Pan Pastels: Watercolor’s Secret Weapon
Throughout his career popular instructor, Johannes Vloothuis has explored many traditional techniques and materials for watercolor. Amongst his favorite brushes, pigments, and papers, is found one surprising material: PanPastels®. Join Vloothuis in commemorating his 100th “Paint Along” event, let’s dive into these exciting products!
When I paint with watercolors, I find myself more relaxed now because PanPastels have become an exceptional complement to my watercolor work. With PanPastels, I can effortlessly make corrections, add highlights, and even paint waterfalls directly on top of the watercolor layers. The seamless integration of the two mediums is remarkable, making it difficult to distinguish between them.
-Johannes Vloothius
What Are PanPastels?
PanPastel® is a type of pastel that can be used on its own or mixed with other mediums like oil paints, watercolors, and acrylic paint. They are applied dry with sponge tools, such as the Sofft® tools, which come in different shapes and sizes. To apply the pastels, gently pick up the color with the sponge and add it to the surface. The pastels are not meant to be mixed with water in the pan but can be mixed with alcohol to create a wash.
PanPastels® and Watercolor
Johannes uses PanPastels to achieve atmospheric effects in his watercolor painting by applying light layers on top of the dry painting. As the painting nears completion, the powdered pigment is applied using a soft applicator. In the example below, Johannes uses light pressure on the textured watercolor paper to achieve a drybrush effect.
Finer details can also be achieved using PanPastels. In the example below, Johannes builds finer details in the water in an additive process. This allows him to maintain a loose, impressionistic approach to his work and avoid detailed masking early in the painting process.
Essentials for Getting Started
PanPastel Sets®
Sofft™ Tools
Do you work with PanPastels® in your watercolors? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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Meet Johannes
Since 2011, Johannes has taught live online art workshops for Artists Network.
Jo has received several awards such as the top prize in the country of Mexico granted by the Watercolor Museum, the prestigious Pastel Society of America listed him under “Masterful Artists” and has inspired and helped grow the skills of over 18,000 artists.
Johannes is considered a master painter in all the leading mediums. He has had 20,000 online students, both amateurs and professionals. Johannes, an acclaimed international artist, has become one of the most popular art instructors in the world. His ample teaching and painting experience help budding artists overcome the traps most artists fall into that impede them from going up to the next level.
How are the pastel pans used with oil colours?