Are you in need of the best pastel pencils to create beautiful artwork?
We have put together a list of the best pastel pencils that are perfect for creating stunning portraits, oil paintings, and colored drawings.
They’re incredibly soft and blendable, allowing you to achieve a wide range of effects with ease.
They also come in an array of vibrant colors that will bring your artwork to life.
With any on this list of reviews of the best pastel pencils, you can express yourself freely without worrying about smudging or fading.
You’ll be able to produce high-quality pieces that look professional no matter what level of artist you are.
And best of all – they won’t break the bank.
Check out our pastel pencil reviews today and start creating amazing works of art.
What Is the Best Pastel Pencil?
Here are our team's top picks for the best pastel pencils:
- Best Pastel Pencils for Portraits: Faber-Castell Pastel Pencils
- Best Pastel Colored Pencils: STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencils
- Softest Pastel Pencils: KOH-I-NOOR Pastel Pencils
- Softest Pastel Pencils 1st Runner-Up: Derwent Pastel Pencils
- Softest Pastel Pencils 2nd Runner-Up: Rembrandt Soft Pastels
- Best Oil Pastel Pencils: SCHPIRERR FARBEN Professional Oil-Based Soft Core Pastel Pencils
- Firm Pastel Pencils for Fine Details and Lines: General's Multipastel Chalk Pastels
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What Are the Best Pastels for Portraits?
1. Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils
Key Features:
- Point Type – Fine
- Material – Wood
- Ink Color – Assorted
- Color – Assorted
- Dimensions – 7.48 x 12.8 x 1.3 inches
- Age Range – Adult
Overview:
Are you a portrait artist looking for the perfect pastel pencils?
Look no further than Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils. These pencils are packed with highly saturated pigment, free of wax and oil, making them the ideal choice for creating exquisite detail in pastels.
You can easily smudge them to create fine color transitions that will bring your portraits to life.
They come in a metal tin set of 60 so you’ll not easily run out.
With these amazing pastel pencils, you can create stunning works of art with ease. The colors are vibrant and long-lasting so your artwork will stay beautiful for years to come.
And because they’re easy to use and blend seamlessly, even beginners can achieve professional results quickly.
User Experience:
The Faber Castell Pastel Pencils are a great choice for portraits because they are non-toxic and made to conform to the ATSM standards.
They come in a sealed plastic wrap inside a cardboard sleeve, making them an attractive and safe choice for professional artists.
The pencils blend out nicely and have a wide range of colors, making them perfect for creating detailed portraits.
The lightfastness ratings provided by Faber Castell also help ensure that the artwork will retain its vibrancy even when it is being hung or sold.
Finally, the pencils are available from Amazon as well as other art supply stores, meaning that you can be sure always to get genuine and authentic pencils.
All of these factors make the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils an excellent choice for anyone looking to create beautiful portraits.
Pros
- Made with SAFE pigments that conform to ATSM standards.
- Sealed in a box or sleeve for protection.
- Blend out beautifully.
- Excellent quality pastel pencils and light fastness ratings
Cons
- Not too good for traveling.
Overall Thoughts:
The Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils are the best pastel pencils for portraits, providing a safe and beautiful blend of colors that will make your artwork stand out.
With lightfastness ratings on all their pencils, you can be sure your artwork won't fade over time.
Plus, with Amazon's guarantee of no counterfeit products, you know what you're getting is authentic and top quality.
So, if you're looking to create stunning works of art without worrying about harmful pigments or fake products, look no further than the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils.
Get started with the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils.
Best Color Pastel Pencils
2. STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencils
Key Features:
- Dimensions – 13.25 x 8.05 x 1.35 inches
- Ink Color – Multicolor
- Color – Multicolor
- Age Range – 13+
Overview:
Are you looking for a way to add color and texture to your artwork?
STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencils are the perfect solution. These pencils have a charcoal-like feel, with highly pigmented colors that provide great results on dark or toned papers or surfaces.
The 4.4 mm diameter lead allows for precise strokes and details, while the finished artwork can be treated with a fixative for long-lasting results.
With these pastel pencils, you can create beautiful works of art that will last for years to come.
You’ll love how easy it is to blend colors and create unique textures with this versatile medium.
They’re easy to use – even if you don’t consider yourself an artist.
User Experience:
The STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencils are incredibly easy to use, providing vibrant, intense colors with a smooth application that is perfect for coloring.
When applied correctly, the colors blend effortlessly and can be easily smudged with a finger or paper tissue to give even coverage.
The pencils also sharpen easily, allowing for a precise application. However, the pencils can be quite messy and generate dust when used, making it difficult to do fine details or get super sharp lines.
Additionally, the colors may not be as vivid as oil- or wax-based pencils.
Overall, we would highly recommend STABILO CarbOthello Chalk Pastel Pencils for coloring.
You get a nice range of colors and excellent mileage with each pencil, so you can easily create beautiful designs.
Furthermore, the colors are eraser-friendly and blend effortlessly.
A little dusty? No worries – that's just part of the STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencil experience!
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Give nice potent colors.
- Dry blend easily.
- Sharpen easily.
- Rich hues with outstanding depth of color – the perfect pastel palette.
- Achieve a uniform hue with ease by smudging it with your finger or paper tissue.
- Smooth lay down.
- Can be erased.
Cons
- Messy to use.
- Create dust.
- Not really good for precise/fine details.
- Colors may not be as vivid as wax or oil-based pencils.
Overall Thoughts:
In a nutshell, STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencils are the best pencils for creating beautiful and vibrant artwork.
They lay down smoothly, blend easily, and provide great coloring mileage.
The only downside is they can be messy to use, but that’s a small price to pay for such stunning results!
Get started with the STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencils.
What Are the Best Soft Pastel Pencils to Use?
3. Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Artists Soft Pastel Pencils
Key Features:
- Dimensions – 118.11 x 94.49 x 3.15 inches
- Ink Color – Assorted
- Color – Assorted
- Age Range – Adult
- Material – Wood
Overview:
Are you looking for the perfect gift for an artist in your life?
Look no further than Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Soft Pastel Pencils. This set of high-quality pastels is made from 100% FSC wood and comes in a great presentation pack.
It’s part of the world-famous range from Hardtmuth KOH-I-NOOR, one of the leading stationery producers on the market today.
With these soft pastel pencils, you can create beautiful works of art with ease. The colors are vibrant and long-lasting, so your artwork will look amazing every time.
Plus, they come in a variety of shades to choose from – so there’s something for everyone here.
User Experience:
The Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Artists Soft Pastel Pencils are renowned for their superior quality and performance.
They are created with high-grade pigments to ensure amazing vibrancy and bendability which makes them a great choice for artists of all skill levels.
The pencils are quite soft, not too hard yet not too soft, allowing for excellent control in shading and detail work.
Plus, they sharpen well with ease making them an ideal choice for detailed works of art.
With such great performance and a reasonable price tag, it's no wonder these pencils are among the favorites of pastel artists everywhere.
Pros
- Excellent product for a reasonable price.
- Not too soft and not hard.
- It Sharpens well for detail.
- Nice vibrant colors.
- Easy to use on Pastelmat card.
Cons
- None Identified.
Overall Thoughts:
The Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Artists Soft Pastel Pencils are an excellent choice for any pastel artist.
With vibrant colors, they provide a smooth application, best suited for working on Pastelmat cards.
They also sharpen well when detail is needed, and the set comes with 24 pencils to give you plenty of variety in your work.
We have found them to be the best pastel pencil for a reasonable price, and would highly recommend them to any artist looking for great quality supplies.
Get started with the KOH-I-Noor Gioconda Soft Pastels.
Softest Pastel Pencils 1st Runner-Up
4. Derwent Pastel Pencils
Key Features:
- Dimensions – 9.3 x 0.55 x 7.8 inches
- Material – Wood, Metal & Tin
- Ink Color – Pastel
- Color – Multi
- Age Range – Adult
Overview:
Are you an artist looking for the perfect pastel pencils?
Derwent Pastel Pencils are ideal for creating beautiful, vibrant artwork.
With a round, smooth barrel, and 4.5mm core that allows for maximum line flexibility to apply generous color or create crisp, fine lines, these pencils can be easily mixed and blended to create new hues and tints as well as detailed pastel studies.
This set includes 24 wood-cased pastel pencils in a convenient and secure hinged metal tin so you’ll always have the right colors on hand when inspiration strikes.
Unleash your creativity with Derwent Pastel Pencils.
Whether you’re sketching landscapes or portraits, these soft pastels will help bring your ideas to life with stunning results every time.
They come in a handy storage tin, so they won't get lost or damaged while not in use.
User Experience:
Derwent Pastel Pencils are made of a high-quality, break-resistant lead that is soft and easy to blend. Their color selection offers an array of vibrant shades and hues, as well as neutrals.
The pencils sharpen to a fine point and retain their sharpness if rotated during work.
The delivery is usually quick, and the packaging is clean and cared for.
Adding to this, the pencils usually come pre-sharpened which saves additional time.
Finally, an optional carry-all bag is available which minimizes the likelihood of knocking off pencils while transporting them.
All these add up to a great experience when it comes to pastel pencils.
Pros
- Beautiful colors and neutrals.
- Sharpen to a fine point and keep it well.
- Black is deep and white is bright and crisp.
- Comes sharpened.
Cons
- Tin pops open when carrying them.
- Not ideal for lifting out of the tin without a carry bag.
Overall Thoughts:
In a nutshell, the Derwent Pastel Pencils are the best in class when it comes to soft pastel pencils.
They come sharpened and with an array of vibrant colors that can rival any watercolor set.
Furthermore, they come in a tin and you have the option of getting a carry-all bag for easy transport.
Perfect for those who want to take their artistry on the go or just make sure their supplies stay safe and secure at home.
With these pencils, you'll be able to create beautiful artwork with ease and confidence.
Get started with the Derwent Pastel Pencils.
Softest Pastel Pencils 2nd Runner-Up
5. Rembrandt Soft Pastels
Key Features:
- Dimensions – 7.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
- Ink Color – Pastel
- Color – Rembrandt 60 Half Box of Pastel Pencil Collection
- Material – Pigments
- Age Range – Adult
Overview:
Are you an artist looking for the best quality soft pastel pencils?
Look no further than Rembrandt Soft Pastels. These high-quality, finely ground pure pigments provide rich color that is thoroughly blended and uniform from end to end.
The colors are of unsurpassed glow and purity, perfect for any artwork you create.
With these soft pastel pencils, your artwork will stand out with its vibrant hues and smooth texture. You’ll be able to bring your creative vision to life with ease.
User Experience:
The Rembrandt Soft Pastel pencils are renowned for their superior quality and vibrant colors.
Users of this product appreciate how easy they are to blend and mix on paper, allowing them to create a variety of hues and shades with just these pastels.
Additionally, many users have found that the edges have a characteristic waxy shine.
Some users have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the selection of colors in this set of pastel pencils, as they feel that it could include more variety.
For people looking for quality soft pastels, Rembrandt Soft Pastel pencils are a great option and an excellent value for money.
Pros
- Brilliant colors.
- Lays down with ease.
- Easy to blend and mix on paper to make other colors.
- Good buy, no regret.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Some colors are very nearly identical.
Overall Thoughts:
The Rembrandt Soft Pastels are the best pastel pencils out there – they lay down color with ease, blend beautifully, and make your artwork come to life.
Though pricey, you get what you pay for in terms of quality and color selection.
While some colors may be too similar or have a waxy feel, overall these pastels are worth it and will serve you well.
Get started with the Rembrandt Soft Pastels.
Which Pencil Is Best for Oil Pastel Drawing?
6. SCHPIRERR FARBEN Professional Oil-Based Soft Core Pastel Pencils
Key Features:
- Dimensions – 11 x 7.6 x 1.7 inches
- Ink Color – Multicolor
- Color – 96 Assorted Colors
- Material – Oil
- Point Type – Bold
- Age Range – Adult & Kid
Overview:
Are you looking for the perfect colored pencils to create masterpieces?
Look no further than SCHPIRERR FARBEN Professional Oil-Based Soft Core Pastel Pencils. These oil-based colored pencils have a soft lead, so you can blend and layer effortlessly.
With its wide range of colors, you can create artworks in any technique you want.
They’re comfortable to hold and non-toxic, so it’s safe to use them for hours with ease.
Get ready to render subjects with vibrant hues from this artist-grade set of colored pencils.
Each chronologically arranged colored pencil set comes in an easy-to-carry tin box, so you can take your art anywhere.
And since each coloring pencil is numbered and named for easy hue identification – creating artwork has never been easier.
User Experience:
Users of the SCHPIRERR FARBEN Professional Oil-Based Soft Core Pastel Pencils have found that they are great for oil pastel drawings, even when using cheaper paper.
The pencils provide a smooth glide, with rich and saturated colors that lay down nicely and blend well.
Users have also found that the pencils are gentle on their hands, though those with arthritis may find them to be a bit taxing.
The Schpirerr Farben Professional Oil-Based Soft Core Pastel Pencils offer great value for money and excellent performance for oil pastel drawings.
Users of all levels highly recommend them.
Pros
- Glide smoothly over even cheap paper.
- Equal in quality to Faber-Castel Polychromus.
- Lay down smoothly when layered.
- Saturated and rich colors.
- Easy to use.
- Compatible with the Polys.
- Pleasant to hold and use.
Cons
- The hand may be slightly taxed compared to using soft pencils.
Overall Thoughts:
The SCHPIRERR FARBEN Professional Oil-Based Soft Core Pastel Pencils are an excellent choice for oil pastel drawing.
They glide smoothly over even the cheapest paper, lay down color evenly, and blend easily.
The colors are saturated and rich, making them a great value for money.
If you're looking for the best pastel pencils that won't break the bank, these should be at the top of your list.
Get started with the Schpirerr Farben Oil-Based Pastels.
Firm Pastel Pencils for Fine Details and Lines
7. General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils
Key Features:
- Dimensions – 0.5 (Height) x 9.5 (Length) x 8.25 (Width)
- Point Type – Fine
- Ink Color – Multicolor
- Color – Assorted
- Material – Wood
- Age Range – Adult
Overview:
Are you looking for a way to add fine details to your chalk drawings?
Introducing General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils, the perfect tool for adding precise lines and intricate details to your artwork.
These pencils are designed with an extra-fine point that allows you to draw thin, delicate lines on any surface.
Furthermore, they come in a reusable storage container, so you can keep them organized and ready for use whenever inspiration strikes.
And best of all, these pencils are PMA-certified – so you know they’re safe and non-toxic.
With General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils, you can create beautiful works of art with ease.
Whether it’s drawing intricate patterns or adding subtle shading effects, these pencils will help bring out the artist in everyone.
User Experience:
Users have found General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils to be great for drawing detailed pictures and images.
These fine pastels offer control over regular pastels, which are too large for small areas.
The pencils also come in a variety of beautiful colors that apply easily to a page.
These pencils are perfect for use on dark paper as well, making them a great purchase for many art enthusiasts.
So, if you're looking to add some fine detail to your artwork, the General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils are the way to go.
Pros
- Best pastel pencil for drawing actual pics and for small area details.
- Great colors.
- Easy to apply to a page.
- An alternative type of pencil suitable for dark paper.
Cons
- None Identified.
Overall Thoughts:
The General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils are a great choice when you need to add some extra detail and color to your artwork.
They provide the best of both worlds – the control of a pencil and the vibrancy of pastels – so you can really make your art stand out.
Get started with the General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils.
What Is a Pastel Pencil?
Pastel pencils are an exciting and versatile medium for artists of all levels. They use the same principles as traditional pastels but have a few advantages that make them easier to work with.
The pencil encases the pastels in an oiled wood shaft, giving it a stronger body than that of a traditional pastel. This makes the pencils easy to work with and control, allowing for greater precision in your artwork.
Furthermore, the pencils can be made into a point, making it easier for artists to develop intricate details and blend colors together like never before.
What Is Pastel Colour Pencil?
Pastel color pencils are a great tool for artists looking to add subtle, bright shades of color to their work.
These pencils contain a core of finely ground pigments mixed with wax or gum Arabic and encased in a thin sheet of plastic, paper, or metal. They come in various thicknesses and consistencies, so you can find the perfect pencil for your artwork.
They’re easy to blend and layer, making them ideal for creating soft, subtle gradients.
And if you want to take your drawings up a notch, pastel pencils are also great for adding texture and depth to artwork.
What Are Pastel Pencils Good for?
Pastel pencils are incredibly versatile, making them a must-have tool for any artist. They are great for sketching and outlining, as well as adding texture and depth to finished works of art.
They can be used in both dry and wet mediums, from paper to canvas. This makes them ideal for adding details or shading to a variety of different projects.
Pastel pencils are also an ideal choice for large works of art, where one would need to work quickly with wide strokes. The pigment doesn’t smudge or smear easily and is easy to correct if mistakes are made.
In addition, the pigments can be sprayed with fixatives to ensure lasting results.
Pastel Pencils vs. Soft/Hard Pastel Sticks
Pastel pencils are a perfect tool for detailed work as they allow artists to create precise lines and shades.
The leads of the pencils contain more binder than pigment, which allows for a smoother application of color and greater control over the intensity. However, due to the increased binder content, pastel pencils may not be as vibrant as soft pastels.
In the great debate over Pastel Pencils vs. Soft/Hard Pastel Sticks, the answer is ultimately up to you and your own personal preference. Whether you're looking for colorful vibrancy or precise control over your artwork, there's a pastel medium that will suit your needs.
How to Choose the Best Pastel Pencils
When trying to determine the best pastel pencils for your needs, there are several things to consider.
Firstly, you need to decide which type of pencil will suit your specific needs and style. Soft pencils are great for blending and creating softer tones and hues, while firm pencils are better for more precise lines and details.
Additionally, you need to decide whether the pencil’s core needs to be sharpened with a knife or if it can simply be sharpened using a regular pencil sharpener.
Finally, consider the quality of the lead and its lightfastness; make sure you're getting a pencil that's going to last.
Other Important Factors to Consider
Color Variety
When choosing pastel pencils, there are a few important factors to consider.
Color variety is one of the most crucial considerations.
When using pastels, you need to have access to a diverse range of colors in order to be able to create a full spectrum of shades and hues.
Beginners should start by mastering some basic colors first, and then progress to more complex shades once they have the technique down.
Experts should look for a range of bright and muted tones, allowing them to access any shade they need.
With so many vibrant colors available, your pastel art can be truly stunning!
Professional vs. Student Level
Professional-grade art supplies are typically best suited for experienced artists who have been in the business of creating art for a long time and understand their craft.
These supplies tend to be made using higher-end materials, providing superior results and durability.
Professional grade supplies also tend to come with a higher price tag due to the quality of materials used and the length of production time.
On the other hand, student-grade pastel pencils are great for those just starting out and learning the ropes.
This lower-cost option is ideal for someone who is still honing his or her craft and hasn't quite developed an understanding of the materials and techniques used in professional-grade products yet.
The crafting of student-level art supplies often takes less time and they are often made using cheaper materials, making them more affordable.
Go Slow on Colors
When it comes to adding color to your drawings, it’s important to go slow when selecting and applying colors.
This is because too many shades of pastels can create a ‘clouded’ look, with the different colors blending together in a way that obscures details and makes the overall piece look muted.
Our advice?
Start with 3-4 colors and work from there, blending them together in different ways until you find the perfect combination that brings your drawing to life.
With a little bit of patience and practice, you’ll be an expert artist before you know it.
Start with Light and Mid-Tones
When starting a painting or art project with pastel colors, it is important to start with light and mid-tones.
Starting with darker hues can create an overwhelming and muddy look, making it hard to create more subtle variations in color.
Working in layers of lighter tones first helps to build up the complexity of the project, creating more depth and texture.
Starting with lighter tones also makes it easier to add darker colors for shadows and highlights.
Finally, using light and mid-tones as a starting point gives you the opportunity to really make your masterpiece stand out.
Pastel or Watercolor Use?
Pastel pencils can be a great choice for artists who want to use different techniques and colors in their drawings.
The fact that some of them are water-soluble makes them much easier to work with, as they can be wiped away with damp brushes. This gives the artist more freedom to experiment and create unique effects.
If you want to use watercolor, however, be sure to check that they are specifically designed for this purpose – otherwise, you may find that the colors don’t quite come out as expected.
Choose the Right Art Supplies and Tools
When choosing the right art supplies and tools, it is important to consider their quality and the effect they will have on the artwork.
Pastel pencils are ideal for creating smooth lines and blending colors, while acrylic pencils are great for bolder colors and more intense effects.
Blending tools help to mix multiple colors together, while color shapers offer a unique way to create texture.
Color sharpeners make cleaning easier by helping to remove colored pencil marks quickly and efficiently.
Blender brushes provide a gentle mix of colors for pastel paintings, as well as charcoal sketches.
And finally, double-ended erasers give artists the opportunity to eliminate mistakes with ease.
With the right tools and supplies, any artist will be able to create amazing art.
FAQs
Are Pastel Pencils Good for Beginners?
Pastel pencils are a great choice for beginner artists because they provide a great amount of versatility.
Unlike other traditional drawing tools such as colored pencils or pens, pastel pencils can be blended with your fingers or a brush, allowing you to create different shades and hues.
They are also extremely resistant to smearing and allow you to easily correct any mistakes.
Finally, pastel pencils are relatively inexpensive compared to other art supplies, so they won’t break your budget.
Are Carbothello Pastel Pencils Good?
Carbothello Pastel Pencils are indeed an excellent choice for any artist. Their soft texture and intense pigmentation make them ideal for creating stunning works of art.
They have a high level of lightfastness, so they won't fade over time like some cheaper pastel pencil brands.
The range of colors available is also vast, so you can easily find a shade or tint to match any subject.
Are Derwent Pastel Pencils Any Good?
Derwent Pastel Pencils are highly rated by professionals and hobbyists alike.
These pencils offer a rich, creamy texture that is perfect for blending and layering colors to create unique landscapes, portraits, or abstract art.
The pigment transfers well onto virtually any surface with luminous color and vibrancy.
Derwent Pastel Pencils are incredibly versatile and can be used as regular pencils, too.
Are Caran D'ache Pastel Pencils Worth It?
Caran D'ache Pastel Pencils have been praised for their excellent color performance, lightfastness, and ease of use.
The pencils are made of a high-quality wax-based pigment that produces an incredibly vivid range of colors and ensures that the image will retain its vibrancy for years to come.
Additionally, the lead is well-suited for blending and layering colors, making it perfect for creating intricate works of art.
So the answer is “yes” – Caran D'ache Pastel Pencils are definitely worth a try if you're looking to create beautiful artwork with pastel colors. Just make sure to invest in some good-quality paper for your masterpiece.
Are Colored Pencils the Same As Pastel Pencils?
Colored pencils and pastel pencils may look similar, but they are not the same. Colored pencils are made from a wax-based pigment that produces a smooth finish. The pigment is usually bound together with a wax binder, making it easy to draw light lines.
In contrast, pastel pencils use oil-based binders and are available in a wide range of colors. They require more work to use, as the artist has to blend colors together for a smooth transition between shades.
If you are looking for an easier way to draw with color, colored pencils may be the better option compared to pastel pencils. But if you want to create more vibrant, unique pieces of artwork with a chalky finish, then pastel pencils are the way to go!
Which Pastel Pencils Are the Softest?
Koh-I-Noor Gioconda pastels are the softest pastel pencils. They are light and particularly smooth, and they blend easily.
Are Pastel Pencils Hard or Soft?
They can either be hard or soft pastels.
Are Hard Pastel Pencils the Same as Soft Pastels?
Hard pastel pencils and soft pastels are two entirely different art tools.
Soft pastels are made from a combination of pigment, binder, and filler, which are ground together and then rolled into sticks. These sticks can contain more pigment than hard pastel pencils, making them much more vibrant in color.
Soft pastels also have a creamy texture, making them easy to blend and smudge.
Hard pastel pencils, on the other hand, are made from a combination of pigment and wax binder. This makes them firmer to draw with than soft pastels and less likely to break or crumble. They also come in a range of hardness grades, from very hard to very soft.
The differences between hard pastel pencils and soft pastels are clear: one is made with a wax binder, while the other pastel pencils are made with a combination of pigment and binder.
While they share some similarities when it comes to color, their difference in texture and application make them two distinct types of art supplies.
So, if you want to create vibrant and colorful artworks, soft pastels are the way to go!
Which Pastel Pencils Are the Hardest?
Faber-Castell pastels are the hardest pastel pencils. They are tougher pencils that are less wasted and can be sharpened either by hand or using an e-book or an automatic sharpening tool.
What Are the Different Types of Pastel Pencils
Pastel pencils are a great alternative to traditional pastels for artists of all levels. They offer more control and precision, allowing you to create detailed drawings and paintings with greater accuracy.
Soft pastel pencils are the most commonly used type of pastel pencil. They have a creamy texture and can be blended easily to create a wide range of tones and values.
PanPastel pencils are some of the newest types of pastel pencils. They have a solid core encased in wax, which allows for greater control over blending and shading.
Hard pastels are slightly harder than soft pastels, making them great for finer details and firmer lines.
Pencil pastels have a similar texture to graphite pencils and are ideal for more detailed work.
Finally, oil pastels are made from pigment mixed with wax and linseed oil, which makes them harder than other types of pastel pencils and perfect for creating vibrant colors.
No matter what type of pastel pencil you choose, nothing beats the feeling of drawing with a good-quality pastel pencil.
Why Are Pastel Pencils So Expensive?
Pastel pencils are expensive because of the quality and quantity of pigments used in the production process.
The process involves combining a range of materials such as chalk, clay, and gum Arabic, giving the pastel its unique texture and color. This makes pastels more difficult to work with than regular pencils.
Additionally, they often require a special fixative to keep the color intact and prevent smudging, adding to the cost.
When you're buying pastel pencils, remember that you're getting quality ingredients and craftsmanship that's worth every penny. Your artwork will thank you for it.
Is There Such a Thing As Oil Pastel Pencils?
Oil pastel pencils are a relatively new artistic medium that is gaining popularity due to their convenience, affordability, and versatility. They are made of soft wax-based materials and pigments, similar to oil pastels but in pencil form.
This makes them easy to use and a great choice for those who want the effects of oil pastels.
Conclusion
Choosing the best pastel pencils for your artwork is an important decision that can make or break a piece.
We've provided you with all the information to help choose which type of pencils best suits your needs and style.
Whether it's softest, portrait, oil, or colored pastels, there are many options available so take some time to explore them.
