Unison Color Mushy Pastels are a favorite amongst pastel artists for his or her buttery texture and wealthy color payoff. Handmade in Northumberland, UK, every pastel is fastidiously crafted utilizing solely pure pigments. On this article, artist Mark Packer shares how he found Unison pastels, what units them aside, and why the color Gray 28 – a tint so pale it’s white – has grow to be a necessary a part of his apply.
Artist Assessment of Unison Color Mushy Pastel Gray 28
By Mark Packer
I’ve been utilizing Unison pastels for just a few years now, after making an attempt a number of totally different manufacturers and researching which might finest go well with my inventive wants. I began out with pupil high quality pastels, purchased from an area artwork and guide retailer, however I didn’t know again then in regards to the distinction between high quality pastels and the cheaper manufacturers.
When utilizing cheaper manufacturers, there have been occasions I wanted extra depth and color saturation, and infrequently it was irritating making an attempt to get the outcomes I needed. The white, particularly, didn’t have the opacity and vibrancy I wanted. So as to add to this, I used to be additionally disillusioned to seek out that after just a few years, one in all my pastel work hanging on our lounge wall confirmed some important fading of colors, particularly the pink. The pastels I used to be utilizing weren’t marketed as artist or skilled high quality, and sadly, on the time, I didn’t know any totally different.
I began making an attempt out two different manufacturers of higher high quality pastels. One model was so gentle that the pastels would crumble, and a few fell aside, turning into mud once I peeled away the paper wrapper. The opposite, a more durable sort of soppy pastel, was nice for fantastic particulars, however layering pure white highlights on high, equivalent to reflections in eyes or white fur over black, was tough, if not unimaginable. So I used to be looking out for one thing else, and significantly a white that I may very well be pleased with.
I used to be launched to Unison pastels after watching one in all Emma Colbert’s tutorials on YouTube. My predominant topic of curiosity is animals, so I used to be happy to seek out an skilled artist educating on this space. I needed to seek out out extra in regards to the pastels Emma was utilizing and why she had chosen them for her work, so I checked out many critiques. After which I regarded on the Unison web site earlier than lastly taking the plunge and shopping for just a few. I used to be not disillusioned. The pastels glide throughout the floor like butter, and a small quantity of the pastel goes a great distance.
Their pure white, in any other case confusingly often called Gray 28, is good. I’ve been utilizing it in my present work in progress of a tiger portray – it has been nice for distinction between black and white fur and for creating lighter tints. If you happen to snap the pastels, you get a pleasant, sharp edge to work with for finer particulars, and this has been nice for working in smaller areas. The Gray 28 is opaque sufficient to cowl darkish areas of fur, even over black, with none hassle.
The qualities I like about Unison pastels are that they’re not overly dusty but nonetheless buttery gentle, sturdy sufficient that they don’t crumble simply, and could be snapped to create sharp edges for finer work. All of their pastels have a lightfast score of seven or 8, and so they’re loaded with pigment with little or no binder.
I’d additionally like to say the worth of those pastels; as you’ll anticipate, they’re costly, however contemplating that they’re rolled by hand, I feel they’re good worth for cash.
Eyes of the Tiger, 2026
Mark Packer
Pastel on paper, 50 x 40 cm | 19.7 x 15.7 in
Additional Studying
In Dialog with Dan Hersey and Jim Longman from Unison Color Mushy Pastels
Ginny Elston on Curating the Unison Color Versatility Mushy Pastel Set
Artwork Phrases Defined: Pastel Portray
Mixing Strategies in Oil, Acrylic, Pencil, Pastel, Charcoal, Watercolour, and Ink
Store Unison on jacksonsart.com
