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Author: Phyllis_Franklin, Contributing Editor
 | What you end up with is 5 value tints of your color.
Of course, this is using one pigment color and then using white to make tints. You can and should use color pigments to grade your custom colors as well. By mixing different pigments together you can make different shades to work with and then create tints from your new custom shades. To take the mixture further with more tints, just mix your custom colors with the next darkest or lightest tint and make an in-between custom color. |
 | Experiment as noted above with using black paste in place of the white paste or select two pure pigments to experiment with and grade your colors from those two pure pigment mixes. This will produce shades of your original pigment colors and is an excellent way to get those deep dark colors that we all search for.
Remember to keep notes on all the different pigments you mix together and what measurement you used. Then you can make that same color again and again. This photograph is showing all the color tints that have been made. Now it is time to make them into the shapes and sizes that you want. Lay them on absorbent paper until some of the moisture has been absorbed then move to wrinkled plastic wrap to dry. Or...you can move them to the oven as previously stated. Store your new custom pastels in boxes that are lined with foam, or use pre-made boxes that you can buy from art supply houses. |
 | Photograph is of finished pastels made in various shapes for various techniques. I tend to like the triangle shape that I have learned to make because it gives me edges that I like and also fits in my fingers well.
Note that the pastels are now drying on a wrinkled plastic sack. If the pastels appear to be really damp, dry them on absorbent paper for an hour or so or place them in a warm oven. Then you can move them to the wrinkled plastic. The wrinkled plastic is good because the pastels will not stick and the wrinkles give a good release surface. When the pastels have completely dried, they will be slightly lighter in color than they are when they are wet. |
| Remember, you are the artist here, make your own custom colors and experiment. When you do, send in an image file of your work, along with your name, and we would be honored to include it on a special page attached to this article. Share your color recipes. You may discover a pastel color recipe that all of us would enjoy having. Send to phyllisfranklin@hotmail.com |
| Learning to make pastels was fun. Many thanks to Terry Ludwig, Don Jusko, Rob Howard, Allan Flattman, L. Diane Johnson, and many other pastel artist friends that wish to remain nameless who helped with technical information on these pages.
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