Ready to try something new and get creative?

Soft pastels are a great way for artists of all ages to unleash their creative side.

With such a wide range of colors and textures, it's easy to create any look you desire.

If you're looking for a versatile drawing tool that can be used for everything from simple sketches to stunning artwork, soft pastels might be just what you need.

Plus, they come in a rainbow of colors, so you can create any look you desire.

In this article we'll take a closer look at the best soft pastels available and what makes them great for artists of all ages.

Let's get started and browse the selections of the best soft pastels to find the right set for you!

How We Choose Our Selections

It can be hard to find the right art supplies, especially if you're new to art or don't know where to start.

Not all art supplies are created equal and it can be tough to figure out what you need.

Do you need watercolors, pencils, and pastels?

What about a sketchbook?

How much variety do you need for your art kit, and how much will it cost your wallet?

We've done the research for you, reading thousands of Amazon reviews, and have found the best soft pastels for artists of all skill levels.

Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned pro, we've got the perfect soft pastel set for you.

Best Soft Pastels Starter Set

Mungyo Soft Pastels

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Why We Love It

The Mungyo soft pastel set is the perfect way to get started with this fun and versatile medium.

With 48 different colors, there's something for everyone in this set.

Since they're soft pastels, they're easy to work with and produce beautiful results.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, Mungyo's pastel half sticks are a great choice for anyone wanting to explore the world of pastels.

What You Should Know

If you're looking for a solid soft pastel set, the Mungyo soft pastels are a great option.

These pastels contain no oil, so they're similar to chalk.

They draw easily, allowing you to create stunning, vibrant artwork.

Mungyo provides great student grade pastels.

Mungyo's pastel set is an Amazon's Choice product, so you know this is a great find!

Best Soft Pastels Bulk Set

Colour Block Soft Pastels

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Why We Love It

Searching for a way to add some serious color to your life?

Look no further than Colour Block’s pastel set!

With 100 different colors available, you can let your creativity run wild and create whatever you can imagine.

These high-quality pastels are perfect for creating sharp, thin lines or broad strokes, so you can express yourself however you like.

Whether you’re a budding artist or just looking for a fun way to pass the time, Colour Block’s pastels are a great option for you.

Why not give them a try today?

What You Should Know

These half stick pastels are perfect for any artist looking to take their drawings to the next level.

The pastels are encased in a sturdy, lightweight, wooden box, ensuring that they won't break during transport.

With Colour Bank's great reputation, you can rest assured that you're getting a high-quality product.

Don't wait any longer, order your Colour Block set today!

Best Soft Pastels Intermediate Set

Hashi Soft Pastels

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Why We Love It

Want a set that's perfect for blending and gradients?

Hashi’s half stick pastels have got you covered!

This set of 64 vibrant colors is made of quality materials, so you can be sure your colors won’t fade easily.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, these pastels are ideal for drawing and illustration.

Plus, they come in a handy storage box, so you can keep them organized and protected when you’re not using them.

What You Should Know

Hashi's pastel set is a great choice for anyone interested in trying soft pastels.

The set includes pastels made with safe, high-quality pigments and materials.

These pastels are an Amazon's Choice product and are great gifts for students, hobbyists, and professionals.

Best of all, they are made with safe, high-quality pigments and materials and are great gifts for students, hobbyists, and professionals.

Hashi's set is a great choice for anyone interested in trying soft pastels and makes an excellent gift and addition to anyone's art kit.

Best Soft Pastels Artist Set

Faber-Castell Soft Pastels

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Why We Love It

On the look out for a set that will let your inner artist run wild?

Check out the artist-grade soft pastels from the Faber-Castell Creative Studio.

Their creative studio soft pastels comes with 24 vivid colours.

This versatile pastel stick set is perfect for aspiring artists, art students, and anyone who loves being creative.

The smooth, rich color laydown is perfect for coloring large areas or finely detailed images, making them great artist-grade pastels.

Plus, the vibrant colors are sure to bring your creations to life.

So, go ahead and let your imagination run wild with Faber-Castell's soft pastels.

What You Should Know

Faber-Castell's set is perfect for creating beautiful artwork on paper.

These artist-grade pastels are made from high quality materials, and they glide smoothly on the paper, making them a pleasure to use.

With a solid range of colors to choose from, you'll be able to create any type of effect you want.

Both beginners and professional artists will be able to elevate their artwork to the next level with these soft pastel sticks.

These pastels have smooth consistency that you won't be disappointed in.

Since they're an Amazon's Choice product, you can be sure that you're getting a great value for your money.

Don't wait any longer, order your Faber-Castell set today!

Best Soft Pastels Professional Set

Sennelier Soft Pastels

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Why We Love It

If you want a set that will take your breath away, look no further than the Sennelier professional-grade pastels set of 120 colors!

Sennelier soft pastels are premium drawing tools that you won't be disappointed with.

These pastels are made with 100% pure pigments, providing an incredibly rich and luxurious range of hues.

Whether you're a experienced artist or a beginner, you'll be amazed at the wide range of possibilities that these pastels provide.

Don't wait any longer and order your Sennelier soft pastels set today, so you can start creating beautiful works of art!

What You Should Know

It's no surprise that these soft pastels are an Amazon's Choice product because at Sennelier, their priority is the best quality art supplies.

Sennelier doesn't compress their pastel paste, allowing it to naturally dry in open air.

Their high-quality pigment is combined with natural, transparent binders.

The stunning, brilliant colors are a result of the pigment and natural mineral finds that Gustave Sennelier, chemist by trade, discovered in 1905.

These same pigments have been used ever since.

Their long-standing tradition and commitment to innovation make Sennelier soft pastels and other products exemplary.

These soft pastels are an excellent product for anyone who loves staying creative.

The you have endless color possibilities, as this set allows you to mix and match to create new shades as you please!

They're easy to apply and these soft pastel sticks glide smoothly across the page.

These are the best premium soft pastels you can find; other pastels just can't compete.

Most soft pastels will fall short in comparison, and this is the best soft pastel kit professional artists can use.

If you're serious about your art and want your art kit to follow suit, pick up a set of Sennelier soft pastels today!

Soft Pastel FAQs

Art supplies can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you're not sure how they work.

Pastels can be a bit intimidating to use, especially if you're not sure how they work.

It doesn't help that there are a large variety of pastel brands to choose from.

When buying soft pastels, you might not know where to start, and this can make you hesitant to pick up a new set.

Soft pastels are similar to charcoal, so they're messier than a lot of other drawing media, like markers or colored pencils.

We've created a guide with some of most frequently asked questions about soft pastels.

This should help you make an informed decision, so you can purchase the best soft pastels and get started using them right away.

Are chalk and soft pastels the same?

While chalk and soft pastels have similarities, they are not the same.

Chalk is a type of limestone that is made into a powder.

Some people call soft pastel sets "chalk pastels," but they're not the same thing.

Soft pastels, on the other hand, are made from pigment dusts mixed with a binder.

This binder allows soft pastels to be shaped into sticks.

The binder also makes soft pastels less likely to crumble than chalk.

Plus, soft pastels have more saturated color options than traditional chalk.

The best pastels have pure pigments because this means richer colors.

You can use both of these media types in similar fashions, but they aren't the same thing.

Are soft pastels the same as dry pastels?

People tend to use a lot of names interchangeably for soft pastels.

They are sometimes referred to as "chalk pastels" or "dry pastels."

Soft pastels aren't "chalk pastels" because they are not made from chalk.

Soft pastels are called "dry pastels" because they are a dry, drawing medium, especially when compared to their oil pastel counterparts.

These dry pastels come in fragile, finger-sized sticks that are comprised of powdered pigment and non-greasy binder.

Compared to oil pastels, they can make a mess with pastel dust when you use them.

What's the difference between soft and hard pastels?

The main difference between soft and hard pastels is the binder used to hold the pigment together.

Soft and hard pastel utilize the same materials when being created, but the difference boils down to the amounts of each.

Hard pastel has more binder and less pigment, whereas soft pastel has more pigment and less binder.

The extra binder makes hard pastels less likely to crumble or break easily, but, as a result, the color intensity is weakened.

Since hard pastels are firmer, they're ideal for sketching and for building up layers of color.

Soft pastels have a velvety texture and deposit saturated hues onto surfaces.

They’re ideal for blending and creating gradients of color.

The best soft pastel sets will allow you to create fine details.

Now that you know a little more about soft and hard pastels, it's time to start creating with them!

What's the difference between oil pastels and soft pastels?

The difference between oil pastels and soft pastels is that oil pastels are made with a binder, such as linseed oil, and soft pastels are made with a dry binder.

Oil pastels are stickier than soft pastels, and they produce a more solid color.

Soft pastels are smoother to the touch, and they produce a lighter color.

They are often square pastels that come as half sticks.

Both have their uses, and different pastel artists prefer oil pastels over soft pastels or vice versa.

Amongst the different soft pastel brands, you can find student grade pastels, artist grade soft pastels, and premium soft pastels.

Explore the different set types and pastel techniques to learn more about the medium.

Experiment with both to learn you preferences!

Which type of pastel is best?

When searching for the best pastels, you'll come across a lot of other pastels.

Some brands feature extra soft pastels or highly-pigmented oil pastels.

There is no definitive answer to which is best because it depends on personal preferences.

Some pastel artists prefer the smooth texture and vibrant colors of oil pastels, while others prefer the softer textures and and pure pigments of quality soft pastel.

Some artists absolutely adore extra soft pastels while others prefer hard pastels.

Some prefer artist-grade soft pastels while others prefer Faber-Castell Creative Studio pastels or Rembrandt soft pastels.

There are benefits and things to consider for each type of the other pastels.

Ultimately, it comes down to what makes you happiest as an artist.

Try out a few different types of pastels and pastel brands until you find the ones that work best for you.

Are soft pastels good for beginners?

Typically, soft pastels are a good choice for beginners as they are relatively inexpensive while providing nice color varieties.

Plus, soft pastels can be easier to control than hard pastels, depending on what your creative intentions are.

However, it really depends on what your specific goals are for your artwork.

If you're looking to achieve tightly controlled lines and details, then hard pastels may be a better option for you.

If you're looking to experiment with color and blending, a soft pastel kit may be the better option.

Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try out both types of pastels and see which you prefer.

How do artists use soft pastels?

Pastel artists use soft pastel in a variety of ways to create different effects.

The most common way is to apply the pastel directly to the surface with moderate pressure, resulting in a smooth, even layer of color.

Another way pastel artists use soft pastels is by blending two or more colors together to create new shades.

This can be done directly on the paper or canvas.

Soft pastels can also be used for creating texture by barely touching the surface with the pastel stick or using a dry brush technique.

Professional artists may also choose to fix their work once it is completed, by spraying it with a fixative or framing it under glass to protect the finished piece.

No matter what your skill level is, soft pastel is a great medium to work with.

They offer a wide range of colors, are relatively inexpensive, and can be used in a variety of ways to create different effects.

If you're looking to experiment with color and blending, soft pastels are a great option for you.

So go out and give them a try!

You might just be surprised at the results.

How do you choose quality soft pastels?

There are a few things to look for when choosing a quality soft pastel set.

The first is that the pigment should be very finely ground, so that it produces a smooth and creamy consistency when blended.

Secondly, the pastel should have a high degree of lightfastness, meaning that it will not fade when exposed to light.

It's also important to choose pastels from a reputable manufacturer who uses quality ingredients and environmentally-friendly production methods.

With so many soft pastel sets on the market, it can be tricky to know which ones are worth your money.

Some artists love to use studio-quality pastels, like Rembrandt soft pastels, while others don't mind using artist-grade pastels.

Find the best soft pastel kit with a smooth consistency and minimal pastel dust, so you can create stunning art.

Do your research and read reviews from other artists before making your purchase to prevent purchasing a product you regret.

Can you mix colored pencils with soft pastels?

Yes, you can mix colored pencils with soft pastels.

The two mediums can compliment each other nicely, and sometimes create colors that you wouldn't be able to get with either one alone.

Just make sure that the paper you're using is suitable for both mediums.

You can also combine pencil pastels with pastel sticks; using the pencil form with the pastel sticks allow you for a greater variety of line creation and detail application.

Pastel pencils are better for finer details compared to the rectangular pastels.

If you're not sure, it's always best to test a small area first before committing to the whole piece.

Running experiments before throwing yourself into a project can save you time and hassle in the long run because you can work out kinks beforehand.

Have fun experimenting!

What's the best paper for soft pastels?

There is specialty pastel paper types available, but the best paper for soft pastels is debated within the pastel art community.

Some argue that pastel paper should be fine and smooth in order to allow for detail, while others believe that lightly textured paper is necessary in order to create interesting effects and add depth to the work.

Different papers will also produce different results depending on the type of media you are using.

Softer media like conté crayons or oil pastels will require a rougher surface in order to grip the pigment, while harder media like charcoal can produce beautiful results on both types of paper.

The most important thing when choosing a paper for your pastel drawing is to experiment with different types and find one that you like working with.

You can even experiment with paper color and see how it impacts your art.

Once you find a paper that you're happy with, stick with it!

Do you sharpen soft pastels?

You don't have to sharpen soft pastels, but you can if you'd like.

There are a few ways to sharpen soft pastels.

One way is to use a craft knife or blade to shave the end of the pastel off.

You can also use sandpaper or an emery board to lightly sharpen the end of the pastel.

Which method you choose is up to you, and it may depend on the type of soft pastel you're using.

Some brands are harder than others, so you may need to adjust your sharpening method accordingly.

Just be mindful of pressure and grip while sharpening because a soft pastel stick is pretty fragile.

It would be a shame for you to accidentally snap and break a new pastel.

The Best Soft Pastels for You

Pastels are a great way to start out in the world of art.

They're relatively inexpensive, and they give you a lot of control over how light or dark your colors will be.

So, what are the best soft pastels for you?

After hours of research reading thousands of Amazon customer reviews, we’ve found the top soft pastel selections for all types of artists and creators.

Whether you're just starting out, only looking to dabble, or are a professional with a vast wealth of experience, there is a set perfect for your needs!

Hopefully, our findings have given you the necessary information, so you can walk away happy with your new supplies!

Whichever soft pastel kit you choose, we hope you have fun exploring the world of soft pastels!

Don't forget to tap the button to check Amazon for the prices of the best soft pastels, and be sure to check out our other articles on the best art tools to add to your art kit!

Thanks so much for reading and happy creating!


Want tips to help you get started? Check out Draw Awesome's guide for beginners!

If you'd like to see artwork I've made, you can find some at Redbubble, TeePublic, and TeeSpring.

And if you'd like to listen while creating like I do, you can get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime Music or Two Free Audiobooks from Audible Plus!

I love listening to a great book and epic music while working on art!

Plus, if you want to take advantage of 2-day shipping, get a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, or if you want to take advantage of down time, get a free 30-day trial of Prime Video!

Want to explore pastels further?

Check out our other pastel supply articles:

-Oil pastels

-Pastel pencils

Need paper to go with your new pastels?

Check out these articles:

-Oil pastel paper

-Pastel paper

You might also enjoy these other drawing supply articles:

-Charcoal pencils

-Colored Pencils

-Crayons

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