CLICK HERE to list all videos in this series.
Hi All!
Welcome to the first card in my series about PanPastels. I actually got them for Christmas, but I was kind of intimidated by them. I decided to just dive in and I’m very happy I did. They are fun and interesting – different from anything else that I have.
Some people have described them as “creamy”, which makes you think that they might be more like Gelatos. But, they are not like Gelatos at all. They are much more like chalks. I have owned several brands of chalk in the past and I’ve never done a video with them because I didn’t care for them. However, these give you more saturated color than your typical chalk, and they produce less dust. The Sofft tools that are made for applying them are awesome – they make it really easy to use the PanPastels.
I was going to do an official product review video, but as I got into it, I decided that I would discover the capabilities of the PanPastels with you, through the creation of multiple cards. I think it’s more fun that way.
Now onto the first card…
I stamped the hearts from the Tim Holtz Watercolor set twice with Versamark ink and colored over the images with the PanPastels. Wow – a lot easier than trying to stamp a rainbow of ink colors and get them to blend anywhere close to this!! I was really impressed with how easy the PanPastels are to blend. Here is a close-up:
I hope you enjoy this series! I’ll be back in a week with card #2. Have a great weekend!
Card Measurements:
| Element | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| PanPastel panel | 3 x 5 1/2 inches | 7.6 x 14 cm |
| Black strip | 1/8 inch | 3 mm |
| Card base | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches | 10.8 x 14 cm |
Supplies:
PanPastel colors used: Permanent Red, Diarylide Yellow, Hansa Yellow, Permanent Green, Ultramarine Blue
 PanPastels DB|AMZN |
 Tim Holtz Butterflies BLSY|SSS |
 You Die |
 Altenew You Are EH|SSS |
 Versamark Ink EH|SSS |
 Neenah Cardstock EH|SSS |
 Black Cardstock |
 Hero Arts White Embossing Powder EH|SSS |
 MISTI EH|S.COM |
 MISTI Corners EH|S.COM |
 Heat Tool |
 Tweezers EH|SSS |
 Glue Pen |
 ATG Tape Runner EH|SSS |
Connie
Well, Darlene, the jury is still out. But, I like what I see so far and loved your card design as always. My main concern with the pastels is messiness. When I had a craft room, it didn’t matter so much. But, now that we’ve downsized, I have to be more careful. It looks like these pastels are manageable though. And being able to erase them is an added bonus.I can hardly wait to see your next cards in this series. Thanks so much for educating us to this new medium for card-making.
Jennifer Stark
Hi Connie….I’ve used Pan Pastels. They’re really not that messy. They blend like butter….they’re not like chalk. I use them on paper and making mixed media pieces.
Connie
Thanks Jennifer. From all reports they are fantastic to work with. Since I prefer to mix my own colours to make new interesting blends, I was told by an artist friend that the 20 colour set of one colour group was a waste of money as some colours are repetitious. I was told I t’s far better and more cost effective to buy three 5 colour sets: Shades, Pearlescent, and Metallics. You get plenty of soft tools with each set. And a clear empty palette is good to buy where the Individual pans fit because it makes it easier to use the pastels. I also was told to buy white separately and maybe a colourless blender. You can buy these from Amazon. And for my friends Down Under, Amazon has the best prices of pan pastels anywhere including Ebay. I was also told a fixative was good for using when layering colour and gesso clear liquid provides good tooth before laying down the colour. Fixative and gesso are readily available on Ebay at better prices than specialty and art shops online. Hope this information helps others as it helped me!
Judy Hollers
Thanks for using Pan Pastels! Love this card and the tips you gave us. I am looking forward to the other videos in this series. Thank you. –Judy
Brenda L.
Beautiful card Darlene! I loved your tips and tricks you gave as well using Pan Pastels. Hugs, Brenda
Connie
Hi Darlene! Would the 5 set of the basic colours: red, violet, green, blue, yellow be sufficient to replicate the cards in your series?
darlene
For this card, yes, and maybe the next. The last two require multiple shades of the the same color.
Connie
Thanks Darlene. I’ll see what additional may be required when you get to cards 3 and 4.
Dayse
Wow, such a different medium altogether, like the blending ease. I don’t have these but will make a decision after the series. I’m not a huge ” chalk” type fan but these could be something I get interested in.
Thanks for a fabulous card technique.
danielleb
Hi Darlene,
Such a great card. Do you think that other chalk pastels could work for this effect?
darlene
Hi Danielle. To be honest, I don’t know. You’ll have to do some Google research. I would guess that it depends on the brand.
Carol Mac
Wow these look really neat! Did you heat dry the versamark or let it air dry? I don’t believe you mentioned it in the video. Can’t wait for the next installment!!😎
darlene
I didn’t heat it or let it dry – I applied the PanPastels while it was still wet.
Glenismaree
Darlene, I have to admit that I was somewhat apprehensive about the word “pastels” which conjured up “mess” but I am over that now and ready to have a go. I love the card and so looking forward to seeing what else you come up with. …hugs
Kylie Adams
oooh, so pretty…
Jennifer Stark
I am so excited about this video series, My friend has a ton of these and I’ve been playing with them!! I really love the pan pastels…..thery’re so creamy and give rich, vibrant colors.
candida2005
I am interested in the Distress Oxides for blending to make backgrounds but these Pan Pastels seem even easier! I wonder what they are like to stamp on?
darlene
They are actually a little slippery. I will stamp on them in card #3.
Caly
oh goodness, Darlene! I just spent a lot of money on Daniel Smith watercolors but now I want these! LOL!