Pastеls arе a favoritе among artists for thеir ability to create life-like portraits and beautiful landscapes. Howеvеr, their soft and powdery naturе can make them a bit challеnging to usе, еspеcially for finеr dеtails. That’s whеrе pastеl pеncils comе into play. Think of them as thе bridgе bеtwееn regular pencils and the vibrant world of pastels. Thеy offеr thе precision needed for those tiny dеtails and crisp linеs, making thеm a go-to for many artists.
With a risе in thеir popularity, numеrous brands havе jumpеd on thе bandwagon, еach claiming their pencils arе thе bеst. But, as with many things, not all arе as good as thеy claim to bе. In this articlе, wе’ll navigate thе colorful realm of pastel pencils, highlighting thе standout brands and hеlping you find the perfect fit for your artistic endeavors.
What are pastel pencils?
In contrast to regular coloring pencils which we all have used at some point in life, pastel pencils are a unique blend of traditional pastels and the convenience of pencils. While regular coloring pencils contain wax or oil-based lead mixed with binder and pigment, pastel pencils are filled with a pure pigment and a small amount of binder, similar to that of soft pastels.
This combination allows artists to achieve the rich color and blending capabilities of pastels while maintaining the precision and control of a pencil. They’re especially handy for adding fine details or working on smaller areas where traditional pastels might be too bulky or hard to control.
Pastel pencils are extremely pigmented, offering intense and vibrant colors that can be easily blended with each other and layered on top allowing artists to work from dark to light, however they tend to compromise on lightfastness and they can be hard to handle compared with traditional pencils.
How to Choose the Best Pastel Pencils
Intended Use and Presentation
Pastel pencils have many different uses, and in order to find the best set, you’ll have to first determine the use you plan on giving them. If you want to simply add details to your work or are planning on using a few of the darker or lighter shades, then going for a set won’t be necessary. Many brands let you bet these pencils individually or even sell them in small grayscale gradient sets.
If you plan on going for landscaping then having a wide color range is a must. Pastel sets with over 40 colors are the best for these types of art, however they can easily wear down when covering large areas so consider getting some soft pastel sets on the side.
If you’re going for portrait art or realism there are a few brands that offer selected sets for portrait painting exclusively, however if you aim for a larger set, make sure said set includes enough colors for the skin and the undertones.
Quality of Pigment
Low quality pigments are abundant in the market, and first time users can easily be tricked with the intensity and color range of some brands that perform quite well on paper but end up fading quite fast. High quality, lightfast pigments are slightly more expensive but worth the price for serious beginners, hobbyists and professional artists.
One quick way of confirming the pigment quality is to check the lightfastness rating of the pencils, which should be clearly stated on the color chart or packaging. Artist grade pastel pencils usually have the highest lightfastness rating, some student grade brands have decent lightfastness as well, however they should be sealed after use to preserve them for longer.
Range of Colors
If you plan on making pastel pencils your main medium, then you should go for a brand that offers a wide color range, not only on the set but individually, that way you’ll be able to easily get the colors you need in the future and won’t have a limited color palette requiring you to buy sets from different brands to complete it.
Consistency
Not all pastels have the same consistency, some are as soft as traditional pastels, some are firmer, some are dusty and chalky and some are soft and have a smooth application. Although the consistency is labeled by some brands on the box, to find out how these pencils perform you’ll have to try them for yourself. Since the most popular brands are well known, reviews and videos will also help you see how these pastels perform.
Price
The cost of pastel pencils can vary significantly based on the brand, quality, and the number of pencils in a set. While it might be tempting to opt for the cheapest option, remember that in the world of art supplies, you often get what you pay for. Some high-quality pencils, though more expensive upfront, might last longer and provide better color payoff, meaning you won’t need to replace them as often.
It’s also worth noting that sometimes buying individual pencils of colors you use frequently can be more cost-effective than constantly purchasing new sets.
Best Pastel Pencils in the Market Today
- Best Pastel Pencils Set Overall — Faber Castell Pitt Pastels
- Best Pastel Pencils Set for Professionals — Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils
- Best Value Pastel Pencils Set — Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Soft Pastel Pencils
- Best Budget Pastel Pencils Set — Stabilo CarbOthello
- Best Large Pastel Pencils Set — Derwent Pastel Pencils
1. Best Pastel Pencils Set Overall — Faber Castell Pitt Pastels
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3RdZe3S” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 60 colors.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Pigment Quality: High lightfastness.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Consistency: Buttery smooth consistency.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Presentation: 60 pastel colors.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $84.68.
- Our Score – 9/10
About the Faber Castell Pitt Pastels
While maybe not as popular as others, Faber Castell is a well established brand, best known for their pastel pencils which are very high quality, easy to use and have a broad color range. These pastel pencils are also highly pigmented and relatively affordable, making the perfect choice for both beginners and professionals.
They are also easy to sharpen which can make or break the experience of using pastel pencils, and when using them they don’t easily wear down like other brands. Preferred by many artists and highly recommended, these pastels pencils are best in the market.
Pros
- Broad color range.
- Easy blending and layering.
- Relatively affordable considering the quality.
- Easy to sharpen.
Cons
- Not as popular as other brands.
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3RdZe3S” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
2. Best Pastel Pencils Set for Professionals — Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3RcmtuV” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 100 colors.
- Our Score – 10/10
- Pigment Quality: High lightfastness.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Consistency: Slight gritty consistency.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Presentation: 20 pastel colors.
- Our Score – 6/10
- Price: $74.94
- Our Score – 7/10
About the Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils
Better known for their luminance coloring pencils set, Caran d’Ache is one of the brands that offers the highest quality art products. Used and recommended by professionals the brand’s pigment quality and lightfastness are what sets these pastel pencils apart as well as the lead thickness which makes them more resistant and easy to use.
Caran d’Ache pastel pencils consistency is the same as the traditional soft pastel bars, extremely soft and easy to apply, however it might be too soft or crumbly which can lead to the pencils to break without the proper care and storage.
Pros
- High-quality pigment.
- Resistant lead thickness.
- Consistency similar to traditional soft pastels.
Cons
- Might be too soft or crumbly for some.
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3RcmtuV” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
3. Best Value Pastel Pencils Set — Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Soft Pastel Pencils
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3Pb8TVY” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 48 colors.
- Our Score – 7/10
- Pigment Quality: High lightfastness.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Consistency: Soft pastel.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Presentation: 48 pastel colors.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Price: $65.99
- Our Score – 9/10
About the Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Soft Pastel Pencils
Known for their high pigmentation and blendability, the Koh-I-Noor Gioconda pastel pencils are artist grade pastel pencils that are suitable for both beginners and professionals. These pastel pencils are a great option for those who don’t want to spend too much on a pastel set but still want artist quality materials. The only downside of these pastel pencils is that the lightfastness is not specified, so we don’t recommend using them without a sealing spray with UV protection.
Pros
- High pigmentation.
- Artist-grade quality.
- Suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Cons
- Lightfastness is not specified.
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3Pb8TVY” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
4. Best Budget Pastel Pencils Set — Stabilo CarbOthello
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3Z5mwuD” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 60 colors.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Pigment Quality: Excellent light-fastness.
- Our Score- 9/10
- Consistency: Similar to charcoal, dry and powdery, can be blended, partially water-soluble.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Presentation: 24 pastel colors
- Our Score – 8/10
- Price: $25.99
- Our Score – 9/10
About the Stabilo CarbOthello
Another popular option for pastel pencil lovers are the Stabilo CarbOtherllo, which excel in vibrancy and pigmentation. These pencils are also easy to blend and an excellent choice for those who are on a budget but still want to experiment with pastel pencils.
They come in a nice tin and even though the selection is limited, it works well since it has a good range of colors that will let you try and experiment new color combinations.
One of the best features of these pastels are their high resistance when sharpening and compatibility with multiple commercial sharpeners, which is great for those who don’t want to overspend on an electrical sharpener or have to buy new pencils due to lead breakage.
Pros
- Vibrant and highly pigmented colors.
- High resistance.
- Compatible with multiple commercial sharpeners.
Cons
- Limited selection in the set might not cater to all artistic needs
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3Z5mwuD” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
5. Best Large Pastel Pencils Set — Derwent Pastel Pencils
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3P5pxXb” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 72 colors
- Our Score – 9/10
- Pigment Quality: High lightfastness.
- Our Score- 9/10
- Consistency: Fine chalk texture.
- Our Score – 8/10
- Presentation: 72 pastel colors tin box.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $148.63
- Our Score – 7/10
About the Derwent Pastel Pencils
Derwent Pastel Pencils are well known for their performance in the art community. These pencils are often praised for their exceptional blendability and the ease with which they lay down color. Their smoothness is a standout feature, allowing artists to achieve desired effects with minimal pressure, and making layering easy even for beginners. While the pencils are great, they are not fully compatible with all sharpeners, so you’ll have to get one special for pastel pencils. Otherwise, they’re incredibly resistant, and don’t need to be sharpened too frequently.
Pros
- Exceptional blendability.
- Smooth application.
- Wide color range.
Cons
- Not fully compatible with all sharpeners.
- On the expensive side.
[su_button url=”https://amzn.to/3P5pxXb” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Prices![/su_button]
Pastel Pencils FAQ
Q: How do pastel pencils differ from regular coloring pencils?
Unlike regular coloring pencils which contain wax or oil-based lead, pastel pencils are filled with pure pigment, offering intense and vibrant colors. They can be easily blended and layered, but may compromise on lightfastness compared to traditional pencils.
Q: How should I choose the best pastel pencils?
Consider factors like intended use, pigment quality, color range, consistency, and price. Ensure the pencils have high lightfastness, a good color range, and a consistency that suits your style. Reviews and brand reputation can also guide your decision.
Q: Are pastel pencils suitable for beginners?
Yes, pastel pencils are suitable for both beginners and professionals. They offer the vibrancy of pastels with the control of pencils, making them a great starting point for those new to pastels.
Q5: How do I maintain the vibrancy of my pastel pencil artwork?
To preserve the vibrancy, consider using a sealing spray with UV protection, especially if the lightfastness of the pencils isn’t specified.
Q: Are there any notable brands in the pastel pencil market?
Some standout brands include Faber Castell Pitt Pastels, Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils, Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Soft Pastel Pencils, Stabilo CarbOthello, and Derwent Pastel Pencils.
Q: Do pastel pencils require special sharpeners?
Some pastel pencils may not be compatible with all sharpeners due to their lead softness. It’s better to use sharpeners designed for pastel pencils or get an electric sharpener.
Q: How do I prevent my leads from breaking while sharpening pastel pencils?
Make sure you’re using a compatible sharpener and sharpen as gently as possible. You can also use an X-acto knife to carve the wood away from the lead with soft movements. Some brands are more resistant to breakage than others, so consider this when purchasing.
Q: Can I use pastel pencils with other mediums?
Yes, pastel pencils can not only be used with soft pastels, but also with watercolors or acrylics for mixed media artwork.
Q: Are pastel pencils expensive?
The cost varies based on brand, quality, and set size. While artist-grade pencils might be pricier, they often offer better pigment quality and longevity. However, there are budget-friendly options that still provide good quality for beginners and hobbyists.
