Art Spectrum is Australia’s leading fine art manufacturer, famous for creating the "Australian Palette" (rich ochres, eucalyptus greens, and deep violets). Unlike European brands that aim for a perfectly uniform texture across every color, Art Spectrum embraces the natural characteristics of the pigment. This results in a unique, slightly "gritty" feel that grips the paper aggressively.1. Artists' Soft Pastels (The Standard Round)The "Workhorse" Pastel. Known for its unique texture and gripping power.Shape: Round cylinder.Texture: Variable & slightly gritty.This is the defining feature. Art Spectrum does not use excessive fillers to make every stick feel the same. Consequently, some colors feel softer (like Ultramarine) while others feel harder/grittier (like Earths). This "grit" acts like a claw, helping the pastel stick to the paper and allowing for heavy layering.Pigment: Triple-milled.They use maximum pigment concentration. The colors are incredibly intense and are specifically formulated to capture the harsh, bright light of the Australian landscape.Specialty Colors:Australian Grey/Red Gold: Unique colors that are hard to find in other brands, designed specifically for painting rocks and gum trees.Darks: Their "Dark" range is legendary for being almost black but retaining color undertones (Dark Green, Dark Purple, etc.).Best For: Landscapes, artists who layer heavily, and those who dislike "slippery" pastels.2. Extra Soft Square Pastels (The New Line)The "Buttery" Upgrade. Designed to compete with Terry Ludwig and Great American.Shape: Square stick.Allows for broad strokes (using the side) or razor-sharp details (using the corners).Texture: Velvet soft.Unlike the standard round line (which can be gritty), these are reformulated to be uniformly soft and creamy. They glide onto the paper like lipstick.Binder: Minimal. They are extremely fragile because they are almost pure pigment held together by compression.Best For: Final layers, impasto effects, and filling large backgrounds quickly.3. The "Colourfix" System (Surface)Art Spectrum is perhaps more famous for their paper than their pastels. It is the industry standard for sanded pastel grounds.Colourfix Primer:The "Magic" Gloop: A liquid acrylic primer filled with grit. You can paint it onto wood, canvas, glass, or metal to turn any object into a pastel surface.Customization: It comes in 20 colors (including Clear). You can tint the Clear primer with ink to make your own custom-colored sanded paper.Colourfix Paper:Construction: 300gsm hot press watercolor paper that has been screen-printed with Colourfix Primer.Texture: Fine sandpaper. It grabs pastel dust effortlessly, allowing for 20+ layers without using fixative.Durability: It is tough. You can scrub it under a sink to wash off a bad painting and start over on the same sheet.Supertooth:A variation with even coarser grit for artists who need extreme tooth for heavy impasto.4. Summary ChecklistSoft Round Pastels: Gritty texture / Variable softness / Best for layering.Extra Soft Squares: Buttery texture / Square shape / Best for final touches.Colourfix Primer: Liquid sandpaper / Paint on anything / Best surface for pastels.Australian Palette: Unique earths & greens / High pigment load / Best for landscape.

Blick Art Materials offers two distinct tiers of pastels, engineered to provide artists with rich, velvety color and exceptional blending capabilities without the premium price tag of imported European brands. Whether you are a professional artist working on archival commission pieces or a student exploring the tactile nature of dry media for the first time, Blick’s pastels are manufactured with high-quality pigments and minimal binders. This ensures a smooth, consistent laydown and the brilliant lightfastness required for serious studio work. From the soft, creamy texture of their professional sticks to the durable, versatile nature of their studio range, Blick provides a reliable foundation for all pastel techniques.Choose a specific product line below to view user reviews and details about pigment load, relative cost, lightfastness, and hardness.Specific Product LinesBlick Artists’ Soft Pastels: The professional, master-quality tier. These pastels are handmade in small batches to ensure an incredibly soft, buttery consistency. Formulated with the finest artist-grade pigments and a minimal amount of binder, they offer maximum pigment load and a medium-soft hardness—softer than a Rembrandt but firmer than a Sennelier. This balance makes them ideal for both broad coverage and controlled layering. They feature superior lightfastness for archival permanence and are positioned at a moderate relative cost, offering a professional experience at a significantly lower price than top-tier imports.Blick Studio Soft Pastels: The premium student and high-volume tier. Designed for academic use and large-scale preliminary sketching, the Studio line features a firm hardness and square shape that resists breaking and allows for crisp edge work. While they utilize a standard pigment load with stable synthetic hues to maintain a low relative cost, they still offer vibrant, blendable color. They provide good lightfastness for their class, making them a reliable workhorse for classroom environments, hobbyists, and artists needing to cover large areas of paper economically.

Founded in Geneva in 1915, Caran d’Ache (from the Russian word karandash, meaning pencil) is a world leader in high-end artist instruments. Their pastel ranges are engineered with Swiss precision, famously offering a "no-waste" design where the entire stick consists of usable pigment and binder. Caran d’Ache is particularly celebrated for inventing the world’s first water-soluble wax pastel, revolutionizing the ability to blend dry media with watercolor techniques. Known for their incredible opacity and buttery textures, these pastels are a staple for professional illustrators, street artists, and fine artists who require lightfast, high-vibrancy color that can adhere to almost any surface, including wood, glass, and stone.Choose a specific product line below to view user reviews and details about pigment load, relative cost, lightfastness, and hardness.Specific Product LinesCaran d’Ache Neopastel Oil Pastels: The professional, master-quality oil tier. Neopastels are a pure oil-based medium with a medium-soft, velvety texture that never crumbles. They offer the highest pigment load of the range, providing exceptional covering power even on dark or non-porous surfaces. While firmer and more controlled than a lipstick-soft Sennelier, they remain remarkably buttery and can be blended infinitely with fingertips or thinned with turpentine for oil-painting effects. They feature professional-grade lightfastness across all 96 colors.Caran d’Ache Neocolor I (Wax Pastels): The professional, water-resistant wax tier. Neocolor I is a permanent, hard-wax pastel that provides a smooth, non-dusty application. Because they are water-resistant, they are the industry standard for wax-resist techniques (batik effects) when used alongside watercolors or inks. They have a firm hardness that allows for sharp detail and sgraffito (scratching) techniques. Despite their crayon-like appearance, they possess a professional pigment load and "extreme" lightfastness, making them a permanent archival tool.Caran d’Ache Neocolor II (Aquarelle): The professional, water-soluble wax tier. Neocolor II is arguably the most famous product in the lineup, featuring a soft, high-coverage wax binder that is completely water-soluble. They can be used dry like a traditional pastel or "activated" with a wet brush to create brilliant, opaque watercolor washes. They offer slightly softer handling than Neocolor I and are available in a massive range of 126 colors, most of which carry the highest 3-star lightfastness rating.

Invented in France in 1795 by Nicolas-Jacques Conté (who also invented the modern graphite pencil), these square sticks are legendary for their unique texture that sits somewhere between a hard pastel and a charcoal stick.They are the hardest of the professional pastels. Unlike the "dusty" feel of Nupastel or the "buttery" feel of Sennelier, Conté Carrés are dense, slightly abrasive, and exceptionally controllable. They are designed for vigorous sketching, cross-hatching, and underpainting where precision is more important than smooth blending.CONFUSION ALERT: Carrés vs. Crayons vs. SoftConté has a naming convention that confuses almost everyone.Soft Round Pastels: Round Stick. Typical soft pastel. (Rarely seen in the US).Sketching Carrés: Earth Tones. The famous Sanguine, Sepia, Bistre, Black, and White squares used for life drawing.Colour Pastel Carrés (This Report): The Full Spectrum. The same square hard stick as the sketching line, but available in ~84 vibrant colors.The Rule: If it is a square stick (6x6mm) that feels dry and chalky, it is a Carré.The "Clay" TextureThe Feel: Hard & Greasy. While they contain no oil, the high clay content in the binder gives them a sensation that is smoother than chalk but harder than pastel. They do not crumble.The "Scratch": Because they are so hard, they can physically scratch the paper surface.The Benefit: This hardness makes them the King of Edges. You can use the sharp corner of the square to draw a line as fine as a pencil, then turn it on its side to block in a large mass of color. They produce very little dust compared to soft pastels.Working PropertiesAdhesionThe Grip: They adhere tenaciously to the paper. Because they are less powdery, they are harder to erase completely than a soft pastel.The Layering Limit: They are dense. If you apply them too heavily, they can "slick" the paper (fill the tooth) quickly, making it difficult to add more layers on top.CompatibilityThe Mix: They are famously compatible with soft pastels, but order matters. Use Conté Carrés first for the tight underdrawing and structure. Use soft pastels (Rembrandt/Sennelier) on top for texture. If you try to use Conté on top of soft pastel, the hard stick will just scrape the soft powder off the page.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Draftsman":Your best friend.Why: If you draw more than you paint—if you love cross-hatching, defined planes, and structural lines—this is the only pastel that behaves like a drawing instrument.The "Atmospheric" Painter:Use for layout only.Why: If you want to create soft, misty clouds, these are too hard. They leave visible stroke marks. Use them to sketch the composition, then switch to a softer brand. 

Manufactured in Vienna, Austria, these square sticks are designed to be the ultimate "Drafting Pastel."They sit in a unique position: they are significantly harder than a soft pastel (like Rembrandt) but slightly smoother and less "scratchy" than a Conté Carré. This makes them the perfect tool for artists who want the precision of a pencil with the side-shading capability of a stick. They are famous for their brilliance—Cretacolor uses a higher pigment-to-binder ratio than most hard pastels, resulting in colors that pop rather than looking like dull chalk.CONFUSION ALERT: Carré vs. Brown/Grey vs. AquaCretacolor sells several square sticks that look identical but behave differently.Pastel Carré (This Report): Hard Pastel. 72 colors. Water-soluble but designed for dry work.Brown/Grey Carrés: Sketching Set. Specific earth tones (Sanguine, Sepia) for life drawing. (Often sold in sets of 6 or 12).Aqua Brique: Watercolor Block. Soluble pigment designed specifically for wet techniques. (Different binder).The Rule: Look for the "Pastel" label. If it says "Aqua," it will dissolve much faster than you might want for dry drawing.The "Crisp" TextureThe Feel: Firm & Smooth. They are hard enough to be sharpened to a needle point with sandpaper without breaking.The Difference: Unlike Conté (which can feel slightly "greasy" or "clay-like"), Cretacolor feels like a very dense, high-quality chalk. It is drier.The Benefit: Because they are drier, they layer better than Conté. You can scumble a Cretacolor stick over a soft pastel layer without it "skating" or scraping off the underlayer as easily.Working PropertiesEdgesThe Sharpness: Extreme. The square shape (7x7mm) is manufactured with very sharp corners. They are the best tool for Architectural Lines or "cutting in" negative shapes around a soft subject.Water SolubilityThe Trick: These are surprisingly water-soluble. Many artists sketch with them and then wash over with a wet brush to create a watercolor-like underpainting. They dissolve more cleaner than Nupastels.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Detail" addict:Buy the set.Why: If you are frustrated by soft pastels being too "fat" for eyes or fingers, these are your solution. You can draw with them like a pencil.The "Underpainter":Essential.Why: Use these to establish your composition. They are hard enough to give you control, but the pigment is rich enough that it won't look weak when you layer soft pastels on top.

These are widely considered the most unique pastels on the market. Hand-rolled by Diane Townsend herself, they are famous for one specific innovation: the "Terrages" line. Unlike standard pastels which fill up the paper's tooth and become slick, these sticks contain crushed pumice stone (grit) mixed into the binder. This means the pastel stick actually creates more tooth as you paint, allowing you to layer nearly infinitely without the painting turning to mud.CONFUSION ALERT: Soft Form vs. Terrages vs. Thin LineDiane Townsend makes three distinct lines that look different and behave differently.Soft Form: Round/Thick. Standard soft pastel. Silky, smooth, comparable to a Roche or Unison.Terrages (The Star): Large/Irregular. The famous "gritty" pastel. Contains pumice. Feels abrasive.Thin Line: Skinny/Harder. Designed for details and glazing.The Rule: If it feels like a smooth stone, it's Soft Form. If it feels like a colored brick or sandpaper, it's Terrages.The "Pumice" Advantage (Terrages)The Feel: Gritty & Abrasive. When you apply a Terrage stick, you can hear it "scritch" on the paper. It feels like drawing with a stone.The Magic: Because it is abrasive, it "opens the nap" of the paper. It cuts through slick layers of previous pastel, allowing you to add a fresh pop of color on top of a finished painting where a Schmincke stick would just slide off.The Shape: They are huge, chunky, and irregular. They are designed for loose, gestural painting, not tight details.Working PropertiesPigment LoadThe Color: Maximum. These are almost pure pigment. Because they are handmade, the colors are incredibly deep and complex. The darks are some of the richest in the world.HandlingThe Dust: High. Because of the pumice and the softness, they drop a lot of dust. They are messy tools for messy painters.The Durability: Surprisingly strong. Unlike Schmincke (which crumbles), the pumice aggregate gives the Terrages structural strength. They rarely break in shipping.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Over-Worker":Your savior.Why: If you constantly ruin paintings by adding "one more layer" until the paper gets slick and refuses color, buy a set of Terrages. They will grip onto anything.The "Smooth" Blender:Avoid Terrages.Why: If you want a glass-smooth finish for portraits, the grit in the Terrages will fight you. Stick to the "Soft Form" line or buy Sennelier.

If you see a blue box from Faber-Castell, you are looking at their "Creative Studio" line (formerly known as Goldfaber). These are the "Cadet" branch of the famous German company.While Faber-Castell is legendary for their professional "Green Box" (Polychromos/Pitt) products, these pastels are strictly Student Grade. They are manufactured (often in Asia, under strict German quality control) to be affordable, durable, and easy for beginners to handle. They are significantly better than generic craft-store chalk—they hold together well and don't scratch the paper—but they lack the intense, velvety pigment load of the professional lines.CONFUSION ALERT: Polychromos vs. Goldfaber vs. PittFaber-Castell has a color-coded hierarchy that you must understand.Green Box (Polychromos/Pitt): Professional. High pigment, archival, expensive. (Mostly pencils and crayons now).Blue Box (Creative Studio/Goldfaber - This Report): Student/Hobby. Lower pigment, affordable, square sticks.Red Box: Kids. Toy grade. Avoid for serious learning.The Rule: If the box is Blue, it’s the student line.The "Square" StandardThe Shape: Square Stick. Like most student pastels, these are square.The Use:Edges: The corners are hard enough to draw detailed lines.Sides: The flat side is excellent for blocking in large areas of color quickly.The Texture: Firm & Chalky. They are much harder than a soft pastel like Sennelier. They feel dry and slightly "draggy" on the paper, which is actually good for students because it prevents them from applying too much pigment too quickly.Working PropertiesBlendingThe Capability: Moderate. They blend reasonably well with a finger or stump, but because they contain more chalk/binder than pigment, they can become "muddy" if you over-blend them.The Dust: Low. Because they are harder, they create less airborne dust than softer brands, making them a cleaner choice for kitchen-table art.Pigment LoadThe Color: Good. For a student pastel, the colors are bright and clean. However, the darks (black, dark blue) will not achieve the "black hole" density of a professional brand. They will always look slightly lighter due to the filler.The ArtHero VerdictThe "High School" Artist:A solid start.Why: If you want to learn pastel technique without breaking the bank, these are reliable. They behave predictably and won't crumble in your backpack.The "Professional" Sketcher:Good for roughs.Why: Use these for your thumbnail sketches or color studies in a sketchbook. Save your expensive pastels for the final paper.

Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, Holbein is globally recognized for its meticulous pigment processing and its unique ability to blend traditional Japanese color aesthetics with modern chemical engineering. Holbein's pastel ranges are designed with a focus on "tactile performance," offering artists a specific physical response—whether it is the creamy, lipstick-like glide of their oil pastels or the delicate, velvety crumble of their soft pastels. Known for their incredible purity and lack of fillers, Holbein products are a staple for professional illustrators and fine artists who require high-chroma colors that offer predictable blending and exceptional archival stability.Choose a specific product line below to view user reviews and details about pigment load, relative cost, lightfastness, and hardness.Specific Product LinesHolbein Artists' Oil Pastels: The professional, master-quality oil tier. These pastels are world-renowned for their unique "large stick" format and exceptionally creamy consistency. They are formulated with a high-solids oil binder that does not harden or crack over time, allowing for infinite blending and heavy impasto-style applications. With a firm-yet-buttery hardness, they offer a more controlled laydown than ultra-soft European brands, making them ideal for detailed architectural drawings and vibrant, layered landscapes. They feature a professional pigment load and are available in 225 colors, including unique traditional Japanese hues.Holbein Artists' Soft Pastels: The professional, master-quality dry tier. Holbein soft pastels are characterized by a sophisticated, "velvet-soft" hardness that strikes a perfect balance between the fragility of handmade brands and the durability of machine-made sticks. They are manufactured using a computer-controlled process to ensure absolute consistency in texture and color across every batch. With a high pigment-to-binder ratio and minimal chalk fillers, they offer a luminous, airy dispersion that is easy to blend with fingertips or stumps. They provide excellent lightfastness and a smooth, non-gritty feel that is highly prized for portraiture and delicate atmospheric effects.

Mt. Vision Pastel Company (upstate New York) is an American "boutique" manufacturer founded by Karl Kelly in 2000. They have a cult following among landscape painters for one specific reason: Value.They offer a professional-grade, hand-rolled pastel that is nearly double the size of a European stick for the same price. They are famous for their "Thunderstorm" palette and unique approach to color mixing.1. The Product Line (Hand-Rolled Soft Pastels)Unlike brands with complex tiers (Student vs. Pro), Mt. Vision makes one thing: High-quality soft pastels.The Stick Size (The "Jumbo" Advantage):Dimensions: These are massive. A standard Mt. Vision stick is roughly double the weight of a Rembrandt or Unison stick.Durability: Because they are thick and hand-rolled, they are surprisingly sturdy. They don't snap in half as easily as thin, machine-extruded sticks.The Texture: Medium-soft.This is the "Goldilocks" texture. They are softer than hard pastels (like Nupastel or Rembrandt) but harder than the ultra-soft "butter" pastels (like Sennelier or Schmincke).Behavior: They have a slightly gritty tooth that grips the paper well, allowing you to build up many layers without the surface becoming slick or waxy.The Palette: The "Thunderstorm" Influence.Karl Kelly (the founder) focuses heavily on greyed & neutral colors.While other brands focus on bright candy colors, Mt. Vision is famous for its 25-piece "Thunderstorm Grey" set—a collection of moody purples, dark blues, and heavy greens designed specifically for painting cloudy skies and shadows.2. Key CharacteristicsBinder: Low binder content.They use very little binder, relying on the pressure of hand-rolling to keep the stick together. This makes the pigment release instant and rich.Pigments: Modern & traditional.They use a mix of traditional earth pigments and modern synthetics (quinridones/phthalos) to achieve high lightfastness without using toxic heavy metals like cadmium or lead.Application:Broad Strokes: The flat side of these large sticks covers huge areas of background instantly.Detail: They break cleanly to create sharp edges (shards) for detail work.3. The "Workshop" SetsMt. Vision is unique in how they sell their colors.Workshop A, B, C, D:Instead of just "Portrait" or "Landscape" sets, they sell "Workshop" sets designed to be additive. If you buy Set A, Set B will have completely different colors to expand your range, rather than duplicating the basics you already have.Summary ChecklistTexture: Medium-soft (Gritty but rich).Size: Massive (2x standard size).Best For: Layering (Won't fill the tooth quickly).Famous For: "Thunderstorm" Sets (Moody greys/shadows).Value: High (Best price-per-gram of pigment on the market).Origin: USA (Handmade in New York).

Based in South Korea, Mungyo has become a global leader in the pastel market by bridging the gap between high-end professional performance and affordability. Their "Gallery Artists" series is specifically engineered for serious practitioners, offering a significant jump in pigment concentration and texture compared to their standard student lines. Known for their smooth, consistent laydown and an expansive color range, Mungyo pastels have gained a massive following among illustrators, plein air painters, and mixed media artists. Whether you require the velvety, blendable nature of a dry soft pastel or the creamy, lipstick-like application of a professional oil pastel, Mungyo provides a reliable, high-chroma system that allows for sophisticated layering and archival results.Choose a specific product line below to view user reviews and details about pigment load, relative cost, lightfastness, and hardness.Specific Product LinesMungyo Gallery Artists' Soft Pastels: The professional, high-quality dry tier. These pastels are made from the finest pigments and kaolin clay to ensure a soft, velvety texture that glides across the paper with minimal pressure. They feature a medium-soft hardness that is firmer than a handmade pastel but softer than a traditional hard pastel, making them exceptionally versatile for both broad strokes and moderate detail work. With a high pigment load and excellent lightfastness, they offer a luminous dispersion that blends effortlessly with fingertips or stumps. They are highly regarded for their low relative cost, providing a professional experience accessible to a wide range of artists.Mungyo Gallery Artists' Soft Oil Pastels: The professional, master-quality oil tier. This specific "Soft" oil pastel range is world-renowned for its exceptionally creamy, buttery consistency that mimics the feel of expensive European brands. Formulated with high-quality pigments and a non-drying oil binder, they offer an intense pigment load and a very soft hardness, allowing for heavy impasto techniques and seamless color transitions. They are completely acid-free and feature professional-grade lightfastness, ensuring the longevity of the artwork. Their smooth application and ability to be thinned with odorless mineral spirits make them a favorite for artists who demand oil-painting effects in a convenient stick format.

PanPastel (owned by Golden Artist Colors) is a unique product in the art world. It is the only "dry paint" on the market.Crucial context: PanPastel is professional grade only. There is no "student" line. They were invented to solve the two biggest problems of traditional pastel sticks: Dust and speed. Instead of a stick, the pigment is packed into a compact pan (like makeup) and applied with sponges.1. The Colors (The "Dry Paint")Classic Colors (The Foundation)Format: 9ml plastic pans that screw together (stackable).Chemistry: High pigment, low binder.Traditional pastel sticks need a lot of binder (glue) to hold the stick shape so it doesn't crumble. PanPastel sits in a pan, so it requires almost no binder.Result: It is pure, concentrated pigment. It is significantly more vibrant than most sticks because there is less "glue" dulling the color.Dust: Ultra-low. Because it is applied with a sponge, there is almost no airborne dust, making it safer for home studios.Opacity: Semi-opaque. It covers dark paper instantly.Metallics (The Shimmer)Ingredients: Mica + pigment.Behavior: These are not "glittery" (cheap craft look); they are "pearlescent" (smooth sheen).Best For: Mixing with standard colors to create custom metallic shades (e.g., mix gold with red to make a metallic rose).Pearlescent Mediums (The Effects)White Pearl (Fine/Coarse): Adds a white shimmer to any color.Black Pearl (Fine/Coarse): Adds a dark, gunmetal sheen to create "jewel tones."Colorless BlenderThe "Invisible" Pan: This pan contains just the binder/filler with no pigment.Usage:Transparency: Mix it with a color to make it transparent (glazing).Flow: Apply it to the paper before the color to help the pigment slide smoothly (like oil priming).2. The "Sofft" Tools (The Engine)You cannot use PanPastel effectively with a brush. You must use their proprietary tools.Sofft Sponges (The Applicator)Material: A specialized micropore sponge that holds pigment like a brush holds paint.Durability: They are reusable but semi-disposable. You wash them with soap and water, but they will eventually tear.Sofft Knives (The Game Changer)Design: Plastic palette knives that have "socks" (sponge covers) placed over them.Usage: This turns your hand into a painting tool. You can paint sharp lines, broad strokes, and blend edges exactly like you would with an oil painting knife, but with dry powder.3. Key CharacteristicsErasability: 100% erasable.Because there is so little binder, the pigment sits loosely on the paper surface. You can erase it completely with a standard vinyl eraser. This makes it much more forgiving than watercolor or acrylic.Mixability: Mixes like paint.You can pick up blue on your sponge, then pick up yellow on the same sponge, and apply them to the paper as green. You physically mix the powder on the pan or the paper.Compatibility:Works with: Pastel pencils, charcoal, graphite, and matte acrylics.The Workflow: Most artists use PanPastel for the "underpainting" (blocking in large areas fast) and then use pastel pencils (like Caran d'Ache) for the fine details on top.4. Summary ChecklistPanPastel Colors: 9ml pans / Low dust / Professional grade only / Best for backgrounds.Colorless Blender: No pigment / Increases transparency / Fixes "chalky" look.Sofft Tools: Micropore sponge / Essential for application / Washable.Lightfastness: Excellent (Uses Golden's pigment standards).Best Surface: PastelMat or sanded paper. (Standard sketch paper is too smooth to hold many layers).

If you opened a cardboard box of oil pastels in elementary school, they were almost certainly Pentel.These are the most ubiquitous oil pastels on the planet. They are arguably the "gateway drug" to the medium. However, for the serious artist, they are often a source of frustration. They occupy the space between a children's crayon and a student-grade art supply. They are waxy and sticky, lacking the creamy blendability of even the budget-friendly Mungyo Gallery line. They are designed for durability and low cost, not for archival masterpieces.CONFUSION ALERT: Arts vs. SpecialistPentel actually makes a high-end product that confuses people.Pentel Arts (This Report): Round Stick. The standard box found in every craft store. Cheap, waxy.Pentel Specialist: Square Stick. A professional-grade, high-pigment pastel sold mostly in Japan. Excellent quality but hard to find.The Rule: If you bought it at a supermarket or general craft store for $5, it is the Pentel Arts line.The "Crayon" TextureThe Feel: Sticky & Tacky. Unlike professional pastels that feel like lipstick (Sennelier) or dry clay (Holbein), Pentel feels like a sticky wax crayon. It never really "sets."The Pilling: High. The biggest complaint with Pentel is "crumbs." As you draw, the pastel tends to ball up into little sticky rolls of wax that stick to the paper and your hands.The Blend: Because they are so waxy, they don't smudge easily. They tend to just push around on the paper. You often need to use baby oil or a solvent to get them to blend smoothly.Working PropertiesPigment LoadThe Color: Moderate. They are surprisingly bright for the price, but they lack opacity. If you try to layer a light color over a dark color, the dark color will show through. They are translucent.HardnessThe Strength: High. These sticks are tough. You can drop them, squeeze them, and press hard without them breaking. This makes them ideal for children or heavy-handed sketchers.The ArtHero VerdictThe "Kid" or "Hobbyist":Fine for fun.Why: If you just want to mess around in a sketchbook and don't care about the drawing lasting 50 years, these are a cheap way to play with color.The Aspiring Artist:Upgrade immediately.Why: These will teach you bad habits. You will think oil pastels are impossible to blend just because these are impossible to blend. Spend the extra $5 for Mungyo Gallery Soft and you will have a completely different experience.

If you walk into any illustration studio or art school in North America, you will find a box of these. Prismacolor NuPastels are the most popular hard pastel on the continent.They are the gold standard for "drafting pastels." Unlike the soft, crumbly sticks from Europe (Sennelier/Schmincke), NuPastels are formulated to be incredibly dense and tough. They are designed to bridge the gap between a pastel pencil and a soft stick. They are famous for their ability to be sharpened to a needle point without breaking, making them the number one choice for initial sketches, architectural details, and tightening up a loose painting.CONFUSION ALERT: NuPastel vs. Premier vs. Art StixPrismacolor has a massive ecosystem that confuses buyers.Premier Colored Pencils: Wax-Based. (Standard pencil). Water-resistant.Art Stix: Wax-Based. (Woodless colored pencil block). Identical formula to the pencils. NOT pastel.NuPastel (This Report): Dusty/Chalky. The only true pastel in the lineup. Erasable and water-soluble.The Rule: If it feels waxy and smells like crayons, it's Art Stix. If it feels dry and leaves dust on your finger, it's NuPastel.The "Snap" TextureThe Feel: Hard & Creamy. It is a paradox. They are very hard (they snap with a distinct "click"), but they do not scratch the paper like a cheap chalk. They lay down a smooth, creamy layer of dust.The Durability: Tank-like. These are the strongest pastels on the market. You can drop them on the floor, and they often survive.The Shape: Square. The thin square profile (approx. 6mm) allows for incredible precision.Working PropertiesUnderpainting (The "Melt")The Secret Weapon: NuPastels are legendary for alcohol washes. Because they have a unique binder, if you sketch with them and then brush over it with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl), they melt into a stunning, permanent watercolor-like wash. This is the standard method for starting a professional pastel painting.SharpeningThe Point: You can sharpen these with a knife or even a specialized pastel sharpener to a point almost as fine as a pencil. This makes them better than Nupastel Pencils for artists who want pure pigment without the wood.The ArtHero VerdictThe Student:The best starting set.Why: They are cheap, they don't break, and they teach you control. A set of 96 gives you a massive palette for the price of 10 professional sticks.The Master Painter:Great for the first layer.Why: Do not use these for the final layer (they aren't opaque enough). Use them to "lock in" the drawing and the underpainting. They are hard enough that they don't fill the tooth of the paper, leaving plenty of room for your soft pastels on top.

Rembrandt (Royal Talens, Netherlands) is the "workhorse" of the pastel world. If Sennelier is the luxury finishing touch, Rembrandt is the reliable foundation. Manufactured in Apeldoorn since 1924, they are the most widely available professional pastel on the market. They are famous for striking the perfect balance: not too soft, not too hard.1. The Product Line (Soft Pastels)Do not let the name fool you. While labeled "soft," they are actually medium-soft.The Stick:Format: Round, paper-wrapped sticks.Binder: Kaolin clay. This is the secret to their durability. Unlike soft pastels that use minimal binder (and crumble easily), Rembrandt uses enough clay to keep the stick firm.Behavior: They do not crumble or break easily in your hand. They produce less dust than softer brands.The Sizes:Full Stick: The standard size.Half Stick: Extremely popular for students. Because Rembrandt pastels are robust, the half-sticks don't shatter in the box, making them a great budget entry point.2. The Unique Numbering System (Tints & Shades)Rembrandt uses a logical coding system that professional artists rely on to understand exactly what they are holding.The Code: Every color has a number (e.g., 205) followed by a decimal (e.g., .5)..5 (Pure Tone): This is the pure pigment with binder. (e.g., 205.5)..3 (Shade): The pure color mixed with a small amount of black. Used for shadows..7 / .8 / .9 (Tint): The pure color mixed with increasing amounts of white. Used for highlights.Why this matters: You can instantly tell if a color will be "muddy" (contains black) or "chalky" (contains white) just by looking at the decimal, without testing it.3. Key CharacteristicsTexture: Velvety but firm.They grip the paper well. They are hard enough to draw sharp lines (using the edge) but soft enough to smudge and blend with your finger.Layering Role: The Base Layer.Most pastelists use Rembrandt for the first 80% of a painting. Because they are slightly harder, they don't fill up the "tooth" of the paper as quickly as super-soft pastels (like Paul Rubens or Sennelier). You lay down your Rembrandt base, and then save the expensive soft pastels for the final "pop" of color on top.Pigments: Lead/Cadmium Free.They use modern, non-toxic pigments. While safe, this means their reds/yellows are slightly less opaque than brands that still use heavy metals (like Roche).4. Comparison: The "Goldilocks" HardnessVs. Nupastel (Hard): Rembrandt is softer. Nupastel feels like chalk; Rembrandt feels like dry velvet.Vs. Sennelier (Extra Soft): Rembrandt is harder. Sennelier feels like lipstick and fills the paper grain instantly. Rembrandt allows you to layer more.Vs. Schmincke (Ultra Soft): Rembrandt is much harder. You cannot use Schmincke for an underpainting (it's too soft), but you can use Rembrandt for the whole painting.5. Summary ChecklistHardness: Medium-soft (The industry standard).Binder: Kaolin clay (durable, low dust).Role: Underpainting & base layers.Numbering: .5 is pure, lower is darker, higher is lighter.Best For: Beginners who need control, and pros who need a reliable foundation.

These are widely considered a hidden gem of the professional pastel market. While they are not as famous as their European counterparts, many professional artists who try them end up switching because they offer a similar premium experience—rich, buttery texture and high pigment load—often at a significantly lower price point. They are famous for their unique shape: small, stout, hand-rolled cylinders that feel incredibly dense in the hand.CONFUSION ALERT: Hand Rolled vs. Semi-Hard vs. SignatureRicheson has a few lines that can be confusing.Richeson Semi-Hard: Square Stick. (Machine made). Firmer, cheaper, good for underpainting.Richeson Hand Rolled (This Report): Round Stick. (Handmade). Professional quality, soft, highly pigmented.Richeson Signature sets: Often curated sets of the Hand Rolled line, but sometimes mixed.The Rule: Look for the round shape and the words "Hand Rolled" on the box. If it’s square, it’s the semi-hard line.The Dense TextureThe Feel: Buttery & Consistent. They are slightly firmer than a Sennelier (which can feel like lipstick) but softer than a Rembrandt. They are most comparable to Unison. They have a "creamy" drag on the paper that feels luxurious.The "Roll": Because they are rolled by hand, they do not have the hard crust that machine-extruded pastels sometimes have. They release color immediately upon touching the paper.The Shape: Stout Cylinder. They are shorter and fatter than a standard Rembrandt stick. This "nugget" shape is less likely to break in your hand or travel box.Working PropertiesValue SpectrumThe System: Logical Values. Richeson is famous for organizing their sets by value (dark to light). You can buy a "Blue Earth" set that gives you the exact same color in 4 or 6 different value steps. This makes shading incredibly intuitive—you don't have to mix white/black yourself; you just grab the next stick in the gradient.Pigment LoadThe Coverage: Excellent. They are highly opaque. They cover dark paper easily. The darker colors (Greys, Earths, Nocturnes) are particularly rich and velvety, making them a favorite for landscape painters who need deep shadows.The ArtHero VerdictThe Texture Lover:A perfect addition.Why: If you find Sennelier too soft and Rembrandt too hard, Richeson sits in that perfect middle ground. They layer beautifully without slicking up the paper too fast.The Set Collector:Best curated sets.Why: Their themed sets (e.g., "Landscape," "Portrait," "Santa Fe Earth," "Nocturne") are some of the most intelligently designed in the industry. You rarely get a useless color in a Richeson set.

If you grew up using the cheap "Junior Artist" or "Expressionist" pastels in school, you probably think of Sakura as a kid's brand. You would be wrong.Cray-Pas Specialist is Sakura’s top-tier professional line. Invented in Japan in 1925 (Sakura actually invented the oil pastel medium), this specific line is designed to compete directly with Holbein and Caran d'Ache. They are a hidden gem of the professional market—offering the coveted square shape of a Holbein stick for a significantly lower price. They are widely considered the best "architectural" oil pastel because their hard, square edges allow for incredible precision that is impossible with a soft, round Sennelier stick.CONFUSION ALERT: Specialist vs. Expressionist vs. JuniorSakura sells three lines that look similar but perform totally differently.Junior Artist: Kids. (Yellow Box). Hard, waxy, barely blends.Expressionist: Student. (Round Stick). Better, but still slightly sticky/tacky.Specialist (This Report): Professional. (Square Stick). High pigment, wood box options, archival.The Rule: Look for the square shape and the word "Specialist" on the label. If it’s round, it’s not the pro line.The Firm TextureThe Feel: Creamy but Firm. They are significantly harder than Sennelier. They do not melt in your hand. They feel very similar to Holbein—dense, smooth, and controllable.The Shape: 10mm Square. This is their superpower. You can use the sharp corners for fine details (like power lines or whiskers) and the flat side for broad coverage.The Finish: They dry to a relatively matte finish compared to the high-gloss shine of cheaper, waxier brands.Working PropertiesBlendingThe Capability: Excellent. Despite being firm, the binder is sophisticated. They blend smoothly with a solvent (turpentine/mineral spirits) or a paper stump. They do not "pill" or ball up as much as the cheaper Expressionist line.Pigment LoadThe Color: High. The Specialist line uses artist-grade pigments. The colors are deep and opaque.The Range: 85 Colors. While smaller than Holbein’s 225, the range is well-curated with excellent greys and earth tones.The ArtHero VerdictThe Detail Artist:A Holbein Alternative.Why: If you love the square shape and control of Holbein but don't want to pay $5/stick, these are the perfect substitute. They behave almost identically for 60% of the price.The Impasto Painter:Too hard.Why: If you want to pile on thick, juicy strokes of texture (like a Van Gogh painting), these are too firm. Use Sennelier for texture and Sakura Specialist for the underpainting.

If there is a "Rolls-Royce" of the pastel world, this is it. Made in Germany, Schmincke pastels are legendary for one specific trait: Extreme softness.They are widely considered the softest pastel on the market (often tied with or slightly softer than Sennelier). They are manufactured using a unique "worm extruder" process where the pigment dough is kneaded slowly and cut by hand, rather than being compressed by high-pressure machines. This results in a stick that contains almost zero binder and is essentially a fragile, velvety rod of pure pigment. They are the ultimate "painter's" pastel.CONFUSION ALERT: Pearl vs. StandardSchmincke has a massive range (400 colors), but there are two distinct finishes you need to watch for.Standard Line: Matte. (The vast majority). Pure, velvety color.Pearl / Metallic: Shimmer. (Ends in specific codes like 900+). These contain mica and are iridescent. They are beautiful but behave differently (slightly more transparent).The Rule: Unless you specifically want glitter/shimmer effects, stick to the standard colors (codes 001–099).The "Butter" TextureThe Feel: Marshmallow-Soft. They are softer than Rembrandt, Unison, and even slightly softer than Sennelier. They do not "draw" so much as "melt" onto the paper.The Binder: They contain the absolute minimum amount of binder required to hold the dust together.The Application: Because they are so soft, they release a massive amount of pigment with the lightest touch. You do not need to press down. If you press hard, the stick will simply disintegrate into powder.Working PropertiesLayeringThe Purpose: The Final Layer. These are the "jewelry" of your painting. Because they are so soft and rich, they will sit on top of any other brand.The Workflow: Most professionals use a harder pastel (Rembrandt/Nupastel) to block in the painting and build the structure, then come in with Schmincke at the very end to add the brightest highlights and deepest darks.FragilityThe Warning: These sticks are fragile. They often arrive broken in the mail (even with good packaging). They will break if you drop them on a carpet. You must handle them with kid gloves.The ArtHero VerdictThe Heavy Handed Artist:Avoid.Why: If you draw aggressively or scrub hard, you will crush these sticks into expensive dust in seconds. They require a delicate touch.The Impressionist:Essential.Why: If you want that glow that you see in museum pastels—where the color looks like it is vibrating off the paper—you can only get that with a pastel this pure. The white (001) is often cited as the most opaque white in the world.

This is the most famous oil pastel in the world, and for good reason: it was invented for Pablo Picasso.In 1949, Picasso asked Henri Sennelier to create a medium that could be used on any surface—canvas, paper, metal, wood, or glass—without cracking or fading. The result was a stick that feels less like a crayon and more like Lipstick.Sennelier oil pastels are unique because they never fully dry. They remain somewhat open and workable indefinitely. They are the "Impressionist" tool of the oil pastel world—designed for thick, juicy strokes, smudging, and painterly effects. If Holbein is for architects, Sennelier is for painters.CONFUSION ALERT: Soft vs. OilSennelier makes two legendary products that look very similar.Sennelier Soft Pastels: Chalk/Dust. (Label says "Soft" or "À l'écu").Sennelier Oil Pastels (This Report): Wax/Oil. (Label says "Huile").The Rule: If it feels greasy and sticky, it's Oil. If it feels dry and dusty, it's Soft. Never mix them on the same layer without a fixative barrier, or the oil will ruin the soft pastel.The Lipstick TextureThe Feel: Ultra-Creamy. There is no other way to describe it. It feels like drawing with a tube of expensive lipstick.The Binder: They use a unique non-drying oil and mineral wax binder. This means they do not oxidize (harden) like oil paint. They stay fresh and smudgeable for years.The Application: You barely need to touch the paper. The pigment releases instantly. If you press too hard, you will mash the stick into a pile of goo.Working PropertiesImpastoThe Build: Excellent. Because they are so soft, you can apply them thickly with a palette knife to create 3D texture (impasto) that mimics oil paint.Surface CompatibilityThe Promise: Picasso was right. You can use these on cardboard, glass, metal, or primed canvas. They grip onto smooth surfaces significantly better than harder brands like Van Gogh or Pentel.The ArtHero VerdictThe Painterly Artist:The Holy Grail.Why: If you want your work to look like a painting rather than a drawing, this is the only brand that gives you that "wet" look immediately.The Detail Artist:Frustrating.Why: They are too soft to hold a sharp point. If you try to draw fine eyelashes or architectural details, the tip will mush. Use a harder brand (Holbein/Sakura Specialist) for the details and use Sennelier for the big, bold colors.

For decades, artists had to choose: buy a hard square stick (Nupastel) for edges, or a soft round stick (Sennelier) for texture. Terry Ludwig solved this problem. He created a pastel that is buttery soft—almost pure pigment—but formed into a sharp-edged rectangle. This unique combination makes them arguably the most versatile professional pastel on the market, allowing for both razor-sharp lines and painterly, impasto layers in a single stick.CONFUSION ALERT: "Intense Darks" vs. StandardTerry Ludwig doesn't sell "lines" (like Student vs. Pro), but he is famous for one specific subset of his range.Standard Line: The full spectrum of ~600 colors.Intense Darks (The Legend): This is the set that put him on the map. Most brands make dark colors by adding black to a hue, which dulls it. Terry Ludwig formulated a specific set of "Darks" (Eggplant, Midnight Blue, Deep Forest) that are incredibly vibrant despite being near-black.The Rule: If you are a landscape painter, the "Intense Darks II" set is practically a mandatory purchase.The Dense TextureThe Feel: Velvet. They are incredibly consistent. Unlike some handmade brands that can have gritty spots, Ludwig pastels feel like a dense block of smooth velvet.The Comparison: They are softer than Unison and Rembrandt. They are comparable to Schmincke in softness, but they feel less fragile. They don't crumble into powder as easily; they yield color like a rich cream.The Shape: Rectangular. (Approx 1/2" x 1-1/2"). They are shorter and blockier than most pastels. They won't roll off your table.Working PropertiesEdges & CoverageThe Edge: Because they are molded into squares, you can use the corner to draw a thin line, then immediately turn the stick flat to cover a massive area with a single stroke.The Layering: Excellent. Because the binder is so minimal, they adhere to almost anything. You can apply a Terry Ludwig stick over a slick layer of harder pastel without it sliding off.DurabilityThe Strength: Surprisingly high. Despite being ultra-soft, the square shape gives them structural integrity. They travel better than the round, fragile Schmincke sticks.The ArtHero VerdictThe Landscape Painter:Buy the greens.Why: Terry Ludwig is a landscape painter himself. His "Maggie Price" and "Richard McKinley" sets feature specific greens and earth tones that are perfectly tuned to nature (no "candy" colors).The Darkness Hunter:Essential.Why: If your paintings look washed out or lack contrast, buy the 30 Intense Darks set. It is the quickest way to add drama and depth to your work.

Unison Colour (Northumberland, UK) is widely considered one of the top pastel brands in the world. Created by artist John Hersey in the 1980s because he couldn't find the specific colors he wanted, these are hand-rolled pastels.The "feel": Unison hits the "Goldilocks" zone of texture. They are significantly softer than Rembrandt (harder stick) but have more "grip" and structural integrity than Schmincke (which can feel like pure powder). They are buttery and consistent, but they don't crumble instantly under pressure.1. The Numbering System (The "Cycles")Unison does not use standard pigment names (e.g., "Ultramarine Blue"). Instead, they organize their massive 400+ color range into "Color Cycles." Understanding this is key to buying them.The "Cycle" StructureMost colors are grouped into families designated by letters (e.g., BG = Blue Green, RE = Red Earth, Y = Yellow).These families are typically broken down into runs of 18 sticks, which are further divided into blocks of 6.The "Rule of 6" (How to read the gradient)While many brands go strictly Dark-to-Light (1-10), Unison is more complex. The 1-18 cycle is often composed of three distinct "movements":Sticks 1–6 (The Deep Run): These are typically the "dark" or "shaded" versions of the hue. They are often mixed with black or complementary pigments to lower the value.Sticks 7–12 (The Core Run): This is usually where you find the purest/most Intense version of the color. If you are looking for the "Mother Color" of the set, look in this middle block.Sticks 13–18 (The Tint Run): These are the "light" or "tinted" versions, usually mixed with white.Exceptions to the rule:It is important to note that this is a system, not a law. Some sets (like the Grey or Additional sets) follow their own logic. However, for the main chromatic sets (Greens, Reds, Blues), the "Middle = Pure, High = Light, Low = Dark" rule is the safest bet.2. Performance & binderBinder: Minimal. They use a water-based binder in very small quantities.Application: Because they are hand-rolled, they have a slightly irregular surface texture. This allows them to "bite" into the paper immediately. They layer exceptionally well without skidding (a common problem with harder pastels).Water Solubility: Highly soluble. You can create beautiful underpaintings by applying Unison pastel and washing it down with water or alcohol.3. Physical FormShape: Short, chubby cylinders. They are shorter than a standard pencil-width pastel (like Sennelier) and thicker.The "Hand-Rolled" Variance: Because they are made by hand, you will see size variations. One stick might be slightly fatter or bent compared to its neighbor. This is a sign of authenticity, not a defect.Wrappers: They use small, paper labels near the base of the stick.The User Pain Point: The labels are notorious for sliding off or being illegible once the pastel wears down. Pro Tip: Many artists remove the labels immediately and store them in a grid box to keep track of the numbers.4. Key Sets & FamiliesDark Sets (Dark 1-24): Unison is famous for their darks. Most brands make dark colors by adding black, which kills the chroma. Unison creates darks by mixing complementary pigments, resulting in "Midnight" colors that are still vibrant and rich.Light Sets (Light 1-18): These are not just white with a drop of color. They are distinct, high-key hues often used for finishing highlights.Ocean Blue (OB): A specific fan-favorite cycle that captures the teal/turquoise spectrum perfectly.5. Summary ChecklistTexture: Medium-soft (softer than Rembrandt, firmer than Schmincke).Numbering: Organized by Cycles, typically in blocks of 6.Best For: Everything. They are robust enough for underpainting but soft enough for final details.Weakness: Labels. They fall off easily, making it hard to re-order specific colors if you aren't organized.Price Point: Premium. These are professional-grade materials priced accordingly.

Founded in London in 1832, Winsor & Newton is one of the world’s most iconic art material manufacturers, blending a rich historical archive with modern pigment chemistry. Their pastel ranges are designed to offer artists a sophisticated balance of color intensity and controlled handling. By utilizing high-quality pigments and a refined manufacturing process, Winsor & Newton ensures that their pastels provide a consistent, reliable experience for both studio work and quick field sketching. Whether you are looking for the delicate, airy layering of a soft pastel or the rich, impasto-like capabilities of an oil pastel, Winsor & Newton provides a professional system that emphasizes lightfastness and brilliant color clarity.Choose a specific product line below to view user reviews and details about pigment load, relative cost, lightfastness, and hardness.Specific Product LinesWinsor & Newton Artists' Soft Pastels: The professional, master-quality dry tier. These pastels are formulated with the highest quality pigments to ensure a velvety, smooth texture and maximum color brilliance. They feature a medium-soft hardness—slightly firmer than handmade brands—which allows for both broad, expressive strokes and more controlled, detailed application. With a high pigment load and exceptional lightfastness, they offer a luminous dispersion that is easy to blend and layer. They are specifically engineered to provide a consistent, non-gritty feel across the entire palette of 120 colors.Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Pastels: The professional, high-quality oil tier. These oil pastels are formulated with a unique blend of waxes and oils to create a rich, creamy consistency that remains workable for extended periods. They offer a medium hardness that provides excellent control for fine lines and detailed work, while still being soft enough to blend smoothly with fingertips or a tortillon. With a professional pigment load and a focus on archival permanence, they are highly resistant to fading and cracking. They are a favored choice for artists who demand the intensity of oil paint in a convenient, portable stick format.