed light fast, which I know is a conservation issue addressed in other posts.

Thanks for the tip!
 

Funny how things come to you just when you need it. I was just getting ready to head to the art catalog after reading the forum to order some new supplies and was going to ask for a suggestion on pastel pencils to try, more specifically if anyone knew of any that were soft!

Pastel Pencils
 

That's great to know, however the problem I find with pastel pencils is replenishing the used-up colors.

There are two places I know of offhand that you can buy open stock, Dakota Art and Jerry's, and neither of them carry singles of the Rembrandts.

I have two favorite colors of pastel pencils I like to draw with and the local art store where I got them no longer carries those colors. It is enough to make you scream!

Anyway,