Pastel

How to choose your pastel paper

To choose your Clairefontaine pastel paper wisely, these criteria guide the decision:

The type of pastel used

Dry pastel, pastel pencil or oil pastel do not always need the same surface.

Paper grain

A fine grain allows precise work, while a more pronounced grain accents textures.

Tooth / grip

An adherent surface holds pigments better and allows more layers to be built up.

How many layers you want

For rich layering, prefer a paper designed to avoid saturation.

Drawing technique

Fine detail, flat areas, blending or energetic marks all influence texture choice.

Paper colour

A white ground adds luminosity, while a tinted paper creates a base tone and helps with contrasts.

Paper weight

A thicker paper stands up better to handling, erasing and occasional wet techniques.

Compatibility with water or alcohol

Some papers allow wet grounds or diluted pigments without damaging the surface.

Resistance to erasing

Important for correcting a drawing without damaging the grain.

Conservation of the work

Prefer acid-free paper that resists ageing.

Format

Pad, sheet or large format, depending on whether you work in the studio, outdoors or on the go.

The look you want

Soft and blended, precise, textured or very intense.

Discover our ranges

Explore Clairefontaine pastel papers: grippy surfaces, refined textures and formats suited to every artistic gesture.

Pastelmat

Offers an ultra-adherent surface that holds dry pastel without early fixing. Ideal for layering and fine detail.

Ultra-adherent surface Layering Dry pastel Fine detail

Pastelmat colour range

White Blanc
Brown Brun
Dark grey Gris foncé
Maize Maïs
Dark blue Bleu foncé
Sienna Sienne
Anthracite
Buttercup Bouton d'or
Pale grey Gris clair
Light blue Bleu clair
Burgundy Lie de vin
Sand Sable
Dark green Vert foncé
Light green Vert clair
Sanguine
Beige

Pastelgrain

Features an abrasive grain that strongly grips dry pastel. Ideal for multi-layering, blending and intensive work.

Abrasive grain 360g/m² Multi-layer Dry pastel

Ingres

Combines a classic fine grain with rich background tints to enhance sketches and pastel portraits.

Fine grain Background tints Portraits Pastel sketches

Ingres pastel colours

Marbled cream Crème marbrée
Beige
Marbled beige Beige marbré
Natural Écru
Yellow Jaune
Ochre Ocre
Brown Marron
Deep green Vert profond
Aqua green Vert d'eau
Red Rouge
Deep purple Violine
Mauve
Dark blue Bleu foncé
Blue Bleu
Marbled blue Bleu marbré
Pale grey Gris clair
Grey Gris
Dark grey Gris foncé
Metallic Acier
Black Noir
White Blanc

Pergamine & Mousseline

Pergamine and Mousseline interleaving papers: translucent or silky-touch, they protect pastel artworks and also suit studies and creative tracing.

Interleaving Translucent Protection Conservation

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Discover our product catalogue and browse our products to find the one that best matches your needs.