HA SHIHA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels, 48 colors with additional 2pcs, Non Toxic Art Supplies, Drawing Media for Artist Stick Pastel for Professional, Kids, Beauty Nail Art, Pan Chalk Pastels

I am not a professional artist, rather, I am a professional who is learning art as a stress release. Last year, I began using an inexpensive set of colored pencils to hone my basic skills. I could not have told the difference between good and great pencils then. I am now better and can see a little difference, however, I can still use my cheap set with good results. Similarly, I began learning about pastels recently. The set which came with my other art supplies was limited in colors and quality. This set has a much larger palate, blends better than I expected, and it is quite reasonable in cost. Pragmatically speaking, it is at least as good as I am.I heard that people received these broken, but my set came with a sponge insert within the package. Not only did it arrive intact, but I then threw them in a backpack on a plane trip to Kansas and back and they did great. I believe the makers have overcome their shortcoming.A couple of tips from a non-professional: in order to get better detail, I have...liberated?... some of my wife's really good quality cotton-tipped swabs, the ones with very firm cotton shaped into a spear-tip. Those are fantastic for blending the pastels. The downside is that much pigment is removed, but you can layer better as well. Next, spray layers with clear acrylic spray so it doesn't smear as much. Also, to get better, crisper details, come back with colored pencils to put in details and highlights. I am still not entirely satisfied with my results, but, hey, I'm learning. My on-line instructor pointed out that beginning artists are entirely too hard on themselves. You don't expect to learn a skill like playing a musical instrument overnight, so go easy on yourself.Lastly, I bought some pastel paper with the kit. The landscape is on that paper. In my opinion, pastel paper has too much tooth for finer detail. I prefer using straight drawing paper (tinted is nice, too). The cat picture is on mixed media paper, but I still like the drawing paper better.In summation: these pastels have nice colors, a wide variety of colors, better quality than some other ones, all for about 20 cents a stick. The sticks are small, but go a long way. I don't have the experience to say how much better more expensive sticks are, but these are great for learning techniques which can be translated to better products. But the real bottom line is that I am having fun with them.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Review:HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels are a delightful addition to any artist's toolkit. These pastels offer a beautiful range of colors and a velvety texture that enhances the artistic experience, allowing for the creation of stunning and expressive works of art.One of the standout features of HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels is their exceptional color selection. The set includes a wide array of hues, from vibrant primaries to rich earth tones, allowing artists to explore and experiment with an extensive color palette. The pigmentation of these pastels is impressive, resulting in intense and vivid colors that truly pop on paper or any other textured surface.The softness of these pastels is remarkable, enabling smooth and effortless application. They glide effortlessly across the surface, allowing for seamless blending and layering. Whether you're creating bold strokes or delicate details, HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels respond beautifully, offering versatility and control to artists of all skill levels.The texture of these pastels is a standout feature. They possess a velvety consistency that makes them a joy to work with. The ability to manipulate and smudge the pastels on the surface allows for the creation of expressive effects, adding depth and dimension to your artwork. This versatility makes them suitable for various techniques, such as blending, shading, and creating texture.Furthermore, HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels are highly pigmented and offer excellent lightfastness. This ensures that your artwork will maintain its vibrancy and richness over time, allowing you to showcase your creations with confidence. The longevity of these pastels makes them a reliable choice for both professional artists and hobbyists alike.The packaging of the pastels is also noteworthy. The set comes in a sturdy and well-organized box, keeping the pastels protected and easy to access. The individual pastels are neatly arranged, allowing for easy selection and identification of colors while working on your projects. This attention to detail enhances the overall user experience.Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your artistic journey, HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels are a wonderful addition to your creative arsenal. Their vibrant colors, smooth texture, and exceptional performance make them a reliable choice for any art project. Unleash your creativity, experiment with different techniques, and watch as your artwork comes to life with the beautiful, velvety strokes of these pastels.Note: Individual experiences and preferences may vary when using art supplies. Experimentation and personal exploration are key to finding the best fit for your artistic style and preferences.

I have used soft pastels in the past and LOVED them, but I haven’t seemed to buy my own set just because prices are bit higher then I would like. As I was scrolling I saw these and thought what could go wrong if I bought them, so I did, and they are great! They are easy to layer even before you blend, they have a variety of colors, and are very pigmented. I bought the mini sticks and after one use for the size of drawing I did they held up pretty well, no breakage during use or in shipping, and they look like I haven’t even used them. I also enjoyed the freedom of using these pastels, they are easy to move and can cover up spaces pretty quickly which is much less frustrating than having to fill a space per say with a pencil. The reason I did not give them a full five stars is because blending them does require a bit of testing and technique, at first using circular motions nearly dusted my whole piece off of the page, but with some testing I figured out it is best to use a fast patting circular motion in order to blend them together. One last detail is that soft pastels are not very useful when trying to add detail so I would recommend buying a pastel pencils or hard pastels to go along with them. Otherwise as shown in the first picture your piece will end up with pretty blurry almost like watercolor looking piece. Which I find beautiful and could be enough to satisfy you but with me I loved detail detail detail. Overall I would definitely recommend these to beginners, I would like to consider myself an artist but do not have much experience working with high quality supplies so my word is as good as your own.