Soft pastel pencils blend the creamy allure of pastel color with the control of graphite, delivering rich color and smooth blending. The following five sets cover a range of needs—from compact 24- and 48-piece assortments to larger tins—each built around proven brands. These selections balance pigment quality, packaging, and ease of use for beginners and seasoned artists alike. In the table below, you’ll find a quick snapshot of each product. The deeper profiles that follow highlight what to expect in practice, along with practical considerations for selecting the best pastel pencil set for your projects.
| Product | Brand | Pack | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh-I-Noor Artist’s Soft Pastel Pencils (Set of 24) | KOH-I-NOOR | 24 | Great presentation pack; GioCONDA range; FSC wood |
| Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 60 | Faber-Castell | 60 | High pigment; excellent lightfastness; wax/oil-free |
| Koh-I-Noor Artist’s Soft Pastel Pencil Set (Set of 48) | KOH-I-NOOR | 48 | Great presentation pack; GioCONDA range; FSC wood |
| Faber-Castell FC112124 Pitt Pastel Pencils (24 Tin) | Faber-Castell | 24 | In a metal tin; easy to use |
| KALOUR | 50 | Sweet pastel colors; soft core; non-toxic |
KOH-I-NOOR 24-Pencil Soft Pastels
The Koh-I-Noor Artist’s Soft Pastel Pencils Set of 24 is part of the KOH-I-NOOR GioCONDA range, reflecting a long heritage in stationery produced by Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth. The presentation pack is designed for tidy organization, making it a strong choice for classrooms, studios, and giftable sets. The pencils are crafted with 100% FSC wood, aligning with sustainable sourcing practices. This combination of heritage, packaging, and material choice makes the set appealing to students and professionals who value responsibility alongside color versatility.
In practice, this 24-piece collection provides a compact spectrum suitable for quick studies and color layering. The GioCONDA line is associated with dependable performance across sketching and decorative work, delivering steady color payoff on common drawing papers. For artists seeking a small, reliable introduction to Koh-I-Noor soft pastels, this set offers accessibility, organization, and consistent results without overwhelming the workspace.
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 60
The Pitt Pastel Pencils from Faber-Castell in a 60-count tin feature a high level of pigment with excellent lightfastness. They are wax- and oil-free, making them well suited for fine and elaborate details, ideal for figure drawing and delicate filigree work. Like other Pitt pastels, they can be smudged to create smooth color transitions, while requiring only minimal fixing to preserve the vivid color. This combination supports both precise line work and expressive shading, making the set versatile for a range of styles and subjects.
The 60-color tin provides a broad spectrum for portraits, still lifes, and imaginative pieces. Faber-Castell’s reputation for quality, along with a commitment to sustainability, adds confidence for long-term use in classrooms, studios, and professional work. The set’s breadth supports experimental color studies and layered textures without frequent color gaps.
KOH-I-NOOR 48-Pencil Soft Pastels
The Koh-I-Noor Artist’s Soft Pastel Pencils (Set of 48) extends the GioCONDA lineup with a broader color range while preserving the same packaging and build quality. The set continues to emphasize presentation and organization, which helps keep assorted colors easy to access during sessions. Supporting sustainable practice, the pencils use 100% FSC wood, aligning with environmental standards often sought by studios and classrooms alike. This larger set suits artists who want more tonal options without sacrificing the trusted Koh-I-Noor construction.
With a 48-color spectrum, this collection supports more nuanced shading, layered color, and decorative effects on standard pastel- or charcoal-friendly papers. The GioCONDA name signals consistency in performance, while the sturdy wooden casing provides reliable handling during long study sessions or live demonstrations. For artists ready to expand their pastel vocabulary, the 48-piece set offers a balanced leap from smaller assortments.
Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 24 Tin
This Pitt Pastel Pencils 24 Pack comes in a sturdy metal tin, emphasizing portability and protection for the pencils. The set is described as easy to use, with a practical footprint for students, hobbyists, and traveling artists. The metal tin adds durable storage that travels well between studio and classroom, helping maintain organization and quick access to essential colors. The 24-pencil assortment provides a compact yet capable starting point for exploring Pitt’s pigment-rich pastel pencils.
The combination of a metal tin and a mid-size color range facilitates on-the-go projects and teaching demonstrations. Artists can rely on the dependable pigment quality and the familiar Pitt performance for controlled drawing, shading, and decorative work. For learners or diminishing workspace constraints, the 24-pack tin offers a neat balance of usability and versatility.
KALOUR Macaron Pastel Pencils 50
The Kalour Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils set includes 50 pastel tones with a soft core designed for smooth laydown and rich color. The pencils are numbered and named for easy color identification, and they are crafted from basswood that sharpens readily. The set conforms to non-toxicity standards (ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3), making it appropriate for both adults and younger artists. The broad pastel palette supports vibrant art books, sketching, and decorative shading with a light touch that softly blends into color transitions.
Kalour emphasizes approachable color exploration with a candy-inspired color range. The soft-core leads facilitate seamless layering and blending, while the descriptive color labeling helps beginners build a personal color vocabulary. This set is well suited for coloring books, doodling, and mixed-media studies where pastel hues can be built up gradually without harsh breaks in tone.
Buying Guide
When selecting soft pastel pencils, buyers should consider pigment quality, lightfastness, and how the core and wood interact during sharpening and use. A broader color range provides more tonal options for realistic shading, while sturdy packaging protects pencils during transport and storage. Safety and standards matter for families, classrooms, and professional studios alike, with non-toxic formulations and recognized certifications offering peace of mind.
- Pigment quality and lightfastness: Look for sets with high pigment load and stable color that resists fading with light exposure.
- Core softness and break resistance: Softer cores deliver creamy laydowns but can break more easily; consider a balance with a durable core for your style.
- Packaging and storage: Tin, metal, or sturdy boxes help keep pencils organized and protected between sessions.
- Wood sourcing and safety: FSC-certified wood and non-toxic formulations support responsible choices for schools and studios.
- Color range and indexing: Larger sets offer more shades; color naming or numbering aids quicker selection and study planning.
- Surface compatibility: Soft pastels perform best on textured drawing papers designed for pastels; test on your preferred surface.
- Maintenance and sharpening: Basswood or similar wood types sharpen cleanly; use a sharp blade to maintain crisp leads.
- Brand breadth and support: Reputable brands with long product lines provide better long-term compatibility and color matching across sets.
Best Uses By Scenario
- Best for beginners: A compact set with clear color labeling helps new artists build essential color vocabulary and confidence.
- Best for large color ranges: A big tin or 48–60 color sets offer versatility for portraits and landscapes with subtle tonal shifts.
- Best for portability: Metal tins or travel-friendly cases keep pencils organized on the go and in classrooms.
- Best for safe use by families: Non-toxic formulations and ASTM EN71-3 certification provide reliable safety for mixed-age projects.