Online Pastel Shopping – Best Buys

November 7, 2018

News, Pastels

Note: This comparison was done November 2018.

If you’re not fortunate enough to have a fine art store that carries artist quality pastels in your area, then online shopping is the way to go. But be aware; prices and stock varies widely from store to store. It’s always a good idea to compare prices at a few online shops before checking out.

If money is not an issue; I would recommend

Dakota Pastels for your one stop pastel shopping experience. This store has everything for the pastelist!! The staff is top notch as well.

I’ve done my comparison shopping from the online shops that I’ve ordered from in the past (With the exception of Pastels Girault which was a new find in my search)

Canada : Kings Framing and Art Gallery, Above Ground Art Supplies, Curry’s, Delta Art & Drafting Supplies, Studio-Six Art Supplies

United Kingdom: Jackson’s Art, Pastelsgirault

United States: Blick, Pasteletc, Dakota Pastels.

The linked file here is detailed of my findings: Comparing Online pastel Prices

Shipping

It’s important to consider shipping costs as well. Some of the Ontario Online shops in my review offer free shipping with varying minimum orders.

(Note: click on the Links to go to each store’s shipping policies page)

Curry’s Artists’ Materials Free over $75.00

King’s Framing and Art Gallery Free over $75.00

Above Ground Art Supplies Free over $150.00

Studio-Six Free over $200.00

Delta Art & Drafting Supply – This store is based in Alberta. If offers a 5% credit off of shipping charges for Ontario residents.

Ordering from the U.S. and Abroad

I admit, I’ve been pretty lucky (touch wood) when ordering from Jackson’s Art Supply in the UK. More often than not, the delivery comes to my door without being caught at customs, where duty and sales taxes are added. What amazes me is the shipping costs from overseas. They’re so much cheaper than the U.S. or Canada. For example: I ordered a box of 5 pastels from Mount Vision total cost was $22.77. The shipping was: $2.05!! (yes; that’s in Canadian dollars!) I’ll be updating this post with new findings on duty and charges from both the US and UK.

The pastels in my review are ones I regularly use: (From hardest to softest): Nupastels, Rembrandt, Mount Vision, Girault, Unison, Sennelier, Schmincke. The following link is a summary of pricing from the websites I searched: Comparing Online pastel Prices

If I were given the choice of only choosing one pastel to complete a painting, I would without a doubt choose Girault. But to my disappointment I can’t find any Canadian online stores that carry them. I’ve often ordered from pastelsetc, and other US online stores while visiting the US. In doing this research I did find the official Girault website in France where they take online orders. Pastelsgirault.com.

The price is much cheaper than ordering from US and if they’re like the UK online store :Jacksons, the shipping will be much cheaper too. I’ll keep you posted on how it all turns out.

Best Buys On Pastels!

Here are some super savings: (note: all prices are in Canadian Dollars at conversion rate as time of review- Nov 2018. They do not include shipping charges, sales tax or duty)

Sennelier and Unison Pastels are made in the UK. They are available in Canadian online stores; but I’ve found super savings and have ordered from a UK online store: