Back to Schmincke, thanks
The colors are lovely, but I am incredibly disappointed in these pastels' behavior. They are far too smudgy for my work and lack the adhesion I have become accustomed to from other products in this price category, such as Schminke. As a result, they do not have what I refer to as the 'erasure depth' and character demonstrated by Schmincke, Rembrandt, and Sennelier.I would return them if given the opportunity.... Show more
Tinden
originally posted on dickblick.com
Creamy, Richly Pigmented Pastel Sticks
Wow - these are beautiful pastels! Why have I not discovered these before?? Creamy and rich without being crumbly. They accept fixative spray without changing color or separating. Can't wait to buy a bigger set!... Show more
Melissa
originally posted on dickblick.com
Excellent
These are my favorite of the soft pastels that I've used. I had a small set that I found myself wishing I had more of them each time I'd make a pastel painting. Very creamy, less dust than other brands, blend beautifully and rich in pigment. The shape is not always the easiest for sharper mark making. Just love these. And to get this set at half off is a total score.... Show more
Kate
originally posted on dickblick.com
I love the feel of this pastel
I bought myself just one Unison pastel to try. I am a novice with soft pastels, and self taught, and am just now graduating to artist quality sticks. Compared to other high quality brands that I'm experimenting with (Ludwig, Sennelier) I really liked the Unison. It has a medium-soft feel that the paper tooth immediately grabs - enough that I had to adjust my touch with it. The color is pure, and as long as I use that light touch, layers well.I also received the Unison Starter Set as a Christmas gift, and am very happy with that. My only complaint - and this is not necessarily Unison - is that one of the pastels was partially crumbled at the end. The pastels themselves are packed in foam and a sturdy box, and it was shipped (by Blick) with enough packing to keep ... MoreI bought myself just one Unison pastel to try. I am a novice with soft pastels, and self taught, and am just now graduating to artist quality sticks. Compared to other high quality brands that I'm experimenting with (Ludwig, Sennelier) I really liked the Unison. It has a medium-soft feel that the paper tooth immediately grabs - enough that I had to adjust my touch with it. The color is pure, and as long as I use that light touch, layers well.I also received the Unison Starter Set as a Christmas gift, and am very happy with that. My only complaint - and this is not necessarily Unison - is that one of the pastels was partially crumbled at the end. The pastels themselves are packed in foam and a sturdy box, and it was shipped (by Blick) with enough packing to keep the box from moving inside the cardboard shipping box, so I'm not sure where the breakage happened - just possibly because it is more pigment than binder, and more prone to breakage or crumbling.I've attached my first go in my sketchbook with the Unison Starter set and color I purchased. I also used one soft pastel (in an olive green) from a different pro brand.... Show more
Stacey G
originally posted on dickblick.com
I would buy again
This is absolutely an amazing set of colours. I just started pastel and have a few small sets but the colours are very bright and saturated and wanted the colours for the shadows and highlights. These are perfect and filled the void. Have used lots of them already.I am impressed with Dickblick. I am on the west coast Canada as well as remote and had ordered them for my birthday (on behalf of my husband :) which was less then two weeks away. Knowing there is time to process, get a quote on shipping then time to pick, package and ship - I was not sure I was going to get them in time (my fault) BUT I ordered on a Sunday and had them by FRIDAY - way before my birthday. Was very excited and impressed. Good job to everyone there, you make a big difference. Thanks a bunch :)... Show more
Leanne
originally posted on dickblick.com
My first time buying Unison
I use a variety of brands in my pastel paintings. I purchased Unison on recommendation, and I'm glad I did! It lands right in the middle of being super soft and really hard. It will fill the tooth if you want, or it will lay down a light layer. Also, when using an alcohol wash, I love how it handles. All pastels are not the same, and an artist's needs vary,I bought the brown, as I paint desert landscapes, and the variety of values made it well worth the price - which was still pretty good!A great value, and quality product.#sweepstakes... Show more
Jamie
originally posted on dickblick.com
Smitten with the Unisons
I have been using pastels for four years now. I own PanPastels and Pitt and Carbothello pencils. These Unisons are such an incredible addition to my collection. I love how quickly they cover an area. I also really enjoy their rich, vibrant colors. They are much more opaque than the other pastels. I bought the half-sticks because they were quite pricey. I'd say they are worth it! I'll continue to purchase half-stick sets to round out my collection as I can.... Show more
Ann
originally posted on dickblick.com
The nicest soft pastels but.....
These are the nicest soft pastels I've used, and I have a 120 stick set of Senneliers. Also many sticks of Great American, Mount Vision, full set of the harder Nupastels, andabout a dozen sticks of Terry Ludwig . The Unisons are almost on a par with Terry Ludwigs for my use. I've subtracted a star because the set of 120 Unisons doesn't have as good a color selection as the set of 120 Senneliers. The Sennies are much softer, so they're not as versatile for my use.... Show more
Wilhelm
originally posted on dickblick.com
Unisons, Worth the Price
Unison are my favorite pastels, not too soft or hard. My collection was getting low, so I decided to buy the big box of 72. I have a collection of Sennelier and others. I particularly needed more lights. I loved when they sold a box of a range of reds or blues, but this was nice to get.... Show more
Pamela
originally posted on dickblick.com
Very nice light tinted pastels!
These are VERY nice and were purchased to fill in some light tonal value gaps with my Richeson soft handmade half sticks. I like that they are not overly soft. They have a slight grayest undertone tint to them that is probably my ONLY complaint. I wish it was a brighter titanium undertone. I tend to love saturation and prefer to start bright and work down but I really like this brand and they play well with all my other pastels (pans, pencils and lots of Richeson)... Show more
Kellie
originally posted on dickblick.com
