Are soft pastels toxic? How to paint with them safely + timelapse painting

[@rachelrochelle3714]

This video is so helpful. I'm an oil/acrylic painter and recently started practicing with pastels. The colors are so beautiful and vibrant but I realized how quickly the dust got everywhere and inhaling tiny particles made my throat feel scratchy. I am still learning how to use them properly so thank you for uploading this.

[@YolandaBlazquez]

I’m so glad it was helpful! 🙏🏻❤ I have heard that from many artists so I think it must be pretty common unfortunately

[@TheAgigi3]

​@@YolandaBlazquezo.o

[@SabineMüller-j6f]

However, for some people painting with oils is worse. I cannot bear the fumes, constant cough. There are lots of videos you should constantly ventilate with oils. I never had problems with pastels, you can make a dust catcher from foil underneath the painting so nothing lands on the floor.

[@recreepy]

Your paintings are significant and valuable to the world of art.

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you so much!

[@leticiaalves7513]

Hey! I'm from Brazil and just found your channel. You inspired me to start with oil pastel! Thank you very much for the tips and for the beautiful videos :)

[@YolandaBlazquez]

And thanks to you for your lovely comment ❤ I hope you like oil pastels!

[@LaviPerchik]

Thank you for this video! I've been using soft pastels for a few years, and unfortunately came to the conclusion that in various ways it can reach my digestive system, and cause some serious problems. My solution was to use a HEPA air purifier, a mask, designated clothes and after a session wipe everything and take a shower before eating anything. But it has been such a hussle that I've also made the switch to oil pastels lately. Saw your other video about using pastelmat for oil pastels - which makes blending with your fingers much easier - thanks for that tip!

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Wow I’m actually shocked you felt it but very worth it to take measures, the issue as you said is that it’s a hassle and ends up stopping you from actually wanting to paint. I tried painting on my balcony but there’s always something: rain, strong wind or glare 🥲 I ended up using only pastel pencils with a mask. Painting carefully didn’t make any visible dust at all but it’s also not the same as using the sticks. Oil pastels are more convenient and healthier but way messier.

[@LaviPerchik]

@@YolandaBlazquez Yes, I think that if I ever use pastels anytime soon it will just be pencils for now. As my studio also happens to be my bedroom, it's just too stressful to have all this dust with heavy metals in the air for hours. Also had some health issues with charcoal - but found that only using a mask solved my problems, so less anxious about using it. I did find that Polychromos pencils can be a sort of a substitute for the pastel pencils when working with oil pastels - especially on the pastelmat paper. Really helps when you need to redefine edges.

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Oh thank you! I will try that, I will also get one or two dark neocolors for that as well. Floating dust is always bad but at least I make sure my soft pastels and pencils don’t contain heavy metals. That’s why I don’t have any Sennelier soft pastels, they have cadmium and such and I don’t know which colors do.

[@melissatobiaart]

Thank you so much for making a video on this. I think back to years ago when I was young and didn’t really think about this stuff and health and I would blow the pastel dust in the air and I developed a case of COPD, I didn’t really fully think about it until over 10 years ago when I was pregnant

[@YolandaBlazquez]

I feel you 🥲 when we are young we don’t think about these things and the consequences of what we do. I studied fine arts in college and never thought about safety in the classrooms or elsewhere, even though we were like 50 people painting in a closed environment (windows closed) and each of us had an open pot of solvent/turpentine… unsurprisingly I got chest pain .

[@TenguXx]

I'm surprised you don't use any fixatives. How do you keep your work from smudging?

[@TJ-solideogloria]

I draw with colored pencils but, I can relate to this because I cannot use certain fibers when sewing dolls, such as polyfil or fibrous acrylic blend roving-like yarns. My throat feels so irritated after using those things. Thankfully I found alternatives and use a mask when I stuff my dolls. Gorgeous work you do!

[@YolandaBlazquez]

That’s a shame as well, never thought about it. I do sewing but mostly use natural fibers and never had a reaction. I’m happy that you found an alternative 🙂

[@AzazelsWings]

I've frequently had a scratchy throat, it's never occurred to me that it could be from fibers I use. Thanks for your comment!❤

[@TJ-solideogloria]

@@AzazelsWingsoh wow! Hi 👋🏻…I hope you’re able to find a solution! I now stuff my dolls with carded lambs wool. I don’t mind the smell, so it’s perfect 😊👍🏻

[@melissatobiaart]

I have a heap Dustbuster that as I work I vacuum off the dust off my artwork so I don’t breathe it in, since I have asthma

[@melissatobiaart]

I meant hepa

[@YolandaBlazquez]

I do that too with my vacuum cleaner when excess dust gets on the surface of the paper but the particles that get in the air still cause me trouble. I’m glad that it works for you though. I may look into getting a strong air purifier to have next to my easel

[@silvia_art]

Hi Yolanda, I like very much your Painting 😊 I usually paint with oil or acrylic paint, but I often paint with Pan Pastels and pastel pencils on Pastelmat: they are great and they don't make much dust

[@YolandaBlazquez]

I always wanted to try Pan pastels but was afraid of them creating lots of dust, I’m glad to know they don’t! Thank you ☺️ do you feel like you need many colors?

[@silvia_art]

@@YolandaBlazquezhi, there are many sets, but it's possibile to buy colours individually. There are 80 colours, but it's not necessary to buy all, because you can combine multiple colors. I use soft tools with them.

[@kennethbutzer4467]

Yea but my glasses fog up when I wear a mask when I am using pastels..ugh

[@peonieglow5005]

Beautiful question which pastel pencils are u using carandache stabilo I cld see . These Beautiful light beige soft pinks pls. Pencil brand n numbers thanks🎉

[@YolandaBlazquez]

I have pastel pencils from Caran d’Ache, stabilo, Pitt and Derwent but I don’t know which particular ones I used here 🙂

[@peonieglow5005]

Thank you

[@ZahraAhmede-my7qh]

thank you so much for your helpful videos. i have a question, what kind of drawing paper do you recommend for soft pastle painting

[@YolandaBlazquez]

You’re welcome ☺️ I’m glad they’re helpful. I think it comes down to preference and what’s available to you. I personally prefer sanded papers because they allow for layering

[@kuraicraft]

this painting is stunning

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you so much 😊

[@lyssasletters3232]

Beautiful work!❤

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you! 😊

[@thanfiyafarvin7]

Can you upload a video tutorial for beginners

[@YolandaBlazquez]

I will try 🙂

[@portgree]

I loved using pastels, but had to stop due to my sinus issues.

[@YolandaBlazquez]

I think it’s much more common than it seems. I’m sorry, I miss them too

[@deboramissoorten6765]

Just discovered your channel and appreciate your information and admire your skills making these beautiful portraits , I am an oilpainter and charcoal /pencil drawer so I was intruiged by the use of these pastel pencils , can you inform le which brand you use ? Thank you and I wish you a beautiful week 🍀

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you! I also paint with oils 🙂 had no issue with pastels or pastel pencils. The pencils that I have are from different brands and got them open stock as I was needing more. I have all lightfast colors from Carbothello (soft buttery and affordable), a few from Faber Castell Pitt (the hardest), some more from Caran d’Ache (the softest and most expensive), and a couple from Derwent (beautiful muted earthy tones). I like them all and use them together based on the color.

[@deboramissoorten6765]

Thank you so much for all yr info 🙏@@YolandaBlazquez

[@YolandaBlazquez]

You’re very welcome 😊 @@deboramissoorten6765

[@ДимаМей-о8в]

Such soft skin, amazing

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you ❤️

[@anahenriques.]

First of, what a beautiful painting. I understand the concerns with pastel sticks and I wonder how you feel about *PanPastels* or if you heard of/ used them at all.

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you so much Ana ❤ I have never tried PanPastels but I’ve heard of them. I imagine that applied carefully with sponges don’t release much powder to the air. I guess it would be worse using a brush but I honestly don’t know.

[@anahenriques.]

@@YolandaBlazquez they’re really good. When used on pastelmat I have pretty much no dust falling off. I invested on pure pigments and mix them on a piece of palette or printing paper, but you can also apply them directly to the paper with the sponge applicators.

[@YolandaBlazquez]

@@anahenriques. it’s good to know ☺thank you

[@shreyasfineart]

Superb 👍 i have the exact same box easel 😊

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you! ❤️ I love it, use it aaaall the time with all media

[@chlovisart]

Yolanda yo tengo colores de éstos y no sabía que eran,tóxicos

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Si tienes buena ventilación en casa, no eres muy sensible y no utilizas los que tienen metales pesados no creo que pase nada si sigues algunas de las medidas que recomiendo. Para mí teniendo ventilación con llegar una mascarilla es suficiente 🙂

[@chlovisart]

@@YolandaBlazquez Yolanda gracias por tu información

[@gabrielasouza4655]

Fantastic👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Thank you! ♥️

[@juliehardinera9345]

Yes, you're correct I also wearing face mask 🥰

[@pocahontasseguinart7099]

I'm born with microcephaly disabilty that struggle academically for 29 years about to be 30 soon in 2025 January 18th. I've been painting and drawing with my gifted art tallent Sence a infant with no help not even a teacher that think they know everything and I never been to dumb college especially Sence in Self taught. I've experienced with paints too but I would say workimg on of everyday unless you got to Finnish a picture or paintimg its ok but I would say not every pastels and paumts are unsafe. Use Ap and funny Sence last year I've looked up whats ok To use more because the supplies I use to have or see I notice it's not Ap or its a truly toxic and this is why true artist gone mad Sence back In the days or get very sick and die. I wish the stuff I see now was around when I was a child. I found out varnish is horrible bad for you and toxic and cause cancer and I didn't know it was harmful and no body show others on social medias you need a mask or gloves 🧤 but Im glad I've started. Varnishing any artwork will cause harm to you if you do it everyday mask or not but you need a proper mask. Something happened to me and like I said I’m born with microcephaly, my head was so small sence birth and sence birth I’ve been crying sence a baby and my mom could not stop me crying cause I had terrible bad bad bad headaches sence a baby before I could even walk before I grew. I also struggle academically so my learning things you all do in schools it’s hard so I was pulled out of school at 10th grade .last year when I painted and varnished So much , the varnish did something to me .i had that headache again like I had sence a baby . I have to lay on the couch for days and my mother have to lay down on the couch with me and it took days ,weeks to feel better and I could not travel. Even my step dad had to research about the supplies I’ve used even the new ones and they were worried . When my head calmed down I still have to take breaks not to draw and paint and varnish unless sketching with pencils , I have to see a doctor to scan my head . It was terrifying what I’ve been through that I’m not sure you or others had this SCARRY experienced as an artist . I wish you and other artist and college and school professors or teachers just talk about this type of danger like how I’ve experienced and danger of paint thinners that’s not so safflower oil or walnut oil and the danger ⚠️ of varnish even if you use a spray and what will happen if you do this too much and breath it and use everyday and even make sure it drys and not where a proper mask and gloves that’s not truly protecting. Glad you did this video because you also should talk about the actrully danger is things like the varnish and thinners . 0:05

[@emilyerdbeere9210]

I am sorry to hear your story… but it’s a warning that I take serious. You mentioned Walnut oil, is Walnut oil toxic, too?

[@qeri.q]

❤❤❤

[@YolandaBlazquez]

🥰

[@Acelestialerror]

Thinking I'm just going to throw them away

[@YolandaBlazquez]

Your soft pastels? That would be a shame although I cannot say I’m using mine that much

[@Dahlily]

You can donate them (to me lol or on a serious note to a charity nearby)!!! Im sure there's people who would love to have such an expensive art supply 🙏

[@Acelestialerror]

@Dahlily the package says it are oil pastels but they where really cheap I don't know what I did whit them

[@royalfrostrose6545]

My childhood ass made makeup out of cheap pastels😅

[@YolandaBlazquez]

🙈 ouch well, we all do silly things… if it makes you feel any better in art school we had rooms with very poor or nonexistent ventilation and like 50 open jars of solvent at all times….