PASTELS 
For those artists new to pastel, I recommend purchasinga starting set, (minimum 60-120 pastels in ½ sticks) No Oil Pastels!

Try to add individual sticks of both Nupastel (hard) and soft pastels in dark reds, greens, blues and violets to supplement your beginning set of colors. Most basic sets do not include enough dark colors.  
Suggested brands to purchase in sets- Great American, Holbein, Mungyo, Richeson, Schmincke, Sennelier, Terry Ludwig, Unison.  

SUGGESTED PAPERS 
Ampersand Pastelbord (surface uses hand applied clay ground texture with fine marble dust granules). Available in gray, sand, green and soft white. Accepts wet underpainting mediums.
Art Spectrum Colour-fix fine tooth pastel paper
Lux Archival sanded art paper (440 grit paper that accepts wet underpainting mediums)

Multimedia Artboard (accepts water, mineral spirits and turpentine underpainting applications)
Pastelmat (receives watercolor, alcohol & inks well for underpainting)
Pastel Premier sanded pastel paper (400 grit fine white, 600 grit extra fine white that accepts wet underpainting mediums)
Sennelier La Carte Pastel Card Paper Pads
Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress & Hotpress art papers
UART sanded pastel paper, buff colored (400 grit) or UART mounted papers for non-buckling if using wet mediums for underpainting.

ADDITIONAL MEDIUMS
If you would like to experiment with underpainting techniques under your pastel work, these mediums are recommended to bring to class:
Transparent watercolor paints & watercolor brushes
Derwent Inktense Blocks
Caran d’ Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle Water Soluble Wax Pastels

EASEL 
If you prefer sitting, bring a small tabletop easel. If you prefer standing, bring a tripod with an easel attachment or traditional French easel  

FIXATIVES
Daler-Rowney Perfix Colourless Fixative (English-made, resin-based fixative has little effect on the appearance of pastel).
SpectraFix Degas Pastel Fixative (Casein-based fixative packaged in a pump bottle that can safely be applied in the studio).