Maybe you are starting a new hobby with drawing or maybe you’re an avid artist looking for a new medium to try out. Whatever your reason, pastel pencils are a brilliant tool to try out if you are interested in drawing.
They can be used on their own or alongside other kinds of pencils and pastels and can help create defined shading in any kind of artwork, particularly softer pastels paintings.
Because of their pencil structure, they are less messy than regular pastels and will cause less staining on the skin or clothes thanks to their easier blend.
With so many different sets with varying color schemes available on the market, it can seem confusing which set is the best for you whether you are a beginner or an advanced student.
Pastel pencils are used by professionals and budding artists because of their beautiful pigmentation and the intricate detailing that they can add. They are a crucial part of any artist’s toolbox and skill set and are easy to use and maintain.
In this article, we’ll be taking you through the best pastel pencils on the market followed by a Buyers Guide and FAQ.
In the Buyers Guide, we’ve curated everything that you need to know when you are researching which pastel pencils to purchase and the FAQ will provide all the answers to those burning questions you may have.
Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll be able to make a fully informed decision as to which pastel pencils are the right choice for you.
Don’t have time to read the full guide? Find out what our top pick is here:
Faber-Castell FC112160 Pitt Pastel Pencils in A Metal Tin (60 Pack), Assorted
The best set of pastel pencils on the market come from the pioneering art supply brand, Faber-Castell. Their 60 pencil set has all of the colors every artist needs to create a variety of different artworks.
Faber-Castell has long been a brand that artists can trust thanks to the quality and longevity of their products. The pencils are wax and oil free and have a strong pigmentation, meaning that you can be guaranteed of a beautiful and smooth finish.
The colors are easily smudged to blend in with each other and can be used with clay-based colored pencils and regular pastels. They are ideal for use on various types of paper and are great for experimenting with different mediums and art styles.
Why is this our winner? The beautiful metal tin provides protection for all of your pencils and with six sections with particular color schemes to inspire your next project.
This is perfect for professional artists who like to use a lot of color in their artwork. The beautiful structure of the pencils allows for comfortability and easy grip and control, as well as being low maintenance.
Contents
Faber-Castell FC112160 Pitt Pastel Pencils in A Metal Tin (60 Pack), Assorted
Packaged in a beautiful metal tin that is segmented into six sections according to color scheme, this is the perfect choice for the professional artist who works with a lot of color.
They can be used for any kind of art style and are designed to be used with each other or even colored pencils and regular pastels. Great for adding shadow and depth to any drawing, these pencils are low maintenance and easy to use.
The structure of the pencil itself is easy to get used to and grip, meaning you can be assured of having complete control over those intricate details you want to add.
With 4.8 stars from over 600 reviews, these pencils boast a fantastic longevity and quality that will instantly improve any piece of art.
You can be assured that you will get a lot of use out of these pencils. The beautiful pigmentation is striking and boasts the best quality on the market.
Pros:
- Ideal for professionals who like to use color
- Comes with 60 colors that are segmented into six sections
- Pencil structure allows for easy grip and control when drawing intricate details
Cons:
- High price point
Stabilo Carbothello Pastel Pencil, 60-Color Set
Their 60 pack pastel pencil also comes in a beautifully presented tin like our top pick and has a whole range of colors that any artist would be able to use, especially those who work in color artwork.
These can be used by any kind of artist thanks to the fine 4.4mm lead diameter which allows for finer intricate details as well as drawing in larger spaces.
The easy smudge means that blending is simple to achieve and the round shape of the pencil itself is comfortable and can be used for a long time without feeling pain.
With 4.7 stars from over 2,400 reviews, these pencils are designed to be used in any way that you want. They can be applied dry or wet as well as mixed with regular pastels and colored pencils.
A great investment for those who want strong pigmentation and pencils that will last a long time. They work great on most pastel papers, especially dark and specialist papers where the pigmentation really comes through.
Pros:
- Beautiful metal tin keeps the pencils protected from any damage
- Ideal for fine and commercial artists
- Round shape provides comfortability for longer periods of use
Cons:
- High price point
KOH-I-NOOR Artist’s Soft Pastel Pencils (Set of 24)
The beautiful design of the pencil structure provides a great grip and control which is ideal for intricacy and detailing. This is particularly ideal for art students who are looking to expand their skill set and are working with pastel pencils for the first time.
The pigmentation and smudge are very prominent in this set making it one of the best sets for those who like to blend their colors.
With an average of 4.7 stars from 400 reviews, the texture of these pencils are very chalk-like which is ideal for those who like to control the amount of layers they put on the paper.
The pencils produce beautiful results and the variety of colors mean that you can experiment and find out what kind of colorwork and art style you prefer. A great asset for those looking to get into pastel pencil drawing.
Pros:
- Ideal for beginners and art students
- Beautiful wood structure is easy to grip and control
- Strong pigmentation and blend
Cons:
- Can be tricky to sharpen
Derwent Pastel Pencils, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, 24 Count (32992)
The round shape allows for extra flexibility and comfortability as well as being able to draw fine lines and fill in details.
Like our other recommendations in this article, you can easily mix and blend the colors with each other or colored pencils and regular pastels.
The wax and oil free texture allows you to apply the pastel pencil dry or wet, according to your preferences.
Protected in a wood-cased set placed in a metal hinged tin assures that you can travel with your set with complete certainty that they will not be damaged.
With 4.6 stars from over 900 reviews, these pencils are great for those who want pastel pencils that are easy to use when learning the techniques.
A fantastic purchase for artists of all abilities, this set is ideal for those who really enjoy blending their color and experimenting with color.
The tips are a little thicker than the other offerings in this article, meaning they are great for coloring in larger spaces as well as finer lines.
Pros:
- Ideal for artists of all abilities
- Round shape allows for flexibility and comfortability
- Great for blending and experimenting with color
Cons:
- Can be tricky to sharpen initially
General Pencil 4400-12A General’s Pastel Chalk Pencils, 12 Colors, Multicolor
These pencils are designed for all sorts of artwork including: chalking and lettering as well as outlining and shading, making them a really versatile drawing tool.
With an average of 4.6 stars from over 700 reviews, these pencils are the best pick for those who want a starter set that doesn’t contain a lot of pencils.
Great for beginners who want to experiment with pastel pencils, this set comes with everything you need with a sharpener and erasers on the end of each individual pencil to avoid any undesired color mix.
Pros:
- Great price point
- Ideal for beginners
- Rounded shape for comfortability
Cons:
- Not the best set for experienced artists due to the limited color range
Buyers Guide
Whether you are new to using pastel pencils or have been using them for a long time and are looking for a new set to try, there is something for you in our recommendations.
If you’re still unsure which set is for you after reading out recommendations, it’s understandable that you may want to look into the pastel pencil sets even further.
When researching what pastel pencil set is the right one for you, always think about how often you will use them, what colors you want from them, the longevity and quality of the pencils and the budget.
Once you’ve thought about all of these aspects, then you’ll be able to come to a fully informed decision for which set you should go for.
How often you will use them
Always think about how often you will use the pencils. If you are a professional who will be using them daily then you want to make sure that the pencils are good quality and will last a long time.
The pigmentation of the pencils is hugely important for those who want to use it daily as well as you want to make sure that the quality doesn’t falter after a lot of use.
However, those who aren’t going to be using their pencils as much may not be as concerned about the pigmentation and longevity as they won’t be using them daily or as intensely as professionals.
Colors
You need to consider what colors you would like in your set. You can get sets that have neutral colors and sets that contain a lot of colors with sets of 60 pencils.
Depending on what kind of art you are wanting to produce, there are sets for all kinds of art. Some sets come with instructions and technique leaflets to help guide you into how to use your pencils.
This is particularly ideal for people who haven’t used pastel pencils before and are unfamiliar with how to blend them.
Longevity and quality
The next aspect to look at is the longevity and overall quality of the pencils themselves. This sort of goes hand in hand with how often you will use them because you want to make sure that the quality fits in with your lifestyle and how often you will use them.
Brands like Faber-Castell have become renowned for the quality of their products and how long they last. The best pastel pencils are the ones that leave less mess and have pointed tips that allow you to create fine lines that can easily blend and give depth to your art.
The recommendations in this guide show you the best of the best at differing price points so you can be assured that you will be able to create art that will look vibrant and full of life.
Budget
As with any purchase, always consider the budget. Whether you are a professional artist or a hobbyist just starting out, there are pastel pencils set at every price point.
If you are a professional, you are probably used to spending a bit more money on your supplies as cheaper sets may not provide the longevity and pigmentation you need but for hobbyists, there are plenty of sets that do a brilliant and quality job without breaking the bank.
The above list shows the best on the market at all different price points that all provide a quality job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do beginners use pastel pencils?
Pastel pencils are even easier to use than regular pastels due to their pointed tips and structure that make them easier to grip and control.
Simply use them as you would colored pencils and then blend them into the other colors. You can use them by themselves or add more depth to artwork drawn with colored pencils that are clay-based and regular pastels.
How do you sharpen pastel pencils?
Pastel pencils are very easy to maintain and can be sharpened by using a regular sharpener. If you’re skeptical about using sharpeners then you can use a sharpening knife but be careful if you do choose this option.
Sharpeners do allow for a more even cut and allow the tip to become more refined making it the better option of the two.
What is the difference between colored pencils and pastel pencils?
The main difference between regular colored pencils and pastel pencils is that the former are semi-transparent and the latter are opaque. This means that the pastel pencils are great for providing shadow and depth into artworks which is ideal for realistic pieces.
Pastel pencils create a dry texture whereas colored pencils are waxy or oily meaning that you can layer pastel pencils as many times as you want whereas layering colored pencils a lot will form an oil or wax that builds up on the paper and can create an unwanted bleed or smudge.
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