Golden Artist Colors Acquires PanPastel® and Sofft® Tools

Golden Artist Colors, Inc. is delighted to announce the acquisition of two groundbreaking products, PanPastel^® and Sofft^® Tools.  Co-Creators Ladd Forsline and Bernadette Ward, Colorfin LLC, have grown these products, originally introduced in 2007, into important companion products for pastel and mixed media artists alike.  PanPastel Colors are professional artist quality soft pastel colors packed in a unique pan format. Sofft Tools, made from specially formulated micropore sponge, when used with PanPastel Colors, gives artists the opportunity to blend and apply pastel (dry) color like paint — something that’s never been possible before!  PanPastel colors can be used for painting, drawing and mixed media. Their utility is vast in the professional art materials market.     

“I have always been impressed with Ladd’s incredible capacity to think between the spaces of our industry,” said GOLDEN CEO & Co-Founder, Mark Golden.  “His skill in product development and engineering is masterful.  With Berni’s expertise and marketing ingenuity, these brands, in just a few years, have become recognized and sought after worldwide.”

Moving forward it will be important for GOLDEN to earn and sustain the trust of PanPastel supporters by continuing the tradition of this unique soft pastel color product line.  Therefore, GOLDEN is committed to retaining the characteristics that make the pastel medium special – its directness and purity of color – but in a pan format, so that it functions like a paint.          

“The corporate missions for Golden Artist Colors and Colorfin are much the same – to enhance the process of making art by creating tools for artists to stimulate creativity and artistic expression, helping them to turn their vision into reality,” said GOLDEN President & COO, Barbara Schindler.  “This acquisition has been a partnership between the two companies, focused on one goal – watching the PanPastel and Sofft Tools brands flourish and grow.” 

“We are thrilled about this great opportunity that combines the ideas that began in our studio/lab with GOLDEN’s technical expertise, their forward thinking and deep commitment to offering the best possible materials for artists,” said Ward and Forsline.  “This will ensure that the PanPastel and Sofft ranges will expand and grow to their full potential, and beyond.  We are confident that the products will be in good hands with GOLDEN, a company we have always admired and respected.” 

“Our company is known for innovation and quality and just like we are an advocate for GOLDEN Artist Acrylics, Williamsburg Artist Oils and QoR Artist Watercolors, we are eager to begin this journey with the many PanPastel advocates that have made this brand so successful,” said Golden.

Artists can continue to find the PanPastel and Sofft Tools brands at their local art supply retailer in the drawing aisle.  Learn about the history and development of PanPastel and Sofft Tools at www.panpastel.com. For inspiration and resources to get started using PanPastel and Sofft Tools, visit www.paintdrawblend.com.  Resources about Golden Artist Colors, Inc. and its brands can be found at www.goldenpaints.com.