CHALK PASTELS?! Let's Try Them!

Trying these High Quality Soft pastels for the first time!
This was quit the process! A lot of Trial and error, but as always I don't want to give up on my ability to make something out of an art medium I don't like! What do you think? Did I do ok? Have you tried these Pastels before what do you think and do you have any helpful tips and tricks?
Once again a BIG shout out to Jacek for sending me these!
Follow me on LetterBox at BBlackCMS (:
Here's my PO Box if you want to send me letters C:
PO Box 22844
Lincoln, NE 68542

[@BlackBeanCMS]

Do you guys have any tips or tricks when using these Soft/Chalk Pastels?!

[@autumnrain1892]

I've got you, babe. I'm at work. I will fill you in when I get off❤❤

[@BlackBeanCMS]

@@autumnrain1892 Thank you!! 😊😊

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Clairfontaine (sp) Pastel Mat or Strathmore Sand Grain paper and makeup sponges and applicators to blend

[@Barb.u]

Use a make up brush to get rid of excess dust, it works for me 😁

[@Carla-jd1ub]

Yess!! I began loving pastels as a medium when I started using Pastel Pencils. With the pencils you are able to draw details and you don’t have the mess of handling them, but you’ve still got the wonderful texture and vibrancy of pastels! For bigger areas and more loose sketching I still use my set of pastel blocks I also have way more colours as blocks and blending is a bit easier because of the surface area. I can recommend the Pastel Pencils by Stabilo (not sure how available they are outside of Germany) and by Faber Castell (a bit scratchier, but those are the ones I got started with). Hope that helps!

[@nadineozeir1598]

i love that you’re always pushing yourself out of your comfort zone with your art, inspiring me to be more adventurous ☺️

[@BlackBeanCMS]

YAS! Thank you for noticing! I am trying my best to experiment and it can be so much fun especially when it goes well. I hope you're staying creative friend!

[@purplehood8418]

Every time you gave up I was like “Noooo that was so good!!!” Every iteration was so pretty. I’ve fallen in love with oil pastels lately and I loved chalk pastels in college. They are definitely different. With the chalk, one little swipe could ruin it all where as oil is more forgiving there. I loved all of these!

[@kitkat8669]

ik right??? i liked every sketch he's done! I get it though, when i get a vision for my painting i'll try to stick to it, otherwise i'll hate it. it's not like the sketches that he erased weren't good, they just didn't fit his vision

[@BMB6482]

Me too! I cried a little inside every time a drawing was crumbled.

[@The-Secret-Dragon]

The right paper is REALLY important when painting with soft pastels. Ingress papers like the Strathmore paper you used are pretty awful and don't hold onto the pigment so become super dusty and smudgy. I strongly recommend you try a sanded paper, clairfontaine pastelmat is the best, but uart and fisher400 are other good options. They allow you to layer, and the pastel doesn't require fixative

[@pendlera2959]

Thank you for making those suggestions! Dunno if he will see them, but others like me can still use them.

[@letym2271]

Back then sanded papers didn't exist and artists used paper, then gesso and the like. Claiming they're awful might be a bit of an extreme imo😅 for sure sanded paper makes it easier and the colors come out more vibrant, however you can layer on unsanded paper using just a bit of fixative everytime you want to layer or prep your canvas with gesso and pumice powder, then sand it to give it that grit. 😊 Source: been learning from well known pastelists resources :)

[@The-Secret-Dragon]

@@letym2271 they didn't exist in the past, yes, which is why Edgar Degas' pastel paintings are super fragile, badly degrading and are very difficult to conserve because he only had access to awful ingress papers. We are lucky to make the most of modern innovation and be assured in the knowlege that pastel art made with modern paper supports will last far longer than Degas' without art conservationist intervention. :)

[@michaelklein5242]

The issue with the right paper initially frustrated me. Even paper designated as "pastel paper" wasn't very good, too toothy (and admittedly, a somewhat low budget brand). But I tried that, watercolor paper and just high quality hot pressed paper and for me, the latter worked best so far. I've not tried sand paper yet because I'm only recently trying out the chalk (watercolor is my usual medium) and don't want to spend much money on it, but I probably should if it's at least more workable.

[@art4life.]

His energy is everything!!❤ ✨️ and that's the fanciest chalk pastels I have ever seen

[@BlackBeanCMS]

Thank you!!! 😭❤ AND RIGHT! THESE ARE FANCY FANCY!

[@MrAlano]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE NOT GOOD AT REALISM?!?! You are amazing and even the drawings that you did not finish were incredible. You are a great artist and your style is amazing whenever you feel bad remember you have a lot of people that support you.

[@gioandnanna]

I agree!!!

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Sennelier is the softest pastel you can buy other than Schmincke. You really should do your underpainting with a harder pastel, like the Prisma NuPastel like you were talking about. Because Sennelier is soooo soft itt will fill up the tooth if the paper fast. And btw, that is a bougie gift that cost some $$$$$$$!

[@TheLoveweaver]

Right? What a gift!!

[@user-uv9zr8qs2c]

your*

[@margaretf667]

I heard Nupastel is going to be discontinued! I cant get them affordable where I live anyway, so I use Rembrandt.

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

@@margaretf667 Yeah, I forgot about the whole discontinue thing.

[@davidsantiago-bonilla3442]

What about the jack richeson soft pastels? I feel them very very soft.

[@Kyomiibrown]

They are NOT chalk and if you use pastelmat and light layers there will be much less dust. Your final portrait is awesome!

[@_foxpuppet]

Not being the artist, I find all of your attempts to be lovely in their own way, but I can see the difference once you loosen up and get more of a handle on how you want to use this medium. The final portrait is so damn gorgeous, even without a summer glow, lol. And I'd love to see a reattempt on the portrait of your niece if you ever felt like it!

[@cailinfili]

Even though you were using a medium you aren't super familiar/comfortable with you absolutely blew me away with the end result! You are amazingly talented!!

[@chadlantz303]

Some of them are softer and some are harder because of they use the real pigments and some pigments are naturally harder than others. Also the small square of sand paper was a sample of Sennelier’s Pastel Card. Many soft pastel artist like to use a sanded surface to paint on. It hold the pastel better but it is a bit harder to blend. You did remarkably well considering this was your real first attempt!

[@AtelierArts]

A Friday upload🤩! Let's gooo! I've had art block for a while so this is sooo helpful to see ya personality on screen again 💛💛💛

[@BlackBeanCMS]

YAS!! Thank you for coming back! Sending you creative vibes!

[@emmettvictor]

Seeing an artist pick up a new medium and absolutely crush it is SO impressive. Like how?? So good, so talented!!! 🔥

[@kattenihatten]

I Find it kind of comforting! It means that everything I learn will have relevance even if I switch mediums in the future. Drawing and painting skills transfer to other genres and mediums.

[@christicovington]

The paper is a sample of their soft pastel paper, and the reason why some of the pastels are harder than others has to do with the pigments. Some are also supposed to be more opaque than others. I would recommend trying a sanded paper or a pastel paper like pastelmat. Love you and your videos. ❤ I wish I had a friend like you to hang out with. You're a sweetheart.

[@monsterpuer391]

watching you lay colours down really wakes up the dormant part of my art brain that's been craving attention. i'm dying to make art For Fun, and soon i will. thank you for your honest art process, it's really difficult sometimes and it's good to see how other artists express their joy, grief, confusion, frustration, excitement, curiosity, etc.

[@TX10X10]

I spray a thin layer of fixative and then go back in for more detail, with each layer of fixative it darkens the background, so you can really make the top layers pop. might be helpful :) I loved your drawings, I think they came out great.

[@Kaylan0713]

I’VE MISSED YOU!!!💕 I binge watch all the time because i need your uplifting humor and personality in my daily routine😂😂 so thank you

[@___.cy4neuss]

i love your channel and you’re the reason i started art. you slay every art material and you’re hilarious. don’t let anyone bring you down!

[@hihi-kv8kv]

"I'm not even good at realism" *does amazing realism* Your highschool realism was also really incredible, at least to me, since I can't do realism. Anyway, I'm always so excited for your videos! Great video!

[@therisingphoenixlovedbynat121]

You did that per usual and I saw nothing wrong with your first drawing you’re just a perfectionist. We missed you.❤ You are so talented and inspiring👑😊

[@llGracell]

four attempts and you end up with that portrait? WOW!!! You can Master those pastel so easily! The softness of the portrait so nice!

[@rileeb848]

I just got into soft pastels, and it is my new favorite!!! So easy to fix mistakes and I personally LOVE the dust and the mess. It makes me feel like a real artist. I've so been wanting to see you do a soft pastel painting. This was so awesome! You are such an amazing artist

[@cityseabird]

I think the self portrait was beautiful, but I'm a lay person. I just am always so struck by your implication of light in your drawings, how you conjure a soft, creamy light and accurate highlights on faces. It's... honestly it's sumptuous. The cheekbone on your self portrait. I cannot get over it. The blending is perfection.

[@afroborilafemme]

I’m glad you took the time to do something familiar. I find in my own art, it’s too much pressure to be trying a new medium AND a high pressure piece of art. Personally, I loved the pieces you were making of your niece, but we’re all more critical of our own work.

[@Texbun2]

For all your suffering, you did a GREAT JOB! You can tell you were learning something even though the first two drawings did not work. And yes, your self portrait looks like you!

[@victoriasmith6825]

Opening boxes of beautiful colorful things for artists is to the likes of opening a box of fancy chocolates for the chocolate connoisseur... Exciting and deliciously satisfying.

[@oxalessi]

I loved how the faces looked kind of glowing when you smudged them!💫 I would love to see you do this for an other project

[@egyptianzdancer]

That is one seductive self portrait!!! Love it!!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️I love how blended and painterly it looks!

[@olgaganian3251]

I love how you show us your struggles, it's nice to see that even someone as skilled and talented as you gets frustrated with his art, lol. Sometimes you watch these artist effortlessly create wonderful artworks and you're like how??

[@mariemoulinec3569]

You should come in Paris there is currently an exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay around soft pastel which is fantastic

[@mariemoulinec3569]

And your drawing is fantastic

[@shakiraroby4293]

Omg I missed you so much. Welcome back Mr.Blackbean.

[@BlackBeanCMS]

I missed y'all!!! So happy to be making videos again! ❤☺

[@Wordfishtrombone]

Ditching an idea and starting over is an essential artistic practice! I have a hard time doing it, but watching this again has given me courage

[@Skunkforge]

I have always hated using oil pastels and soft pastels. Your skill at using these mediums has me in awe. I am addicted to your art and this channel! 💖

[@joannfuhrer3114]

I love watching you. Thanks for sharing your gift.

[@katelynlajune9907]

I am so envious of your artistic ability ! I can’t even explain just how passionate I feel about doing so many artsy things but then my mind is blank and I get discouraged. I did the doll repainting for a while then I put it back . I want to try water marbling , and paint pouring , and paint carving and vinyl carving , and poly clay earrings and jewelry, and pottery , and I really want to work with resin !! Not to mention all the basics like painting and using pastels . I used to draw when I was young but that’s long gone .

[@Nosnohja68]

Loved loved loved the drawing! Thank you for sharing your explorations.

[@nancye7520]

I loved watching you do this 23 times 😂 because I feel like I’m slacking after I try twice with something and I give up. I’m going to dig in more. You are SO talented.

[@lindalangeheine5787]

Happiness is a new video from YOU! When you swiped over the first portraits, they looked so mysterious. Loved that! Especially powerful is your use of color in the skin. What an inspiration you are! And so fun. Thank you!

[@carolannruby]

I learned soooooooo much in such a fun happy way! Your way! Thank you for sharing YOU and your artistry!😊

[@gioandnanna]

yOU ARE delightful! love to hear your commentary. Your adorable personality shines forth! And I love your art!

[@martakrasuska2483]

You help me so much in battling my art block and just watching you paint/draw helps my creative process immensly , i love Your sense of humour and I really wish I had more people like You around me irl. 😢

[@spinynrmn7121]

Thank you for showing us your struggles as well as your success. It's really an important reminder that sometimes it's ok to start again and that each attempt will teach you something worthwhile. Your final drawing is really beautiful. I love the colors and the combinations you use. Your art is always colorful and creative but this piece goes above and beyond- it really glows.

[@sallybanner]

a great likeness of you! love to watch you work

[@robins_corner]

I love soft pastels, have since I was a child. There's a strange affinity with the colorful, chalky powder left behind. Like the Indian holiday Holi, the Festival of Colors... Anyway- paper makes a MASSIVE difference with soft pastels. I used to love using suede board... omgEe that is divine. Creamy smooth.

[@robins_corner]

p.s. Fine details can be added with pastel pencils.

[@junosmith7668]

You're an amazing artist. I love how you can use color on a drawing like this that's, like your said, "realistic" and make it cohesive and beautiful. I love how you use color overall. Keep it up!

[@tinavera2476]

Gotta get you some make up sponges and sime eyeshadow sticks to blend. They are amazing. PanPastels are simply the best! Your portrait is gorgeous! Tfs

[@adorkyninja]

Another amazing piece of art.

[@makeitgaywithlisarenea894]

THANK YOU for the chalk pastel vid. It was so valuable to see you “fail” and keep trying over and over. It’s so incredibly relatable. But I know IRL it had to have been pretty miserable and Frustrating. The comment you made about the ceiling fan made me literally LOL

[@reeree6682]

Child of God!!! Your self portrait is freaking fantastic!!! I so admire your determination! YOU can do anything!!!

[@LBFG77]

Oh my gosh, I loved it! I love your portrait, your little bald man and every scrunched up drawing of your niece. Perfectly imperfect, so creative, and colorful!! Five gold stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@alittleunconventional.3333]

I just love your self portrait

[@SOCyak]

This guy’s personality can brighten anyone’s day, I’ve been having a hard time lately and watching these videos give me a peace of mind ❤

[@aav2364]

Another fantastic painting. I love it

[@allove913]

Send me your throwaways!! Because my heart crushed every time you balled up your art! You’re vision is amazing. But I definitely get wanting your art to matching the image you intended

[@daviclemons6910]

*Art and a smooth tone of voice are exactly what I've been missing in my life.* So glad this channel was recommended to me! 💓

[@ilariacarloni8393]

What a treat when you post! I love your videos and you amazing personality!

[@teehlfx5238]

Love watching you work and building those layers 🥰 (even If you don’t always love the outcome I appreciate seeing the process no matter where it ends up)

[@EternalYorkieMom]

Bro even when it doesn’t work you still try to do something fun! That is so much more important than drawing realistically perfectly all the time

[@jonathanallen4169]

I always love your work and you get me pumped to go do some drawing.. keep up with the fun

[@piafinch7537]

OMG I love your style. Even when you ‘struggle’, you are amazing. I am so inspired to give pastels another go 🤔☺️

[@nicolacharlton2750]

You put yourself down so much your art is absolutely amazing !! Each one you did even the ones in the bin where perfect 👍🏻

[@timelessillusion9371]

That bright green was VIBRANT

[@nikkirzic]

Thanks, for the FUN extremely informative video. You're extraordinarily talented. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimisi7424]

Please keep up the soft pastel work. Soft pastels are my life passion. They can be frustrating when you get hard and soft from the same box, but try the unison soft pastels. They are silly expensive but just silk in the palm of your hands. Pastel-mat paper is a must too. Check out my michael caine in the thumbnail. Atb, you work rocks!!

[@gioandnanna]

Love love love it!!!

[@TheLoveweaver]

I can't wait to see what you do wit these! *excitedly rubbing my hands together*

[@samellows1865]

Your self portrait is beautiful!

[@lisaeadesauthorandartist]

I loved all those drawings even the ones you threw out. Loved how easily they seemed to blend together.

[@wandaheard8231]

Fantastic work! I love your videos! ❤❤❤

[@seshamckenzie2660]

Love the result!

[@wendywilkins6493]

Stunning!!!

[@liesbethartlife]

I love to see how you push yourself and just keep going learning the medium, not like others KZbinrs trying it once for a video and that’s it. That’s a beautiful set of pastels, and I really like the end portrait when it’s softer. I’m allergic to soft pastels or something inside them. I use charcoal everyday without problems but even cheap chalk gives me skin issues and migraines

[@Rojo731]

This is GORGEOUS

[@DustyMusician]

I finally got some time to watch this while I paint! It’s the best way to watch your vids

[@vo1non]

I need to try pastels again. Thanks for the demo!

[@rhobinblair903]

Sometimes i get stuck on my emotions and forget that i can crumple up the feelings and start over and watching you with that first drawing just felt so reassuring 💗 i like your self talk. Keep shining king

[@jaydengreham2896]

I love your drawings their amazing.your a great artist.👏👏👏

[@snoopy5199]

"im not even good at realism" IMMEDIATELY PANS TO SOMETHING THATD TAKE HOURS FOR ME TO DO AND STILL ENDS UP BEING INFINITELY BETTER

[@abstractrealmz]

Happy to see this this morning. I’ve missed your humor and charm. Stay awesome! 💙

[@jennyjen127]

I like to use chalk pastels with charcoals to add a little color

[@JenMakeupArt]

I like this idea!

[@Mayasoflya]

LOVED the self portrait!

[@heatherlamb3101]

Omg you are sooo freakin good!! I loved all your pics and you nailed the chalk pastels--no surprise there!!❤️❤️❤️

[@JulietteWilliams]

Beautiful work, as always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are so incredibly talented, dear one. You inspire me so much! To get out my pastels, especially!

[@MsArtistwannabe]

You’re a very talented young man. Those are my favorite soft pastels. I love the portraits you made.

[@suzanneboily5224]

Your so much fun to watch my favorite you good artist

[@petsai12]

I’m so glad I saw this. I was just gifted some and I’ve not used them in so long so this made me excited thank u ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Karla-yi5ld]

Ha ha ha 😂 you’re cracking me up. You’re so funny, and you’re so talented.

[@stevemaslin1003]

Amazing work bro. Thanks for tips

[@JenMakeupArt]

Yay so excited for a video! I’ve been checking KZbin everyday! Amazing work. These look pretty tricky to work with. But came out beautiful!

[@prairrierd7097]

Bravo!!🎉 I love it❤🎉 This is so talented 😍 i love chalk pastel colours! and i love this so much. Please do more kind of this video ❤

[@pixelsbykris5494]

The final self-portrait is amazing. I absolutely adore the facial hair, especially. It's always a joy to see a new video from you. I'm really excited to see if you ever make a video where you draw without blending/layering. Blending/layering is really difficult with cheaper materials, which more people have access to than not. Also, it's obviously going to have a completely different look and feel, which I think your more abstract/surrealistic style could capitalize on.

[@Sacrosanction]

I am captivated and enthralled by your style and use of colour. New fan here! :D

[@cowpiss8589]

bean, id like to say thank you. a few months back i would binge your channel due to a rough breakup. i stopped going on youtube as much to focus on myself, and it’s been awhile. im an artist myself, and your videos have brought a sense of motivation to persue my art again. it’s really refreshing to see you in my feed.

[@TheLoveweaver]

Oh, my word!!! Your self-portrait?? Just , stunning! *Whew* Love it!!

[@lily_lovechild]

I love your videos. Thank you❤

[@darleneelizabethanna]

Your drawings are so cool!! Thanks for sharing😊

[@laura-lee555]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@bee1zebop]

omg thank u so much for this video ,, my uncle gifted me rembrant soft/chalk pastels years ago and i haven't really touched them since i have no clue how to work around them but this video def inspired me to try again

[@tavieflu9349]

I love your chalk illustration of your niece.I gasp when you threw them away.

[@jaelapayne2035]

Every time you gave up on the first I would yell at the screen like a Texas dad watching football. A lot of “What are you doings!!!, THAT WAS GORGEOUS”

[@jaelapayne2035]

Plz. Make prints of the self portrait I wanna hang it up in my home like a proud mom 😭❤️