Most people assume all colored pencils function the same way, but grabbing standard wax or oil-based pencils for a pastel project is a recipe for frustration. You need specific tools that hold pigment differently to achieve that signature soft, dusty texture.
Choosing the Best Pastel Pencils requires understanding how these tools actually interact with your paper. It is the difference between a crisp, clean line and a muddy, stubborn smudge. Read on to see which sets will actually support your creative process.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize pencils with a high concentration of pigment to ensure your colors remain vibrant after blending.
- Check if the core is water-soluble, as this feature allows you to create wash effects and smoother transitions between layers.
- Verify the barrel diameter because thicker cores often provide more material and resist breaking during heavy shading.
- Look for a balance of hardness, since very soft cores create beautiful dust but require frequent sharpening to maintain a point.
- Ensure the set comes in a metal or sturdy tin to protect your fragile pastel leads from snapping during storage or transport.
| The Professional Standard |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 60 | Holds sharp point well | Exceptional pigment quality | Massive professional color range | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Essential Starter Palette |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 12 | Consistent archival quality | Easy to blend | Durable lead construction | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Creative Variety |  |
Castle Art Supplies Pasteltint Pencils | Creamy application feel | Beautiful, soft color range | Smooth blending ability | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Traditional European Quality |  |
Koh-I-Noor Artist Soft Pencils | Authentic chalky feel | Rich pigment saturation | Classic color selection | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best Budget Range |  |
H & B Pasteltint Chalk Pencils | Large color variety | Budget-friendly set size | Vibrant, chalky application | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Ideal Mid-Size Choice |  |
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36 | Perfect balance of colors | Professional control and detail | Reliable, firm leads | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Versatile Drawing Companion |  |
Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk Pencils | Large professional set | Great for detailed shading | Grippy, charcoal-like texture | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Soft Core Dream |  |
Kalour Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils | Creamy, smooth application | Beautiful light pastel tones | Excellent for blending | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Strategic Palette Selection |  |
Kalour Pro Pastel Pencils 50 | High-quality chalk formula | Great for building layers | Sensible color count | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Efficient Pigment Power |  |
Soho Urban Artist Woodless Pencils | Efficient woodless design | Water-soluble for washes | Great for broad coverage | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 60
If you want to achieve photorealistic detail in your pastel work, this set is your primary choice. These pencils offer a firm core that holds a sharp point longer than almost any other option, which is exactly what you need for fine lines and intricate hair or fur textures.
The color range is expansive, providing a balanced spectrum that makes layering and color transitions feel intuitive. While the price reflects their high-end status, the consistency of the pigment application justifies the investment for serious artists. Be aware that the firm texture means they are less buttery than traditional soft sticks, so you will need to adjust your pressure accordingly.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:60
- Storage Case:Metal Tin
- Core Texture:Firm
- Additional Feature:High lightfastness ratings
- Additional Feature:Dust-free pigment application
- Additional Feature:Acid-free materials
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 12
Selecting this smaller set is a smart move if you are just beginning to explore the world of dry medium pencils. You receive the same premium pigment quality found in the larger sets, but in a curated collection that covers the fundamental needs of a basic portrait or landscape study.
Because these pencils are highly blendable, you can create a surprising number of secondary tones even with a limited palette. Keep in mind that 12 pencils will leave you wanting more colors eventually, so this is best viewed as a foundation rather than a complete solution for complex, multi-layered works.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:12
- Storage Case:Metal Tin
- Core Texture:Firm
- Additional Feature:Oil-free pastel lead
- Additional Feature:Excellent color laydown
- Additional Feature:Smudge-resistant finish
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Castle Art Supplies Pasteltint Pencils
You will appreciate this set if you prefer a softer color payoff that leans into delicate, dreamy tones. The core is noticeably creamier than professional-grade pencils, making them a delight for artists who want to achieve subtle gradients without too much friction on the paper.
These pencils behave more like a cross between a soft pastel stick and a colored pencil. They are perfect for whimsical illustrations, though the softer lead means you will find yourself reaching for the sharpener more frequently than with harder varieties.
- Brand Name:Castle Art Supplies
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:48
- Storage Case:Tin Case
- Core Texture:Soft
- Additional Feature:Pre-sharpened for immediate use
- Additional Feature:Vibrant pigment density
- Additional Feature:Layering friendly formula
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Koh-I-Noor Artist Soft Pencils
Koh-I-Noor has a long reputation for reliable art materials, and these pencils are no exception. They offer a rich, chalky texture that feels authentic to the medium, allowing you to achieve those classic, dusty pastel effects that look great on textured papers.
The color selection is well-suited for traditional sketching and portraiture where earthy tones are paramount. While they have a wonderful, smooth laydown, these pencils are quite fragile due to their softness, so you should handle them with care to avoid lead breakage.
- Brand Name:Koh-I-Noor
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:24
- Storage Case:Box
- Core Texture:Soft Chalk
- Additional Feature:Highly blendable pigment
- Additional Feature:Professional-grade consistency
- Additional Feature:Excellent lightfastness
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H & B Pasteltint Chalk Pencils
If you are looking for a large color variety without a massive price tag, this set provides a solid entry point. The pencils offer a vibrant, chalky finish that performs surprisingly well on a variety of sketchbooks, making them a versatile choice for daily practice and quick studies.
The wide range of 72 colors ensures you rarely have to mix your own shades from scratch. Please note that the pigment quality is not as refined as professional studio brands, so they are better suited for recreational coloring and sketching than for high-end exhibition work.
- Brand Name:H & B
- Product Type:Chalk Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:72
- Storage Case:Durable Tin
- Core Texture:Soft Chalk
- Additional Feature:Easy to blend
- Additional Feature:Suitable for shading
- Additional Feature:Consistent color payoff
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Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36
This 36-count set is the sweet spot for many illustrators who need enough color variety to complete a full piece without the bulk of a 60-piece set. You get the same unmatched control and point retention that makes the Faber-Castell line a favorite among working professionals.
It acts as a perfect bridge between the minimalist starter sets and the full professional collections. The only trade-off is that you will eventually miss those specific highlight or shadow shades found in the larger 60-piece tin, but for most projects, this is plenty.
- Brand Name:Faber-Castell
- Product Type:Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:36
- Storage Case:Metal Tin
- Core Texture:Firm
- Additional Feature:High pigment concentration
- Additional Feature:Excellent smudge control
- Additional Feature:Consistent color mixing
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Kalour Pro Pastel Chalk Pencils
These pencils are designed to bridge the gap between charcoal drawing and pastel work. They have a slightly grittier feel that provides excellent "tooth" on the paper, making them a fantastic tool for artists who love to layer and shade with a bit of resistance.
With 72 colors to choose from, your palette is essentially limitless. Because they lean toward a charcoal-like texture, they might feel a bit scratchy if you are used to buttery, wax-based pencils, but that texture is exactly what makes them so good for detailed sketches.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Total Count:72
- Storage Case:Tin Case
- Core Texture:Chalk Charcoal
- Additional Feature:Highly blendable pigment
- Additional Feature:Ideal for sketching
- Additional Feature:Good color coverage
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Kalour Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils
These pencils stand out because they focus on the softer, lighter side of the spectrum. They are specifically crafted to provide a creamy, buttery application that feels smooth on the page, making them excellent for adult coloring books or light, airy illustrations.
The soft core allows for very easy blending, but it also means the pencils wear down fast. You should keep a high-quality sharpener nearby to maintain your points, as they are not designed for ultra-fine, needle-sharp line work.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Colored Pencils
- Total Count:74
- Storage Case:Tin Case
- Core Texture:Soft Core
- Additional Feature:Ideal for shading
- Additional Feature:Gentle color range
- Additional Feature:Pre-sharpened
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Kalour Pro Pastel Pencils 50
Sometimes you do not need 72 pencils, and this 50-count set offers a very sensible selection of colors for most art projects. It maintains the same chalky, charcoal-infused quality as the larger Kalour sets, providing a reliable experience for drawing and fine-tuning your work.
These are particularly good at grabbing onto the surface of the paper, which makes them great for artists who enjoy building up darks and lights in layers. The one drawback is the size of the set, which might lack those very specific, niche colors you would find in the larger versions.
- Brand Name:Kalour
- Product Type:Pastel Chalk Pencils
- Total Count:50
- Storage Case:Tin Case
- Core Texture:Chalk Charcoal
- Additional Feature:Great for blending
- Additional Feature:Professional color range
- Additional Feature:Strong pigment adhesion
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Soho Urban Artist Woodless Pencils
These woodless pencils are a clever solution for artists who hate wasting material to shavings. Because they are solid pastel, you get significantly more usable pigment in every pencil, and you can use the side of the barrel for broad strokes or shading large areas.
The water-soluble nature adds another layer of utility to your workflow, allowing you to turn lines into washes with a damp brush. Just be careful, as the lack of a wood casing makes them more susceptible to snapping if they are dropped on a hard floor.
- Brand Name:Soho Urban Artist
- Product Type:Woodless Pastel Pencils
- Total Count:48
- Storage Case:Tin Case
- Core Texture:Soft Pastel
- Water Solubility:Yes
- Additional Feature:40% more pastel material
- Additional Feature:Pre-sharpened
- Additional Feature:Clear lacquered finish
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a fixative spray on my finished drawings?
Yes, you should use a workable fixative during the drawing process and a final spray once the piece is finished. Pastel is essentially loose dust resting on paper, so a light coat of fixative prevents smudging and keeps your colors from shifting. Just be sure to spray from a distance to avoid darkening the pigment.
What is the best way to sharpen these pencils?
Avoid using a standard mechanical sharpener, as the soft, powdery core is prone to breaking inside the mechanism. Instead, use a high-quality metal sharpener or a craft knife to shave the wood away slowly. This gives you more control and prevents you from wasting expensive pencil length.
Can I use these pencils alongside traditional stick pastels?
They are designed to work together perfectly. Use the sticks for large areas of color and bold coverage, then switch to the pencils to carve out fine lines, highlights, and intricate details. Think of the sticks as your broad brush and the pencils as your fine-liner.
How do I blend colors if the tip is so precise?
You can use a tortillon or paper stump to gently smear the pigment into the paper fibers. If you prefer a softer look, a small piece of foam or even your finger works well for larger transitions. Just remember that the more you blend, the more the texture of the paper fills up, which limits how many additional layers you can add.
Are pastel pencils toxic?
Most reputable brands avoid heavy metals, but you should always check the label for non-toxic certification. Because these pencils create a fine dust, it is good practice to avoid blowing the excess off your paper with your mouth. Use a soft brush to sweep away loose particles instead to keep your workspace clean and your lungs clear.
