Many artists assume that any soft colored pencil will perform like a true pastel. This leads to frustrated sketching when the wax core refuses to blend or layer properly on textured paper.
Selecting the Best Pastel Pencils requires understanding that genuine chalk-based formulas behave quite differently than oil or wax varieties. The following list highlights sets that offer the right texture for your work. Keep reading to see which kits earn a spot on your desk.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize pencils with a chalk-based binder to ensure the authentic blendability that defines the medium.
- Check the pigment density to confirm the colors remain vibrant even after you smudge or layer them.
- Ensure the wood casing sharpens cleanly without snapping the delicate core inside the barrel.
- Match your set size to your project scope since larger assortments are essential for complex gradient work.
- Evaluate the included tin storage because these fragile sticks need protection from impact and humidity.
| The Professional Gold Standard |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel 60 Set | Exceptional lightfastness ratings | Firm lead for details | Extensive color selection | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Starter Set Essential |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel 12 Set | Portable tin size | Consistent color quality | High grade pigments | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Tonal Variety |  |
Castle Art Supplies Pastel 48 Set | Creamy application feel | Vibrant pigment selection | Includes storage tin | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Reliable Studio Workhorse |  |
Koh-I-Noor Artist Soft Pastel 24 | Balanced lead hardness | Trusted brand reputation | Good color mixing | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Vibrant Color Variety |  |
H and B Pastel 72 Set | Massive color range | Chalk-based pigment | Durable storage tin | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| The Perfect Middle-Ground |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel 36 Set | Great color balance | Professional grade lightfastness | Easy to transport | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Value-Driven Shading Tool |  |
Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk 72 Set | Large color variety | Strong pigment adhesion | Good for shading | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Aesthetic Specialist |  |
Kalour Macaron Pastel 74 Set | Unique muted colors | Creamy soft core | Generous set size | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Compact Sketching Kit |  |
Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk 50 Set | Good range of shades | Easy to sharpen | Professional results | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Ultra-Smooth Hybrid Tool |  |
JusArt Oil-Based Pastel 72 Set | Very durable core | Smooth application | Vibrant color range | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel 60 Set
If you are serious about fine art, this collection is your best companion. These pencils feature a high level of pigment that resists fading over time, making them a staple for artists who want their work to endure. The cedar casing is excellent because it protects the core from breaking under pressure.
You will appreciate how these leads maintain a sharp point for fine details, yet they are soft enough to blend like a dream. Just remember that the lead is quite firm compared to some cheaper alternatives, so you might need a steady hand to lay down heavy color.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Count:60
- Case Material:Metal tin
- Core Texture:Firm and powdery
- Target Audience:Professional artists
- Additional Feature:Acid free materials
- Additional Feature:Superior blending capabilities
- Additional Feature:Cedar wood casings
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel 12 Set
Selecting a smaller group of colors can be a relief when you are learning the ropes. This 12-count set gives you the core essentials to build a foundation without overwhelming your workspace. You get the same outstanding quality found in the larger sets but in a manageable format.
Keep in mind that 12 colors will require you to learn layering techniques early on, as you will not have every intermediate shade at your fingertips. It is a fantastic way to check if you enjoy the powdery medium without a massive initial commitment.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Count:12
- Case Material:Metal tin
- Core Texture:Firm and powdery
- Target Audience:Beginners and sketchers
- Additional Feature:Smudgeable lead texture
- Additional Feature:Excellent color payoff
- Additional Feature:Durable wood casing
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Castle Art Supplies Pastel 48 Set
These pencils lean toward a softer, creamier texture that feels quite different from traditional hard pastels. If you prefer a buttery laydown, you will find these quite satisfying for covering larger areas of paper quickly. The sumptuous color range is specifically tuned for portraiture and floral work.
Because the lead is soft, it wears down faster than firmer pencils. You will find yourself reaching for the sharpener more often, which is a small trade-off for such vibrant color saturation.
- Brand Name:Castle Art Supplies
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Count:48
- Case Material:Metal tin
- Core Texture:Soft and buttery
- Target Audience:Adult artists
- Additional Feature:Blendable soft core
- Additional Feature:Rich color density
- Additional Feature:Protective metal case
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Koh-I-Noor Artist Soft Pastel 24
Koh-I-Noor has a long history of making art tools, and these pencils feel like a classic studio staple. They strike a nice balance between being soft enough to blend and firm enough to hold a point. You will likely enjoy their predictable performance during long drawing sessions.
One thing to watch is the wood casing, which can sometimes be a bit stubborn if you use a dull blade. Using a quality sharpener will ensure you keep your lines crisp and minimize waste.
- Brand Name:Koh-I-Noor
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Count:24
- Core Texture:Medium soft
- Target Audience:Professional artists
- Additional Feature:Traditional charcoal feel
- Additional Feature:Smooth pigment transfer
- Additional Feature:High quality pigments
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H and B Pastel 72 Set
If you find yourself constantly hunting for that one specific shade, this set is a comprehensive solution. With 72 distinct colors, you rarely have to mix your own tints to get the effect you want. The chalk-based formula makes them quite dusty, which is exactly what you want for traditional pastel techniques.
The sheer volume of pencils means your kit will be a bit heavier to carry around. However, having such a wide palette at your desk makes for a very productive creative process.
- Brand Name:H and B
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Count:72
- Case Material:Metal tin
- Core Texture:Chalky and soft
- Target Audience:Professional artists
- Additional Feature:Vibrant tone range
- Additional Feature:Excellent blending ability
- Additional Feature:Protective foam inserts
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel 36 Set
This 36-pack is often the sweet spot for artists who want more than a starter kit but do not need the full 60-count studio set. It covers a broad enough range of values to create complex landscapes and detailed portraits without much effort. The consistency is identical to the larger sets, ensuring professional results.
Be aware that even with 36 colors, you will still need to use blending techniques to create custom gradients. It is a very versatile set that fits well in most standard art supply bags.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Count:36
- Case Material:Metal tin
- Core Texture:Firm and powdery
- Target Audience:Intermediate artists
- Additional Feature:Smudge resistant once fixed
- Additional Feature:Fine point retention
- Additional Feature:High pigment load
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Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk 72 Set
These pencils are designed for those who love to layer and shade with a heavy hand. They have a chalk-like quality that grabs onto the paper texture, allowing you to build up deep, rich tones. You will find them particularly useful for charcoal-style drawings where texture is a priority.
Because they are quite soft, the tips can snap if you press too hard during the initial sketch. Treat them with a gentle touch and they will reward you with velvety smooth coverage.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Count:72
- Case Material:Metal tin
- Core Texture:Chalky and soft
- Target Audience:Artists and students
- Additional Feature:Excellent for blending
- Additional Feature:High color saturation
- Additional Feature:Rich matte finish
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Kalour Macaron Pastel 74 Set
The unique appeal of this set lies in the Macaron color palette, which offers subtle, muted tones that are difficult to find in standard kits. These are perfect for soft-focus art, delicate illustrations, and vintage-style coloring. The core is noticeably softer than standard pencils, which helps in creating dreamlike effects.
This is a specialized tool, so do not expect the same deep, dark blacks found in traditional sets. It is best used as a complementary set to brighten your existing collection.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Colored Pencils
- Count:74
- Core Texture:Very soft
- Target Audience:Adult coloring enthusiasts
- Additional Feature:High quality pigments
- Additional Feature:Smooth blending core
- Additional Feature:Beautiful color curation
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Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk 50 Set
If you need a portable set that still offers a strong color variety, this 50-count pack is a sensible choice. It provides enough range for most portrait projects while remaining compact enough for travel. The chalk-based core blends beautifully with just a soft brush or a finger.
The wood casing is designed to be easily sharpened, which helps maintain a sharp tip for fine line work. Just keep a small dust brush nearby, as these tend to leave fine particles on the page.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Count:50
- Core Texture:Chalky
- Target Audience:Artists and sketchers
- Additional Feature:Smudgeable pigment
- Additional Feature:High lightfastness
- Additional Feature:Great for blending
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JusArt Oil-Based Pastel 72 Set
These pencils occupy a unique space by blending the smoothness of oil with the finish of a pastel pencil. They are perfect if you dislike the dusty mess of traditional chalk but still want that soft, blended look. The oil-based core is much more durable than a standard chalk pencil, meaning less breakage.
Because they have an oil base, they behave differently when you apply fixative. They are an excellent choice for artists who want to move between sketching and more permanent, waxy layers.
- Brand Name:JusArt
- Product Type:Oil-Based Pastel Pencils
- Count:72
- Core Texture:Oil-based soft core
- Target Audience:Professional artists
- Additional Feature:High pigment vibrancy
- Additional Feature:Durable wood casing
- Additional Feature:Easy to layer
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular sharpeners for pastel pencils?
Most standard pencil sharpeners are too aggressive and will likely snap the soft pastel core immediately. Use a sharpener with a fresh, sharp blade intended for soft leads, or simply use a utility knife to shave the wood away manually. This keeps the lead intact and lets you control the angle of the point.
Do I need to use fixative on my finished drawings?
Pastel is a powdery medium that never truly dries, meaning it can smudge or fall off the paper if left unprotected. A light layer of fixative acts like a clear coat of varnish to lock the dust in place. Just be careful, as too much spray can darken your colors or change the look of your textures.
What type of paper works best with these pencils?
Pastel pencils perform best on paper with a pronounced tooth or texture, such as sanded paper or traditional pastel boards. The grit on the surface grabs the pigment particles and holds them in place. Avoid smooth copy paper or hot pressed watercolor paper, as the pigment will simply slide off the surface.
Is it possible to blend pastel pencils with water?
Most pastel pencils are oil or wax based rather than water soluble. If you add water to standard pastel pencils, you will likely just create a muddy mess. Check your packaging to see if they are specifically labeled as water soluble before you introduce any moisture to your work.
How do I clean my pencils if the tips get dusty?
It is common for the tips to get coated in dust from other colors while you work. You can gently tap the pencil against the side of your table to shake off the excess. If the tip gets clogged, simply sharpen it again to expose the fresh, clean pigment underneath.
