Most artists assume that pastel pencils are just chalk sticks wrapped in wood, yet their binders change everything about how they behave on paper. These tools offer the precision of a fine lead pencil while maintaining the soft, dusty character of a traditional pastel.
Finding the Best Pastel Pencils requires matching the hardness of the core to your specific drawing style. A firmer core grants you sharp, architectural edges, while a softer formula provides buttery, opaque coverage. Read on to see how these sets compare.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize pencils with a soft, clay-based binder if you prefer heavy layering and smooth transitions.
- Check the barrel material to ensure it sharpens cleanly without splitting or breaking the fragile inner core.
- Consider the total color count, as having a diverse spectrum reduces the need to blend complex shades manually.
- Look for lightfastness ratings if you plan to display your artwork in areas exposed to direct sunlight.
- Verify whether the core is water-soluble, as this feature allows you to wash out lines for an ink-like effect.
| The Professional Standard |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 60 | Extremely lightfast pigments | Sharpens to fine point | Superior color control | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best Mid-Range Set |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36 | Consistent color quality | High blending performance | Durable wooden casing | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Essential Starter Palette |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 12 | Essential color range | Trusted brand quality | Portability for travel | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Smooth Blending Master |  |
Stabilo CarbOthello Chalk Pastel Pencils 24 | Intense color brilliance | Water soluble properties | Soft chalky feel | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Value Color Selection |  |
H & B 72 Pastel Pencils | Extensive color choice | Soft core application | Durable storage case | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Versatile Shading Tool |  |
Kalour Pro 72 Pastel Pencils | Wide variety of hues | Charcoal-like versatility | Good pigment load | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Pastel Delight |  |
Kalour Macaron Pastel Pencils 74 | Unique soft color palette | Very smooth application | Generous set size | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Balanced Sketching Kit |  |
Kalour Pro 50 Pastel Pencils | Useful color variety | Good matte finish | Sturdy wood casing | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Maximum Pigment Delivery |  |
Soho Urban Artist Woodless Pencils | Large pigment volume | Water soluble properties | Woodless construction | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Smooth Oil Alternative |  |
JusArt 72 Oil-Based Pencils | Extremely smooth application | Rich, vibrant colors | Less dust than chalk | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 60
If you are serious about your craft, these pencils are the gold standard for pastel work. They offer a firm lead that allows for exacting detail which is often lost with traditional soft pastels.
Artists love them because the colors are highly pigmented and hold their shape under pressure. You might find the firm core a bit stiff if you prefer a buttery, chalky feel, but for layering and fine edges, they are hard to beat.
- Brand:Faber-Castell
- Type:Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:60
- Core Texture:Firm
- Application Focus:Fine detail work
- Additional Feature:Acid free materials
- Additional Feature:High pigment concentration
- Additional Feature:Excellent smudge resistance
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36
This mid-sized collection is perfect for artists who have outgrown their starter set but aren't ready to commit to the full range. You get the same professional-grade quality and reliable wood casing as the larger sets.
The color selection is well-balanced, providing enough versatility for most landscape or portrait projects. Just keep in mind that with only 36 pencils, you may need to layer colors frequently to achieve specific nuanced shades.
- Brand:Faber-Castell
- Type:Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:36
- Core Texture:Firm
- Application Focus:Layering and shading
- Additional Feature:Metal storage tin
- Additional Feature:Professional grade leads
- Additional Feature:Oil free composition
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 12
Starting your journey with pastels doesn't require a mountain of supplies. This compact set includes the fundamental colors required to understand how these pencils behave on different surfaces.
It is an ideal choice for sketching on the go or quick studies where you only need the basics. The limitation here is obvious, as you will quickly crave more hues for complex color mixing.
- Brand:Faber-Castell
- Type:Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:12
- Core Texture:Firm
- Application Focus:Sketching and studies
- Additional Feature:Protective metal tin
- Additional Feature:Professional pigment quality
- Additional Feature:Easy to sharpen
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Stabilo CarbOthello Chalk Pastel Pencils 24
These pencils are famous for their chalky, powdery texture that mimics soft pastel sticks perfectly. They offer a unique drag on the paper that makes them feel very organic and expressive.
They are a fantastic pick if you want to create soft, atmospheric effects or painterly transitions. Be careful though, because they are quite fragile and require a gentle hand when sharpening to avoid breaking the core.
- Brand:Stabilo
- Type:Chalk Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:24
- Core Texture:Soft and powdery
- Application Focus:Blending and gradients
- Additional Feature:High lightfastness
- Additional Feature:Can be dry blended
- Additional Feature:Artistic tin packaging
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H & B 72 Pastel Pencils
When you need a vast array of colors without spending a fortune, this 72-piece set is a compelling option. It provides a wide spectrum that allows for intricate shading and color theory exercises.
The texture is generally soft, making it suitable for artists who enjoy a more vibrant, opaque application. The wood barrels are functional, though they might not hold a point quite as long as premium professional alternatives.
- Brand:H & B
- Type:Chalk Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:72
- Core Texture:Soft
- Application Focus:Coloring and shading
- Additional Feature:Vibrant pigment output
- Additional Feature:Artist grade materials
- Additional Feature:Protective metal case
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Kalour Pro 72 Pastel Pencils
These pencils bridge the gap between charcoal and pastel, offering a unique medium for expressive drawing. They are sturdy enough for structural sketching yet soft enough for delicate shading.
You will appreciate the wide color range for creating depth in your compositions. The occasional inconsistency in lead hardness means you should keep a good sharpener nearby at all times.
- Brand:Kalour
- Type:Chalk Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:72
- Core Texture:Medium-soft
- Application Focus:Sketching and shading
- Additional Feature:Blendable pigments
- Additional Feature:Suitable for sketching
- Additional Feature:Consistent color laydown
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Kalour Macaron Pastel Pencils 74
If you enjoy the gentle, muted tones of a macaron color palette, this set is made for you. It is a specialized collection that excels in projects requiring soft, dreamy aesthetics or subtle backgrounds.
The core is notably soft, allowing for buttery color application that is very satisfying. Do not expect extreme opacity from these, as they are designed primarily for light, airy work.
- Brand:Kalour
- Type:Pastel Colored Pencils
- Set Size:74
- Core Texture:Soft
- Application Focus:Adult coloring and soft blending
- Additional Feature:High quality leads
- Additional Feature:Ideal for blending
- Additional Feature:Creative color range
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Kalour Pro 50 Pastel Pencils
This 50-piece set is a sensible choice for an artist who wants a solid color foundation without the overwhelming bulk of a 72-piece collection. It covers all the major tonal needs for portrait and object drawing.
The performance is reliable, offering a consistent matte finish that looks great on textured paper. Like many chalk-based pencils, they can get messy, so keep a fixative spray handy if you want to preserve your work.
- Brand:Kalour
- Type:Chalk Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:50
- Core Texture:Medium-soft
- Application Focus:Drawing and sketching
- Additional Feature:Blendable charcoal-based core
- Additional Feature:Durable storage tin
- Additional Feature:Suitable for professionals
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Soho Urban Artist Woodless Pencils
These woodless pencils are an interesting innovation, providing more usable material since there is no wood to sharpen away. They feel substantial in the hand and offer a very direct, tactile drawing experience.
Because they are water-soluble, you can use a damp brush to turn your lines into painterly pastel washes. They are quite brittle, so avoid dropping them unless you want a collection of smaller sticks.
- Brand:Soho Urban Artist
- Type:Woodless Pastel Pencils
- Set Size:48
- Core Texture:Soft and soluble
- Application Focus:Wash and blended effects
- Additional Feature:40 percent more pastel
- Additional Feature:Pre-sharpened
- Additional Feature:Clear lacquered finish
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JusArt 72 Oil-Based Pencils
While technically oil-based, these pencils offer a texture that acts like a hybrid between pastel and crayon. They are incredibly smooth and glide across the page without the dusty fallout of traditional chalk pastels.
This makes them perfect for artists who want the vibrant, saturated look of pastels but prefer a cleaner workflow. They blend beautifully with mineral spirits, allowing for professional, painterly results.
- Brand:JusArt
- Type:Oil-Based Pencils
- Set Size:72
- Core Texture:Ultra-smooth
- Application Focus:Portraits and landscapes
- Additional Feature:Durable soft core
- Additional Feature:Professional quality pigment
- Additional Feature:Versatile blending capability
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a special sharpener for pastel pencils?
Standard pencil sharpeners often chew up the soft, powdery core of a pastel pencil. It is much better to use a metal blade or a hobby knife to shave the wood away manually. This gives you total control over the length of the exposed core and prevents frustrating lead breakage.
Can I use these pencils on regular drawing paper?
Regular drawing paper is usually too smooth to hold the dusty pigment of a pastel pencil. You should reach for textured surfaces like sanded paper, pastel board, or heavy-tooth watercolor paper instead. The "tooth" of the paper acts like a series of tiny hooks that grab and hold the pigment particles.
Should I use a fixative spray?
Pastel is inherently fragile because it sits on top of the paper rather than soaking into the fibers. A light, even coat of fixative helps lock the layers in place and prevents smudging during storage. Just remember that fixative can slightly darken or shift your colors, so apply it sparingly.
Can I mix pastel pencils with other media?
You can successfully combine these with soft pastel sticks to cover large areas before adding fine details with the pencils. However, avoid using them over wet media like ink or paint unless the surface is completely dry and absorbent. Mixing them with oil-based products will likely lead to a gummy, unusable mess.
How do I erase mistakes made with pastel pencils?
Traditional rubber erasers often smear the pigment deeper into the paper fibers. A kneaded eraser is your best friend here because it lifts the powder away by blotting rather than scrubbing. Simply press the eraser onto the area and gently lift to remove the unwanted color.
