Pastelmat® Manufactured by Clairefontaine in France, Pastelmat has a legendary reputation among the world's foremost pastelists. Artists worldwide have observed that Pastelmat "tames the pastel" by providing exceptional control over the medium. Previously sold only in limited distribution, Pastelmat is now widely available throughout North America.
ORGANIC VELVETY SURFACE:
Pastelmat Mounted Board is a unique product with a strong, robust, and sturdy surface with more tooth than traditional Ingres papers but without the abrasive qualities of sanded papers. Pastelmat's organic surface and robust texture are derived from cellulose plant fibres. In comparison, sanded pastel papers, like all industrial sandpapers, are made with aluminum oxide and other chemicals to create their gritty surface.
VIBRANT COLOUR:
Pastelmat texture grabs onto the pastel, breaking up the pigment and pulling it deep into the surface for vibrant colour.
"PAINTING WITH PASTEL":
Pastelmat uniquely interacts with pastels, allowing the artist to create painterly effects with soft, buttery marks.
BLENDING:
Pastelmat offers remarkable control, allowing for effortless, precision blending of pigments.
LAYERING:
Supports building up multiple layers of pigment to control colour tone and intensity.
NO PASTEL DUST:
The extreme abrasiveness of sanded papers generates large amounts of dust. Inhaled or absorbed over a long period can cause serious health problems. Pastelists are therefore recommended to wear masks and work over a tray to catch dust, minimizing the amount of dust that gets on clothing, on the floor, or blown through the house by the heating or A/C system. Pastelmat's velvety surface produces relatively little dust, so such precautions are unnecessary.
ERASABILITY:
Pastel can be easily and completely erased with the use of melamine foam and foam sponges (such as Moo Eraser) or by spraying compressed air to remove the pastel. Although both tools remove pigment, pastels will remain stable under normal conditions and do not require the application of fixatives.
FINE LINE ARTWORK:
Pastelmat's velvety surface is suitable for fine line artwork, unlike grittier sanded papers.
Lower Consumption Rate of Costly Pastels: Pastelmat's surface consumes pastel sticks at a 30% slower rate than sanded papers.
FINGERTIP SCRAPING:
Fingertip blending on sanded papers is rough on artists' skin. Pastelmat's velvety surface is gentle.
FOAM andamp; SPONGE APPLICATORS:
Pastelmat supports using foam and sponge applicators for applying pigment, blocking areas of colour, layering and underpainting.
NON-TOXIC SURFACE:
Pastelmat's non-toxic surface is created with natural cellulose particles. In comparison, sanded papers are adapted from materials designed for industrial use. The application of aluminum oxide, a skin irritant with a questionable safety record, produces grit on the surface of sanded papers.
WASHES:
Holds up to water or solvent-based washes. This allows pastelists to create underpaintings with solutions of denatured alcohol or other solvents and to build layers on top.
NO NEED FOR FIXATIVES:
Because Pastelmat's surface pulls and holds pigment so deeply, fixatives are unnecessary to keep the colour stable.
MIXED MEDIA SURFACE:
Pastelmat is so versatile that, in addition to pastels and pastel pencils, it will support most dry and wet media, including oil pastels, charcoal, coloured pencils, acrylics, watercolours, and gouache.
SUPPORTS ALL PASTEL TYPES:
Pastelmat supports the application of soft, medium, and hard pastels, Sennelier oil pastel sticks, Cray-Pas and other oil pastels, PanPastel colours, and pastel pencils.
Formats Acid-free / Neutral pH
PADS:
- 18 x 24 cm (7 x 9½")
- 24 x 30 cm (9½ x 12")
- 30 x 40 cm (12 x 15½")
SHEETS:
- 24 x 32 cm (9½ x 12½")
- 50 x 70 cm (19½ x 27½")
- 70 x 100 cm (27½ x 39½")
MOUNTED BOARDS:
- 50 x 70 cm (19½ x 27½")
- 70 x 100 cm (27½ x 39½")
SIZE *
* Measurements were converted from metric size and rounded to the nearest quarter inch. For the most accurate measurements, please look at the metric sizes listed.
