{"product_id":"pastelmat-no9-pads-the-professional-standard-for-pastel-artists-copy","title":"Clairefontaine Pastelmat Pad No.9 — Dark Grey — 360gsm — 18 x 24cm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eThe single-colour dark grey \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ePastelmat pad — twelve sheets of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003esame deep, neutral grey ground in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003emost widely used and versatile \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003etoned ground in the Pastelmat range. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eFor pastel artists who have found \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003etheir preferred working colour and want \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ea consistent supply without the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eassorted palette \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epads, the No.9 is the practical \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eprofessional choice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ePastelmat is in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ecategory of its own in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epastel paper world. The surface is not \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epaper in the conventional sense — it is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ea 360gsm card base \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ecoated with a fine layer of cellulose \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003efibres that creates a soft, velvety \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003etexture quite unlike sanded \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epastel papers. Where sanded papers are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eabrasive and grip pigment aggressively, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ePastelmat is gentle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eon both pastels and fingers while still \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eholding multiple layers of pigment with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eextraordinary \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003etenacity. The velour texture consumes \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epigment 30 to 40% more slowly than \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003estandard pastel papers, which means \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eeach stick goes further and the surface \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eaccepts more layers before reaching \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003esaturation — allowing the kind of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003esustained reworking and blending that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ewould destroy a conventional pastel \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epaper surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eThe most significant \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epractical quality \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eis the near-elimination of fixative. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eBecause the Pastelmat surface holds \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epigment so securely, fixative is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003erarely needed between layers — which \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003emeans colours stay exactly as mixed and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eapplied, without the darkening and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eflattening that fixative spray \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003einevitably causes. The surface is also \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ewater-resistant, allowing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ewatercolour and acrylic washes to be \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eused as underpaintings without damaging \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ethe surface, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eand accepts pencil, charcoal, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ePanPastel in addition to soft pastels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eThe dark grey \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eground is the most neutral and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eversatile of all the Pastelmat tones. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eIt sits in the precise mid-tone range \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ethat allows both lights and darks to be \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003edeveloped simultaneously from the start \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e— the ground itself reads as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003emid-tone of most compositions without \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eany initial laying in, allowing the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epainter to concentrate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eimmediately on the light and shadow \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003erelationships that define the work. It \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eis particularly well suited to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eportraiture, figure work, still life, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eand landscape, and works naturally with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ethe full range of pastel colours \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ewithout imposing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ea warm or cool temperature bias.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eEach \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003esheet is protected by a crystal paper \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003einterleaf. Glued at the top edge \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003efor easy removal once complete. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eAcid-free, lightfast, and archival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ePaper weight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e360gsm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eSheets:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e 12\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eSize:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e 18 x \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e24cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eColour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e Dark Grey (Gris Foncé) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e— single colour throughout\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eSurface:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eVelour \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e— fine cellulose fibre coating\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eBinding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e Glued top edge with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ecrystal paper interleaves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eMade in:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eFrance by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eClairefontaine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eWhat makes Pastelmat different from sanded pastel paper?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eSanded papers use \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ean abrasive surface that grips pigment \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eaggressively and can be harsh on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epastels and fingers. Pastelmat uses a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003efine velour coating of cellulose fibres \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ethat holds pigment gently but \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003etenaciously — consuming pigment more \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eslowly, accepting more layers, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eproducing softer, more \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ebuttery marks. It is also gentler on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eblending tools and fingers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eWhy does Pastelmat reduce the need for fixative?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eThe velour surface holds \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epigment so securely between layers that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003efixative is rarely needed. This \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epreserves colour vibrancy — fixative \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003einevitably darkens and flattens pastel \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ecolours to some degree, so avoiding it \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ekeeps colours exactly as intended \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ethroughout the working process.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eCan Pastelmat be used with wet media?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eYes — the card base is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ewater-resistant, allowing watercolour \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eand acrylic underpaintings to be \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eapplied without damaging the surface. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eOnce dry, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epastel can be applied over the wash. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eThis is a popular technique for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ebuilding tonal underpaintings before \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003edeveloping the full pastel work on top.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_yu34g_39\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eWhy choose a single-colour pad over an assorted palette pad?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eSingle-colour \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epads suit artists who have established \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003etheir preferred working ground and want \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003econsistency across a body of work \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eor a series of paintings. Dark grey is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ethe most neutral and versatile \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ePastelmat ground, equally useful across \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003ea wide range of subjects and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eparticularly well suited to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003eportraiture, figure work, and tonal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"_animating_yu34g_10\"\u003epainting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What makes Clairefontaine Pastelmat different from sanded pastel paper?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Sanded papers use an abrasive surface that grips pigment aggressively and can be harsh on pastels and fingers. Pastelmat uses a fine velour coating of cellulose fibres that holds pigment gently but tenaciously — consuming pigment more slowly, accepting more layers, and producing softer, more buttery marks. It is also gentler on blending tools and fingers.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Why does Pastelmat reduce the need for fixative?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The velour surface holds pigment so securely between layers that fixative is rarely needed. This preserves colour vibrancy — fixative inevitably darkens and flattens pastel colours to some degree, so avoiding it keeps colours exactly as intended throughout the working process.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Can Clairefontaine Pastelmat be used with wet media?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes — the card base is water-resistant, allowing watercolour and acrylic underpaintings to be applied without damaging the surface. Once dry, pastel can be applied over the wash. This is a popular technique for building tonal underpaintings before developing the full pastel work on top.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Why choose a single-colour Pastelmat pad over an assorted palette pad?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Single-colour pads suit artists who have established their preferred working ground and want consistency across a body of work or a series of paintings. Dark grey is the most neutral and versatile Pastelmat ground, equally useful across a wide range of subjects and particularly well suited to portraiture, figure work, and tonal painting.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Exaclair","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57371405025655,"sku":"96213C","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/2288\/5428\/files\/pmdg1812_706a26f1-0866-4eaf-80e8-99e17b6986cc.jpg?v=1786541025","url":"https:\/\/craftandcanvas.co.uk\/products\/pastelmat-no9-pads-the-professional-standard-for-pastel-artists-copy","provider":"Craft and Canvas","version":"1.0","type":"link"}