Best Pastel Paper of 2025

"I absolutely loved the variety of colors and the perfect texture of the paper. It's easy to work with, and I can tell it's quality paper since it doesn't tear when I make mistakes. It works great with pastel and watercolor when I apply clear Gesso first."

"I bought this for my daughter, and I was pleasantly surprised by this affordable pastel paper. Even though it's not sanded, it handles a lot of pigment remarkably well. The smooth texture allows for blending and layering, making it an excellent choice for practicing without spending too much."

"I've heard some people say this paper can be challenging to work with, but if you take your time and work in thin layers, you can achieve beautiful details. I'm currently doing a study on a Shih Tzu face and using pan pastels and Stabilo Carbothello pastel pencils. I'm getting lovely detail and color mixing with this paper."

"I find Canson Mi-Tientes black pastel paper to be an affordable way to practice pastel work. It has a smooth and textured side, and although it's only 90 lbs, it performs well for blending and layering. As a beginner, this paper is perfect for me!"

"I really enjoy using this paper for both pastel and charcoal. No complaints here!"

"Having practiced with pastel pencils and soft sticks, I initially bought this paper to start. I've tried sanded and velour papers, but Canson Mi-Tientes remains my favorite due to its great tooth and ability to hold many layers. It's sturdy and frameable, so I'll definitely continue using it!"

"I’m new to art and needed some affordable paper for practice. This pad was perfect at just $6, offering four colors with enough tooth for pastels without being too bumpy for sketching. It holds up well under pressure!"

"These colors are fantastic for backgrounds! The thickness and tooth of the paper are great for layering, making it ideal for wax or oil pastels and pencils."

"I bought this for oil pastels, and it works well! The blending of pastels and colored pencils is smooth, and with 16 sheets in each of the two pads for under $15, it's a great deal!"

"As a beginner, I find Uart to be one of the best pastel papers. Initially, I struggled with unsanded papers, but with Uart, I can layer up to 8 or 9 colors. It accommodates various underpainting techniques without damage. The only downside is that it curls a bit, but that's manageable for me since I frame most of my work."

"Years ago, when I took art lessons, I was unaware of this exceptional paper. Now, I am astonished by how effectively it works."

"I absolutely adore Uart paper! It's robust, holds my pastels perfectly, and the size is ideal for my landscape artwork."

"I thought it was all white, but I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of dark colors. The thick paper feels strong, and I can't wait to use it for my art. I would definitely recommend it to others!"

"I've been experimenting with different papers, and this one really stands out. It works great with colored pencils and pastels, which I didn't expect. I'm very pleased with my purchase!"

"This pastel paper has beautiful tones and a lovely texture for oil pastels. I just wish it came in larger sizes. Overall, I'm very happy with its quality!"

“I absolutely love this paper! It holds tons of layers and is, in my experience, the best for pastels and colored pencils. Although I wish it didn't cost so much, it definitely elevates my art. The smooth texture is a delightful surprise, too.”

“Using Clairefontaine Pastelmat has been a game changer for me! Blending soft pastel colors is so easy on this product, and I truly enjoy the look and feel of it.”

“I bought this paper for a beginner's pastel workshop I taught. Having the right surface is crucial to fully appreciate the potential of pastels. Pastelmat offers a consistent surface that allows for a velvety look and smooth gradient blending while still capturing pigment superbly.”

"I absolutely love UArt sanded paper! It holds many layers of soft pastel, PanPastels, charcoal, and pastel pencils beautifully. My favorite color is black because it really makes the colors pop!"

"I found the lighter colored paper to be better than black, as it allows me to lighten up the pastels more effectively. Overall, I'm very pleased with my experience."

"I was surprised to discover that the sheets are separate and not a pad, but that hasn't been an issue. I've used it with PanPastels and pastel pencils, and it has the perfect amount of tooth for my needs."

"I think this paper is excellent for chalk pastels. The texture really grabs the pastel, and it feels substantial. While it's not the cheapest option, the quality makes it worth the price. It's used by professionals, which speaks volumes about its quality."

"As someone who enjoys working with different mediums, I find this paper fun to experiment with. The assortment of colors is great, and I love using the smoother side for colored pencils. It really brings out beautiful highlights that don't show on white paper."

"I've had a great experience with this paper. It holds layers beautifully and has a nice selection of colors. Plus, it ships quickly and is well-packaged, making it a good buy overall!"

"I find this paper to be great value for the money. It feels adequately sturdy and heavy for oil pastels. Since I'm just starting out, the paper is performing nicely. I can also see it being suitable for other media like acrylic paint and gel printing."

"I used this paper as a gift item with a pastel set, and it works great for that purpose!"

"After trying the Soho soft oil pastels on this paper, I was absolutely amazed! The paper really makes the colors pop, and I love how it enhances my artwork. I plan to buy more for my soft pastels!"

"I didn't enjoy this paper as much as the U-ART paper. Despite being 320 grit, it feels finer, almost like 600 or 800. I've tried several brands, but I'll mostly stick with U-ART. This paper has wonderful qualities: it's high quality, thick, and smooth. However, I prefer lighter backgrounds, and the dark charcoal color requires more layering. It held up well to my underpainting, but I can't offer expert advice as I'm still new to this medium."

"I've been a pastelist for many years, and after trying various papers, I found this one to be a great choice. It offers great pricing and a wide range of colors. The thickness of the paper is impressive and it holds colors beautifully."

"As someone new to pastels, I find this product works really well for me, and the price is quite reasonable. I'm not familiar with sanded paper, but I'm satisfied with how it performs."