I’m not an expert, believe me, but I bought a set of 90 old Grumbachers that had both the squares and the rounds in it. Each color was made both square and round. I honestly can’t tell the difference between the two. I think maybe they offer both because some artists prefer one over the other. I like the squares, but that’s just me. My opinion is that they are very nice quality, but they are not my favorite. They are similar in density and texture to Rembrandts, if you have used them before. Some colors seem to be a little softer than others. They rub down into the support well, but they also blend with each other and other pastels nicely when you use the sticks too. Honestly, I think the fact that they are discontinued makes them more rare and desirable for some people, not necessarily because they are so much better than other brands. They are good, but don’t overpay for them either! There’s my two cents worth. Good luck!

In all honesty, there is no reason as a new artist, that you should buy Grumbacher pastels. There are so many brands today, there is no reason to buy old, used pastels. For old timers like me who used them 30 years ago, their might be one or two colors that we haven’t found an equivalent over the years. That would not be the case with a new artist. For me personally, I loved the fact that they were rectangular. But, again, if you are not used to that feature, there is no reason to look for it.

Yes, you absolutely want to get pastels that you can replace when you run out of a stick. Another reason to choose something else.

Again, just my opinion, but their is absolutely nothing magical or special about Grumbacher’s pastels. Their appeal is mostly nostalgic – and for those – as I mentioned – that are looking to replace an old favorite stick.

Grumbacher was sold quite a few years ago (maybe 25?) and they stopped making their full sets of pastels. (Actually they may have stopped making their pastels even longer ago…) They still sold smaller portrait (and perhaps other) sets under the Grumbacher name, but, in my opinion, the quality was no longer there. So, no, newer versions of Grumbacher may not be better.

Don

Well, I can’t argue with the desire for a square shaped pastel. Grumbachers were the first artist grade pastel that I used when I graduated from college – and they were one of the few brands available where I could buy individual sticks (this is around 1979). Once so many more brands became available, there was no special appeal for the Grumbachers except for the fact that they were square – and in cases like myself – where I was replacing specific colors.

Unfortunately, it appears that the vast majority of artists prefer round pastels – as that is what must sell, as pretty much all other companies have gone that route!

Good luck, regardless of which pastels you choose. And in the end, you will most likely have pastels of many different brands. Don’t get hung up on brands – the important thing about pastels is choosing the colors that appeal to you most, and having the degree of softness that suits your style best.

Don

If I can chime in here, the Terry Ludwigs are known and loved by pastellists partially because of their square shape, and that is sort of unique among top brands. The top big favorites in soft pastels, the Rembrandts, Senneliers, Schminckes, Unisons, Richesons, Art Spectrums, Mount Visions, and Giraults, are all round. Not only are TLs square, but each one is hand sanded on all six sides, believe it or not, so they are flat on the edge and have sharp corners. Amazing. So yeah, they are kind of unique! The only other square shape among top pastel brands I can think of are Great Americans and Blue Earths. Both of those are so soft they don’t hold an edge the way the TL’s do. One of the things I like about the Grumbachers are the square shape, and since they are a bit harder you can really press down and get some nice, sharp wide marks with them, same as the TL’s. That’s my take on it!