Pad for dry pastels that accepts many pigment layers while keeping a strong, grippy tooth for blending. Rich, vibrant colour and smooth shading make finished work ready for presentation. Is Clairefontaine Pastelmat Block the sensible choice for serious pastelists and archival pieces?
⚡ At a Glance
- • Surface Texture: Soft yet adherent tooth that holds pigment and allows repeated layering
- • Best for: Dry pastel artists and mixed-media illustrators who layer and blend
- • Not ideal for: Artists who prefer very smooth paper or heavily abrasive sanded boards
Glued block of 12 sheets, 360g heavyweight card in four shades, each separated by crystal paper dividers. Acid-free, neutral pH paper supports dry pastel layering and tolerates wet or alcohol-based techniques.
Rich layering and deep colour - with 360g heavyweight Pastelmat card
The 360g card has a soft, grippy surface that holds pigment particles on the paper rather than letting them sink in, so multiple layers can be applied without saturation. The surface balance is neither abrasive nor velvety, allowing both energetic strokes and delicate shading.
Artists achieve denser, more vibrant colour and smoother gradients when building layers, useful for portraits and landscape pastels. Less need for excessive fixative preserves natural pastel texture.
Frame-ready finish and easy handling - thanks to glued block and pre-backed sheets
Sheets are glued into a block for stable storage and simple detachment, and several reviews note pre-backed pages ready for framing. Crystal paper dividers protect each sheet while stored.
Completed pieces come away ready for mounting or framing with minimal preparation, saving time when preparing work for exhibition or sale. Protection between sheets reduces smudging during storage or transport.
Versatile mixed-media use - with wet and alcohol resistance
Pastelmat retains its gripping surface even when wet or gummed, and the paper tolerates alcohol without degrading its grain or adhesion. The surface also handles energetic strokes alongside soft blending.
Techniques combining wet touches or alcohol inks with dry pastel can be attempted without losing the paper's tooth, expanding creative options for illustrators and experimental artists. Finished work remains durable and stable.
✨ The 4 Key Reasons for Clairefontaine Pastelmat Block
- 360g heavyweight card - Supports many pigment layers for richer, denser colour
- Four tonal shades - Offers beige, sand, sanguine and anthracite for varied underpaintings
- Crystal paper dividers - Protects finished sheets from smudging during storage
- Wet and alcohol tolerant - Lets artists combine mixed techniques without losing grain
📋 Technical Details at a Glance
- Category: Office Product
- Brand: Clairefontaine
- Format: Glued pad / block
- Paper Weight: 360g
- Sheets: 12 sheets
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the paper suitable for wet techniques?
A: Yes, the surface retains its properties when wet or gummed and tolerates alcohol without affecting its grain or adhesion.
Q: How many sheets and shades are included?
A: The glued block contains 12 sheets, with four shades provided: beige, sand, sanguine and anthracite, three sheets of each shade.
Q: Are the sheets ready for framing?
A: Sheets are pre-backed and the block includes crystal paper dividers for protection, making finished work straightforward to prepare for framing.
🏆 Our Verdict
The Clairefontaine Pastelmat Block suits pastelists and mixed-media artists who need heavyweight, archival paper that holds many layers. The combination of a grippy 360g surface, pre-backed sheets and wet-media tolerance makes it particularly useful for professional presentation and experimentation. While positioned as a specialist pad, long-term preservation and framing-ready finish deliver clear value for serious artists.
