My Experience with UART Pastel Paper, Part 2

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

For decades, I have worked with Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper — a surface I know inside and out.
I’m familiar with how it reacts to different pastel brands, and over the years, I’ve come to prefer the softest handmade pastels.

Countless hours of practice have made me deeply aware of the way pastels spread, their consistency, how they interact with each other, and when to use which ones.
So when I begin a portrait, I don’t have to think about technique — I simply focus on capturing the likeness, the atmosphere, and the true expression of the model.

A Whole New Learning Curve

Painting on UART Pastel Paper, however, was an entirely new experience!
I had to rethink my usual method. 😊

The crispy, sanded surface of UART Paper allows for the use of all kinds of pastels.
They don’t need to be super soft or of the highest quality to perform well.
The paper quickly grips the pastel dust, but that also means it can become saturated very fast.
I had to adapt, learning how to apply pastels carefully to avoid overworking the surface

Hidden Challenges and New Discoveries

One surprising challenge was that the initial drawing can disappear easily — it almost feels like drawing on sand!
This forced me to be extra mindful of form and likeness at every step.

Another discovery:
If the pastels are too creamy and rich, the paper can quickly reach its saturation point, causing the surface to feel overly smooth.
But when applied with control, the colors stay luminous, fresh, and more vibrant than ever!

Final Thoughts: A Dynamic, Expressive Medium

For artists with strong drawing skills, UART Pastel Paper offers a fast and dynamic painting process.
When using extra-soft, creamy pastels, large-format paintings can be completed alla prima at an unbelievable speed — a technique unlike any other!