My Favourite Pastel Materials
Below are my favourite graphite materials. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission from Jackson’s Art Supplies or Amazon at no extra cost to you.
🌍 Note: Jackson’s Art Ships Worldwide
Artist Tip: I always encourage beginners to invest in professional-quality materials right from the start. Cheap supplies are often a false economy—they simply won’t give you the same rich results or smooth application. Remember, it only takes a single £200 commission to pay off your entire set of quality materials!
CarbOthello Pastel Pencils
I love these Pencils so vibrant and chalky, they allow the looseness and flow of my method to work. Great for glazing light pigment over multiple layers too.
Full 60 Set
CarbOthello: Buy Single Pencils
Use Jackson’s search filter to quickly find the colour. Simply type the pencil number I mention in my tutorials into the search box. Select your colour and add it to your basket. Great for replenishing stock
Caran d’Ache: 84 Box Set
These exceptional pencils deliver rich, vibrant pigment with minimal pressure while preseving the surface tooth.
I tend to use them for the rich colour/detail stage
Caran d’Ache: Buy Single Pencils
Use Jackson’s search filter to quickly find the colour. Simply type the pencil number I mention in my tutorials into the search box. Select your colour and add it to your basket. Great for replenishing stock
Conté à Paris: 48 Box Set
Vibrant, lightfast and perfect for soft glazing. While Stabilo CarbOthelo pencils are my primary go-to these days, I still rely on a few key blues and a cool red from this set!
Conté à Paris: Buy Single Pencils
Use Jackson’s search filter to quickly find the colour. Simply type the pencil number I mention in my tutorials into the search box. Select your colour and add it to your basket. Great for replenishing stock
Faber Castel Pitt: 60 Box Set
These pencils are harder than what I usually use, great for fine details. They have a wonder selection of browns ideal for wildlife work. See the ‘Buy Singles Card’ you could just buy the numbers I use.
Faber Castell: Buy Singles
Use Jackson’s search filter to quickly find the colour. Simply type the pencil number I mention in my tutorials into the search box. Select your colour and add it to your basket. Great for replenishing stock
Faber Castell: Kneadable Eraser
This is the best Kneadable Eraser that I have used. Tried so many brands and they seem to dry up and crumble… this one never does. You can mould into a point for fine erasing.
Colour Shaper: Silone Tip Size 2
I use this tool for pushing and pulling pigment in very detailed areas. Great to have in your kit. I tend to dab with it with a very light pressure, so not to lift the pigment off the surface.
Tortillion Blending Stumps
Paper Stumps I use sometime to smooth out certain areas.
You might consider buying the Small size and large size too, they are always great to have in your kit.
Utility Knife: Retractable Blade
I use this knife for cutting out my protective boards when storing my artwork… you could also use it to sharpen pencils.
Always a handy knife to have.
PastelMat Board: Dark Grey
You can add so many layers and the marks don’t smudge, perfect for my technique.
Truly magic to work on.
Glassine Paper
Superb for protecting your artwork when posting to clients of storing work.
Will not damage or smudge Pastel, charcoal or graphite.
2 Pc Combination Square Set
Always great to have in your kit… to ensure things are nice and square when cutting out pastel boards.
Combination square and speed square can mark 90°/45° angles, straight lines and parallel lines. Can be used for al sorts of jobs.
9mm Snap off Blade Knife
The Knife I use to sharpen pencils.
Quick & easy blade depth adjustment, slim comfort design, integrated blade breaker, blade included
9mm Snap off Blades
I like this brand of blades they tend to keep sharper and don’t dull as much as some of the cheaper alternatives.
Perfect for all sorts of jobs.
Metal Rulers
For safety reasons I always use metal rulers to cut along the edge.
This set is great as it has many length sizes.