Pastels come in different forms ranging from soft, oil, hard, pan, and pencil pastels. However, regardless of the type, the one agreeable/common factor amongst them is that they are quite beautiful and can be used to achieve brilliant artwork. The color intensity of pastels is what sets them apart from other media.
Soft pastels are the original pastel form and typically have a creamy butter-like consistency and a powder-like texture which makes them quite fragile. Their fragility can be attributed to the fact that the pigment concentration in the soft pastels contains minimal gum binder. These pastels are however ideal for color layering, blending, and other painterly effects. Some even have the most beautifully intense colors ever. Here are some of the best soft pastels you can buy that are guaranteed to offer you a delightful experience.
Our Recommendations
- Jack Richeson Handmade Soft Pastels – Best Overall
- Rembrandt Soft Pastels – Best For Early Layering
- Unison Soft Pastels – Best In Texture And Consistency
- Schmincke Extra Soft Pastel – Best For Effects
- Sennelier Soft Pastels – Best For Artists Who Dislike Blending
- Panpastel Ultra Soft Artist Pastel – Best In Color Intensity
1. Jack Richeson Handmade Soft Pastels
Intro
Designed for professionals and more experienced artists, the Jack Richeson Handmade Soft Pastels are one of the more luxurious and incredibly rich soft pastels. These hand-rolled pastels are available in a wide range of colors and deliver a rich, velvety texture which makes them ideal for layering. They are in our opinion the closest thing to perfection in the world of soft pastels. Because of their size, artists can achieve broad strokes on their artworks and are guaranteed to have their artwork last for quite some time due to the lightfastness of the Jack Richeson soft pastels.
Pros
- The edges of the Richeson pastels can be used to achieve more delicate lines and intricate details on artwork.
- The pastels do not break easily like most other soft pastels, yet they are still creamy and smooth.
- You can purchase the pastels individually before you commit to buying a whole set.
Cons
- Purchasing the entire Richeson set can be quite expensive.
2. Rembrandt Soft Pastels
Made from Kaolin clay, the Rembrandt soft pastels are a product of Talens, a Dutch manufacturer that has been in the color crafting industry since 1899. These soft pastels have a medium soft feel to them which makes them ideal for early layering, linework, and fine details. The Rembrandt soft pastels are available in over 200 colors but only have 44 true colors.
Pros
- You can purchase the pastels individually or as a set. Should you choose to buy the 120-stick master box set, you get 60 half sticks and 60 half sticks that facilitate your desired stroke capabilities.
- Because of their medium-soft consistency, they do not crumble as readily.
Cons
- They are slightly harder than your typical soft pastels.
3. Unison Soft Pastels
Intro
Ideal for painterly artwork, the Unison handmade pastels are a personal favorite that can be purchased either individually or in unison as a set (all pun intended). The sets are typically color coordinated and available in portrait or landscape options. Unison soft pastels are available in a wide range of 400+ beautifully pigmented colors. The glide of these pastels is exceptionally smooth due to their texture and consistency. Both broad strokes and fine details are achievable with the unison pastels, but the skills of the artist play a huge part in this effect.
Pros
- The pigmentation of the Unison is high and delivers vivid, close to perfection artwork.
Cons
- The package does not contain any pigmentation information which is more of an inconvenience rather than a disadvantage.
- Some unison soft pastels contain cadmium pigments which are toxic and harmful for your kidneys and lungs
4. Schmincke Extra Soft Pastel
If any pastel could be used to describe soft pastels, it would be the Schmincke. These German-made pastels have an incredibly buttery texture that mirrors the feel of velvet regardless of the surface on which they are used. With a color range of four hundred different colored sticks, the Schmincke is an artist’s dream and is perfect for painterly artworks and effects.
Pros
- The color spectrum is broad with special colors and unique color mixtures than other soft pastels available in the market.
- The quality and pigmentation of the Schmincke soft pastels are incredibly high and of the purest form possible.
- Lightfastness with these extra soft pastels is at maximum.
Cons
- They are easily breakable as they are incredibly soft.
5. Sennelier Soft Pastels
Intro
With a deliciously diverse wide range of tones (up to 8) that offer up to five hundred and twenty-five colors, the Sennelier soft pastels are ideal for artists who detest blending to achieve those elusive intermediate tones. These soft pastels can be purchased individually or as a set depending on an artist’s preference and can be bought in either half or full length. Sennelier soft pastels are also available in beautiful shimmering and metallic colors that are great for achieving artwork that contains special effects. Even the most particular soft pastel enthusiast would be pleased by the Sennelier soft pastels and the color intensity they deliver.
Pros
- One can buy it singly or as a set.
- They have shimmering and metallic colors which a lot of the other soft pastel brands lack.
- They have barely-there binders present in their ingredient’s composition.
Cons
- The Sennelier soft pastels crumble quite easily.
6. Panpastel Ultra Soft Artist Pastel
Intro
Resembling watercolors, Panpastel soft pastels are unique from most soft pastels due to their packaging and the fact that artists can use them in a manner as though they were painting. In our opinion, the Panpastel is rather innovative because it is possible to mix the different dry soft pastels like you typically would with watercolors. The Panpastel is equipped with an applicator or sponge for application. These soft pastels have some of the best artist pigments and deliver beautiful color intensity that is also easily blendable.
Pros
- It is erasable which means it is a forgiving and ideal artistry medium for both beginners and professionals.
- It is versatile and can be used on most surfaces including delicate paper without bleeding through.
Cons
- They require applicators and other tools.
Conclusion
Straddling the line between drawing and painting, soft pastels are magnificent due to their versatile nature. As you may have noticed above, the degree of softness varies through the different brands. As an artist, you can choose which one best suits your needs depending on your skill level.