This guide breaks down the best pastel pencil brands available today, drawing from expert reviews, artist feedback, and manufacturing insights. Whether you’re a beginner looking to buy your first set or a seasoned creator searching for a reliable pencil supplier, you’ll find valuable recommendations tailored to your artistic needs.
What Makes a Great Pastel Pencil?
Before diving into brand comparisons, it’s worth understanding what sets a quality pastel pencil apart. Unlike graphite or colored pencils, pastel pencils are made with a pigment-rich core bound with minimal binder, resulting in a soft, powdery texture. This allows for rich color payoff and easy blending, but also makes them more fragile.
Key characteristics to look for when you buy pencils for pastel work include:
- Blendability: How well the pigment smudges and mixes with others.
- Color intensity: The vibrancy and saturation of the pigment.
- Hardness: Softer cores are better for blending, while harder ones excel in detail work.
- Sharpening ease: A pencil that sharpens cleanly without crumbling saves time and frustration.
- Durability: A sturdy barrel and core reduce breakage during use and transport.
Let’s explore the top pastel pencil brands that deliver on these fronts.
1. Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils – Premium Pigment and Control
Swiss-made Caran d’Ache pastel pencils are widely regarded as one of the finest options for professional artists. With a hard, smooth core and rich pigmentation, they offer exceptional control without compromising on color intensity.
Artists appreciate their ability to hold a sharp point, making them ideal for detailed line work and layering. Their harder consistency also means less dust, which is a plus for clean workflows.
According to Potato Art Studios, Caran d’Ache pencils excel in vibrancy and layering, making them a go-to for portraits and realistic renderings. Similarly, Creative Bloq highlights their durability and pigment strength as standout features.
Pros:
- Hard core ideal for detail work
- Low dust production
Cons:
- Premium price point
- Harder texture may not suit all blending styles
2. Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils – Precision and Versatility
Faber-Castell is a household name in fine art supplies, and their Pitt pastel pencils are no exception. These pencils are known for their excellent point retention and smooth, consistent pigment application.
As noted by Felicity Franks Portraits, Faber-Castell excels in adding fine details late in the drawing process. Their slightly harder core compared to other brands makes them ideal for intricate textures like hair, fur, and fabric folds.
Pros:
- Excellent detail capabilities
- Good color consistency
- Minimal crumbling during sharpening
Cons:
- Smaller color range compared to others
- May feel too firm for artists preferring soft pastels
3. Derwent Pastel Pencils – Unique Colors and Soft Texture
Derwent pastel pencils strike a balance between softness and control. They’re softer than Faber-Castell or Caran d’Ache, making them ideal for blending and expressive strokes.
One of Derwent’s standout features is its unique color palette. Artists often turn to Derwent for hues not easily found in other brands, expanding creative possibilities. This brand is especially favored for atmospheric landscapes, abstract work, and expressive portraiture.
According to Potato Art Studios, Derwent’s softness enhances their blendability, though it may require more frequent sharpening.
Pros:
- Soft core ideal for blending
- Distinctive color selection
- Affordable pricing for quality
Cons:
- Prone to breakage if mishandled
- Less suited for ultra-fine detail
4. Stabilo CarbOthello – Budget-Friendly and Beginner-Friendly
For those new to pastel pencils or looking for a versatile set without breaking the bank, Stabilo CarbOthello offers excellent value. These pencils are easy to sharpen, smooth to apply, and come in a wide range of colors.
They’re particularly good for base layers, as their pigment lays down evenly and blends well with others. Many artists use them in combination with harder pencils like Faber-Castell or Caran d’Ache to build depth.
Felicity Franks recommends Stabilo for early layers due to their smoothness and color variety. Their affordability also makes them ideal for students or large-scale projects.
Pros:
- Excellent for layering and blending
- Wide color range
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Softer core can wear down quickly
- Not ideal for very fine details
5. Conte à Paris Pastel Pencils – Strong and Bold
Conte à Paris offers a slightly different pastel pencil experience, with a thicker core that’s ideal for bold strokes and expressive mark-making. These pencils are robust and less likely to snap during use, making them a favorite for artists who work quickly or with pressure.
While their color range is more limited compared to other brands, they shine in figure drawing and gesture sketches where strength and speed are key.
Potato Art Studios praises Conte for their durability and strong pigment payoff, especially in large-format work.
Pros:
- Thick, durable leads
- Great for expressive strokes
- Good pigment density
Cons:
- Limited color range
- Less suited for detail work
6. Cretacolor Pastel Pencils – Affordable Quality
Cretacolor’s pastel pencils offer an excellent balance of performance and price. With a soft, blendable core and decent pigment load, they’re a solid choice for artists who need reliable tools without a premium price tag.
According to Creative Bloq, Cretacolor is especially suitable for students and hobbyists who want to explore pastel work without compromising too much on quality.
Pros:
- Affordable and accessible
- Soft texture for easy blending
- Good for practice and experimentation
Cons:
- Lower pigment concentration
- Less durable core
7. Koh-I-Noor Gioconda – Smooth and Buttery
Known for their buttery texture and excellent blending capability, Koh-I-Noor Gioconda pastel pencils are a joy to use. Their smooth laydown makes them perfect for gradients, soft transitions, and tonal work.
While they may not hold a sharp point as well as harder brands, their tactile quality is unmatched for soft, painterly effects. Creative Bloq recommends them for artists who prioritize feel and flow in their technique.
Pros:
- Extremely smooth application
- Ideal for blending and tonal work
- Good value for quality
Cons:
- Not ideal for fine detail
- Requires frequent sharpening
Comparison Table: Pastel Pencil Brand Highlights
| Brand | Best For | Texture | Price Range | Color Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caran d’Ache | Detail and vibrancy | Hard | High | Medium |
| Faber-Castell | Precision and detail | Medium-Hard | Mid-High | Medium |
| Derwent | Blending and color variety | Soft | Mid | High |
| Stabilo | Layering and beginners | Soft | Low-Mid | High |
| Conte à Paris | Bold strokes | Firm | Mid | Low |
| Cretacolor | Budget and practice | Soft | Low | Medium |
| Koh-I-Noor | Blending and gradients | Very Soft | Low-Mid | Medium |
Choosing the Right Pencil Supplier
When you’re ready to buy pencils for pastel work, choosing a reliable pencil supplier is just as important as selecting the brand. Look for suppliers that offer:
- Genuine, artist-grade products
- Options to purchase open stock or full sets
- Secure packaging to prevent breakage
- Transparent return policies and customer support
Some reputable online suppliers include Jackson’s Art, Blick Art Materials, and Jerry’s Artarama. Buying from a trusted source ensures your tools arrive in perfect condition and perform as expected.
Final Thoughts
Pastel pencils are a versatile and powerful medium, offering the expressiveness of pastel with the control of a pencil. Whether you’re layering soft backgrounds or honing crisp details, there’s a brand tailored to your style and workflow.
From the premium precision of Caran d’Ache to the budget-friendly blendability of Stabilo, each brand brings something unique to the table. By understanding their strengths, you can build a toolkit that supports every stage of your creative process.
Ready to elevate your art? Start by choosing the right pastel pencil—and the right supplier—to bring your vision to life.
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