The Pastel Boutique

For over 30 years Unison Colour has taken great pride and pleasure in supplying artists soft pastels to discerning artists all over the world.

Whilst endeavouring to use only the most reliably beautiful and long-lasting ingredients we are now in a situation where global matters have disrupted our once easy flowing supplies.

Our main concern is the critical availability of Cobalt based pigments. We are enduring much stronger competition with new technology demanding resources for the production of lithium-ion batteries and also synthetic fuels. These innovations will be both lifesaving and earth saving in the future. The element Cobalt is of major importance in emerging technology and although artists have used Cobalt-based pigments for centuries we may have to learn adapt and to use alternatives.

Currently approximately 10% of Cobalt resources are used in the manufacture of pigments – as art material manufacturers we recognise that there will be unavoidable impacts on this. Global trade relationships are challenging. Processes and capabilities engineered by our suppliers are constantly being improved with much recent investment in efficiencies. This has however increased the cost of these valuable ingredients. We have until very recently absorbed the rising price.

Accordingly, there may be times ahead when there could be difficulties with obtaining some of our range. We will continue to aim for consistent stock where at all possible whilst recognising the challenges ahead may be beyond our control.

We very much appreciate your ongoing support and will continue to strive to bring you the very best in artists pastels. Thank you for your anticipated patience during these challenging times.