Jack Richeson400107 Square Jackson Pastels (Set of 48), Assorted

So that doesn't say much as I am totally new to pastels and don't know what I am talking about. I am in a beginning art class and we just worked with charcoals for the first time. I fell in love with it and think that this is the direction I want to go in. But to know for sure, I need to work with the medium more and learn some techniques, etc. I am already into mandala coloring and having many supplies for that genre. I now enjoy graphite and again, have quality products for that as well.Pastels shocked me. Yes, pens and pencils are expensive, but NOTHING like pastels! Holy cow! You have to sell your first born in order to get a quality professional grade pastel!On review quickly demonstrated the need for a quality pastel over the cheaper pastels on the market. I mean, the proof was right there in the video....very easy to see the difference.Well, that's disappointing when you want any of your finished pieces to look slightly professional. But you have to start somewhere and those fancy pants sticks will have to wait for serious contenders only...maybe that will be me one day...but today is not that day!So I searched. And reviewed. And searched some more. Jack Richeson has his name on a very professional pastel. That gives credence to Jack Richeson. Now, I know this is NOT that brand, but Jack Richeson has his name on THIS brand too. Thus, after searching the 'student grade' pastels (which will STILL set you back 50 bucks for 24 sticks) I found that overall, Jack Richeson Chalk Pastels gave you the most colors of a student quality pastel for less than half the price. They may not be fancy pants pastels, but I hoped they would give me a good idea as to if this is the area I want to get into.They came in perfect condition sans one yellow stick that was broken. I'm not upset, I mean--it's chalk. It breaks. It sill works just as well. At first glance, I thought there were 4 trays of the same 12 colors. Nope! There are a couple of blacks and a couple of whites, but the colors are really nice. I do wish they had more greens and maybe another purple, but the colors included are a smattering of colors needed for both portrait and landscape pieces. And those colors are REALLY nice!I was very happy with the quality of these pastels. They were definitely a grade above and not the 'cheapest' on the market. The amount of dust is no where near a cheaper set I have used and was able to compare/contrast with. For just learning, this will definitely help me to determine if this is truly my forte.Really happy with this purchase. I got more than what I paid for and will most likely purchase the hard pastels in the near future.

Many duplicates. You get 48 sticks but not 48 colors. Disappointed.