Why Choose Pastel Pencils?
Pastel pencils combine the vibrant pigment of soft pastels with the control and precision of a pencil. Unlike traditional pastels, they allow for detailed line work, layering, and controlled shading—ideal for portraits, botanical illustrations, and mixed media work. Their encased format also keeps hands clean and artwork smudge-free, making them a favorite among both professionals and students.
When you’re ready to buy pencils for pastel work, it’s essential to consider factors like pigment quality, blending ability, and pencil hardness. Let’s explore the best brands that consistently deliver on these fronts.
Top 5 Pastel Pencil Brands Worth Your Investment
Based on expert reviews, artist feedback, and performance testing, here are the leading pastel pencil brands available online today:
| Brand | Best For | Key Features | Available Sets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils | Professional detailing | High pigment load, smooth layering, durable wood casing | 12 to 84 colors |
| Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel | Blending and layering | Rich colors, soft core, excellent lightfastness | 12 to 60 colors |
| Stabilo CarbOthello | Mixed media work | Water-soluble, vibrant colors, wide range | 12 to 60 colors |
| Derwent Pastel Pencils | Beginners and sketching | Medium softness, easy sharpening, affordable | 12 to 72 colors |
| Conte à Paris Pastel Pencils | Textured paper work | Harder core, earthy tones, French pigment tradition | 12 to 48 colors |
1. Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils – Precision Meets Pigment
Swiss-made and engineered with professional artists in mind, Caran d’Ache pastel pencils are known for their superior pigment strength and buttery application. Their soft core glides effortlessly across smooth and textured paper, making them ideal for detailed work and vibrant layering.
According to Potato Art Studios, these pencils offer excellent lightfastness and a wide color range, with minimal dust compared to traditional pastels. However, they’re also among the priciest on the market—best suited for professionals or serious hobbyists.
- Pros: Exceptional color payoff, smooth application, durable casing
- Cons: Higher price point, limited availability in some regions
2. Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel – Reliable and Blendable
Faber-Castell is a trusted pencil supplier with centuries of craftsmanship behind its name. Their Pitt pastel pencils strike a balance between softness and control, making them perfect for blending, shading, and building rich gradients. The colors are vibrant yet natural—a favorite for portrait and landscape artists.
As noted by artist Emily Rose, the Pitt Pastel line excels in layering and color depth, with cores that resist breakage and sharpen cleanly. The brand also prioritizes sustainability, using FSC-certified wood in their pencils.
- Pros: Excellent blending ability, eco-friendly materials, consistent quality
- Cons: Slightly harder than soft pastels, smaller color range than some competitors
3. Stabilo CarbOthello – Versatile and Water-Soluble
If you’re looking for a pastel pencil that plays well with other media, Stabilo’s CarbOthello series is a strong contender. These pencils are water-soluble, allowing artists to activate the pigment with a wet brush for watercolor-like effects. This duality makes them ideal for mixed media projects and experimental techniques.
According to Creative Bloq, the CarbOthello pencils are highly pigmented and offer a wide tonal range, from subtle skin tones to bold primaries. Their slightly firmer core ensures better point retention, which is helpful for sketching fine details.
- Pros: Water-soluble, wide color range, good for layering
- Cons: Softer than graphite, may require frequent sharpening
4. Derwent Pastel Pencils – Accessible and Artist-Friendly
Derwent’s pastel pencils are a go-to for beginners and intermediate artists due to their affordability and ease of use. They’re slightly firmer than Caran d’Ache or Faber-Castell, making them easier to sharpen and less prone to breakage. While the pigment isn’t as intense as higher-end brands, they still deliver solid performance for sketching, underpainting, and practice work.
These pencils perform particularly well on textured paper, where their medium softness allows for gradual buildup of tones. They’re also available in tins of up to 72 colors, giving artists a broad palette to explore without breaking the bank.
- Pros: Affordable, easy to sharpen, great for learning
- Cons: Slightly muted colors, less blendable than softer pastels
5. Conte à Paris Pastel Pencils – Classic French Quality
With a history rooted in 18th-century France, Conte à Paris pastel pencils offer a unique drawing experience characterized by their harder cores and earthy, muted tones. These pencils excel on coarse surfaces like sanded paper or pastel board, where their firmness allows for crisp lines and textured effects.
While they may not offer the softness or blendability of other brands, they shine in structural sketching and tonal studies. Their compact size and classic design also make them a favorite among traditionalists and plein air artists.
- Pros: Ideal for textured paper, historic pigment quality, durable cores
- Cons: Limited color vibrancy, harder to blend
How to Choose the Right Pastel Pencil for You
When shopping to buy pencils online, consider the following factors to match a brand with your artistic needs:
- Softness: Softer pencils (like Caran d’Ache) are better for blending; harder pencils (like Conte) offer more control.
- Color Range: Evaluate how many hues are available and whether they suit your subject matter (e.g., skin tones, landscapes).
- Compatibility: If you work in mixed media, water-soluble options like CarbOthello may be ideal.
- Budget: Beginners might start with Derwent or Faber-Castell, while professionals may invest in Caran d’Ache.
- Surface: Consider the paper you use—coarse papers pair well with firmer pencils, while smooth papers favor softer ones.
Where to Buy Pastel Pencils Online
Most of these brands are available through reputable art supply retailers and online marketplaces. When selecting a pencil supplier, look for vendors that offer:
- Detailed product descriptions and reviews
- Secure packaging to prevent pencil breakage
- Options for individual pencils and full sets
- Bulk pricing or wholesale discounts (ideal for schools or studios)
Some reliable platforms include Jackson’s Art, Blick Art Materials, and Amazon. For OEM and wholesale inquiries, direct contact with manufacturers or distributors is recommended.
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Art with the Right Tools
Choosing the best pastel pencil brand isn’t just about price or popularity—it’s about understanding how a pencil interacts with your technique, surface, and vision. Whether you prioritize vibrant color, smooth blending, or structural precision, there’s a pastel pencil brand that aligns with your creative goals.
Use this guide as a foundation to explore, test, and refine your toolkit. And remember: the best art supplies are the ones that empower you to create with confidence.
For more detailed reviews and user experiences, check out Potato Art Studios’ pastel pencil comparison and Creative Bloq’s pastel pencil buying guide.
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