Pastelmat has transformed pastel painting for many artists since its introduction. Made by Clairefontaine in France, it's a unique surface: not quite a sanded paper, not quite a velour, but something in its own category — a velvety surface made from natural cellulose fibres that grips pastel deeply and holds extraordinary amounts of pigment, layer upon layer, without requiring fixative.
The surface is genuinely different to anything else available for pastel work, and once artists try it, many find it difficult to go back. Here's what makes it stand apart:
Why Pastelmat is different:
- Grips pastel more effectively than traditional Ingres papers, less abrasively than sanded papers — the ideal middle ground
- The cellulose surface breaks up pigment and pulls it deep into the texture, creating exceptionally vibrant, saturated colour
- Allows multiple layers to be built up and blended with remarkable control and precision
- Accepts water and solvent-based washes — underpainting in watercolour or acrylic is fully supported
- Erases cleanly with a melamine foam eraser or compressed air, making corrections straightforward
- No dust problem — unlike sanded papers, Pastelmat produces minimal dust, with no need for masks
- Fingertip blending is gentle on skin — no abrasive surface to contend with
- Reduces pastel consumption by approximately 30% compared to sanded papers
- Suitable for fine line work as well as broad, expressive marks
- Works with oil pastels, charcoal, coloured pencils, acrylics, watercolour, and gouache as well as soft pastels
- Non-toxic surface from natural cellulose particles; no industrial chemicals or aluminium oxide
Available in pads and individual sheets in a range of colours. The coloured backgrounds are particularly popular — warm greys, cool blues, terracottas, and neutrals that allow the underlying colour to play a role in the finished work.
FAQ
Does Pastelmat need fixing? No — one of Pastelmat's most significant advantages is that the surface holds pastel so securely that fixative is not required to stabilise the pigment. In fact, most pastel artists prefer not to fix work on Pastelmat as fixative can alter the surface and affect subsequent layers.
What colours does Pastelmat come in? Pastelmat is available in a range of tinted colours including white, light grey, dark grey, anthracite, sahara (warm beige), sienna, dark blue, light blue, and green, among others. The coloured surfaces are particularly useful for mid-tone work where the paper colour contributes to the composition. Ask in-store or contact us to check current colour availability.
Is Pastelmat suitable for beginners? Pastelmat is accessible to beginners — the forgiving surface and ease of erasing makes it a good learning environment. However, it does behave differently from standard pastel paper and it's worth spending a little time getting used to how it grips and blends before working on a serious piece. A small pad is a good way to get started.
Can Pastelmat be used for coloured pencil work? Yes — the surface texture grips coloured pencils very well and allows rich layering. Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 and other professional coloured pencils in particular work beautifully on Pastelmat.
