Are Generic Sponges as Good as PanPastel Sofft Sponges?

I was shopping on Amazon and saw some sponge covers that looked similar to the Sofft tool sponges for PanPastels that I love so I decided to order a set to compare. the sponges for $7 for 40 vs $6.30 for 10 pan pastel sponge covers. Watch the video to see how they compare!
Arrgh, the pan pastel sponges are so much cheaper at Blick: shrsl.com/474qb I absolutely would go with the brand name sponge covers at Blick: shrsl.com/474qb they are still more expensive than the generics but not by much and I think the quality is worth it.
Here is the Amazon generic ones if you are interested, they aren't bad: amzn.to/3qRaXKC
You can skimp on the makeup applicators, I think the cheap ones are just as good and the savings are huge: amzn.to/3YOj2fD
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[@PhoenyxAshe]

I had to chuckle when I saw the thumbnail for this, because last week I was watching another KZbin gushing over his discovery of PanPastels. The fun thing is that he's not an ArtTuber* - the channel is Black Magic Crafts, where he mainly creates wargaming terrain. He found out that the PanPastels were a fantastic alternative for dry brushing. *Technically. Some of the terrain created in that community are absolutely works of art on their own.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@w.vangaal1077]

@PhoenyxAshe Yes.. I have used the knives without socks as little pallet knives for my miniatures..I am still figuring out which genre or scale but knowing that I can use from my own supply will lower the costs of discovering this new exciting miniature world.

[@GingahSnapsArt]

A lovely comparison! ❤ We recently toured the Golden factory in NY (13/10, Do Recommend To A Friend!) and honestly their attention to detail - and quality assurance - is unparalleled. It was ah-mazing. I can see the merit in using different sponges though! Is always worth comparing options and using what works best for you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@rubberartist]

Thanks for the comparisons, Lindsay. I bought Pan Pastels a long time ago, with some pallet knives and covers, then I hit Sally Beauty for eye shadow applicators. Sadly, they died after a long stretch of no use. Disintegration like in the Avengers movies (Ultron?). You always have the best 411 on supplies!

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

I invite everyone who own pan pastel palette knife to check the edges of the "knife" (where you put the little sleeves on ) all the ones i have ordered where sharp ! razor sharp with plastic casting residue ! i've teared many sleeves before realizing the knifes were the problem . it's realy easy to fix it with a kitcken knife or a nail file .

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@andreaharutunian3838]

You have inspired me to break out my pan pastels 🎉 it's been a long while!

[@markyteo]

The real question is, do the sofft tool sponges work as well or better for make-up?!😂

[@yazosoyo]

I was actually wondering that! Will those PP sponges beat a Beauty Blender for makeup application 😂

[@LaviniaNova]

😂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I don't know but there might be ingredients that are safe for using with art that are not safe for skin.

[@terrilyon6825]

I don't use pan pastels but i thoroughly enjoyed this video 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm so glad!

[@mjpete27]

Super video Lindsay! I have a few of the “pastel” sponges and tools but no pan pastels! I got them to stay cleaner when using regular sticks of pastel. I am still learning about this new to me medium but they do help with blending! I am currently learning about the Painterly Landscape method of Alain Picard and creating the impressionist look and feel with just mark making, so far it is no easy task. Yet you get out of your activities what you put into them! It is one thing to buy the paint but unless you squeeze it out you will never learn how to paint with it! Thank you for sharing your wonderful expertise and knowledge with us. Please take care, be safe and have yourself a lovely day!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'll have to look him up, you have spoken so highly of him!

[@sambabird7]

Whoa! I didn’t know the sponges had a shelf life! I need to start using them more. 😂

[@encoasticastudio4043]

Thank you for the review. I had seen these dupes on Amazon and was wondering about them. For my purposes they would probably be great, as I’m using my Pan Pastels mostly for encaustic painting and I’m using up my Sofft covers way too quickly. I’ll keep the Sofft covers for when I’m using the Pan Pastels on colouring books and get generic ones for encaustic painting. Perfect!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!

[@shadowguard3578]

A very timely review, I’ve been wondering the same thing. I’ve used the Pan Pastel Sofft Tools and a watercolor paint brush to pick up the pigment. The paint brush picks up the powder pigment and some of the pigment might gently fall off. However, saying that, you can get a soft and delicate coverage using a watercolor paint brush. Thank you for your input!

[@marytesta3003]

I tried makeup brushes also and found they also lifted and moved the pastel to easily on the paper. With that said I never quite got the hanf of soft pastels.

[@shadowguard3578]

@@marytesta3003I haven’t got the hang of Pan Pastel or soft pastel painting either 😊. I’m a watercolorist and sometimes I use watercolor pencils and now Pan Pastels, to my watercolor paintings for minor detail, enhancements, or corrections.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful!

[@candyclouston1412]

The initial performance might be comparable, but I suspect the denser PanPastel sponges will hold up to being wiped on a paper towel or cloth better. I would hope they're less apt to disintegrate with time, a problem I've had with less expensive sponges. Then again, I could be rationalizing to feel better about the investment I've made. 😄

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are probably right and I you get the bulk covers at bilck the price isn't bad

[@madhabitz]

That is a really good find - thanks for doing my work for me. :) In looking at your testing I can see that I'd go for the less expensive choices for sure. One thing that I am seeing -- I think because my perspective is different than your closeup view -- is that the official sponges are producing edges that are more defined. I like these pastels for their blendy nature, so this isn't an issue for me-- I think the bargain sponges would work well for my needs and would save me some money. Golden bought 'em up, eh? I guess if it had to happen, we're lucky that Golden's the one to do it.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, for sure. I think I'll go for the bulk pack at blick because I enjoy using the other shapes as well and it's not much more that way.

[@madhabitz]

@@thefrugalcrafter I saw that in your description after posting and went looking for links -- thanks! :)

[@berolinastrassmann]

Thanks, Lindsay! I don't have Pan Pastels. Would these soft sponges work well with regular soft pastels as well? I have Mungyo and Jaxell (on the harder side) Sennelier, Schmincke (on the softer side). I still dislike getting my fingers dirty 🙄and find using tools very appealing 😊. Thanks for the comparison, as always thorough and fair.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They are good for bl3nding the pastel after you colored it on the paper but not for applying from the stick. I bought the tools hoping I could use my sticks like pan pastel but even my schminkes were not soft enough.

[@nancyloomis3046]

I bought the starter set of 10,..at the time..and added to it. A starter set of 20 would be great!

[@angelag9346]

Hello Lindsay....thanks for this video...I have some of the pan pastels but have not purchased any of the tools yet...now I'm better informed. Have a lovely week!💜

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@marytesta3003]

Thank you Lindsay. This was a great comparison. The soft pastel sponges wipe off on a paper towel so well. That amazed me. Does your pastel course go over pan pastels too? I have all the stuff but just didn't get the hang of it. I think paper is so expensive so stepped back.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes it does!

[@geriprior751]

Good to know where we can save money for the tools. Thanks for testing and sharing your results Lindsay.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@ChantelleArts]

never got on with pan pastels, might be time to give them another go 💜

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, they are great!

[@annettefournier9655]

Thank you lindsay.❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You’re welcome 😊

[@DeniseBrooks1955]

Thank you for this Lindsay. I’ve tried a few substitutions for the Sofft tools and am never satisfied. I’ll try these.

[@amymclaughlin1201]

Funny, the 1st set I got, was the metallics, because I was in a craft outlet store and they were really cheap. A stack of 3, came with covers but no spatula. So some months later went to Chicago, actually to go to the Art Institute, (primarily to see Hopper's Nighthawks). Stayed at a hotel with Dick Blick store kitty corner. Like a kid in a huge candy store. Actually planned to get the pan pastel spatula. And some of the pan pastel things were on sale. So got more sponges and the extra dark landscape set. (and a bunch of Inktense pencils, and other pencils, etc). Pan Pastel also sells a mixing set stack of 5. Black, white, grays. Might go well with the basic painting set if one is debating between tints and shades. I love this kind of video.

[@marytesta3003]

I am blessed with 2 Dick Blicks within 45 minutes.

[@ContagionStudios]

A black and white are included in the Pure Painting set of 20, I went with that because I know with my sensory issues that I couldn't deal with pigment on my hands in the quantities that would happen with pastel. I recently got a make up brush set for blending after dealing with my Sofft tools wearing quickly on the cheaper Canson Dry mixed media paper. It's got a weird randomly sanded texture and I'm not at a point where I can invest in better pastel paper right now.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Try canson mi-tinets or the canson xl pastel paper (if they still make it) or stathmore art again paper. Sanded paper is tough on the sponges.

[@Linda-qq5mg]

Thanks for a wonderful comparison of sponges etc. This is so helpful! 😉

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@melissaaldosari8024]

I’ve really been wondering about this! Thank you!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Happy to help!

[@nadeaner.cowley513]

Great video thanks for sharing ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for watching!

[@Calibizaro]

Since the generic are intended for eyeshadow, makes sense that they are softer since the skin around our eyes is very delicate. I wouldn't be surprised by the lack of longevity in makeup sponges because bacteria can grow and you don't want to smear that all over your face....

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The generic covers and knives are intended for art/craft use.

[@Katubes]

The question I have is how long do they last before replacing them with a new set of those sponge tips. Even if you buy the generic cheaper ones, if you have to constantly replace them then maybe it's not really cheaper than the pan pastel ones.

[@user-bl2dl9nr6f]

i get free round yellow sponges i could cut them in pieces to use .also i buy 40 packs of white mr clean type sponges ,i dont use my small pan pastels i could stencil with them,im hoping to try oil painting soon, love you

[@gaila.c.602]

Hi Lindsay! I had no idea I should be putting my used sponge covers in a sealed package. But I also never noticed them getting stiff. The problem I've had is wearing them out, what I would consider is quite quickly. But it is probably the substrate I'm using. Usually that's pastelmat or the like.. something with just a bit of grit. I wonder if the generic ones (if they are softer) would wear out even faster? TFS 💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They may

[@nancyloomis3046]

ooh glad you're doing this. I have a modest set of PP and would like to know your thoughts. The Sofft foam covers for the spatulas kind of suck...they don't hold up. The other big sponges are great!

[@melissaaldosari8024]

I’m surprised to hear they didn’t hold up. Did they disintegrate?

[@nancyloomis3046]

@@melissaaldosari8024 They didn't disintegrate, but they got little tears in them too quickly...at least for me and then I really couldn't use them much anymore. They're not very thick, unlike the big sponges that are very durable. Maybe I was pressing too hard or something..not sure. The big sponges are fantastic, very high quality (more likely better quality than similar looking makeup sponges) and take a lot of abuse and can be washed and easily shaped by pinching an edge...to a nice point as you may need. I'm not sure I would use any of the Sofft tools on sanded paper, now so popular with pastels, but I haven't tried it to know for sure. 😊

[@averymorgan1369]

I think there is a learning curve for usung them, i ran threw mine quickly in the beginning until i learned how to use them , had my spares for over 14 years and still work great , i stock up on sales

[@ContagionStudios]

​@@nancyloomis3046were you using the Canson Dry mixed media paper? I had the same trouble with it. I'm going to try out some makeup brushes for the blending and only use the Sofft tools for applying the PanPastels initially as a test. Dawn Vander Stoep suggests the 600 grit UART paper in her lessons and has some free ones that include making your own sanded paper if you sign up for her newsletter.

[@melissaaldosari8024]

​@@nancyloomis3046That's really helpful! Thank you!

[@starsunicorn]

We need a video of a actual picture you drawn with the pastels to follow.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have several, search pan pastels on my channel.

[@taylorjudi]

I just bought a set of eight pan pastels for 50 cents! I have Ultramarine blue shade, Chrome Oxide Green, Burnt Sienna, Magenta, Magenta Extra Dark, Violet Shade, Light Green, and Diarylide Yellow.I need to fill in colors. What colors or set would you recommend?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wow! Sweet deal. I'd get a warm yellow and a white and colors you like.

[@SMCCRADY2]

Need to order some items from Blick or Jerry’s and Jackson art. Let me know if you have affiliate links for any of those! Thanks

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks! I do for blick: shrsl.com/474qb after clicking you can shop for whatever you like and I will earn comission. Thank you for asking!

[@Shelleyweaver84]

What's the difference between pan pastels and normal pastels?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Pan pastels are softer and you apply them with a sponge but with stick pastels to draw and color directly.

[@Shelleyweaver84]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you

[@twizzle1710]

What type of paper do you recommend for the pan pastels? I have the original JOhannes Vloothuis set that I have never used in these many years. Pitiful.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They work well on most papers. Canson mi-tintes is a nice affordable paper in many colors and sizes.

[@melissaaldosari8024]

I wonder how they hold up over time. Do they start to come apart, with tiny bits of sponge after a lot of use?

[@averymorgan1369]

I have had some of the soffft sponges sitting for many years and mine have not come apart or anything of the sort; i saw your quedtion and tested them all as good as new ,, i stalk up on sales

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Great to know! Thanks!

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Is there a shape you find yourself using more than others?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I like them all honestly

[@melissaaldosari8024]

What do you use to wash them?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Dish soap

[@Ann-px6fw]

I really enjoy watching your KZbin channel and have learned a lot from you. I would like to purchase a gift for a friend who would like to get started with watercolor paints. I would really appreciate it if you would recommend a set or brand if pan paints, paper, brushes and maybe a getting started with watercolors book. I will also highly suggest he watch your channel. Thanks for any help you can give me. Ann

[@mjpete27]

I am sure that Lindsay w answer, I believe that she is traveling with her family just now. I have enjoyed watercolor painting for over 40 years and my recommendations might not be the same. I am a real fan of DaVinci Paints of California,they have hand poured pans that are very reasonably priced they have sets like a mixing palette, Denise Soden’s Wildlife set is a great set of 12 colors, and you can use it for more than animals! that start at $39.99 and Artist curated collections for $99.99 if I am remembering correctly. I say one thing to never skimp on is 100% cotton paper! You can buy Arches but that brand is a premium price and brand, most any cotton paper will be good. You should look for watercolor paper with your 100% cotton on the label. Princeton is a name brand brush maker Aqua Elite’s and Velvet touch are 2 lines that I can easily recommend! If you have a local Jerry’s Artarama or buy online the Mimik line of watercolor brushes are perfect squirrel hair duplicates! There are several Mimik synthetic brushes that work very well and tests done have shown that most people cannot tell the difference between real Kolinsky hair brushes and the new synthetic brushes! I have even been fooled by a demonstration at a show! With generic handles and no labels they was no telling them apart!

[@mjpete27]

🤪

[@shadowguard3578]

@@mjpete27did you inadvertently post your comment in the wrong place? 😊

[@mjpete27]

@@shadowguard3578 yep the second one should have gone to the comments not in answer to your question, Doh! Thanks!

[@mjpete27]

🤪

[@ArtOfRavenD]

Ah, I asked about this with another artist recently, but you have made a video about this! Sweet! Glad you have demonstrated sofft tools vs. generic. Looks like I will go with generic (I'm a Pan Pastel noob).

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hope you like them!