Oil pastels are sophisticated and high-quality artist pastels that we can use to make really stunning paintings, from photo-realistic images to impressionistic scenes or fully abstract studies.
So let’s have a look at which oil pastels you should get!
Overview: Best Oil Pastels for Artists in 2026
Best Professional Grade Oil Pastels Sets
Set of 36, Multicolor
Best Value Professional Grade Oil Pastels Sets
120 or 50 Count, Multicolor
Best Student Grade Oil Pastels
Set of 72 - Assorted Colors
Best Value Student Grade Oil Pastels Sets
Set of 50, Assorted Colors
Best Value Student Grade Oil Pastels Sets
50 Colors Artist Soft Oil Pastels Vibrant and Creamy, Suitable for Artists, Beginners, Students, Kids
Best Oil Pastels for Kids
Classpack, 12 Brilliant Opaque Colors, Count of 336
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My Favorite Oil Pastels
I really enjoy Caran d’Ache Neopastels. The colors are incredibly vivid and luminous, and the consistency makes every technique not just possible, but easy and genuinely fun. They’re a joy to work with.
Best Professional Grade Oil Pastels Sets
Best Professional Grade Oil Pastels Sets
Set of 36, Multicolor
As much as I enjoy working with Caran d’Ache Neopastels, I have to admit; Sennelier Grand oil pastels are better.
They’re the top choice of many professional artists for a reason: buttery smooth texture, flawless blendability, and unmatched color quality. The pigments are so rich and concentrated that the colors feel alive: deep, vibrant, and luminous in a way that’s hard to describe until you use them.
Every shade, every batch, delivers consistently stunning results, with a level of subtlety and energy that sets them apart from any other oil pastel, and most other paints, period.
While Neopastels are still my personal favorite to work with, Sennelier Grands are the best oil pastels you can buy.
Best Value Professional Grade Oil Pastels Sets
Best Value Professional Grade Oil Pastels Sets
120 or 50 Count, Multicolor
Given everything I’ve said about Sennelier Grand vs. Caran d’Ache Neopastels, it would make sense to call Neopastels the best value in pro-level oil pastels.
But I have to side with the many fine artists who swear by the Sennelier Picasso oil pastels; and they have a point.
They’re significantly more affordable than the Grand line, yet surprisingly close in quality. The texture, coverage, and finish are nearly identical, and the colors are stunning—vivid, expressive, and full of that signature Sennelier glow.
If you’re aiming for absolute top-tier, the Grands still win. But if you want professional-grade oil pastels without the premium price, the Sennelier Picassos are an unbeatable value, and my pick for the best in that category.
Best Professional Grade Oil Pastels Individual Sticks
Best Professional Grade Oil Pastels Individual Sticks
Various colors
This one’s easy. Everything artists love about Sennelier Grand and Picasso oil pastels is available in individual sticks; same rich colors, same buttery texture, same luminous quality.
It’s a great way to start small or replace colors without buying a full set. Granted, a single Grand stick can be pricey, sometimes more than an entire budget set, but the Picasso line offers nearly the same quality at a fraction of the cost.
Both are exceptional, and together they’re my top pick for the best individual oil pastels you can buy.
Best Student Grade Oil Pastels
Remember how I said some student-grade pastels can outperform so-called professional ones? Mungyo Gallery soft oil pastels are the perfect example.
Technically not labeled as student pastels, their creamy texture, excellent blendability, and rich, luminous colors easily compete with more expensive pro brands. The only thing “student” about them is the price, which is incredibly low for the quality you get.
My pick for best student-grade oil pastels, and a great choice for beginners, students, or budget-conscious artists looking for top-tier performance.
Best Value Student Grade Oil Pastels Overall Sets
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Check Latest PriceBest Value Student Grade Oil Pastels Sets
50 Colors Artist Soft Oil Pastels Vibrant and Creamy, Suitable for Artists, Beginners, Students, Kids
Like the Mungyo set above, neither the Sakura nor Paul Rubens oil pastels are labeled “student”, but both are perfect for beginners and students in terms of price and performance, and far better than many pastels marketed as student-grade.
Both sets have a smooth, blendable texture that still offers enough firmness for detail work, making them great for learning techniques and experimenting with styles. They also mix and thin well, adding even more versatility for practice and play.
If I had to compare:
- Paul Rubens have a slightly better consistency and blend beautifully.
- Sakura may edge ahead in color vibrancy and that subtle glow in the finished work.
That said, both are excellent, and it’s hard to go wrong.
Best Oil Pastels for Kids
Best Oil Pastels for Kids
Classpack, 12 Brilliant Opaque Colors, Count of 336
With their thick, easy-to-hold bodies and a smart selection of 12 bright, opaque colors, Crayola oil pastels are ideal for kids of all ages, simple, vibrant, and fun to use without being overwhelming.
They’re made from non-toxic, acid-free materials, are fully washable, and completely safe—even for younger children.
While parents will appreciate the safety, it’s the smooth feel and vivid colors that keep kids engaged, building confidence and creativity.
What Should You Look for When Getting Oil Pastels?
Great oil pastels give you creamy color, clean blends, and layers that hold without crumbling. Use these criteria to choose a set that fits how you draw and paint.
Grade, Pigment & Lightfastness
Artist-grade sticks carry more pigment and less filler, so mixes stay vivid and layers go further.
- Look for: pigment codes, LF ratings (ASTM I/II or brand scale), strong tinting strength.
- Watch out for: vague “hue” colors, chalky tints, weak coverage.
Softness/Hardness & Handling Feel
Body affects detail, coverage, and layering.
- Softer: buttery laydown, lush coverage, easy blending—can mush in heat.
- Firmer: finer lines, hatching, and underlayers—less smudgey, great for detail.
- Tip: many artists build with firm sticks, then finish with soft.
Layering, Blending & Adhesion
Oil pastels never “dry hard,” so good adhesion matters.
- Look for: smooth layering from light → dark, blends with finger, paper stump, or OMS (odorless mineral spirits).
- Watch out for: waxy skids, underlayers that scrape off, crumbly piles when you add pressure.
Surface & Tooth Compatibility
The right paper makes blends easy and layers stable.
- Best bets: sanded pastel papers, heavyweight mixed-media paper, gessoed boards, canvas with a light tooth.
- Watch out for: slick sketchbook paper (poor grip), thin stock that buckles with solvent.
Color Range & Palette Design
A thoughtful palette beats a giant set of duplicates.
- Look for: light–mid–dark steps in favorite hues, warm/cool primaries, useful earths, warm/cool grays, skin tones if needed.
- Watch out for: sets heavy on near-identical brights but missing neutrals.
Stick Size, Shape & Casing
Ergonomics change how you work.
- Look for: full-size sticks for coverage; square or wrapped sticks for cleaner fingers and crisp edges; mini sticks for travel.
- Watch out for: brittle wrappers, tiny half-sticks posing as “large” sets.
Solvent & Mixed-Media Behavior
Decide if you’ll blend with solvent or keep it dry.
- Solvent-friendly: most OPs melt beautifully with OMS or citrus-based solvent for paint-like effects.
- Mixed media: plays well with graphite, colored pencil, and acrylic underlayers (let acrylic cure).
- Watch out for: heavy watercolor underlayers (may bead) and gouache over OP (won’t adhere well).
Archival, Bloom & Finishing
OPs remain workable; protect finished pieces.
- Look for: acid-free supports, archival framing under glass, and interleave with glassine for storage.
- Watch out for: overreliance on fixative—OP fixatives reduce smudge but don’t “set” like spray varnish.
Open Stock, Availability & Value
You’ll burn through whites, earths, and skin tones.
- Look for: open stock replacements, consistent supply, sensible price per stick.
- Watch out for: sets you can’t refill mid-project.
Safety & Studio Practicalities
Mind pigments and solvents.
- Look for: non-toxic labels (AP/CE), low-odor OMS if you blend wet, wipes for quick cleanup.
- Watch out for: heavy-metal pigments without precautions; solvent rags—store safely.
3-Minute In-Store (or At-Home) Test
- Fill a 1×2″ block—check for even coverage and crumbs.
- Layer firm → soft in three passes—should build without tearing up the underlayer.
- Blend half the block dry, half with a touch of OMS—look for smooth transitions.
- Add dark over light linework—edges should stay crisp without sinking.
Pick the feel (soft vs firm), the surface (sanded vs smooth), and the workflow (dry vs solvent) that match your style; everything else follows.
Other articles in the Artists Kits & Sets series:
- Artist’s Guide to Oil Painting for Beginners
- Essential Oil Painting Supplies for Artists
- Best Oil Paint Sets for Artists
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Brushes
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Palette
- Choosing the Best Canvas for Oil Painting
- Best Palette Knives and Pallete Knife Set
- Choosing the Best Painting Easel
- Best Professional Artist Kits
- Best Art Supplies for Travel Art Kit
- Best Gouache Paint Sets
- Best Artist Inks
Other articles in the Watercolor, Acrylic, Gouache, and Oils series:
- Best Watercolor Sketchbook
- Best Watercolor Pencils
- Best Watercolor Paints
- Best Watercolor Paper
- Best Watercolor Brushes
- Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paint for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paper and Canvas for Artists
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
