Clairefontaine Pastelmat No.4 18x24 Pastel Card Pad

The essentials

A versatile sketching companion for pastel artists, this Clairefontaine Pastelmat No.4 pad is designed to support dry pastel techniques with confidence. The 360gsm card offers a soft yet adherent surface that can accept multiple pigment layers without saturation or excessive smudging, helping you build rich tones and subtle transitions. With four shades spread across three leaves per colour, you get a balanced mix of dark blue, light blue, wine and sand to try varied colour relationships on a single page. The sturdy glued block allows easy sheet removal while protecting drawings with a crystalline insert between sheets, keeping pigments clean and ready for the next layer. Expect durable results that retain brightness and texture over time, thanks to acid-free and neutral pH paper ensuring long-term preservation 😌. This is a reliable choice for artists who value tactile handling and dependable results across both dry and mixed media techniques 🎨.

Technical details

The paper surface is uniquely soft and adherent, enabling multiple layers of pigment without the saturation issues typical of other papers. It remains stable when used with wet techniques or alcohol, without altering the grain or gripping surface. The block format measures 18 by 24 centimetres and contains 12 sheets, each separated by a protective crystal paper insert to prevent transfer while you work. The Pastelmat paper is acid-free and pH neutral, supporting archival longevity for your pieces. This makes it a practical option for hobbyists and professionals alike who want durable work that can be stored over time without colour shift. It is specially formulated for pastel work, but its resilience across wet and dry applications offers flexibility for mixed media projects as well 😊.

Who it’s for

It suits artists who prefer a controlled, responsive surface for dry pastels and enjoy layering without frequent fixatives. Beginners can benefit from the forgiving texture that helps achieve both energetic strokes and soft gradations, while more experienced practitioners will appreciate the ability to add multiple layers without sacrificing control. If you work in small formats and value colour variety, the assorted shades provide ready-made options to explore contrast, harmony and composition in a single block. The block’s packaging ensures clean storage and straightforward removal of individual sheets for on-the-go experiments or studio practice.