Pastel papers are tailored for certain uses. They range from plain, white, smooth paper surfaces to coarse, colored Bristol boards. Pastel canvas cloth can also be used to hold multiple layers of pigment when the cloth surface is treated with a granular layer of pumice, quartz crystals, marble dust, or gesso. In essence, the more abrasive the support surface, the more grains are available to hold the deposited pigment. Turpentine, mineral spirits, or isopropyl alcohol can be used to liquefy oil pastels, while water will dilute other types of pastels.
Many pastel artists use their fingers to blend pigment.
Other choices of blending tools include soft rags, chamois, paper towels, or sponge brushes. If you plan to work extensively with pastels, you should get a small chest of drawers or a partitioned box to hold all the different sticks of color that you will want to use for your portrait compositions. This will help keep arrayed colors separate and easy to locate. An easel to hold works in progress is also recommended. The palette of colors need not be too elaborate for portrait work.