Product Reviews

Pastel Surface Samplers

Average: 5 48 Reviews
  • Greenannie3/8/2024 8:38 AM
    "What a great idea!"
    I can try out many surfaces and find my favorites. The service on my order was exceptional. Thank you for the help.
  • Susan Cushin3/7/2024 3:51 AM
    "Pastel surface sampler"
    The item is exactly what it said it would be. I wanted to try out different surfaces so this is good for that. The size is good for this because I can paint small paintings on the 6 x 8 pieces of paper.
  • Jan2/24/2024 7:07 AM
    "Pastel surface sampler"
    Great variety of textures to try out. Super easy ordering and shipping! Thank you Dakota Pastels!
  • Marilyn Banister2/18/2024 3:28 AM
    "Love this idea"
    I have been wanting to try many different papers to find what I like the best. Each piece was a perfect size to test and has the name written on the back. As expensive as paper is now this is a great choice to find which paper suits me.
  • Katherine King1/18/2024 12:57 PM
    "A sample taste"
    The package contains several inventive types of pastel paper surfaces including the velvet surface. I loved running my hands over the surface and feeling the texture and strength of the pastel board. The size of each sample 5x7 presents a challenge in how to actually draw a picture with pastels within a defined small space. I considered making random marks of the pastels on the samples but the package cost 30 $. Thus, I cannot attest to how well pastels mark or blend on each surface.
  • Janet Foushee12/9/2023 5:27 AM
    "Sampler packages are great!"
    Sampler pastel boards and sampler pastel papers provide any pastel artist with usable samples to see what's out in the marketplace. If you are used to one or two brands, these samples allow you to try other boards and papers . Buying all these separately to try them out would be very expensive. Good for beginner or experienced pastel artists. There is an excellent selection of samples in various exciting colors that should please anyone. I am new to pastels and the pastel products on the market are numerous. The samplers will help me find what works best for me.
  • Carol11/18/2023 6:03 AM
    "Large sample of pastel papers !"
    Haven't tested them all yet but it's a very large sample of different grades/colors. Looking forward to experimenting. This is perfect to help the new pastelist (or even experienced) try different papers to find their favorite.
  • Scott6/29/2023 9:19 AM
    "Great Offering"
    It really great that you can have a chance to sample all of the papers without wasting money. Great samples and a good size. Let's you try the surface.
  • Vicki M.9/30/2022 6:13 AM
    "Assorted pastel surface sampler"
    In one word my immediate reaction was "sweet." Nice different color selection and well marked with brand name. I haven't used them yet but this should help alot towards learning this new medium, to me. The same applies to the Soft and Med/Hard assorted color pastel samplers.
  • NJ Kennedy9/23/2022 6:42 AM
    "Paper Samples"
    These give you a great opportunity to experience How all your pastels react on many different surfaces. Personally I got this pack for several upcoming demonstrations and presentations to seversl art clubs and painting groups to try.
  • susan sealy8/6/2022 1:41 PM
    "Pastel Paper sample kit"
    Loved the sampling of papers and size for testing and practice. Each of these types of papers have been discussed by my different instructors, so I appreciate the convenience of this sample kit
  • Joycelyn Schedler7/2/2022 10:04 AM
    "Great for Beginner Students"
    I teach Beginner/Intermediate Pastel Painting classes. Having an option to order paper and board sample packages is a terrific way to introduce various surfaces to my students. Thank you!
  • Shelby Harrison5/19/2022 6:55 AM
    "Great selection"
    The pastel board selection included a great variety of surfaces for me to test out! Each one is clearly labeled. Products were delivered quickly and were well packaged.
  • Elizabeth Hutchins4/9/2022 5:38 AM
    "Yay for variety"
    Having a great time testing surfaces
  • Jana G.2/2/2022 7:15 AM
    "Very Helpful"
    I am new to pastel painting, so trying to figure out what supplies I like is a big challenge. Having this sampler was very helpful in helping me to decide what paper I like without the expense of buying each individually. Highly recommend!
  • Beverly1/17/2022 3:54 PM
    "Good"
    Sampler came quickly and was packaged well.
  • Brigitte E Doherty12/12/2021 5:47 PM
    "Want to try something new?"
    Just started using soft pastels and wanted to get to know what surfaces are available without breaking the bank. The sampler offers a nice selection of paper and makes it easy to see what you like or don't like.
  • Kim Ciani10/26/2021 3:04 AM
    "Good Selection"
    I have not used these yet, but the feel of each is just subtly different and I am ready to give them a try. I gave this a 4 because they are all a different color, which may impact how I judge the colors of my pastels to how they work with each sample.
  • Sheila schneider9/30/2021 11:34 AM
    "Board Samplers"
    I love these samplers for my classes at the Scottsdale Senior Center!! They reallly sell the new students on pastel sanded papers once they can try them. I only wish you had the larger size again …at least11x14”. 😢
  • darlene zdanowski9/9/2021 9:05 AM
    "sampler pack"
    The sampler pack is a great way to learn about the different types of pastel paper.
  • Andrea K Hofmeister8/29/2021 5:40 AM
    "So many choices"
    I hear the debate on my art websites about the value of different pastel surfaces. People are quite passionate about their favorite papers. This is an opportunity to give 12 papers a try. Match it with the pastel sampler, and get the full idea of each of the surfaces combined with each of the pastel brands. It's an eye-opening experience. If you like to work on relatively small works, the papers are even more valuable as pre-cut workable gems.
  • M Foster8/19/2021 8:24 AM
    "Paper and Board Sampler"
    Came very quickly. Great selection in general. One paper has a smallish mark of brown pigment in one spot but still usable. Would have liked to be able to compare 800 grit of Uart but that was not in assortment, just the 500 so have to guess. All boards good. Having fun trying out different techniques on new (for me) surfaces. Thanks, Dakota!
  • Wolfy7/16/2021 8:48 AM
    "Great sampler"
    I've been working in pastels for a couple years, but I've not really been able to afford the nice textured paper. Having no idea which kind I'd prefer, this sample pack is exactly what I needed. It's a good deal for a wide variety of papers, I'm quite happy with them.
  • Wendy Hueston6/22/2021 10:56 AM
    "Paper and Board samplers"
    Excellent selection
  • Melanie Cooper6/22/2021 10:26 AM
    "Paper Sampler"
    The papers look really nice. I like the feel of the Premier paper. I can't wait to try them.
  • Lisa Deems4/11/2021 6:53 AM
    "Pastel surface sample"
    This is the perfect group of samples. I’m so undecided to use as a surface for my pastels this sample has made it much easier. Thank you
  • Kathy3/21/2021 7:59 AM
    "Helpful offering"
    Love the sampler packs. Will help me decide what surfaces I like best.
  • Eric3/19/2021 6:56 AM
    "Paper board samplers"
    Great idea so that one can see which product is best for my style
  • Jimmy2/6/2021 12:01 PM
    "Delightfully Surprised"
    An excellent selection for anyone looking to explore what is available commercially in pastel painting surfaces. One can test and experiment with different techniques, applications, etc. then finding the surface best suited for your “style” of painting in one package.
  • Fran1/25/2021 9:22 AM
    "Board sampler"
    Nice variety
  • Margaret Miller1/16/2021 8:18 AM
    "Sampler,"
    Great way to try new papers or boards, wished there was a piece of lux archival in the kit though
  • Nancy Larson1/15/2021 9:33 AM
    "First time customer"
    Products came quickly and well packed. I loved the quality and variety of purchase. Look forward to using.
  • Julie Babb12/31/2020 8:08 AM
    "Fabulous paper!"
    This is a wonderful way to sample new papers without spending much. The 6/8 size is big enough to get a good feel for how the paper will perform! Thanks Dakota!
  • Kathleen Morrison11/22/2020 3:41 AM
    "Paper samples"
    I am new to pastels, so I do not have much experience with different papers and this is a great way to try out all the different kinds of papers without a lot of expense. I showed these to my sister who is a retired Art teacher and she was impressed. Nice variety and good quality.
  • mike s10/24/2020 11:38 AM
    "Patel paper sampler"
    Great selection of papers. A good way to preview and test papers before buying full sheets. Be aware that shipping to Canada is a pain and expensive.
  • Jac10/19/2020 1:10 PM
    "Great Sampler set"
    Perfect for helping any artist decide what board or substrate they want to use for their work. Also great for beginner pastels artist to get the feel of what paper/board they prefer to work on. Some of them come with boarders on them, so you can easily use these to make finished paintings on. Love them.
  • Chris Bartholomew10/9/2020 2:04 PM
    "Paper & Board Samplers"
    great to be able to handle and feel each type of pastel surface
  • Michele Volpe9/8/2020 8:29 AM
    "Pastel Paper Samples"
    I was very excited to receive them. I had watched a YouTube video where Karen Margulis reviewed them and encouraged us to try them. I agree with her about the velour paper. The others were fun to try. I usually make my own sanded paper so it was nice to try out the real deal!
  • Jane Setchell9/6/2020 8:10 AM
    "Paper and Board Sampler"
    I really enjoyed being able to try out all sorts of different pastel papers. This is a great tool to help you decide which papers work for you and which papers can be used for different applications!
  • judith petree9/5/2020 5:25 PM
    "paper and board sampler"
    The sample pack arrived quickly just fine, however, one of the buff-colored boards is not labeled so I have no idea what it is.
  • James M Paterson8/29/2020 5:00 AM
    "good sample set"
    Haven't worked with them much yet, but are just as advertised. Also, they bent over backward to allow me to cancel an order I made by mistake and get these -- so I'll get all my pastels and paper here now
  • Suzanne Piepenbrink8/22/2020 6:16 AM
    "Sample paper"
    I’m so excited to try these different papers. I have one I currently enjoy, but when I see others pastel paper others use, I always want to try it. So now I can!
  • B J Taylor5/26/2020 7:38 AM
    "Pastel sampler sheets"
    I have been looking for more variety for my pastels, and these sampler packages are perfect for trying new boards!
  • Linda Holmes3/23/2020 5:44 AM
    "Extremely Satisfied"
    Thrilled to have them...new to pastel and the options available with these samples, which will help me as I practice...( I’m an oil painter)
  • Christine Rooney1/24/2020 12:40 PM
    "An outstanding offering!"
    I teach pastel painting classes for adults. Once they take my classes most don't want to stop. Both your paper, boards, and pastel samples has been a tremendous asset in letting them test your products. Thank you for these offerings!
  • Donna Housel11/9/2019 2:42 PM
    "pastel papers"
    Love this paper.
  • Gina torelli10/27/2018 8:06 AM
    "Papers"
    Excellent idea will share with my students...
  • Becky C.9/5/2018 1:59 PM
    "paper sampler"
    These sampler packs are great! Easy and inexpensive way to test different papers.