Imagine a world where your colors blend like magic, where every stroke feels controlled and vibrant. For artists who pour their heart into their creations, the right tools make all the difference. But when it comes to professional pastel pencils, the choices can feel overwhelming, can’t they?
Many artists face frustration when trying to pick the perfect set. You want pencils that are smooth, lightfast, and offer a rich pigment. But with so many brands and types, it’s easy to get lost. You might worry about wasting money on pencils that don’t perform, or settling for colors that aren’t quite right. It’s a common challenge for anyone serious about their art.
This guide is here to help. We’ll break down what makes pastel pencils “professional” and what you should look for. By the end, you’ll feel confident choosing pencils that will elevate your artwork and bring your visions to life. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of professional pastel pencils!
Our Top 5 Pastel Pencils For Professionals Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Pastel Pencils For Professionals Detailed Reviews
1. Faber-Castell Pitt® Pastel Pencils – Tin of 60
Rating: 8.9/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Faber-Castell Pitt® Pastel Pencils – Tin of 60! This amazing set gives you a huge range of colors to play with. Faber-Castell is a company known for making really good art supplies. They have been around since 1761, so they know what they are doing! These pencils are like magic for drawing. They are perfect for making detailed pictures, like people or fancy patterns.
What We Like:
- Super bright colors that won’t fade.
- Great for drawing tiny details.
- Easy to blend colors for smooth pictures.
- You don’t need much spray to keep your art looking fresh.
- Comes in a handy tin for easy storage.
What Could Be Improved:
- Might be a bit too advanced for very young artists.
- The tin can be a bit bulky to carry around.
If you love drawing and want to create beautiful, colorful art, this set is a fantastic choice. It will help you make your drawings truly pop!
2. KALOUR Pro Pastel Chalk Colored Pencils
Rating: 8.5/10
Unleash your inner artist with the KALOUR Pro Pastel Chalk Colored Pencils! This set of 72 vibrant colors offers a fantastic way for anyone, from beginners to seasoned artists, to bring their drawings, sketches, and coloring projects to life. These pencils are designed to help you create beautiful, realistic portraits and add depth to any artwork.
What We Like:
- Vibrant and Blendable Colors: The high-quality pastel pigments deliver excellent color and are easy to mix and blend, letting you create a wide range of shades.
- Artist-Quality: These pencils are wax and oil-free, making them perfect for detailed work and suitable for fine art applications.
- Versatile Use: They work beautifully for drawing, sketching, coloring, and shading, and they show up great on both light and dark paper.
- Beginner Friendly: The colors are made from top-notch materials, making them easy to blend with fingers or tools for various artistic effects.
- Safe and Non-Toxic: You can feel good about using these pencils, as they are made from safe, non-toxic materials.
- Complete Set: The set includes 72 pencils, a gift metal tin box for storage, and a DIY color chart to get you started.
What Could Be Improved:
- Sharpening Tip: Be careful when sharpening; a utility knife is recommended as regular sharpeners can break the pastel lead.
- Age Restriction: Not suitable for children under 3 years old due to small parts.
Overall, the KALOUR Pro Pastel Chalk Colored Pencils offer a rich, blendable color experience for artists of all levels. They are a wonderful addition to any art supply collection, providing quality and versatility for your creative endeavors.
3. Faber-Castel FC112136 Pitt Pastel Pencils in A Metal Tin (36 Pack)
Rating: 9.3/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils in a sturdy metal tin. This 36-pack set offers a vibrant spectrum of colors, perfect for creating stunning artwork. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, these pencils are designed for effortless creativity.
What We Like:
- Vibrant Colors: The set includes 36 assorted pastel pencils, giving you a wide range of shades to choose from.
- Easy to Use: These pencils are smooth and blendable, making them simple to work with for all skill levels.
- Portable Tin: The durable metal tin protects your pencils and keeps them organized, so you can take your art supplies anywhere.
- Quality Brand: Faber-Castell is known for its high-quality art materials, ensuring a great drawing experience.
What Could Be Improved:
- Color Duplicates: While the assortment is great, some users might prefer a set with fewer color duplicates if they already own many pastel pencils.
- Pastel Dust: Like most pastel pencils, these can produce some dust when sharpening or blending, which is a common characteristic of the medium.
This Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencil set is a fantastic addition to any artist’s toolkit. It provides excellent color options and ease of use for a rewarding creative experience.
4. LIGHTWISH Professional Pastel Pencils for Artists set of 24 colors for Portrait Painting and more -ideal for mixed media layering
Rating: 8.9/10
Unleash your inner artist with the LIGHTWISH Professional Pastel Pencils. This set of 24 vibrant colors is perfect for anyone who loves to draw, sketch, or color. Whether you’re painting portraits or creating mixed media masterpieces, these pencils offer smooth application and brilliant results. They are great for layering, blending, and making unique marks. You can even use them with traditional pastel painting techniques.
What We Like:
- A complete set of 24 beautiful pastel chalk pencils in a sturdy metal gift case.
- Each pencil has a thick 4.2mm core that’s made from quality basswood, making them strong and less likely to break.
- The colors are super pigmented and lay down smoothly, which makes blending, shading, and layering colors easy.
- They are non-toxic and acid-free, making them safe for all ages.
- The pencils are labeled with their color number and lightfastness rating, so you always know which color you’re using and how long it will last.
- The metal box is perfect for keeping your pencils organized and makes a wonderful gift for any artist.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the set offers a good range, a larger set with more colors might be desirable for artists needing a wider palette.
The LIGHTWISH Pastel Pencils are a fantastic choice for artists of all levels. They provide excellent quality and versatility for your creative projects.
5. Castle Art Supplies Pasteltint Colored Pencils Tin Set
Rating: 9.2/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Castle Art Supplies Pasteltint Colored Pencils. This set features 48 beautiful pastel shades in a gift-worthy tin case. The pencils have a softer, richer tone, perfect for creating evocative artwork. They are designed for both professional artists and adults looking to explore their creativity.
What We Like:
- The 48 unique pastel colors offer a wide range of soft, vibrant tints.
- The pencils are made with artist-grade pigments and encased in smooth basswood for comfortable control.
- They provide velvety smooth coverage and are easily blendable for creating various shades and textures.
- The set includes a helpful 28-page handbook with techniques and step-by-step tutorials for popular illustrations.
- The presentation tin case is attractive and keeps the pencils organized in three layered trays.
- Castle Art Supplies backs their product with a money-back guarantee, showing confidence in its quality.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the pencils are great for blending, sharpening them for very fine details might require a good quality sharpener.
- The softer core, while excellent for blending, might be more prone to breakage than harder pencils if dropped.
This set truly opens up new artistic possibilities, making it a fantastic addition to any artist’s collection. You’ll enjoy the smooth application and the beautiful results you can achieve.
Choosing the Best Pastel Pencils for Your Professional Art
Pastel pencils are a fantastic tool for artists. They offer the vibrant colors of soft pastels but with the control of a pencil. This guide will help you pick the right pastel pencils for your professional needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re buying pastel pencils, a few things really matter.
- Pigment Quality: High-quality pigments mean brighter, truer colors. Look for pencils that use pure, lightfast pigments. This means the colors won’t fade over time when exposed to light.
- Color Range: A good set will have a wide variety of colors. Think about the types of subjects you usually draw. Do you need lots of skin tones, earthy colors, or bright, bold shades?
- Softness/Hardness: Pastel pencils come in different hardness levels. Softer pencils lay down more color and are great for blending. Harder pencils are better for fine details and sharp lines. Many professional sets offer a range of hardness.
- Break Resistance: You don’t want your pencil leads breaking all the time. Good quality pencils have leads that are less likely to snap. This saves you money and frustration.
- Erasability: Sometimes you make a mistake or want to change something. The ability to erase or lift color cleanly is important for many artists.
Important Materials
The materials used in pastel pencils directly affect their performance.
- Pigments: These are the colored powders that make up the core of the pencil. The higher the pigment concentration, the richer the color.
- Binder: A binder holds the pigment together. For pastel pencils, this is usually a minimal amount of gum arabic or a similar substance. Too much binder makes the pencil feel waxy or chalky, reducing the pastel feel.
- Wood Casing: The wood encasing the lead should be smooth and well-made. It protects the lead and feels comfortable in your hand. Cedar wood is often used because it’s easy to sharpen.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make a difference in the quality of pastel pencils.
- Lightfastness Ratings: Manufacturers often provide lightfastness ratings. Look for pencils with high ratings (like ASTM I or II). This means your artwork will last longer.
- Binder Amount: As mentioned, a low binder content is ideal for a true pastel experience. Pencils with too much binder can feel like colored pencils, not pastels.
- Uniformity: Consistent color and hardness across all pencils in a set is a sign of good manufacturing.
- Sharpening Ability: Pencils that sharpen to a fine point without crumbling are superior. This allows for detailed work.
User Experience and Use Cases
Pastel pencils offer a unique artistic experience.
- Layering and Blending: You can layer colors smoothly and blend them with your fingers, a tortillon, or a brush. This creates soft transitions and rich textures.
- Detail Work: Because they are pencils, you can achieve fine lines and intricate details that are difficult with soft pastels alone. This makes them perfect for portraits, landscapes, and still life.
- Portability: Pastel pencils are much less messy than soft pastels. They are easy to carry around, making them great for sketching on the go or working in different locations.
- Mixed Media: They work well with other art mediums. You can use them over or under watercolors, acrylics, or other drawing materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Pastel Pencils for Professionals
Q: What makes professional pastel pencils different from student-grade ones?
A: Professional pastel pencils use higher quality pigments with better lightfastness. They also have a finer texture and a more consistent feel, leading to richer colors and smoother blending.
Q: Can I use pastel pencils on any type of paper?
A: Pastel pencils work best on textured paper designed for pastels or charcoal. This texture, called “tooth,” helps the pastel particles grip the surface. Smooth paper won’t hold the color as well.
Q: How do I sharpen pastel pencils without breaking the lead?
A: Use a sharp craft knife or a high-quality pencil sharpener designed for soft leads. Sharpen slowly and gently. Some artists prefer to use a sanding block for a very fine point.
Q: Are pastel pencils messy to use?
A: They are less messy than soft pastels, but some dust will still be produced when sharpening or applying color. It’s a good idea to work in a well-ventilated area and have a cloth or brush handy to wipe away excess dust.
Q: How do I blend colors with pastel pencils?
A: You can blend using your finger, a paper blending tool (tortillon or stump), a soft brush, or even a chamois cloth. Experiment to see which method gives you the look you want.
Q: What is “lightfastness” and why is it important?
A: Lightfastness refers to how well a color resists fading when exposed to light. High lightfastness ratings mean your artwork will keep its vibrant colors for a long time.
Q: Can I layer pastel pencils over other media?
A: Yes, you can layer pastel pencils over dry media like charcoal or graphite, and even over dried watercolor or acrylic washes. This allows for creative mixed-media artwork.
Q: How do I fix my pastel pencil drawings?
A: You can use a workable fixative spray. Apply it in light, even coats from a distance. This will help prevent smudging without making the colors too dark or shiny.
Q: Are there specific pastel pencil brands that professionals recommend?
A: Many professionals favor brands like Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel, Caran d’Ache Neopastel, and Stabilo CarbOthello. However, personal preference plays a big role.
Q: What is the difference between pastel pencils and colored pencils?
A: Pastel pencils have a higher pigment load and a binder that allows them to feel and blend like soft pastels. Colored pencils have a waxier or oilier binder, making them harder and better for sharp, precise lines without dust.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.