Clairefontaine 96587C Ingres Pastel Colour Wirebound Pad (25 Sheets) 24 x 30cm

What it is and what it’s for

Clairefontaine’s Ingres Pastel Colour Wirebound Pad is a medium-weight drawing pad designed for dry media. The pad uses cotton-content, 130gsm paper in assorted bright pastel colours and comes with 25 sheets, wired for easy flipping and work-in-progress separation. The laid surface is known for its tooth that holds powder and pigments well, making it a practical choice for sketching with pastel, pencil, red chalk or charcoal. The combination of colour, texture and respectable lightfastness aims to give you a pleasant, forgiving base for expressive drawings.

Why the surface matters

On paper with a laid texture, you’ll notice how graphite and pastel particles catch more readily than on completely smooth stock. This means shading tends to be smoother and lines can be layered with less smearing. The 130gsm weight sits in a reliable mid-range—robust enough for daily practice without the bulk of heavy-weight papers. If you prioritise a tactile feel that helps powder-based media sit where you want it, this surface is worth considering.

What stands out in use

Among the appealing aspects is the colour variety. Assorted bright colours can help you block in ideas quickly or add visual cues to a composition. The cotton content can offer a pleasing resistance to erasing, and the acid-free formulation supports better long-term preservation of work. This is particularly relevant if you’re building a personal portfolio or keeping records of your practice over time.

Limitations and what it may not be perfect for

If you’re chasing ultra-smooth paper for fine, crisp lines or very light graphite work, you might prefer a smoother finish. The laid texture can be a bit more challenging for extremely delicate strokes or precise technical drawing. Also, at 24 x 30cm, the pad size sits between compact sketchbooks and A4-format sheets—great for portability and quick studies, but not ideal if your project benefits from larger, uninterrupted expanses.

Ideal buyer persona

This pad suits artists who want a ready-made, colourful surface for dry media and quick studies, particularly those who enjoy layering and shading with pastels or charcoal. It’s also suitable for students or hobbyists who value a cost-effective option that maintains a pleasant paper feel without needing advanced archival conditions.

When it makes sense to choose this pad

• You value a laid paper texture that enhances powder pickup and shading.
• You prefer a wirebound format for easy turning and flat working pages.
• You want affordable, ready-to-use colour with good lightfastness due to acid-free paper.
• You’re experimenting with pastel techniques, pencil, or charcoal and want a compatible base.

When you might want to look elsewhere

• If your work relies on very smooth surfaces for precise line work, consider smoother alternatives.
• If you regularly work on larger than 24 x 30cm formats, you may want a bigger pad or a different binding.
• If archival longevity with the longest possible pigment stability is a priority, you might compare papers specifically marketed for that purpose.

What to check before buying

• Confirm the format is exactly 24 x 30cm and the pad contains 25 sheets.
• Consider how you’ll use the colour assortment—whether you’ll rely on the pastel tones or supplement with separate colours.
• Think about how you’ll store or transport the pad, wirebound pads can be convenient for on-the-go sketching but may be less suited to very heavy damp media.

Practical use idea

Imagine a quick outdoor study: you block in shapes with a pencil, then layer bold pastel tones on top, using the laid texture to lift and blend without rubbing away the graphite. The colour variety helps you separate forms and mood as you iterate a composition.

FAQ snapshot

• Is the paper suitable for dry pastel? Yes, it’s described as ideal for dry pastel and suitable for drawing with pencil, red chalk or charcoal.
• Does the paper resist colour bleed from markers? The description focuses on dry media and colour media, markers aren’t highlighted, so it’s best to test with your chosen marker.
• Is it archivable over decades? It’s acid-free with a neutral pH, which supports long-term preservation, though true archival performance depends on storage conditions.

Is it worth it?

This pad offers a practical, no-nonsense option for artists who work primarily with dry media and appreciate a textured surface that enhances pigment pickup. It sits well for intermediate practice and quick studies, but if you need ultra-smooth surfaces or larger formats, a more specialised product could be more appropriate.