Pastel drawing used to mean messy hands, broken sticks, and a studio covered in fine dust. Things have changed. Modern charcoal and chalk designs offer the control of a lead pencil with the rich, velvety pigment of traditional pastels.
Finding the Best Pastel Pencils relies on matching your artistic goals with the right pigment density and barrel construction. It is a balancing act between precision and coverage. Keep reading to identify which set fits your studio requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize high pigment saturation over pencil count if you prefer vibrant, opaque color layering.
- Check the hardness of the core because softer leads work better for blending while harder leads excel at fine lines.
- Look for water-soluble options if you enjoy using a damp brush to create fluid, painterly effects.
- Verify the housing material because woodless designs usually offer more usable material and easier sharpening.
- Consider the specific color palette of the set to ensure it matches the lightfastness and tonal range you need for your work.
| Ultimate Professional Studio |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 60 | Extensive professional color range | Firm, break resistant leads | Excellent color lightfastness | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Essential Starter Palette |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 12 | High quality pigment | Smooth application on paper | Professional grade consistency | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Creative Companion |  |
Castle Art Supplies Pasteltint Pencils | Gentle, sumptuous color range | Very easy to blend | Comfortable to hold | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Traditional Sketching Specialist |  |
Koh-I-Noor Soft Pastel Pencils | Authentic chalky feel | Strong color intensity | Good for traditional sketches | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Versatile Studio Staple |  |
H & B Pasteltint Chalk Pencils | Large variety of colors | Good blending capabilities | Durable storage tin | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Balanced Mid-Range Choice |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36 | Perfect color balance | Reliable lead quality | Clean handling experience | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Budget-Friendly Artist Grade |  |
Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk Pencils | Wide array of colors | Great for sketching | Affordable quantity | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Core Illustrator |  |
Kalour Macaron Pastel Pencils | Creamy, soft application | Dreamy color palette | Excellent for blending | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Compact Color Selection |  |
Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk Pencils 50 | Great selection for travel | Consistent chalky texture | Easy to blend | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Efficient Coverage Tool |  |
Soho Urban Artist Woodless Pencils | High volume of pigment | Water soluble for washes | No wood waste | 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 drawing, this set is your gold standard. It offers a massive range of 60 colors that cover almost every tone you could possibly need for portraits or landscapes.
The lead is firm enough to stay sharp for intricate fine details, yet it remains soft enough to lay down smooth pigment on textured paper. Just keep in mind that with such a large set, you will definitely want to invest in a dedicated storage solution if you do not like keeping them in the tin.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:60
- Packaging Type:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Acid free pigments
- Additional Feature:Oil free composition
- Additional Feature:Minimal dust production
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 12
Sometimes you do not need the whole rainbow to make a point. This smaller set is perfect for artists who prefer to mix their own shades or those just starting their journey with this medium.
You get the same high-quality pigment as the larger sets, which means your work will have a consistent, professional look. It is a bit limited for full-scale color work, so you might find yourself reaching for additional colors sooner than you expected.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:12
- Packaging Type:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Oil free formula
- Additional Feature:Excellent blendability
- Additional Feature:Sharpens to fine point
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Castle Art Supplies Pasteltint Pencils
These pencils lean into a softer color profile that feels light and airy on the page. They are a great choice for illustrators who want to achieve delicate, ethereal effects without struggling with overly dense pigments.
The lead is quite soft, which makes blending feel like a dream. Be aware that because they are so soft, they will wear down faster than firmer brands, so keep your sharpener close by.
- Brand Name:Castle Art Supplies
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:48
- Packaging Type:Tin Case
- Additional Feature:Vibrant, soft pigments
- Additional Feature:Professional grade formulation
- Additional Feature:Ideal for layering
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Koh-I-Noor Soft Pastel Pencils
If you appreciate a more classic feel, these pencils provide a chalky texture that echoes traditional soft pastels. They are fantastic for artists who want to bridge the gap between sketching and painting.
The color payoff is quite intense, which makes them great for shading and bold marks. Just remember that the cores are fragile, so handle them with care to avoid breakage inside the wood casing.
- Brand Name:Koh-I-Noor
- Product Type:Soft Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:24
- Packaging Type:Box
- Additional Feature:High pigment concentration
- Additional Feature:Traditional chalk formula
- Additional Feature:Smooth velvety finish
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H & B Pasteltint Chalk Pencils
With 72 pencils at your disposal, this set provides a near-limitless spectrum for your creative projects. It is a robust option for artists who enjoy working with a wide variety of hues in a single drawing.
The chalk-based core is designed to be vibrant and blendable, making it simple to create smooth transitions in your work. Like many large sets, the sheer volume of colors can be overwhelming, so take time to swatch them properly before you begin a major piece.
- Brand Name:H & B
- Product Type:Chalk Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:72
- Packaging Type:Durable Tin
- Additional Feature:Artist grade pigments
- Additional Feature:Suitable for shading
- Additional Feature:Consistent color flow
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36
Stepping up to 36 colors gives you enough range to handle most subjects with plenty of breathing room. It is the sweet spot for artists who have outgrown a basic starter set but aren't ready for the full professional collection.
You get that signature Faber-Castell precision that allows for detailed work without the mess of traditional stick pastels. It is a solid middle ground, though you might still find yourself wishing for a few more earth tones depending on your subject matter.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:36
- Packaging Type:Metal Tin
- Additional Feature:Oil free pigment
- Additional Feature:Excellent light resistance
- Additional Feature:Precise point retention
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Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk Pencils
These pencils offer an impressive quantity without sacrificing too much on the overall color quality. They are well-suited for artists who need to cover large surfaces or want a wide palette for experimentations.
The core feels like a hybrid between charcoal and pastel, which adds a nice texture to your drawings. You might find the wood casing a bit harder to sharpen compared to premium brands, so use a high-quality manual sharpener for the best results.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Total Count:72
- Packaging Type:Tin Case
- Additional Feature:Blendable chalk core
- Additional Feature:Suitable for shading
- Additional Feature:High pigment count
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Kalour Macaron Pastel Pencils
These pencils are specifically curated with a softer core formula that makes them incredibly fun to use in adult coloring books or light-handed illustrations. The colors are gentle and muted, which helps in creating a relaxing aesthetic.
The smooth application makes them ideal for layering and blending colors together on the page. Because the core is so soft, do not press too hard or you will burn through the pencils faster than you might like.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Colored Pencils
- Total Count:74
- Packaging Type:Box
- Additional Feature:Soft core texture
- Additional Feature:Ideal for shading
- Additional Feature:Comfortable grip
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Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk Pencils 50
This 50-piece set is a fantastic compromise between portability and variety. It provides enough colors to build complex depth in your work while still being easy to pack away in a bag for travel.
The chalky texture is consistent across the range, allowing for smooth transitions and shading. Just be mindful that with a 50-count set, some of the very specific highlight or shadow tones might be missing, requiring you to layer your existing colors.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Total Count:50
- Packaging Type:Tin Case
- Additional Feature:Charcoal-like finish
- Additional Feature:Versatile color range
- Additional Feature:Durable lead
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Soho Urban Artist Woodless Pencils
These woodless pencils are a clever design because they are essentially solid sticks of pastel with a thin lacquer coating. You get much more usable material compared to traditional pencils, making them a great value for those who work on large drawings.
They are water soluble, which adds a whole new dimension to your creative process by allowing you to wash over your marks. Since they lack a wood barrel, they are slightly more fragile, so try to keep them from rolling off your desk.
- Brand Name:Soho Urban Artist
- Product Type:Woodless Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:48
- Material Composition:Solid Pastel
- Packaging Type:Tin
- Additional Feature:Pre-sharpened
- Additional Feature:6.93mm thick barrel
- Additional Feature:Easy to blend
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special sharpeners for these pencils?
Yes, standard office sharpeners often break the soft cores of pastel pencils. Use a metal-bladed sharpener or a small hand-held unit that has a fresh, sharp blade to ensure a clean cut.
Can I erase mistakes easily?
You can remove light layers using a kneaded eraser, which lifts the dust off the surface without damaging the paper. However, deep or heavily burnished layers are often permanent because the pigment has already been pressed deep into the paper fibers.
Are these pencils toxic?
Most reputable brands are non-toxic, but you should still avoid inhaling the pastel dust while you work. It is a good practice to keep a damp cloth nearby to wipe your hands and to use a fixative spray in a well-ventilated area.
How do I prevent the colors from smudging?
Pastel is inherently loose and prone to movement, so you should use a workable fixative between layers to lock the pigment in place. Once your drawing is finished, apply a final coat of fixative to protect the surface from accidental contact or smearing.
Is it possible to mix different brands of pencils?
You can definitely mix brands, but be aware that their binders and hardness levels will differ. Using a softer pencil over a harder one usually works best, as the softer pigment can still grip onto the harder layer underneath.
