Home Forums Explore Media Oil Pastels Oil Pastel Talk artists loft OPs what quality?

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  • #991092
    crafor
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        What quality are artists loft oil pastels? I’m being offered 3 boxes of 12 relatively new ops for $10. Are these student grade, hard or soft, creamy, what? I do not want student grade with low pigment load and hard to handle. Are these worth the time, effort, money?
        Thanks.
        Ella

        #1191019
        Flycatcher10
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            Hi Ella, welcome to the oil pastel forum.

            Artists Loft oil pastels are considered student oil pastels and are extremely hard do to the increase amount of wax in their formula.

            Unless you want a fight on your hands with trying to move the op I would avoid purchasing these. Cheap for a reason – at least IMO.

            #1191022
            crafor
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                Thank you. I’m just beginning to learn about OPs. I have really old Grumbachers, craypas, Binney & Smith Artistas and Gallery. Guess I won’t be adding to them right now.
                Ella

                #1191020
                Flycatcher10
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                    Hi, I love artist quality Gallery/Mungyo – they are wonderful to work with and perform like neopastels. Looking forward to seeing some of your painting. Let us know if you have any questions.

                    #1191023
                    thevaliantx
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                        crafor, it is true that the higher quality OP’s (this holds true for all mediums) are easier to work with, last longer in the palette and on the wall, and generally look better, but it really comes down to you. OP’s can be frustrating to work with, apparently more so than the other mediums, but it is well worth spending the time with them. If you like this medium then go get the higher echelon stuff. :heart:

                        #1191018
                        oldrockchick
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                            a lot of people trying OPs for the first time make the mistake of buying low budget ones as they don’t wish to spend a lot of expensive ones until they know if they like them. Unfortunately this isn’t the best idea. Too many people have tried them, often on unsuitable surfaces and given up on them as they can’t get along with them…

                            Best to buy a handful of open stock good quality ones for the same price as a larger set of student ones and try them on different surfaces… try different artists quality ones, in the USA there are more to work on in the UK there is only really Sennelier (which are heavy pigment loaded but very soft) or Caran D’ache which are becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of. Daler Rowney Artists are reasonable but very hard.

                            #1191021
                            Flycatcher10
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                                Hi Ella, a short time ago a this thread was opened on a discussion of purchasing oil pastels – talks about different brands and which are good to purchase.

                                You might want to check this out: https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1322814

                                You have some good advice here and hopefully it helps you consider what oil pastels to purchase.

                                One thing, while Gallery/Mungyo does have student quality oil pastels that are as hard as nails and I don’t recommend. But they do have Artist Quality Oil Pastels which are fantastic for spreadability and color choices. These can be purchase by individual pieces and the prices on Jerry’s or Blicks are very reasonable.

                                Don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any other questions.

                                #1191017
                                Pat Isaac
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                                    Lots of good advice here and it is true that people often buy low grade materials to see if they like the media. I encourage my oil pastel students to at least buy some of the better brands in open stock to try. More success with the medium is assured. I haven’t tried the Mungyo, but have heard good things about them.

                                    Pat

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