Pastel sticks are normally used to create the pastel paintings. Using pastel sticks you can immediately start drawing and coloring, it uses the same binding pigments, except pastel sticks are a powder form which are bound together using a binding agent, and they are readymade. If you are looking for pure and deep colors, then it's highly recommended to use the pastel sticks. Pastel paintings can be done on canvas, so you can do beautiful layering of colors with pastels.