Are Pigments in Soft Pastels Different from Other Paints?

When looking at a vivid ultramarine or a deep crimson across different art supplies, you might wonder—are these the same pigments used in soft pastels, oil paints, or watercolors? The short answer is: yes, but the binder changes everything.

Same Pigments, Different Behavior

At the heart of every art material lies pigment—the fine powder responsible for color. These pigments are often universal across mediums. For example:

• PB29 – Ultramarine Blue

• PR108 – Cadmium Red

• PY3 – Hansa Yellow

These codes refer to standardized pigment classifications. That means the exact same pigment might appear in a soft pastel, oil paint, or watercolor pan. However, how the pigment behaves depends entirely on what it's mixed with.

The Role of Binders

What truly distinguishes each medium is the binder—the substance that holds the pigment together and affects texture, drying time, and appearance.

Medium	Binder Used	Characteristics
Soft Pastels	Gum tragacanth or similar plant-based binder	Dry, powdery, matte; minimal binder enhances pigment brilliance.
Oil Paints	Linseed oil or other drying oils	Smooth, rich, and slow-drying; enables deep blending and layering.
Watercolors	Gum arabic	Transparent, reactivatable with water; excellent for subtle layering.
Acrylics	Acrylic polymer emulsion	Fast-drying, water-resistant when dry; often more vibrant and durable.

This means that while the pigment in a pastel stick and an oil tube may be chemically identical, their look and feel on the surface are radically different.

Why Soft Pastels Feel So Intense

Because soft pastels contain very little binder, the pigment sits directly on the paper surface, leading to:

• Stronger color payoff

• Velvety, matte texture

• Greater sensitivity to touch and pressure

This is what gives pastel its unique visual quality. But it also makes pastel more fragile, requiring careful handling to prevent smudging.

Do Pigments Look the Same in Every Medium?

Not quite. Here’s why a pigment can appear different across media:

• Gloss and transparency: Oil paints can make colors richer due to their glossy finish. Watercolors, being transparent, allow paper to shine through.

• Surface interaction: Pastelmat, canvas, or watercolor paper all change how pigments look.

• Pigment concentration: Soft pastels have a higher pigment load, making them appear more saturated even without layering.

It’s the Binder That Builds the Medium

So, while pastel artists, oil painters, and watercolorists might be using the same core pigments, the medium each chooses will dramatically affect the outcome.