Rating of TOP 8 best oil pastels: softness, which is better, comparison with analogues

Despite the fact that pastel was still mentioned under Leonardo da Vinci, France is considered its homeland. It was in the middle of the 17th century that the artist Daniel du Montier actively used it in his works, and later the impressionists also fell in love with it for the ability to create a quick drawing. It has three varieties: dry, waxy and oily. It is the latter that makes it possible to create bright pictures with soft lines, the ability to shade the drawing.

In recent years, oil pastels have come to be used not only by professional artists. In appearance, it resembles ordinary crayons, but still differs from them. The lines are soft, the strokes are quick, and the depth of color only pleases. In the rating, you will learn about the pros and cons of popular manufacturers of oil pastels, as well as how to choose it.

Rating TOP 8 oil pastels

Today in stores you can find oil pastels from different manufacturers and the choice sometimes leads to confusion. When making a rating, I took into account popular brands and their nuances. Therefore, I suggest that you first familiarize yourself with the list of competitors:

Kalyaka-Malyaka

Already by the name and color scheme, it is clear that the set is intended for small children. Even though the box says “oil pastels,” these are more crayons. But this product still has differences. The pigmentation is good and therefore the pictures will be bright. Can be used in graphite technique, as well as watercolor, after blending the strokes with a brush dipped in water. For ease of use and in order not to break the lead, each chalk is wrapped in a plastic case with the ability to unscrew it as needed. They are non-toxic and do not have an unpleasant odor.

I wanted to buy my child something for creativity. Pencils are not interesting to us, and felt-tip pens dry quickly. The shop advised Kalyak-Malyak pastels. The son was interested in the purple color and in general he treats the set very carefully. I liked drawing, because the crayons draw brightly and you don't need to make any special efforts to press. They can also be diluted with a wet brush.

Sonnet (7041157)

The Sonnet company produces packages of 12, 24 and 36 colors. The crayons are well pigmented, but practically do not mix with each other, they crumble in moderation. It is very difficult to draw thin clear lines or draw a drawing. In the picture, there is no way to make smooth transitions, as to go to bed with strokes. This option is more suitable for children or novice artists. It can be washed only with a special solvent. Without using it, you get dirt. There is practically no smell. Crayons are thin, dryish and can break.

I took the Sonnet pastel for testing out of curiosity. I didn't quite like it for several reasons: it is impossible to mix, insufficiently oily crayons, slightly crumble. Of the advantages, it can be noted that it fits well, the colors are saturated and does not stain your hands. I would advise a novice artist with limited funds.

GAMMA Moscow palette

The manufacturer Gamma has improved the Moscow Palette oil pastel and released it in updated packaging. Indeed, the quality has become higher, but it does not reach the ideal. It's obvious at this price point. Crayons are very small and run out quickly. The palette is good, but when working, the drawing is bald, which creates a feeling of dirt. Withstands application in three layers well, so you can overlap different shades and make gradations in tones. Suitable for beginners, but not for professionals.

The good news is that the quality of oil pastels from Gamma has improved. It is oily and well pigmented. But the crayons are very small and inconvenient to hold, and also because of this they have a quick consumption. Severely bald and therefore the drawings are dirty. But it's still better than the Sonnet.

KOH-I-NOOR GIOCONDA

The renowned Czech manufacturer KOH-I-NOOR produces packs of 12, 24, 36 and 48 colors. The crayons are small, well oiled and pigmented. Drawing is convenient and easy. Differs in good covering ability. When mixed, it gives a smooth transition in tones. You can also achieve the effect of a watercolor painting. Available in round and square sections, allowing for a variety of techniques. Possesses good light fastness. The set is suitable for beginners and professional artists.

I often take Kohinoor with me to the open air, as it is convenient for them to draw. For the backing, I use hard crayons from other manufacturers, and then apply the final touches with KOH-I-NOOR oil pastels. I really like it because it is soft, very pigmented and easy to blend.

Faber-Castell Studio Quality

A German company with a long history produces oil pastels in 12, 24 and 36 colors. The crayons are comfortable, wrapped in a cuff, and in the drawing the lines are soft due to the oiliness of the pastel itself. The first layer lays down tightly and well, but the second one can be problematic, as there is blur and dirt. Some crayons have poor hiding power. It can be shaded easily with a finger, it is also possible to use turpentine as a solvent. More suitable for beginner artists and paint enthusiasts.

Great oil pastels that I have been using for about a year. Crayons are bright, soft and easy to use. Can be used in a variety of techniques and sets are suitable for amateurs, students and even professionals. The packaging even has instructions on what techniques you can use and how to do them.

MUNGYO for Artists

The lead is soft, round in shape and wrapped in a paper cuff so as not to get your hands dirty. A rich range that allows you to experiment in your creativity. If necessary, you can easily mix tones with your finger or special means, as well as apply layers of different tones. Crayons practically do not crumble, which is a definite plus. The set includes classic shades, as well as additional ones. There is an opportunity to recoup the crayons per piece.

Of course, the cost of this set is not small, but I decided to pamper my daughter so that she immediately uses high-quality art materials and this brings her joy. Note that the Korean manufacturer's oil pastels are very easy to use. She can paint on almost any surface. Excellent hiding power, light fastness, mixing.

SAKURA Expressionist

The product is aimed at beginners and professionals. The crayons are comfortable to hold and not stained. The colors are bright and easy to cover, blend or wash out with solvent. And also go well with pencils and paints. Therefore, it can be used in a variety of techniques. Can be used for decoration work and for drawing on paper, wood, cardboard, canvas. The pastel does not smudge on paper and does not require fixing, but it crumbles, which is unacceptable for such a cost.

For this price, the quality could be better. Oil pastels have a wide range and are well pigmented. It can be mixed with other colors and has excellent opacity. But crayons crumble and for the same money I would rather take MUNGYO.

Royal Talens Van Gogh oil

The crayons are highly pigmented and highly lightfast. They are easily mixed in the drawing with your fingers or soft paper. You can work with solvents. They have good hiding power. The set includes colors marked "Metallic", pearlescent and colorless crayon. Royal Talens Van Gogh Oil Pastels can be applied in a variety of techniques and are great for beginners and professional artists. Despite the fact that the composition contains oil and wax, the crayons are hard.

I already have dry pastels from this company and I decided to buy oil ones as well. I took a large set to make the palette complete. The box is easy to store and each crayon is wrapped in a paper sleeve. There are colors with mother-of-pearl and metallic, but I hardly use them. I like pastels, as it has all the positive qualities of covering, mixing, shading, and more. A bit hard, but just right for me.

Features of oil pastels

Before choosing an oil pastel, it is worth knowing what it consists of. The main composition of the crayon includes linseed oil, pigment, that is, paint and wax. The main indicators will depend on the percentage:

• covering;
• color saturation;
• hardness or softness;
• transparency.

If there is more wax in the crayon, then the lines will be more transparent, and the pastel itself will be harder. If the pigment predominates, then the drawing will be dense, saturated. In the composition there is a lot of oil than wax, then the chalk will be soft and pliable, which is convenient for a young artist.

It is also worth paying attention to special paper with a textured surface. Watercolor paper is also suitable for drawing with oil pastels. The fact is that ordinary sheets are smooth and the pigment does not lay down as expected. Only on textured sheets, crayons have the ability to cling to the surface, as it were.In this case, additional fixation of the pattern is not required. This also allows you to create a blurred stroke effect.

In addition to paper, it is worth purchasing a special solvent, which is applied to the drawing with a brush or paper stick. It makes it possible to give some parts of the drawing a watercolor haze.

What to look for when choosing oil pastels?

It is very difficult for a novice artist to choose “his” oil pastels, with which he can make all his dreams come true. At first glance, it may seem that it is enough to take the one with more colors, but in reality it is not so simple.

First, I want to warn you that all oil pastels are conventionally divided into two groups: for artists and amateurs. The first group will be labeled “artist” in the name, and the second will have “student”. But not all boxes marked “artist” are as expected.

What to look for when choosing? This is the main question and the answer lies in the nuances. Quality crayons must meet the following criteria:

• hiding nature, that is, light colors should overlap darker ones when applied to paper;
• good pigmentation, that is, the color is bright, saturated and opaque;
• when creating a picture, it should not crumble;
• the degree of hardness of the chalk can be different and it is better to start with a medium one, not quite hard, but not too soft;
• the ability to shade color.

Today, a hybrid of oil pastels and watercolors is on sale. Such a drawing can be shaded with a brush dipped in water, and it will turn out as if you were painting with watercolors.