FAQ
What artists ask before ordering
Lightfastness, fixatives, paper tooth and how sets travel.
Ordering and delivery
What does delivery cost and how long does it take?
Free on orders of ₹999 and above, otherwise a flat ₹49 anywhere in India. We pack within 1 business day in Bhopal and transit runs 2-7 business days — 2–4 working days to a metro, 4–7 working days further out. Door to door, plan for 3 to 8 business days.
How can I pay?
UPI in advance, or Cash on Delivery. Cards are not accepted — no credit card payments, no debit card payments, and no PayPal.
How do I track my order?
A tracking link is emailed and texted to you on the day of dispatch. Courier scans can lag a day, especially over a weekend.
Returns and problems
Can I return something I have changed my mind about?
Yes, within 10 days of delivery, provided it is unused and still in its original packaging with the invoice. Full conditions are on the Refund and Returns Policy page.
What if it arrives broken or does not work?
Film the unboxing, then tell us within 48 hours. We replace it or refund it in full and we pay the return shipping. To be clear about what that is: a replacement route for an item that arrived damaged or dead, not a six-month or manufacturer warranty, and we do not claim to offer one.
Pigment, lightfastness and working dry media
Do I need a fixative?
For soft pastel, a light workable fixative between layers helps you build without muddying, and a final light coat reduces dusting. It will slightly darken and flatten the surface, which is why many people frame under glass with a spacer instead and skip it entirely.
What paper should I use?
Something with tooth. Smooth cartridge paper fills after one layer and then rejects pigment. Sanded or textured pastel paper takes several layers, which is the whole point of the medium. Weight matters less than surface here.
Why did my drawing fade?
Almost always sunlight acting on a low-lightfastness pigment. Check the rating on the page for the colours you used — warm reds and violets are the usual casualties. Display out of direct sun and behind glass, and even fugitive pigments last far longer.
Can oil pastels be blended like soft pastels?
Not the same way. Oil pastels blend with pressure, a colourless blender stick or a little solvent, and they never fully dry, so they need glass and a spacer rather than a fixative. Soft pastels blend with a finger or a torchon and dust as you go.
Do you have a shop I can visit?
No — we are online only, with no walk-in counter. Everything is packed and dispatched from our Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh workspace, and we answer during Monday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Not covered here? Write to studio@nestoraterrace.shop and a person will answer during Monday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.