The range of Sennelier Oil Pastels contain extremely substantial content of pigment, delivering a high covering and colouring ability, a high level of lightfastness and outstanding intensity of colour in all but the fluorescent and metallic hues. The outstanding qualities of the ingredients, together with their exact formulation result in having unique qualities and being highly regarded as recognised a world-leading product.

Each of the carefully chosen pigments are blended with a binding medium which does not contain a drying agent and does not oxidise. The base is then blended with a neutral (pH) wax resulting in oil pastels which have a unique buttery and oily surface texture, enabling a considerable amount of artistic possibilities.

Sennelier oil pastels originally consisted of a number of traditional colours which has since been broadened with the inclusion of iridescent and metallic colours. To complement these conventional colours a selection of greys is also available which is often required for a well balanced palette. This outstanding palette of colours has been painstakingly developed as a result of the participation of a number of highly experienced artists who have worked with Sennelier over a period of many years.

Each of the colours in the range are completely lightfast, as a result of this, many artists regard this range oil pastels from Sennelier as quite simply the only oil pastel of true artists' quality available today.

Using Oil Pastels – Tips for Beginners
Virtually any hard or soft painting surface can be used with Sennelier Oil Pastels, although they are most commonly used with a thick textured white card or alternatively a smooth card can be used. They are also commonly used with canvas boards or a good quality watercolour paper.

The oil pastel technique involves the direct application of colour from the oil pastel stick onto the painting surface. The tip of the oil stick can be used in a blunt or sharpened state, or the edge of the pastel stick can be used to apply a broad area of colour.

By applying the oil pastel directly to the surface the effect will be similar to conventional chalk pastels. An impasto effect which appears very similar to oil or acrylic paints can be achieved by applying a thick layer of oil pastel. Following the application of the pastel to the surface, a brush which has been dipped in a solvent can be used to blend colours and alter its appearance. A Further technique involves creating a wash by mixing the oil pastel colour with turpentine.

The Origin of Sennelier Oil Pastels
The recognised Parisian artist Henri Goetz approached Henri Sennelier in 1949 - who was at that time the owner of most popular artist paint manufacturing company – with a view to producing a wax colour stick to be used by his acquaintance, Pablo Picasso. Picasso had been a frequent customer of Sennelier and often visited their store which was adjacent to the Louvre museum in Paris. He needed a medium which could be used on a selection of different painting surfaces without the surface cracking or the colour fading over time. This eventually resulted in the production of Sennelier oil pastel range.