Organizing chalk pastels helps protect them from breakage and makes it easier to find the colors you need. One common method involves separating them within a storage container.
Method Based on Reference
Based on the provided reference from Heidi Shedlock's YouTube video, you can organize chalk pastels in a box by separating warm colors from cool colors using a divider. The video shows using a simple piece of board cut from packaging to create the separation within the box. Warm colors (like reds, oranges, yellows) are kept on one side, and cool colors (like blues, greens, purples) are kept on the other. This approach allows for quick visual sorting and retrieval of colors based on their temperature.
Other Common Organization Methods
While separating by color temperature is one effective technique, here are other ways artists commonly organize chalk pastels:
- By Hue: Grouping pastels by their color family (all blues together, all reds together, etc.). This is often done within trays with individual slots or foam inserts.
- By Value: Organizing pastels from lightest to darkest within each hue group. This helps in selecting the right shade or tint.
- By Set: Keeping pastels from a specific manufacturer's set together, especially if they come in their own dedicated box or tray.
- By Type: Separating soft pastels from hard pastels, as they have different properties and may require different handling or storage.
- By Usage Frequency: Keeping frequently used colors more accessible than those used less often.
Storage Solutions
Pastels can be stored in various containers, each offering different benefits:
- Original Boxes: Many pastel sets come in sturdy cardboard or wooden boxes with foam inserts that keep each stick separate and protected.
- Plastic Trays/Bins: Stackable plastic trays or bins can be used, often with foam liners or custom dividers added.
- Wooden Pastel Boxes: Specialized wooden boxes with multiple layers of trays designed to hold pastels securely.
- Foam Core Inserts: Custom inserts made from foam core board can be created to fit into existing drawers or boxes, providing individual slots for pastels.
Organizing your chalk pastels, whether by color temperature as shown in the reference, by hue, or another method, is key to maintaining your collection and streamlining your creative process.
