Top Oil Pastel Brands for Vibrant and Smooth Creations

When it comes to creating vibrant and textured artwork, choosing the right oil pastels is crucial for both amateur and professional artists. The market is filled with a variety of brands, each offering unique qualities and a spectrum of rich hues designed to bring your artistic vision to life. From buttery soft oil pastels to those with brilliant pigmentation, finding the perfect brand can greatly enhance your creative process. To help you select the best option, explore the list of top oil pastel brands featured below.

Illustration of oil pastels

Best brands of oil pastels in 2025

Sennelier

Sennelier is renowned as one of the best producers of oil pastels, thanks to their collaboration with artists like Pablo Picasso, which led to the creation of these art supplies in 1949. Sennelier oil pastels are distinguished by their high pigment content, excellent light stability, and a unique, creamy texture. These pastels are made with top-quality pigments, an extremely pure synthetic binding medium, and mineral wax, ensuring a high colouring and covering potential. The brand's commitment to quality and archival conservation has made Sennelier oil pastels a world-recognized reference. Their products are available in a range of hues, including classic, metallic, and iridescent shades. Explore more about their distinguished oil pastels offerings.

Caran d'Ache

Caran d'Ache is renowned as one of the premier producers of oil pastels, known for their high-quality and vibrant products. The brand's oil pastels are favored by artists and hobbyists alike due to their rich colors and blendability. In the global oil pastels market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.00% from 2024 to 2031, Caran d'Ache's products are particularly popular in regions like Europe, where the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% during the same period. The brand's commitment to excellence and innovation in pastel formulations has contributed significantly to the market's expansion. Caran d'Ache's products are often highlighted in market reports for their superior color brightness and mixing capabilities.

Holbein

Holbein is renowned as one of the best producers of oil pastels, endorsed by the Oil Pastel Association of America (OPA). With over 60 years of research and development, Holbein Artists' Oil Pastels are made using an entirely automated process to ensure uniform color distribution. These pastels, containing a mixture of wax, refined mineral oil, and pigment, never completely dry out and can be applied to almost any ground, including paper, canvas, and over dried acrylic and oil paintings. They are highly versatile, suitable for various artistic techniques such as plein-air painting, underpaintings, and gestural drawing. The global pastels market, which includes Holbein products, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2031. For more detailed information, visit Holbein Oil Pastels.

Cray-Pas by Sakura

Cray-Pas by Sakura is renowned as one of the best producers of oil pastels, offering a wide range of vibrant colors and superior blending capabilities. Introduced in 1964, Cray-Pas oil pastels have become a staple in artistic communities, praised for their lightfastness and durability. These pastels are made with a unique blend of pigments and a binding agent, ensuring they retain up to 95% of their color intensity over time. Artists appreciate the smooth, buttery consistency that allows for effortless layering and blending. With over 50 colors available, Cray-Pas oil pastels cater to various artistic needs.

Mungyo

Mungyo is recognized as one of the top producers of oil pastels, known for its high-quality products that cater to both professional artists and hobbyists. The brand is part of the growing global oil pastels market, which is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.00% from 2024 to 2031. Mungyo's products are particularly popular in the Asia Pacific region, where the oil pastels market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8% during the same period. The brand's commitment to providing vibrant colors and durable pastels has made it a favorite among artists, contributing to the overall growth of the pastels market. With the increasing demand for art supplies, Mungyo continues to play a significant role in the industry. For more in-depth insights, visit the Global Pastels Market Analysis.

Van Gogh by Royal Talens

Van Gogh oil paints by Royal Talens are highly regarded for their quality and affordability, making them an excellent choice for students and beginners. Manufactured by the Dutch company Royal Talens, these paints are known for their single pigment colors and are priced competitively, with a 40ml tube costing around $10. They offer a good range of colors, although some users note that the paint can be stiff and less covering compared to premium brands. Despite this, Van Gogh oils are a solid choice for those on a budget, providing good value for money. For a detailed review, check out Van Gogh Oil Paints Review.

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell is renowned as one of the leading producers of oil pastels, known for its high-quality art supplies. The brand has been a staple in the European market, where it has witnessed significant demand despite a slight decline in sales since 2016 due to the rising popularity of water-based products. In 2017, Europe accounted for more than 35% of the global pastels market, with Faber-Castell's oil pastels being a popular choice. The global oil pastels market, which includes Faber-Castell's products, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.00% from 2024 to 2031, with Europe's segment growing at a CAGR of 4.5% during the same period.

Neocolor by Caran d'Ache

Neocolor by Caran d'Ache is renowned as one of the best producers of oil pastels, offering a vibrant and durable range of colors. Introduced in 1972, Neocolor oil pastels are known for their lightfastness, with many colors rated at 100% on the Blue Wool Scale, ensuring they resist fading over time. These pastels contain a high pigment load, resulting in rich, intense colors. They are also highly blendable and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, cardboard, and even fabric. With over 120 colors available, artists and designers have a wide palette to choose from. Explore the vibrant collection of Neocolor II Oil Pastels by Caran d'Ache for your artistic needs.

Pentel

Pentel is renowned as one of the best producers of oil pastels, offering a range of sets that cater to artists of all ages. Their oil pastels are acid-free, ACMI Certified, and known for their vivid colors and ease of use on various surfaces such as paper, board, and canvas. These pastels are more resistant to humidity, ensuring longer-lasting drawings. Pentel's oil pastels are available in various set sizes, from 12 to 432, making them versatile for both hobbyists and professionals. The global oil pastels market, which includes brands like Pentel, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.00% from 2024 to 2031. Discover more about their offerings with the Pentel oil pastels set of 50.

Gallery

The Gallery Artist Oil Pastels by Mungyo are highly regarded for their rich pigmentation, excellent blendability, and crumb-free application, making them a favorite among professional artists. These oil pastels boast a smooth, extra-soft texture and a broad color range of 72 colors, including intense spectrum hues and useful neutral tones. They are AP non-toxic and do not contain genuine cadmiums or other mineral pigments, ensuring safety for artists. Mungyo's attention to detail in the color palette is appreciated by artists, as it includes essential colors for various artistic needs. Despite being relatively new, Mungyo's Gallery Artist Oil Pastels have swiftly gained recognition for their high quality.