Sennelier Portait 40 Assorted Half Pastels à L'ecu The name Sennelier has been synonymous with the finest pastels available in the world, whose intensity of color and singular velvety feel have been appreciated by pastelists since the turn of the century. Sennelier's first colors were commissioned by Degas, and are made the same way today, formed by hand and naturally air-dried. Unlike other pastels, Sennelier pastels are pure pigment, giving the maximum lightfastness, and are devoid of any clay, which dull the pastel's color. They are so highly concentrated and velvety that the gentlest stroke delivers a solid, powerful line of pure color. Fine variations of shading and the mellowest of tones are possible because of their high quality composition that compliments every surface. Sennelier use the world famous "craie champenoise" to create the varied shades of color, a white pigment found only in Eastern France that is renowned for its beauty and creamy texture. An exclusive natural binder holds the pigments together, yielding vivid, and water-soluble color. This case represents Sennelier quality at a reasonable price, perfect for students and beginners. For professionals, the size of the half-pastel - without a label - and its solidity make it very suitable for working on edges and for the realization of large and wide touches of colour.