7 Best Artist Pastels for Vibrant Rubbing Effects

Whether turning a corner of the kitchen table into an art studio or filling a dedicated craft room, choosing the right medium transforms a simple hobby into a lasting creative outlet. Pastels offer a unique tactile experience that breathes life into paper, but the sheer variety of sticks, pans, and textures can feel overwhelming. This guide simplifies the selection process, ensuring the right tools match both the artistic goals and the practical constraints of a busy home.

Sennelier Soft Pastels: For Buttery Blending

When the goal involves creating soft, luminous portraits or landscapes, Sennelier soft pastels set the industry standard for texture. These sticks are crafted with a high pigment load and minimal binder, resulting in a consistency that feels almost like drawing with pure color. Because they are exceptionally soft, they deposit color effortlessly, making them ideal for quick studies or delicate shading on finished pieces.

For households with limited storage, these pastels are an excellent choice because they require very little pressure to apply. They are highly efficient, meaning a smaller set often provides more mileage than a larger collection of harder, chalkier alternatives. However, their fragility is a genuine consideration; they can break easily if dropped, so keeping them in their original foam-lined boxes is essential for longevity.

The bottom line for any artist is that Sennelier provides a professional-grade experience that rewards a light touch. While the price point reflects their high quality, the vibrant, buttery results make them a worthwhile investment for those focusing on blending and layering.

Schmincke Pastels: For Velvety Smooth Rubs

Schmincke pastels are famous for their remarkable uniformity and velvety application, making them a favorite for artists who prefer a more structured, controlled approach. Unlike softer alternatives, these sticks are hand-rolled and exhibit a consistent density that prevents them from crumbling during detailed work. They are perfect for those moments when the artist needs to rub color into the tooth of the paper without creating excessive dust.

In a shared household space or a home office, dust management is a significant factor in selecting art supplies. Schmincke pastels produce a cleaner working environment compared to lower-quality, chalk-heavy brands. Their refined texture allows for smooth transitions and precise edges, which saves time during the cleanup process and reduces the need for constant dusting of nearby surfaces.

These pastels occupy a premium space in the market, but their durability justifies the expense for those who prioritize a polished, clean finish. They are a reliable, low-mess solution for artists who appreciate precision and a high-quality pigment load.

Rembrandt Soft Pastels: The All-Around Choice

For many homeowners looking to establish a foundational art kit, Rembrandt soft pastels represent the best balance between quality, price, and durability. They are firmer than Sennelier but significantly more pigmented than student-grade alternatives. This makes them versatile enough for both bold, expressive sketches and more deliberate, detailed compositions.

The brand’s longevity in the art community stems from its predictable, reliable performance across various paper surfaces. For families with older children or beginners starting their artistic journey, these pastels offer a stable learning curve. Because they are less prone to shattering than ultra-soft varieties, they are well-suited for storage in standard hobby drawers or rolling carts without needing specialized foam protection.

If the objective is to own a comprehensive color range without breaking the bank, Rembrandt is the go-to solution. They provide the most “bang for the buck,” serving as a dependable workhorse for everything from daily practice to final, gallery-worthy pieces.

PanPastel Colors: For Large, Even Coverage

PanPastels change the traditional approach to the medium by presenting color in pans similar to makeup compacts. This format allows for the use of specialized sponges to apply, lift, and blend pigment, which is ideal for covering large surface areas. They are perfect for background washes or creating gradients that would be tedious and messy to achieve with traditional sticks.

From an organizational standpoint, PanPastels are a dream for small spaces. The interlocking, stackable jars keep colors compact and secure, preventing the clutter of loose sticks scattered across a work area. They are also virtually dust-free compared to sticks, which is a major advantage for those sensitive to airborne particles in smaller rooms.

The primary tradeoff is the requirement for specific sponges, which adds to the initial equipment investment. However, for those who value speed and clean, professional results, the convenience of the pan format is unmatched in modern art.

Sennelier Oil Pastels: For a Rich, Creamy Feel

Sennelier oil pastels occupy a unique niche, offering the vivid intensity of oil paint without the need for solvents or long drying times. They glide across surfaces with a heavy, buttery application that allows for incredible impasto effects. This makes them a fantastic choice for artists who want to move away from the dusty nature of soft pastels while maintaining a high level of color saturation.

Because these pastels do not dry in the traditional sense, artwork created with them requires careful handling and storage. They are ideal for projects that can be framed behind glass, as this prevents them from sticking to other surfaces or attracting dust. Their rich, creamy nature also makes them surprisingly forgiving, allowing for the easy correction of mistakes by simply layering or scraping back the pigment.

If the goal is to create bold, textured, and expressive work without the cleanup of paints, this is the definitive medium. They are an excellent solution for those who want professional, permanent results with the simplicity of a drawing stick.

Faber-Castell: Best Value for Creative Fun

For the casual artist or a household that enjoys shared creative afternoons, Faber-Castell offers a wonderful entry point into the world of pastels. Their sets are well-organized, accessible, and provide a range of colors that are perfect for experimenting with technique. While they may lack the extreme pigment load of professional brands, they are vibrant enough to make any project look sharp and professional.

These pastels are particularly great for those living in apartments or shared spaces where the mess of high-pigment powders might be a concern. They are harder and produce less dust, making them easier to manage during shorter, sporadic bursts of creativity. They also hold up well to the rigors of frequent use, making them a durable choice for a family supply drawer.

Choosing Faber-Castell is a practical decision for the hobbyist who wants reliability without a significant financial commitment. They provide a high-quality experience that respects both the budget and the storage limitations of a typical home.

Caran d’Ache Neopastel: For Smooth Layering

Caran d’Ache Neopastels are prized for their exceptional wax-based formula, which provides a smooth, uniform application across a variety of surfaces. Unlike other oil-based pastels, they are known for their ability to be layered without becoming muddy or creating a thick, clumpy buildup. This makes them a superior choice for artists who enjoy fine detail and intricate, multi-layered color work.

The wax content also makes these pastels very resistant to crumbling or smearing, which is a significant advantage for those who store their art in portfolios. They maintain their integrity well, ensuring that the vibrancy of the original drawing remains intact even after being moved or handled. This durability makes them a smart choice for those who create work intended to be kept for years.

While they come at a higher price point, the consistency they provide is hard to replicate. They are a clear winner for artists who demand a reliable, non-fussy medium that performs consistently regardless of the project’s complexity.

Soft vs. Oil Pastels: Which Is Best for You?

Understanding the fundamental difference between soft and oil pastels is crucial before finalizing a purchase. Soft pastels consist of pigment held together by a minimal binder, resulting in a chalky, powdery finish that requires fixing. Oil pastels use a wax and oil base, creating a creamy, permanent finish that never fully dries or becomes “dusty.”

• Soft Pastels: Ideal for blending, portraiture, and layering colors on textured paper. They require fixatives and are best suited for framed work under glass.
• Oil Pastels: Perfect for bold, textured, and impasto effects. They are more durable for storage and are less likely to smudge once applied to the surface.

If the primary work area is located in a kitchen or living room, oil pastels are often the more practical choice to avoid persistent dust. However, if the goal is to master classic, soft-focus drawing techniques, the unique blending capabilities of soft pastels are essential.

Choosing the Right Paper for Your Pastel Art

The surface upon which a pastel is applied is just as important as the pigment itself. Pastel paper, often known as “pastel board” or “sanded paper,” contains a “tooth” or texture that physically grips the pastel particles. Without this tooth, the color will simply slide off the page or fill the paper fibers too quickly to allow for effective layering.

For beginners, standard Canson Mi-Teintes paper is a reliable, affordable starting point that provides just enough texture for most soft pastel projects. For those using heavier, oil-based pastels, a smoother, high-quality cardstock or specialized pastel board is preferred to ensure the wax sticks properly. Always check the paper weight to ensure it can handle the pressure applied during the drawing process.

Storing paper vertically in a cool, dry area prevents warping and ensures that the texture remains consistent. When purchasing, opt for acid-free, archival-quality paper to ensure that the work does not yellow or deteriorate over time, protecting the investment made in the artistic process.

Tips for Sealing Your Finished Pastel Artwork

Sealing or “fixing” pastel art is a point of debate among artists, but it is necessary for protecting the finished piece from smearing. For soft pastels, a light spray of a fixative specifically designed for pastels is essential. Apply several thin layers rather than one heavy coat, as heavy saturation can darken colors and alter the appearance of the piece.

Oil pastels, by nature, do not require fixative, as they do not “dust” like their soft counterparts. However, they can attract dust over time due to their slightly tacky texture, so framing them behind glass is a common recommendation for permanent display. If framing is not an option, ensure the artwork is kept in a dust-free sleeve or portfolio to maintain its original appearance.

Safety Note: Always use aerosol fixatives in a well-ventilated space, such as an open garage or outdoors. Never spray inside a closed room or near kitchen food preparation areas to avoid inhaling fumes or contaminating surfaces.

Investing in high-quality pastels is an investment in the home’s creative atmosphere. By matching the medium to the space and the specific needs of the artist, every household can foster a productive and enjoyable creative routine.