10 Best Oil Pastel 2025 in the United States

The MUNGYO Gallery Artists' Soft Oil Pastels Professional set offers a diverse range of 48 vibrant, assorted colors, making it suitable for artists looking for variety in their palette. The pastels are described as soft with a broad point type, which implies a smooth texture and good consistency, essential for creating rich, detailed artwork. Users have rated these pastels highly, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 3,000 reviews, indicating strong customer satisfaction and a solid reputation in the arts and crafts community.

The blendability of these pastels is a highlighted feature, which facilitates the creation of seamless transitions and gradients in artworks. The brand MUNGYO is well-regarded, and the product ranks highly in the drawing pastels category, suggesting reliability and popularity. The product's weight and size are quite manageable, making it a convenient choice for both home and travel use.

Artists who prioritize pigment quality, blendability, and color range will likely find this set to be a valuable addition to their supplies. The primary drawback might concern professionals focused on the longevity of their work.

The Pentel Arts Oil Pastel Set, Assorted Colors, with 25 pastel sticks, is a popular choice for artists of all ages. One of its primary strengths lies in its brilliant pigments, which are noted for their vividness and ability to apply smoothly. This makes blending to achieve subtle shades, tints, and color mixtures quite straightforward.

The pastels are also acid-free, ensuring that artwork remains unaffected by the paper's acidity over time, and they are more resistant to humidity compared to chalk pastels, contributing to the longevity of the drawings. The wide color range included in the set provides ample variety for creative projects. Additionally, being ACMI Certified reassures users of the product's safety standards.

On the downside, while the pastels are easy to use, their texture may not be as creamy as some higher-end brands, potentially requiring more effort to achieve certain effects. Furthermore, the lightfastness of these pastels is not explicitly mentioned, which might be a consideration for artists concerned about long-term color preservation. The Pentel Arts Oil Pastel Set is a commendable option for beginners and hobbyists looking for a reliable and easy-to-use pastel set.

The Paul Rubens Oil Pastel set features 72 vibrant colors, making it an appealing choice for artists looking to enhance their creative expression. One of its standout strengths is the creamy texture, which allows for smooth blending and a variety of techniques, ideal for both beginners and experienced artists. This feature can truly help users achieve beautiful gradients and layered effects in their artwork. Additionally, the high-quality materials used in these pastels contribute to their lightfastness, ensuring that your creations maintain their vividness over time. The unique bullet head design also aids in precision, enabling artists to create both fine details and broader strokes with ease.

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. While the soft texture is great for blending, some users might find them too soft for detailed work, potentially leading to breakage if not handled carefully. Beginners might also need some time to get accustomed to the pastel's characteristics. Moreover, although the set offers a broad color range, some users may desire even more unique shades for specific techniques.

The Paul Rubens Oil Pastel set is a versatile and high-quality choice for artists, providing rich colors and a smooth blending experience. It's particularly suited for those interested in exploring various artistic techniques, although caution is advised for those focused on detailed work.