The best pastel paper has a tooth, or grain, to it that allows it to grab and hold the medium, which does not adhere well to a slick surface. To preserve your artwork, it should be acid-free or archival quality. Colored papers can be used instead of a wash to enhance the colors of pastels. Fixative can be used to preserve your artwork, or glass can be used to protect it. Pastel paper is expensive, so some artists save money by sketching and studying on grocery bags or wrapping paper.
Tooth refers to the coarseness of the paper, which ranges from a relatively smooth surface to something that resembles sandpaper. The deeper the tooth, the more layers that can be added before it becomes fully formed. Experimenting with different types of pastel paper is the best way to find one that fits your style and technique.
To avoid decay and yellowing of your pastel artwork, make sure to use acid-free pastel paper. Newsprint is useful for sketching and drawing, but it does not last long. Poster board is also not designed to last. Look for papers and boards that are labeled as archival or museum quality. Starting with good material is preferable to losing a painting later due to material degradation.
Colored pastel paper is available in a wide range of hues. Warmer colors enhance the richness of pastel shades, while cool colors give the painting a more subdued appearance. Because pastels don’t always completely cover the surface, bits of paper may show through the painting. For this reason, some artists avoid using bright white paper. When working with colored pastel paper, you won’t need to use a wash or underpainting technique first.
Soft or hard pastel paintings can be fixed with cheap hairspray or a commercial fixative on most pastel paper. Spray lightly to avoid soaking the paper or darkening the colors too much, and avoid using fixative near open flames. The best way to keep an unfixed pastel painting from smudging or becoming soiled is to keep it behind glass.
Although good pastel paper is costly, it is often well worth the investment for works that will be kept for a long time. When money is tight, many artists use grocery bags or heavy wrapping paper for sketches and studies. Spiral or tape bound pads are reasonably priced and come in a variety of colors, with some having protective sheets in between to prevent smudges. Materials may be on sale at art stores from time to time, or substitutes such as watercolor paper or Bristol board can be used in a pinch.