Clairefontaine - Ref 96009C - Pastelmat Card Sheets (Pack of 5 Sheets) - 360gsm Card - 50 x 70cm - Anthracite Colour - Specially Formulated for Use with Pastels

I've recently discovered this paper for pastels, and you can do just about anything with it. It takes pastel pencils, pastel sticks both hard and soft, and pan pastels, (along with all types of graphite, and sometimes I even use touches of gouache for ultra highlights or darks. I switch between pastel pencils (both hard and soft), soft or hard pastel sticks, and PanPastels depending on the needs of the area I'm working on. I also find that it holds the pastel fairly well, and I have quit using fixative on my final works.Oh, and you can erase.

After over a decade of being a dedicated professional pastelist, and having worked on almost every surface used for pastels, I now work EXCLUSIVELY with Pastelmat. Although the initial investment price is a bit more than other papers, Pastelmat is never wasted. Rather than trashing unsuccessful paintings, the dust can be brushed off and/or manipulated to create another toned surface or under painting. It also has the property of not dropping dust AND it allows for mixing of color on the surface much like liquid pigments, thereby alleviating the need for so many different colors while using less of my precious pastel sticks. One can use the soft velvety original surface or apply fixative to create a more textured surface.Taking in all these factors, I believe it to be the most economical paper on the market. As an instructor, I start students out using this support then encourage them to try other papers. Invariably they all return with the same opinion as I.

I like the quality but, the price is a little high, big effort to afford it

Holds many layers

Unfortunately this pack of pastelmat arrived with bent corners, making all the sheets unusable for commissions. I ordered several packs of various colors at the same time to save on shipping from the UK and every single pack has severely damaged edges. Unfortunately these packs are wrapped in cellophane with no protective backing or cover so not only are the corners trashed but the first sheet in each pack is heavily marked up from being handled at the warehouse. What a waste of what used to be excellent paper. And what a waste of money. Save your money and order through an art supply store where they understand how to properly wrap and protect nice papers!

The pastelmat is nice...however-the description says is comes in a pack of five sheets. The price is for one sheet. The seller has contacted me and the issue has been resolved.

Me preocupaba que se lastimara el papel en la entrega, sin embargo hicieron un excelente trabajo en empaque y llegó perfecto. Definitivamente es el mejor papel para trabajar en pasteles secos.

I love everything about it! Takes layers of pastels easily. I can also use water on it for a wash. Very happy with it.