Who Makes Artist's Loft Brand Oil Pastels?

[Rollo the Cat]

Artist's Loft is the house brand for Michaels Craft store in the US. I am assuming that they contract with some big time art supply producer and simply put their own private label on the box.

Question is, who makes them? Otherwise, has anyone tried them and what did you think. They are student grade for certain, but $4.00 for a box of 24 I think.

[GhettoDaveyHavok]

You might possibly get a few answers in the Oil Pastel talk forum.

Though, I cannot comment since I have never used the brand. I almost bought them rom Michael's but never bothered to. Sorry. I am pretty sure they have a similar feel to a lot of the other student brands, but you can always spend the $4 just to try them.

[LakeSailor]

I've tried them... the fundmentals are 1 hot car away from a puddle of wax, and the academic ones are very hard, sorta like farber-castell.

I would suggest you playaround with crap-pas juniors, or expressionists, which they have on the bottom shelves of that isle, with your 40% off coupon ( you do have one.. search michaels coupons on the web )

[GhettoDaveyHavok]

Oh, the Expressionists do pretty well in my opinion. I recently bought a pack of them (of course, use coupon for sure!). I was playing with them. Yeah, a little bit of crumb (not a lot), but no problem. I just press any crumb into the paper like I do with every other OP.

I never used the juniors, but they are a smaller price. However, the Expressionists are bigger sticks. But I would suggest trying a pack of the junior or expressionists, and play around. They do make good ketching tools in my opinion. I like to sketch with OP.

[Rollo the Cat]

I got the expressionist pack and they seem fine to me, which is totally meaningless since they are the only oil pastels i ever touched. I am guessing they are more wax and less oil compared to more expensive brands. I like them though.

Thanks.

[halthepainter]

Originally Posted by Rollo the Cat

I got the expressionist pack and they seem fine to me, which is totally meaningless since they are the only oil pastels i ever touched. I am guessing they are more wax and less oil compared to more expensive brands. I like them though.

Thanks.

Good guess. They are considered to be student quality, whereas, Specialists are professional quality.