The Blackest Black Pastel?

[@KeebleFeeble]

Hi Emma, I’m still new to pastels but a black I’ve tried, which is very dark, is Conte a Paris Carres Black 09 also available at Jackson’s. It’s quite hard so you can create a sharp point or chisel on it but it applies beautifully on Pastelmat!

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks for the comment! I used to use the Contes and agree that they are a great shape for details. But I can confirm the Faber Castell in this video is a darker black and also has the sharp edges.

[@tjrez6786]

great painting. Your ability to recreate realistic paintings is awesome. Keep up the cool videos :)

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks Todd!

[@ladyinblack3398]

Hi Emma, So far I have used pencils, charcoal and colored pencils as my main mediums. However I just wanted to say that you are one of the most pleasant artists to watch. Just the way you make your videos, just plain pleasant. Not loud, not rude, not pushy or overbearing, not bragging, not sloppy, messy or careless. Just very decent and professional. Thank you for such refreshing videos. BTW have you tried Faber Castel Polychromos hard pastel stick in black?

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Hi Lady in Black :-) Thank you so much for the comment. There really is no intention other than to make my videos clear and informative (and not boring hopefully!). I'm a bit camera shy so how I come across is all I can do. And yes the Faber Cs are the one that I think are the most black. The black that comes in the sets seems to be different. They do a 'Black Soft Burnt' and Black Medium Burnt' that I feature in this video. They seem to be darker than the A199 black in the sets. Confusing!

[@lindadigenova7225]

Just started doing a dachshund yesterday and used a pan pastel 470.1 Violet extra dark in the base - thanks for the darkest black tips!

[@nicolawilkinson9079]

Hi Emma, greetings from Australia - I'm currently working on a double portrait of dachshunds and this video and your time lapse video of Archie have been a great help. I also recommend the Nupastel black but an even better one is Girault. You should be able to source one of those in open stock. The white Girault is also excellent. Love your work!

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Hi Nicola, thank you! I agree about Girault it is equally dark. I may be switching to them as the Nupastel has become difficult to source now. I like it's square edges though, I will miss those!

[@judymanherz8427]

Hi Emma, I do find the black Rembrandt soft pastel is the blackest black I’ve come across. (700,5). Food for thought.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Hi Judy, thanks for the tip. I have some Rembrandts so know they're nice and hard. I'll order a black :-)

[@fanta845]

Wow, I literally was just thinking about which is darkest last night. Thanks!

[@kiwimatador1]

Emma - the blackest black pencil that I love to use in my work is a Wolff's Carbon Royal Sovereign 6B which I use in conjunction with either Schmincke black pastel stick or the Art Spectrum Lamp Black (using the pencil to blend) - all the best Michael

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks Michael for commenting here. I now have this Wolff's Carbon on my list. I've used those carbon pencils lots in my sketchbooks but never thought to try it along with the pastels for a black! Maybe I already have one of these lurking in my supplies!

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Update! I just checked and I have the 4B! It compares very well with the Caran D'ache black pencil which I thought was blackest. But I also have a charcoal pencil from Derwent that's holding it's own! I now have all types of black ordered to compare. Nothing so far is blacker than this Faber Castell stick in the video!

[@trudyzuidema9048]

thanks for the reply. check this site out anyway! they carry the unison pastels are there main product. In the most crazy boxes.

[@sharonspradbury8738]

Hi Emma, thanks for this short video, very helpful, as always, I also use other colours (blue, red, brown) to add richness & it gives more dimension, instead of a 'flat' look to my work.. the other colour I find really difficult to find is a really deep, dark chocolate brown.. I build up with layers of black, but if you know of any manufacturer who produces a pastel, I'd love to know, thanks.Sharon

[@lynnf7055]

Thanks Emma, this was helpful. I'm glad you clarified between the soft and medium Faber Castell sticks. I probably would have ordered the medium thinking it was darker ! You mentioned in your video that someone already suggested the black in the Prismacolor Nupastel brand. I have this set and I agree, I do think their black is a pretty rich black but I don't have the black Faber Castell to compare it with. So now I am very curious and will most likely and very unfortunately have to place an order with Jackson's art. LOL! :-) Can't wait to hear what others use as a very dark rich black. Thanks for the video!

[@TatinaUK]

Thank you Emma, it was very interesting to see the side by side comparison. From my own experience, the blackest black I have come across is the black Rembrandt; which is double nice because is hard enough to also create fine detail.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks Lynn! I really have to try this Nupastel soon. It sounds promising!

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks! I am ordering a black Rembrandt to compare :-)

[@TatinaUK]

That's fantastic, let us know what you think please! I value your opinion highly and your paintings and tutorials are amazing

[@joyellis3354]

Hi Emma I use Prismacolour NuPastels love them not to hard or to soft and the black is quite black I live in New Zealand a long way from the UK i am sure you could get them closer to home and they also come in open stock

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks Joy, definitely have to hunt some down. I'm in Spain now. UK is a nightmare at the minute for postage as is everywhere really!

[@flickaJay]

I just ordered some Mt. Vision Greens to finish the BG of the stag and got a Prismacolor NuPastel black. It was the same size as your Faber (it appears) and is much softer than I had imagined a "hard" pastel to be. I got them here in Washington State from Dakotapastels.com . Yes, they do sell the singles in NuPastel.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Going to have to investigate this NuPastel! Hoping Dakota Pastels will post to me at the moment, thanks for the tip!

[@bellakatou]

Hi Emma I use Sennelier soft pastel black green 177 and I heard Terry Ludwig v100 black is great as well. Good luck!!

[@harrygraham923]

Hello from Belfast Emma. Finding a good black has been a problem for me. I have tried Unison, Sennelier and my favourite pastel Schmincke, they have a serious black and a black. Not impressed with the results they lack depth and turn to dust on the paper. So thanks for the tip I will give Faber Castell a try.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Hi Harry, you'll definitely be impressed with those as they're much blacker than any of the soft pastels I've tried. I think the way to go if you're looking a dark black is to use a harder one.

[@trudyzuidema9048]

Hi Emma, the prismacolor nupastels are available here in Holland. Look at: everycolor.nl and tipe in prismacolor, they sell several boxes with these pastels greetzzz Trudy

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thank you Trudy! I managed to source the Nupastels but that's great to know. A follow up video is coming soon as I finally know which are the blackest :-)

[@kellychester9185]

In the US you will have to get the Faber black soft from the UK. Nupastel is good for sharp lines. I just got the Terry Ludwig Intense Darks ll set. Not the blackest black but good dark colors there. Can't wait to see other videos of this one!

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks Kelly! I love the Terry Ludwig darks too and rely on those to liven up the dark areas. Really have to try this Nupastel one soon :-)

[@philippagranwal9590]

Jacksons in UK are brilliant for online orders overseas. Their prices are very competitive and they are great to deal with from as far away as Australia where I live.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

I'm an affiliate with Jackson's and love their service. They've added products to their range when requested, and their postage has always been fast and reasonable. I hope the current times pass and they can continue this service but it's been difficult to source anything in Spain for the last month. My affiliate link with them is www.jacksonsart.com/?acc=087408522c31eeb1f982bc0eaf81d35f&___store=jacksonsart_en. Anyone ordering for the first time will get 10% off.

[@user-wickedflower]

Im in NZ & its cheaper to buy from Jackson’s UK than it is to buy from NZ direct. Postage here is crazy & if I leave myself a couple of weeks before i run out of anything its fine to buy from England.

[@jenniefrench1338]

Schminke has a super dark black and such dark indigos and they are very soft. I have not used the Neupastels either but I agree about the Caran de’ache but also Carbothello has a black that is less expensive and very deep along with their indigo they are very comparable to CD. Richeson soft handmade’s black and black mixes are very dark, darker than Unison. My Schminke deep Prussian looks like black but it isn’t so you could imagine how saturated the black is and since they are softer than most very soft pastels they are butter and rich. Schminke is probably available and Carbothellos where you live Emma. I do love the deepness of the Schminke dark family in general. Hope it helps. Thanks for the info on the FC bars. The only other choice would be a charcoal (which is the substance anyway). Take care!:)

[@paulallan3564]

Have you tried a black spinal pigment

[@elainethomas2564]

Emma, your transfer lines are so crisp. I've had a hard time transferring my pics onto velour, UArt 400, Canson Touch. Any hints please?!

[@EmmaColbertArt]

I show how I do it at kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5qnqaaEbture5I :-)

[@flickaJay]

Emma, you're so cool! I just started the video but you said, "to my horror...". That's one of my expletives. lol I'm so glad you're doing this video. I'm sure I'll have more comments - Mirahbel

[@peterjames4743]

Dear Emma, you might to try Nupastel black....... it's even blacker I think. In fact I know .Harder to get but worth it.would you kindly help me with a tip Emma......I've tried using clear masking tape to fasten my paper to a black acrylic primed board, but when removing the tape the glue stuck to the board ( not the picture ). Took me ages to remove it. Is it the tape I'm using Emma, or the primed board ? Many thanks Peter

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Hi Peter, thank you. I have Nupastel ordered so I'm looking forward to comparing all finally. In terms of masking tape leaving a residue, that's unusual. I don't use acrylic much though so I can't say if that's why it's sticking. The best tapes are often for crafts or woodworking that are designed to be strong but easily peeled off. I just use a wide clear sellotape and have never had any problems. Maybe it's the acrylic?

[@peterjames4743]

@@EmmaColbertArt Thanks Emma...I will use the Sellotape brand on another surface . Peter

[@lynetteclauser3551]

I’ve am in the same boat, been working on a Japanese Obi stilllife and wasn’t paying attention and got down to two little bits. Problem is I don’t remember what brand and the shape is gone to even guess. Mine however is soft, a little softer than unison but not as soft as Ludwig. So I’m going to call Dakota who sells nearly every brand and hope in the assortment I get lucky.

[@stephbloomspecialistsaddle3061]

Sets of Nupastels are available on Amazon but not as open stock.

[@lynnf7055]

I don't know where you are located but Blick Art (located in the USA) sells them individually and in sets. www.dickblick.com/products/prismacolor-nupastel-color-sticks/

[@stephbloomspecialistsaddle3061]

@@lynnf7055 I imagined Emma is in the UK but she mentions Spain below, I'm in the UK where they are not available open stock and postage and duty from the US is a huge cost. Dakota also have them I think.

[@sohaartyk9018]

Thank you for sharing! 🙏 😊

[@SolomonB-roll]

👏👏👏👏👏Perfecto

[@sibiapestana8435]

Hi, Emma, I am a great fan of your work. I just checked and you could get nupastel from amazon.co.uk. They even deliver to my country, Portugal at this time.

[@sibiapestana8435]

...but they only sell in sets. I have the FC pitt sticks and the Rembrandt in black and they do look similar...

[@carolribchester5066]

Do you spray in between layers?

[@EmmaColbertArt]

You can do this, but no I don't. The pastel papers these days hold the pastel very well and I worked in thin mostly blended layers. It's not falling off on it's own.

[@lynnhock-napoli7117]

Jerry's artarama in U.S.A. . You should be able to get them there.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks I also sometimes order from Dakota Pastels in the US but it's expensive shipping to Europe

[@lyndalazarevic7772]

Def the Nupastel black is blacker than the Faber Castell. I bought my full set of NuPastels on Amazon. Let me know if you'd like me to get you some and send them to you.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Just got the Nupastel and am impressed. Follow up video coming soon comparing every black I could find on the market!

[@brian_hibbs]

Sennelier has the blackest black in my opinion. It's darker than charcoal.

[@Kyomiibrown]

Hi Emma, unfortunately nupastel are incredibly expensive in Europe, if you look on Amazon a single stick is £15 - not worth it. However if you want to try one, I’m willing to break the one I have in half and send it to you FOC, I’m sure a standard 1st class stamp should be enough to get it to you. Alternatively contact Prisma and ask if they can send you a sample of their black nupastel. If none of these options suit you, I can order the exact same faber Castell monochrome soft that you have from Jacksons and then I can compare to the nupastel I have and get back to you with images on comparisons. Let me know what you wish to do.

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks so much for your kind offer! I couldn't possibly steal a half of your only stick. I will persevere and try to source them. I may have other things to order that I can't get here in Europe so will try Dakota Pastels. Jacksons are currently out of stock of the FCs. But I'm going to source as many blacks as I can and then do a follow up video :-)

[@Kyomiibrown]

@@EmmaColbertArt hi Emma I don/t mind sending a half stick. I don’t do a lot of art these days due to poor health, and when I am able to do art I work in a variety of mediums from charcoal, pastel, watercolour, acrylics, oils, oil pastel, graphite so I only do maybe one or two pastel pieces a year - that half stick will last me at least 3 years :). If there’s a P.O Box I can send it to I will willingly do so, it’s fine, I promise. (I think your recommendation has pushed the out of stock because I put it in my basket yesterday and it was in stock, though I didn’t put the order through at that time.)

[@stephbloomspecialistsaddle3061]

@@EmmaColbertArt the Nupastels are really nice to use, if you can get them in Spain (as I said above, Amazon in the UK have them) I would look at the sets, I was treated to the 96 for Xmas and they're lovely for underpainting and final details. I've yet to test out the black in anger!

[@candicecurran6834]

art spectrum....not a hard pastel but i find good black!

[@EmmaColbertArt]

Thanks Candice! Will try and get hold of one. I have some of their colours but not black

[@HilaryAllanFineArt]

I’ve heard that Terry Ludwig eggplant is really dark. Cool experiment, good luck!