Many artists assume that pastel pencils are just chalky colored pencils, but they are actually specialized tools designed for precision layering and fine detail work that standard sticks cannot manage. They offer a unique physical texture that mimics dry media while fitting into the hand like a traditional sketching instrument.
Choosing the Best Pastel Pencils requires understanding how different binders interact with your paper choice. Some pencils act like stiff powder, while others feel buttery and soft. Keep reading to see how these sets compare for your specific studio needs.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize pencils with a high pigment concentration to ensure your colors remain vibrant after you smudge or blend them.
- Check the casing durability to confirm the wood will sharpen without snapping the delicate core inside.
- Look for sets that offer a wide range of neutral tones because these are essential for building realistic portraits or shadows.
- Consider whether you prefer a water-soluble binder which allows you to create liquid-like effects with a damp brush.
- Identify your primary surface, as textured tooth papers are necessary to hold the dusty pastel particles in place.
| Ultimate Professional Palette |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt 60 Pastel Pencils | Extremely high pigment load | Professional lightfast quality | Massive color selection | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Reliable Sketching Starter |  |
Ticonderoga Pastel 10 Soft Pencils | Familiar ergonomic design | Affordable entry point | Smooth application | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Balanced Mid-Size Collection |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt 24 Pastel Pencils | Professional artist grade | Great blending capability | Sturdy storage tin | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Focused Detail Essentials |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt 12 Pastel Pencils | Perfect for fine details | Maintains sharp point | Professional pigment quality | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Comprehensive Value Set |  |
H and B 72 Pastel Pencils | Extensive color variety | Very soft lead | Durable storage case | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Versatile Shading Tool |  |
Kalour Pro 72 Pastel Pencils | Great for shading | High quality pigments | Generous color selection | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Aesthetic Specialist |  |
Kalour Macaron 74 Pastel Pencils | Unique soft tones | Excellent for layering | Includes two bonus pencils | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Sumptuous Color Selection |  |
Castle Art Pasteltint 48 Pencils | Creamy application | Beautiful color range | Sturdy presentation tin | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Efficient Coverage Master |  |
Soho Urban Woodless Pastel Pencils | More pigment per pencil | Water-soluble formula | No wood waste | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Compact Chalk Solution |  |
Kalour Pro 50 Pastel Pencils | Great performance for price | Perfect size for travel | Excellent blending chalk | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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Faber-Castell Pitt 60 Pastel Pencils
If you are serious about your craft, this collection provides the widest color range available in the line. The high pigment concentration ensures your work remains vibrant and avoids the faded look common with inferior wax-based alternatives.
Think of these as the gold standard for detail work where you need to layer colors without creating a muddy mess. The only real trade-off is the significant investment required for such a large set of professional supplies.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Piece Count:60
- Case Material:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Oil-free pastel leads
- Additional Feature:Excellent color adhesion
- Additional Feature:Superior lightfastness ratings
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Ticonderoga Pastel 10 Soft Pencils
These pencils serve as a solid introduction for those who want to experiment with pastel work without committing to a massive set. They offer a comfortable, classic feel that you will recognize from standard office supplies.
Because they are limited to a smaller count, they work best for quick sketches or casual drawing sessions. Do not expect the complexity of a high-end artist set, as these are designed for accessibility rather than deep professional layering.
- Brand Name:Ticonderoga
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Piece Count:10
- Core Texture:Soft
- Additional Feature:Easy to sharpen
- Additional Feature:Consistent core quality
- Additional Feature:Standard pencil shape
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Faber-Castell Pitt 24 Pastel Pencils
This set hits the sweet spot for artists who need a versatile range of colors for portraiture or landscapes. The PITT line is famous for its clean lines, which act like a bridge between a hard charcoal pencil and a soft pastel stick.
You get enough variety to blend complex skin tones or subtle sky gradients effectively. Keep in mind that with only 24 pieces, you may eventually find yourself wishing for a few more bridge shades to complete highly detailed works.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Piece Count:24
- Case Material:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Acid-free composition
- Additional Feature:High tinting strength
- Additional Feature:Precise line control
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Faber-Castell Pitt 12 Pastel Pencils
When you need to define the smallest highlights or crisp edges in your pastel paintings, this 12-count set is your best friend. These pencils hold a sharp point remarkably well, allowing you to add fine details that soft sticks simply cannot manage.
They are perfect for adding those final touches to a piece that feels nearly complete. Just remember that this set is a supplemental tool rather than a standalone kit for an entire painting.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Piece Count:12
- Case Material:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Smudge-resistant finish
- Additional Feature:High color saturation
- Additional Feature:Compact travel size
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H and B 72 Pastel Pencils
This large set provides a staggering variety of hues, making it an excellent choice if you enjoy complex color mixing. The leads are soft enough to lay down color quickly, which is a major benefit when covering larger areas of paper.
You will find these useful for vibrant illustrations where you want bold, saturated colors. A slight drawback is that the texture can be quite brittle, so handle your sharpener with care to avoid breaking the cores.
- Brand Name:H and B
- Product Type:Chalk Pastel Pencils
- Total Piece Count:72
- Case Material:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Ideal for blending
- Additional Feature:High pigment intensity
- Additional Feature:Wide color spectrum
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Kalour Pro 72 Pastel Pencils
If you appreciate a set that feels like a hybrid between charcoal and pastel, this is a fantastic option. The texture allows you to move from heavy, opaque strokes to light, wispy shading with very little effort.
These pencils are built for artists who experiment with different drawing techniques and textures. Be aware that because they behave like chalk, your work will require a fixative spray once you are satisfied with the final result.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Total Piece Count:72
- Case Material:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Smooth pigment transition
- Additional Feature:Rich earthy tones
- Additional Feature:Layering friendly
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Kalour Macaron 74 Pastel Pencils
Sometimes you need a muted color palette that looks soft and dreamy, and this set delivers exactly that. The Macaron collection focuses on lighter, creamy tones that are excellent for portrait work or delicate floral drawings.
The inclusion of two extra pencils is a nice bonus that adds value to your kit. Because these are inherently lighter in tone, they might not provide the deep contrast needed for high-drama scenes.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Colored Pencils
- Total Piece Count:74
- Core Texture:Soft Core
- Additional Feature:Vibrant yet soft hues
- Additional Feature:Easy blending properties
- Additional Feature:Perfect for coloring books
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Castle Art Pasteltint 48 Pencils
This set is designed specifically for those who love rich, creamy textures that glide across the paper. The 48 colors included are carefully chosen to offer a balanced range, ensuring you can build up depth in your drawings without frustration.
They feel very comfortable in the hand, which is helpful for prolonged drawing sessions. The pigment is quite soft, so you will go through the pencils faster than harder lead varieties.
- Brand Name:Castle Art Supplies
- Product Type:Pastel Colored Pencils
- Total Piece Count:48
- Case Material:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Highly blendable lead
- Additional Feature:Professional grade output
- Additional Feature:Well-organized layout
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Soho Urban Woodless Pastel Pencils
These woodless pencils are a smart choice if you want to maximize your supplies, as you get 40 percent more pastel material compared to standard cased pencils. Being woodless means you spend less time sharpening and more time drawing, which is a major efficiency boost.
Because they are water-soluble, you can easily transform your drawings by adding a wet brush to create wash-like effects. The lack of a wood casing makes them feel slightly different, but you will adjust to the weight quickly.
- Brand Name:Soho Urban Artist
- Product Type:Woodless Pastel Pencils
- Total Piece Count:48
- Core Texture:Pastel
- Special Features:Water-soluble
- Additional Feature:Pre-sharpened leads
- Additional Feature:Easy to blend
- Additional Feature:Large barrel diameter
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Kalour Pro 50 Pastel Pencils
If you like the performance of chalk-based pencils but want a smaller, more manageable set, these 50 pencils are a great middle ground. They offer the same high-quality blending and sketching capabilities as larger sets while remaining easy to organize on a busy desk.
These are especially good for traveling artists who need a reliable range of colors without the weight of a 72-count tin. The limitation is simply the smaller number of colors, so you will need to practice your mixing skills.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Total Piece Count:50
- Case Material:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Rich, sketchable texture
- Additional Feature:Versatile shading range
- Additional Feature:Clean application lines
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a standard pencil sharpener on these?
You can, but you need to be very careful. A manual, hand-held sharpener with a high-quality steel blade is often safer than an electric model, which can easily snap the soft lead. Many artists prefer to use a craft knife or sandpaper block to shape their points to avoid the mechanical stress of a sharpener.
Do I need to use a fixative spray?
Pastel is inherently loose and prone to smudging, so using a fixative is a smart move if you want to protect your finished work. Apply it in several light, mist-like layers from about twelve inches away to avoid darkening the colors or creating spots. Keep in mind that some fixatives can slightly alter the appearance of your brightest highlights.
Are these pencils toxic?
Most modern pastel pencils are labeled as non-toxic and conform to safety standards like ASTM D-4236. You should still avoid inhaling the dust, so try to work in a well-ventilated space. It is also good practice to wash your hands after a long session to ensure you do not ingest any stray pigment.
How do I blend these colors?
You can blend using your fingers, a paper tortillon, or a soft brush to soften transitions between colors. For more complex effects, you can even use colorless blenders or very light pressure with a neutral tone to push one color into another. Experimenting with different tools will help you find the texture that best suits your style.
Can I use these with other drawing materials?
Pastel pencils play well with soft pastel sticks, charcoal, and even colored pencils if you apply them in the right order. Always put your pastel layers on top of other media, as their waxy or oily counterparts will prevent the pastel from adhering to the paper. If you try to layer a wax-based pencil over pastel, you will likely just smear the pigment and clog your pencil tip.
