If you find Faber-Castell Pitt pencils too hard/scratchy, but find Caran d'Ache too expensive, Bruynzeel Design is your sanctuary. Manufactured in the Netherlands (by the same company that makes Sakura), these are a cult favorite among professional pastel artists for their unique "velvet" texture.They are famous for their packaging—sturdy boxes with pull-out drawers that protect the fragile cores better than any tin on the market. But the pencils themselves are the real star: they offer a softness that rivals a stick pastel while retaining enough point strength to draw details.CONFUSION ALERT: Design vs. ExpressionBruynzeel sells multiple lines, often in similar packaging.Bruynzeel Expression: Student Grade. Cheaper wood, less pigment, harder binder. Avoid for professional work.Bruynzeel Design (This Report): Professional Grade. Cedar wood casing, color-dipped ends, premium pigment.The Rule: Look for the Drawers. If the box has pull-out drawers, it is the professional "Design" line.The "Velvet" CoreThe Feel: Soft-Medium. They are noticeably softer than the German brands (Faber-Castell/Stabilo). They do not "click" on the paper; they glide.The Binder: The formula feels slightly "waxy" (though it contains no wax). This allows the pastel to adhere effortlessly to smooth papers where drier pencils might skid.The Width: A 3.8mm core, which is standard but feels thicker due to the softness of the laydown.Working PropertiesLayeringThe Grip: Because they are slightly softer, they are exceptional at Layering. They stick to almost anything. You can layer a light Bruynzeel color over a dark CarbOthello color and it will cover effectively.Color RangeThe Palette: 48 Colors. This is smaller than the 60+ ranges of competitors. However, the selection is highly curated, with excellent "helper" colors (greys, earth tones) that are essential for realism.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Pet Portrait" artist:Buy the set.Why: The softness is perfect for animal fur. You can flick the pencil to create tapered hairs that look soft and natural, not wiry and stiff.The "Detail" freak:Use with caution.Why: Because they are softer, they lose their needle point faster than a Faber-Castell Pitt. You will be sharpening them more often.

These are widely considered the most luxurious—and expensive—pastel pencils on the market. Made in Geneva, they are famous for one specific trait: Creaminess. While most pastel pencils are formulated to be hard (so they can be sharpened to a needle point), Caran d'Ache went the other direction. They created a pencil that feels almost as soft as a stick pastel. This makes them less of a "detail tool" and more of a "painting tool" encased in wood.The "Core" AdvantageThe Thickness: They feature a massive 4.7mm lead (standard pencils are ~3.8mm).The Texture: They are exceptionally soft for a pencil. You do not hear the "scratchy" sound typical of harder brands. They glide silently.The Benefit: Because the core is so thick and rich, you can block in large areas of color without wearing the pencil down instantly. They cover dark paper better than any other brand.The Sharpening CurveThe Problem: Because the core is so soft, it is fragile.The Solution: Do not use a crank sharpener. These pencils require a short, stout point. Many professionals use a knife or a specialized pastel sharpener to avoid snapping the expensive lead.The Shape: They use a hexagonal barrel (unlike the round Stabilo), which prevents them from rolling off your table and shattering the core internally.Working PropertiesOpacityThe Coverage: Maximum. The pigment load is incredibly high. White will cover black in a single stroke. They are opaque enough to layer over other pencils without muddying.Color RangeThe Palette: 84 colors. The range is balanced, but they are particularly famous for their skin tones and earths. Portrait artists often buy the "flesh" sets specifically because the gradients are smoother than in other ranges.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Hyper-Realist" detailer:Look elsewhere.Why: If you need a microscopic point for animal whiskers, these are frustratingly soft. Buy Faber-Castell Pitt (Hard) instead.The "Painterly" artist:The ultimate splurge.Why: If you hate the mess of sticks but want the rich, buttery look of a painting, this is the only pencil that delivers that texture. They blend beautifully with a finger.

These pencils are unique in the market for one reason: Girth. While most pastel pencils feature a standard 3.8mm core, Conté uses a massive 5mm lead. This makes them physically larger and heavier than their competitors. They are designed to be the pencil equivalent of the famous Conté Crayons—hard, slightly abrasive, and capable of covering large areas of paper quickly without wearing down to a nub in five minutes.CONFUSION ALERT: Pencil vs. Carré vs. Pierre NoireConté has a confusing lineup because they all look similar (black wood, gold text).Carrés: Square Sticks. These are the famous hard crayons (no wood).Pierre Noire: Carbon/Charcoal. Greasy, deep black, permanent. (Not pastel).Pastel Pencils (This Report): Round Wood Barrel. Dry, chalky, erasable.The Rule: Look at the lead. If it is a huge, round circle of colored chalk, it is the Pastel Pencil.The "Abrasive" TextureThe Feel: Hard & Sandy. They are arguably the hardest pastel pencil alongside Faber-Castell Pitt. They have a distinct "tooth" to them. They do not glide like creamy Swiss pencils; they "bite" the paper.The Benefit: This abrasiveness makes them exceptional for underdrawing and hatching. They are designed to be used side-by-side (patchwork style) rather than layered heavily. If you try to layer 5 colors on top of each other, the hard point might scratch the previous layers off.Working PropertiesLead DiameterThe Size: 5.0mm. This is huge. It means you get significantly more pigment per pencil than other brands.The Sharpening: Because the lead is so thick, you need a sharpener with a large hole (often labeled for "Jumbo" pencils) or a knife. A standard pencil sharpener will shave off too much wood and might snap the wide core.Color RangeThe Palette: 48 Colors. The range is heavily focused on the "Old Master" spectrum: Sanguines, Sepias, Bistres, and Greys. These are the colors Conté is famous for, and they are chemically identical to the pigments used in their crayons.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Life Drawing" student:The perfect upgrade.Why: If you love the Conté crayons but hate getting your hands dirty, this gives you the exact same color and texture in a clean wood barrel.The "Soft" blender:Wrong tool.Why: These are not designed to be smudged into a mist. They are designed for energetic, visible strokes. Use them for texture, not for clouds.

These pencils are the "unsung heroes" of the pastel world. They are not as famous as the big German or Swiss brands, but professional artists often swap them into their kit because they offer incredibly rich, saturated colors that seem to "glow" more than the drier, dustier brands. They feel less refined than a Caran d'Ache, but they pack a punch of color that is hard to beat at this price point.CONFUSION ALERT: Fine Art vs. MonolithCretacolor makes two pastel tools that are often confused.Cretacolor Monolith: Woodless. A solid stick of graphite or watercolor/pastel. (Thick, heavy).Cretacolor Fine Art (This Report): Wood Cased. Standard pencil format.The Rule: If it has wood around it, it’s the "Fine Art" line. If it looks like a solid bullet of silver/color, it’s Monolith.The "Unrefined" TextureThe Feel: Rich & Gritty. They are not smooth in the way a luxury Swiss pencil is. They have a slight "drag" on the paper, similar to a soft charcoal.The Payoff: Because they aren't loaded with wax or heavy binders to make them smooth, the pigment lays down instantly. They are fantastic for opaque layers.The Core: Standard 3.8mm core, but it feels robust.Working PropertiesSharpeningThe Warning: These pencils can be brittle. The core is vibrant but structurally a bit fragile.The Fix: Many artists find that crank sharpeners eat these pencils. It is highly recommended to use a sharp knife or a sandpaper block to sharpen them to a long point without snapping the tip.Color RangeThe Palette: 72 Colors. The range is exceptionally good for brights and skin tones. While Derwent excels at landscapes (greens/greys), Cretacolor excels at the vibrant reds, oranges, and deep skin shadows needed for portraiture.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Colorist":Add them to your mix.Why: If you feel your current pencils look a bit washed out or pale on dark paper, buy a few of these. The white and the bright yellows are particularly opaque.The "Heavy Handed" artist:Be careful.Why: If you press too hard, the tip will snap. These require a lighter touch than the rock-hard Faber-Castell Pitts.

Manufactured in the UK, these pencils are designed with the English landscape tradition in mind. They are famous for their soft, powdery texture that feels more like a traditional soft pastel stick encased in wood than a sharp pencil.They are widely considered the best "middle ground" pencil. They are not as hard/scratchy as Faber-Castell Pitt, but they are not as expensive as Caran d'Ache. For many artists, they are the perfect balance of blendability and control, especially for backgrounds and soft textures like clouds or out-of-focus foliage.CONFUSION ALERT: Pastel vs. Drawing vs. CharcoalDerwent sells three lines that look identical (thick, round wood barrels) but have totally different chemistries.Derwent Drawing: Wax-Based. creamy, earthy, permanent. (NOT pastel).Derwent Tinted Charcoal: Charcoal-Based. Gritty, dark, limited palette.Derwent Pastel (This Report): Chalk/Resin-Based. Powdery, erasable, water-soluble.The Rule: Read the barrel carefully. If you use "Derwent Drawing" over your pastel, it will seal the surface with wax and you won't be able to add more layers.The "Chalk" TextureThe Feel: Soft & Dry. They are significantly softer than Faber-Castell Pitt. They have a dry formulation (less binder) which allows the pigment to release very easily.The Blend: Because they are so powdery, they are arguably the best pencil for smudging. You can lay down a color and completely diffuse it with your finger, making them ideal for soft skies and water.Working PropertiesSharpeningThe Issue: Because the core is soft and powdery, it can be brittle.The Fix: Do not use a standard pencil sharpener. Derwent pencils often require a craft knife or a specialized pastel sharpener. If you drop one, the core may shatter inside the wood.Color RangeThe Palette: 72 Colors. The selection is heavily weighted towards Greens, Greys, and Earths. It is a landscape painter's dream palette, with fewer "neon" or artificial brights than the Stabilo range.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Landscape" painter:This is your workhorse.Why: The range of muted greens and atmospheric blues is unmatched. The soft texture allows you to create misty, distant hills instantly.The "Detailed" animal artist:Use for the base.Why: They are a bit too soft/powdery to hold a needle point for whiskers (use Pitt for that). Use Derwent to block in the body and fur color, then switch to a harder pencil for the final details.

While other brands aim for softness, Faber-Castell intentionally formulated a harder, oil-free lead that mimics the feel of a hard Conté crayon encased in wood. This makes them the single best pencil on the market for drawing fine details—like animal whiskers, architectural lines, or human eyelashes—that would cause softer pencils (like Caran d'Ache) to crumble or smear.CONFUSION ALERT: Pitt vs. PolychromosFaber-Castell’s color coding is identical across lines, which causes massive confusion.Polychromos: Oil-Based Colored Pencil. Permanent. Translucent. Water-resistant.Pitt Pastel (This Report): Pastel Pencil. Chalky. Opaque. Erasable.The Rule: Look at the end of the pencil. If it looks like wood/paint, it’s Polychromos. If it looks like dusty chalk, it’s Pitt. Do not mix them unless you know what you are doing (Polychromos will repel Pitt pastel).The "Hard" AdvantageThe Texture: Firm & Compact. They are significantly harder than Caran d'Ache or Bruynzeel. They do not glide; they "etch" slightly.The Point: Because the binder is so strong, you can sharpen these to a needle-sharp point (even with a crank sharpener) without the tip snapping off.The Benefit: They are the "Finishing Tool." Most professional wildlife artists use a soft pastel for the base layer and then switch to Faber-Castell Pitt for the final detailed fur texture on top.Working PropertiesAdhesionThe Grip: Because they are harder, they drive pigment into the paper rather than just letting it sit on top. This makes them less dusty than Stabilo.Erasability: Moderate. They are harder to erase than Stabilo CarbOthello. Because the hard point pushes pigment deep into the fiber, it stains the paper more stubborn than the chalky brands.Color RangeThe Palette: 60 Colors. The range is chemically matched to the Polychromos/Albrecht Dürer lines. If you use "Dark Indigo" in their watercolor pencil, the "Dark Indigo" pastel pencil is the exact same pigment mix.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Wildlife" artist:Essential.Why: You cannot paint convincing fur with a soft pencil—it looks like cotton candy. You need the hard, sharp stroke of a Pitt pencil to create individual hairs.The "Smudger":Wrong choice.Why: If you want to lay down a sky and smudge it with your finger, these are too hard. They will leave scratch marks. Use Stabilo or PanPastel for backgrounds.

If you took a life drawing class in the United States between 1950 and today, you have likely held one of these. General's (made in Jersey City, USA) is the "blue-collar" pencil of the art world.These are not designed to be the luxurious, velvety tools of the Swiss or French masters. They are designed to be affordable, functional, and tough. They are widely known as "Chalk Pencils" rather than "Pastel Pencils" because they feel drier, grittier, and more like traditional blackboard chalk than the refined pigments of Stabilo or Pitt.CONFUSION ALERT: "Chalk" vs. "Pastel"General's marketing uses the terms interchangeably, which confuses buyers.The Chemistry: They are chemically identical to pastel pencils (pigment + binder).The Feel: They are marketed as "Chalk" because the texture is dry and scratchy.The Use Case: Because they are so dry and oil-free, they are the industry standard for sewing/quilting (marking fabric) as well as art, because they brush off easily without leaving a stain.The "Grit" TextureThe Feel: Hard & Gritty. Do not expect these to glide. They have a distinct "scratch" when they hit the paper.The Benefit: This hardness makes them excellent for underdrawings. You can sketch your composition on the canvas, and because the pigment is so lean (low binder), it won't repel the paint layers you put on top of it later.Working PropertiesSharpeningThe Durability: High. Because the core is hard and encased in decent cedar, they sharpen easily in a standard crank sharpener without breaking. This makes them a favorite for students who are heavy-handed.The "White" PencilThe Cult Favorite: Even professionals who hate the colored pencils often keep a General's White pencil in their kit. It is famously opaque and hard, making it perfect for adding sharp white highlights to charcoal drawings.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Fabric" artist:The Gold Standard.Why: If you need to mark a hemline or a quilt pattern, this is the pencil you use. It marks clearly and washes out easily.The "Fine Art" layerer:Avoid for top layers.Why: They are too hard and gritty to layer well over other pastels. They tend to scratch through the soft layers underneath. Use them only for the initial sketch.

These are widely considered the best "bang for your buck" pastel pencil on the market. While they lack the perfect consistency of the Swiss/German brands (occasionally you might hit a hard spot of binder), they offer a thick, highly pigmented core for a fraction of the price. They are the favorite of students, hobbyists, and professionals who want to bulk up their collection without spending $4 per pencil.CONFUSION ALERT: Gioconda vs. Polycolor vs. Toison d'OrKoh-I-Noor’s naming system is notoriously confusing because the pencils look almost identical.Polycolor: Oil/Wax Pencil. (Colored Pencil). Water-resistant. NOT pastel.Toison d'Or: Soft Pastel Stick. (Round stick). The partner to the pencil line.Gioconda (This Report): Pastel Pencil. Chalky, erasable, wood-cased.The Rule: Look for the word "Soft Pastel" stamped on the barrel. If it says "Polycolor," it will ruin your pastel paper.The "Pumice" TextureThe Feel: Chalky & Grippy. They have a unique texture because they contain micro-granulated Pemza (pumice/volcanic glass). This gives them a distinct "bite" or tooth. They are not as smooth as Caran d'Ache; they feel slightly more abrasive, similar to a soft Conté crayon.The Benefit: This grittiness makes them adhere beautifully to smooth papers where other pastels might slide off.The Core: 4.2mm. This is a generous size (thicker than the standard 3.8mm), allowing for broader strokes and better value.Working PropertiesSharpeningThe Wood: California Cedar. Generally good, but quality control can vary.The Issue: Because the core is thick and slightly brittle, they can break if you use a cheap twist sharpener. A knife or a crank sharpener is recommended.ConsistencyThe Warning: The biggest complaint with this brand is hard spots. Occasionally, you may encounter a tiny grain of unmixed binder in the lead that scratches the paper. It’s the trade-off for the lower price point.The ArtHero VerdictThe Student Artist:Best first set.Why: You get professional levels of pigment (rich, dark colors) for a student price. The sets of 24 or 48 cover everything you need.The Earth Tone Lover:Buy the "Sepia" sets.Why: Koh-I-Noor excels at the "Old Master" colors. Their Sepia, Sanguine, and Caput Mortuum pencils are legendary for life drawing and are often sold in dedicated small sets.Criteria rankingsRelative Cost: 2.5Budget-Friendly. (~$1.50–$2.00 per pencil). They are significantly cheaper than Stabilo or Pitt, making them an easy impulse buy.Hardness: 6.0Medium-Firm. They are comparable to Stabilo CarbOthello. They are soft enough to blend but hard enough to hold a point. They are much softer than a Conté pencil.Pigment Load: 7.5Good. The colors are intense and vibrant. They cover well, though the binder can sometimes look a bit "chalkier" or whiter than the high-end brands.Average Lightfastness: 7.0Good. Koh-I-Noor rates most of their colors highly, but they are not as rigorously transparent as Faber-Castell. The earth tones are archival, but use caution with the bright reds and violets in direct sunlight.Next StepWould you like me to generate a "Value Set Comparison" for the ArtHero app that breaks down the price-per-pencil of the Koh-I-Noor 48 Set vs. the Stabilo 60 Set vs. the Derwent 72 Set?

Released recently (late 2025), this is Sennelier’s answer to a century-old problem: "How do I get the detail of a pencil with the saturation of a stick?"These are solid pigment Sticks (7.5mm thick) coated in a thin lacquer to keep your hands clean. They remove the wood casing entirely, effectively giving you five times the amount of usable pastel compared to a standard pencil. They are designed to bridge the gap between the "Soft Pastels" (too fat for details) and the "Pastel Pencils" (too scratchy/thin). They are the modern evolution of the pastel tool.The "Solid" AdvantageThe Core: A massive 7.5mm diameter (compared to the standard 3.8mm–4.7mm of wooded pencils).The Usage:Tip: Sharpen it to a needle point for fine lines (animal whiskers).Side: Use the broad side of the shavings-free barrel to block in large areas of color instantly (skies/backgrounds).The Economy: While the price per stick is high, you are buying 100% pigment. There is no wood waste.Working PropertiesTextureThe Feel: Semi-Hard. Do not expect these to feel like the famous "buttery" Sennelier Soft Pastels. If they were that soft, they would snap in your hand. They are formulated to be firmer—closer to a Hard Pastel or a Cretacolor Monolith. They have a dense, slightly waxy feel that grips the paper well.SharpeningThe Trick: You cannot use a standard pencil sharpener (it will jam). You must use a sandpaper block or a knife. However, the shavings are pure pigment dust which can be collected and used for soft blending, meaning zero waste.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Value" hunter:Best investment.Why: A standard pastel pencil is 50% wood. This is 100% paint. One of these lasts as long as three standard pencils.The "Sennelier Purist":Adjust expectations.Why: If you are expecting the "melting butter" feel of their soft pastels, you will be disappointed. These are firmer tools designed for drawing, not just painting.

These are arguably the most popular pastel pencil in the world for one reason: they feel exactly like traditional vine charcoal or soft chalk. While other brands try to be "smooth" or "creamy," Stabilo embraces a dry, dusty, and scratchy texture that many artists love because it provides excellent feedback from the paper. They are the "Goldilocks" pencil—cheap enough for students, but pigmented enough for masters.The "Dry" TextureThe Feel: Chalky & Dusty. They are significantly dryer than Bruynzeel or Caran d'Ache. When you make a mark, you can feel the pencil "crunch" slightly on the tooth of the paper.The Benefit: This dryness makes them the King of Blending. Because the pigment is loose and powdery (not stuck in a heavy binder), you can smudge it with your finger into a perfect gradient instantly. They are the easiest pencil to blend.Key Feature: Erasability & WaterThe Eraser Test: These are the most erasable pastel pencils on the market. Because they are so chalky, you can lift them almost completely back to white paper with a kneaded eraser.The Water Trick: They are fully water-soluble. You can draw a line, hit it with a wet brush, and it will turn into a watercolor wash. This is a favorite technique for underpaintings.Working PropertiesSharpeningThe Strength: Moderate. They are harder than Caran d'Ache (so they don't break as much), but softer than Faber-Castell. You can get a reasonably sharp point, but if you push too hard, the tip will crumble.Color RangeThe Palette: 60 Colors. The range is famous for its Earth Tones (Sanguine, Sepia, Terracotta) which are classics for life drawing.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Life Drawing" artist:Buy the 12-set.Why: The earth tones behave exactly like Conté crayons but without the mess on your hands. They are perfect for quick 5-minute gestures.The "Hyper-Realism" artist:Use for the middle layers.Why: They are too dusty for the finest details (use Pitt for that), and not opaque enough for the final highlights (use Caran d'Ache for that). Use Stabilo for everything in between.