Oil Pastels



Oil pastels are becoming very popular among both professional and student artists because they feature such vibrant, rich, and sensual colors that are easy to use and easy to work with. Oil pastels allow artists to simply work free from distraction as there is no need to premix them on a palette, no mediums to add and oil pastels can be used on nearly all surfaces. This directory will provide you the basics on pastels as well as link you to the best places on the Web to find all of your oil pastel needs.

Oil pastels are similar to chalk but are actually comprised of a powdered pigment that is bound together with a resin and shaped into a pencil, stick, or crayon. Oil pastels are not only easy to use but also convenient to transport for the artist who is on the go. Oil pastels are used quite often for sketching but can be used for other works.

Choosing quality oil pastels is a priority if you want your works to last a lifetime. Always choose the best quality oil pastel that you can possibly afford because cheaper varieties may begin to fade quickly. It is also important to remember that oil pastels never dry out completely so they must be protected by applying a special fixative to the artwork once completed. The best quality oil pastels and oil pastel sets are made by Sennelier, Holbein, and Sakura.

Sennelier oil pastel sets are almost like lipstick and provide wonderful cover, outstanding opacity and can be thinned (if desired) with turpentine and applied with brushes. Sennelier oil pastels are acid-free and available in regular or grand sizes – which are equivalent to eight traditionally sized sticks. The Sennelier brand of oil pastels has been in production for nearly seventy years. Holbein oil pastels and oil pastel sets are available in 141 colors, including 42 primary colors. Holbein oil pastels have a unique square shape that many artists appreciate, are soft and easy to blend and use. Holbein has been using the same formula for its oil pastels for years – quality pigment, wax and mineral oil. Sakura’s oil pastels and oil pastel sets are produced with extra-find quality pigments, oils, and waxes. Sakura’s brand of oil pastels are perfect for most surfaces, including wood, canvas, paper, and board.

Oil pastels can allow the artist the flexibility to employ thick or thin effects, just like with oil paints by tempering the amount of pressure on the pastel medium. Oil pastels can also be utilized to create a light glaze or wash effect when mixed with thinners. Additionally, oil pastels can be used with water-based mediums like watercolors and acrylics without problems.
Working with oil pastels can be very rewarding once you have the hang of it. Experimentation is your friend when it comes to oil pastel work, so don’t be afraid to goof up a bit. Using our art supply directory is a great way to find the best oil pastels and oil pastel sets for your next project, and we will be continually updating our content to provide you with links to the premium oil pastel supplies that you need.

Van Gogh Oil Pastels

Van Gogh Oil Pastels

These oil pastels are perfect for older or more advanced students. They are intense in color and particularly soft and pleasant to use, not just on paper and board but also on wood or earthenware. Talens includes many of the same single pigment colors found in professional brands, but at a more economcial price. Individual pastels are round with paper sleeves and measure 2-3/4" × 7/16" (70 mm × 11 mm). All 48 colors in the full 48-color set are available in open stock. Replace individual colors as they are used up, and keep your sets complete.

Sennelier Oil Pastels

Sennelier Oil Pastels

Sennelier Oil Pastels (Pastels à l'Huile), manufactured in Paris, are made with carefully selected mineral andorganic pigments, mixed with a specially formulated non-dryingbinder, and combined with the finest quality wax.The exceptionally creamy texture of Sennelier Oil Pastels is achieved through the perfect blending of these three elements. Sennelier Oil Pastels adhere strictly to standards for acid-free and archival permanence. The binder and mineral wax are both acid-free The resulting sticks feel like a soft pastel, but look and act like oil paints. Less fragile than traditional pastels, they can be built up to create heavy impasto effects, or combined with oil painting mediums for glazing and wash techniques. Sennelier Oil Pastels can be combined with other painting mediums to achieve unique effects.The concentration of high-quality pigments used in Sennelier Oil Pastels gives them exceptional covering power, vibrancy, and intensity. Sennelier Oil Pastels contain no oxidants. This guarantees preservation of the color intensity of the pigments without yellowing or cracking, and it also prevents deterioration of the surface or support. Because they contain no oxidants, oil pastels will never dry out, but the surface can be sealed with a fixative. Individual sticks are paper wrapped, and measure 2-5/8" × 3/8" (67 mm × 10 mm).

Holbein Academic Oil Pastel Sets

Holbein Academic Oil Pastel Sets

These superior student grade oil pastels feature smooth, even pigmentation and no hard spots or bubbles. They handle, blend, and clean easily. Like all oil pastels, Holbein Academic pastels do not readily break and can be used on virtually any surface. They're ideal for quick sketching and student use. Individual pastels are paper-wrapped and measure 13/32" diameter × 2-3/4" long (10 mm × 70 mm) .

Sakura Cray-Pas Specialist Oil Pastel Sets

Sakura Cray-Pas Specialist Oil Pastel Sets

Specifically developed and formulated to meet the demanding standards of professional artists, these pastels have exceptional color intensity and luminosity. Using high concentrations of extra fine pigments, Sakura created extremely smooth and soft textured pastels that are highly lightfast and suitable for any technique — from fine detail using their square corners, to glazing and wash techniques with a variety of oil painting mediums. 2-1/2" × 3/8" square pastels, unwrapped.

Holbein Artist's Oil Pastel Sets

Holbein Artist's Oil Pastel Sets

Over 50 years of research, development, and manufacturing expertise have gone into making Holbein Oil Pastels perfectly uniform in color distribution, stability, and texture. Oil pastels are cleaner than soft pastels, resist crumbling, and do not pose the health risk of breathing dust. The stick size of Holbein Artist's Quality Oil Pastels is 3/8" square × 2-3/4" long. These pastels are packaged with five assorted color sticks in a plastic case, and arranged in a cardboard box.50-Color Wooden Box Set — These pastels are ordered in a five-shade spectrum from darkest to lightest. For example, you'll receive a Cobalt Blue pastel and four other gradations that progressively lighten in value. Each color is ordered in a five-shade spectrum from darkest to lightest. For example, Cobalt Blue comes in five gradations that progressively lighten in value.

Sennelier Oil Pastel Sets

Sennelier Oil Pastel Sets

Sennelier Oil Pastels (Pastels à l'Huile), manufactured in Paris, are made with carefully selected mineral and organic pigments, mixed with a specially formulated non-drying binder, and combined with the finest quality wax. Sennelier Oil Pastels have an exceptionally creamy texture. They adhere strictly to standards for acid-free and archival permanence. The binder and mineral wax are both acid-free. Sennelier Oil Pastels can be combined with other painting mediums to achieve unique effects. The concentration of high-quality pigments used in Sennelier Oil Pastels gives them exceptional covering power, vibrancy, and intensity. Sennelier Oil Pastels contain no oxidants. This guarantees preservation of the color intensity of the pigments without yellowing or cracking, and it also prevents deterioration of the surface or support. Because they contain no oxidants, oil pastels will never dry out, but the surface can be sealed with a fixative. Note — To protect an oil pastel surface from dirt and dust, apply a fixative 8 to 10 days after the work is completed. The fixative will not dry the work. If desired, a final varnish spray can be applied to seal the surface permanently, but this may adversely affect future restoration possibilities.

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