10 Best Soft Pastel Sets for Artists (June 2026) Top Picks

Finding the right soft pastels can feel overwhelming when there are dozens of brands, set sizes, and price tiers to sort through. I have spent months testing different soft pastel sets on everything from sanded pastel paper to plain sketchbook pages, and I learned firsthand how much the quality of your pastels affects the final result. The best soft pastel sets for artists give you vibrant pigment, smooth blendability, and enough color variety to express your ideas without constant frustration.

Soft pastels sit in a unique spot among art supplies. They deliver pure, concentrated pigment with almost no binder holding it back, which means the colors hit the paper with an intensity that paints and pencils simply cannot match. That same quality makes them dusty and fragile, so choosing the right set matters more than with most mediums. A set that is too hard will leave you fighting for coverage, while one that crumbles at the slightest touch will waste expensive pigment.

In this guide, I am reviewing 10 soft pastel sets across budget, mid-range, and premium tiers. Whether you are picking up pastels for the first time or looking to upgrade from student-grade sticks, you will find honest, experience-based recommendations here. I have included notes on texture, blendability, lightfastness, and who each set serves best so you can make a confident choice without the guesswork.

Top 3 Picks for Best Soft Pastel Sets for Artists (June 2026)

Best Soft Pastel Sets for Artists in 2026

1. MUNGYO Soft Pastel Set – 64 Vibrant Colors for Easy Blending

I grabbed this MUNGYO 64-color set when I wanted to try soft pastels without committing serious money, and I was genuinely surprised by how much fun they are to work with. The square shape sits comfortably in your hand, and the sticks glide across sanded pastel paper with a smoothness I did not expect at this price point. For sketching and practice pieces, these deliver a satisfying experience.

Blending feels natural with these pastels. I used my fingers and a paper stump to create soft gradients in a sunset study, and the transitions came together easily. The pigment goes down with decent saturation, though you will notice the colors are not as intensely concentrated as artist-grade sticks. For learning techniques like dry-washing and gradation, this set gives you plenty to work with.

Where this set shows its budget nature is in longevity. The colors are fugitive, meaning they will shift or fade over time if displayed in sunlight. I would not use these for pieces you plan to sell or frame, but for practice, sketching, and learning how pastels behave on different papers, they are hard to beat. Several users on the r/Softpastel subreddit mention MUNGYO as their go-to recommendation for first-timers, and I agree with that advice.

The compact box keeps all 64 sticks organized, though expect some pastel dust residue when you first open it. A few sticks may arrive broken, but they still work perfectly fine. With 12,000+ reviews and a 4.6-star rating, the community consensus is clear: these are the best budget soft pastels you can buy.

Best use cases for this set

This set is ideal for absolute beginners who want to experiment with soft pastels without a big investment. It also works well for art teachers who need affordable supplies for classroom use, or for experienced artists who want inexpensive sticks for quick color studies and underpaintings where archival quality is not a concern.

What to know before buying

These are student-grade pastels, so they lack the lightfastness needed for permanent artwork. If you plan to sell your pieces or display them long-term, you will eventually want to upgrade to an artist-grade set. Also, the color range includes some close duplicates, so you are not getting 64 truly distinct hues.

2. Artecho Soft Pastels – 50 Pieces with 4 Fluorescent Colors

The Artecho set caught my attention because it includes 4 fluorescent colors alongside the standard 48, which opens up some creative possibilities you do not get with most budget sets. I tested the fluorescents under a black light and they genuinely glow, making them a fun addition for experimental pieces or mixed media work. The standard colors are vibrant and apply smoothly.

What impressed me most is the packaging. Each pastel sits in its own individual card slot, which dramatically reduces breakage during shipping and storage. After transporting this set in my art bag for two weeks, not a single stick had snapped. That kind of thoughtful design matters when you are carrying supplies between your studio and a class.

The square shape works well for both broad strokes and fine edges when you turn the stick on its corner. Layering behaves nicely on sanded paper, and I was able to build up three to four layers before the tooth filled up. For the price, the pigment quality punches above what I expected. These are student-grade, so keep that in mind for archival work, but for everyday painting they perform admirably.

My main gripe is the size. These sticks are short at 27mm, so they disappear quickly if you work on larger pieces. If you are doing big landscape paintings, you will burn through them fast. But for smaller works, sketchbook pieces, and detail practice, the compact size is actually convenient.

Who should consider this set

This is a strong pick for beginner to intermediate artists who want a wide color range without spending much. The fluorescent colors make it especially appealing for artists who enjoy experimental or mixed media work. It also works as a travel set since the compact packaging protects the sticks well.

Limitations to keep in mind

The small stick size means these run out faster than larger pastels, so they are not the most economical choice for large-format work. The skin tone selection is also limited, which could frustrate portrait artists. Like the MUNGYO set above, these are student-grade with limited lightfastness.

3. Faber-Castell Creative Studio Soft Pastels – 24 Vivid Mini Sticks

There is something reassuring about using a Faber-Castell product. This German brand has been making art supplies since 1761, and that experience shows in the consistency of these pastels. The color flows onto paper with a silky-smooth quality that feels noticeably more refined than the budget options above. Each stick delivers intense, even color with very little pressure.

I used these on flock paper and regular pastel paper, and they performed beautifully on both surfaces. Blending with my finger produced soft, velvety transitions that felt more like butter than chalk. The round shape rolls nicely for shading large areas, and you can use the tip for finer marks. For artists coming from pencils or paints, the transition to pastels feels gentler with these sticks.

The trade-off is size. These are mini half-sticks at about 1.25 inches long, and they go quickly if you are working on anything larger than a sketchbook page. With only 24 colors, you will need to mix and blend to expand your palette, which is actually good practice for beginners learning color theory. The limited range forces you to be more intentional with your color choices.

Many users on art forums mention starting with Faber-Castell and then upgrading to artist-grade brands once they commit to pastels. I think that is a fair path. These give you a taste of quality pastels without the sticker shock of premium brands, and the skills you develop with them transfer directly to better sticks later.

When to pick this set

This set suits beginners who want to start with a trusted brand and develop proper technique before investing in larger collections. It is also a good option for artists who primarily work small, such as art journaling or greeting card creators, where the mini size is not a drawback.

Things to consider

The 24-color palette is limited, so portrait artists and landscape painters may feel constrained. The half-stick size means you will use them up faster than full-size sticks, which affects the overall value. If you know you want to commit to pastels long-term, consider starting with a larger set instead.

4. Mont Marte Soft Pastels – 48 Colors in a Durable Tin Case

The Mont Marte 48-piece set hits a sweet spot between affordability and quality that many artists appreciate. The first thing I noticed was the texture: these are noticeably softer and more powdery than the MUNGYO standard pastels, which makes them feel more like an artist-grade product. Color goes down with a velvety richness that makes blending feel effortless.

The included tin case is a genuine advantage. It protects the pastels during transport and keeps them organized on your desk. I carried this set to a plein air session, and the sturdy tin prevented any damage despite being jostled around in my bag. The cylindrical shape creates both broad strokes from the side and fine lines from the tip.

Blending is where these pastels really shine. I created a landscape study with layered skies, and the colors merged smoothly with just my finger. The soft, powdery texture means you can build up rich layers of color without much effort. They also play well with other pastel brands, so you can mix them into an existing collection without weird texture mismatches.

The downside of that soft texture is fragility. The narrow cylindrical sticks break more easily than square ones, and the soft composition means they crumble under heavy pressure. I lost two sticks to breakage during my first week of use. If you have a heavy hand, this is something to be aware of.

Ideal artists for this set

This set works well for intermediate artists who want softer, more blendable pastels without jumping to premium prices. The tin case makes it practical for artists who paint outdoors or attend classes. It is also a solid upgrade from budget sets when you are ready for better pigment quality.

Potential drawbacks

The narrow cylindrical shape means these sticks are more prone to breaking than square alternatives. If durability matters more to you than softness, the Artecho or MUNGYO square sets may be better choices. The softness also means they produce more dust, so have a dust management plan ready.

5. Charvin Artist Colored Chalk Pastels – 48 Water-Soluble Sticks

The Charvin set stands out immediately because of its water-soluble formula. This means you can use these pastels dry like traditional soft pastels, or wet them with a brush to create watercolor-like washes. I tested both approaches on the same piece, using dry application for the sky and wet washes for the foreground, and the results were genuinely exciting. Few pastel sets offer this kind of dual functionality.

The pigmentation is impressive. Colors go down with a richness and depth that feels closer to artist-grade than the mid-range price suggests. When I activated them with water, the pigment dispersed evenly without patchiness, creating smooth washes that retained their vibrancy as they dried. This opens up mixed media possibilities that standard pastels simply cannot match.

Lightfastness is where Charvin really separates itself from the budget and mid-range competition. These are made with highly lightfast pigments, which means your artwork will resist fading over time. For artists who want to sell or display their work without worrying about color degradation, this is a meaningful advantage over student-grade options.

The square shape gives you good control and the short length works well for detailed work. However, if you are used to longer sticks for broad strokes, these will feel small. I found myself reaching for them more for detail work and underpainting than for covering large areas, where their size becomes a limitation.

Why choose water-soluble pastels

If you enjoy experimenting with mixed media or want to combine the spontaneity of pastels with the fluidity of watercolor, this set gives you both in one product. The lightfastness also makes it suitable for archival work, so you can create pieces meant for display or sale with confidence.

Considerations before purchasing

The smaller stick size limits their usefulness for large-format work. If you primarily paint big landscapes or abstracts, you may find these too small. They also sit at a higher price point than standard student pastels, so weigh whether the water-soluble feature and lightfastness justify the extra cost for your specific needs.

6. Prismacolor Premier NuPastels – 36 Firm Pastel Sticks

Prismacolor NuPastels occupy an interesting middle ground between soft pastels and harder pastel pencils. They are firmer than most sets in this roundup, which means you can sharpen them to a point for detailed work that softer pastels cannot achieve. I used the edge of a NuPastel to render eyelashes in a portrait study, and the precision was remarkable for a stick pastel.

The firmness also means these pastels last longer. Where a soft buttery pastel might crumble away in a few sessions, NuPastels hold their shape through extended use. I have been working with this set for two months, and every stick is still intact. That durability makes them an economical choice despite the mid-range price.

These pastels are water-soluble, which adds another dimension to your work. I dissolve them with alcohol for underpaintings, creating a rich base layer that dries fast and accepts additional pastel on top. The technique works beautifully for landscape paintings where you want a loose, atmospheric background before adding detail. Many professional pastel artists use NuPastels specifically for this purpose.

The main drawback is that they feel chalkier and less buttery than true soft pastels. If you are specifically looking for that creamy, glide-across-the-paper sensation, NuPastels will not deliver it. They require a slightly different technique, pressing harder to build up color. The learning curve is real, but once you adapt, the control they offer is addictive.

When NuPastels excel

These are the best soft pastel sticks for artists who prioritize control and detail over buttery softness. They excel at underpainting, architectural details, and any work where precision matters. The water-soluble quality makes them versatile for mixed media approaches.

What might disappoint you

The chalky dry feel will frustrate artists accustomed to ultra-soft pastels like Sennelier or Schmincke. The foam insert in the packaging is poorly designed and does not protect the pastels well, so consider transferring them to a better storage solution. Breakage during shipping is a common complaint in user reviews.

7. MUNGYO Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels – 30 Professional Quality Sticks

This is the set that surprised me the most during testing. The MUNGYO Gallery Handmade line sits in a completely different league from their standard square pastels. These are hand-rolled with refined pigments, and the texture is genuinely buttery. When I first swatched them on Pastelmat paper, the color flowed with a creaminess that reminded me of pastels costing twice the price.

Users on the r/Softpastel subreddit frequently describe these as verging on buttery, and I agree completely. They blend with minimal effort, layer beautifully, and the pigmentation is rich enough to compete with brands like Unison. One artist compared them directly to Unison pastels and concluded the performance gap was barely noticeable. For the price difference, that is a significant endorsement.

The lightfastness on these is rated for professional use, which means you can create artwork meant for display and sale without worrying about colors fading. This is a major step up from student-grade pastels and one of the main reasons I chose this as the Editor’s Choice. You get handmade quality, archival potential, and a price that does not sting.

The round shape feels natural in the hand, and the paper wrapping is easy to remove. My only real complaint is that 30 colors limits your palette. You can mix to expand the range, but having fewer starting colors means more work to achieve specific hues. I would love to see MUNGYO offer a 60-color version of this handmade line.

Why this is our top pick

The MUNGYO Gallery Handmade pastels deliver professional-grade quality at a price that makes them accessible to serious hobbyists and emerging artists. They offer the best balance of softness, pigment quality, lightfastness, and value in this entire roundup. If you can only buy one set, make it this one.

What to be aware of

The 30-color range will feel limiting for complex compositions requiring many distinct hues. Portrait artists may struggle with the limited skin tone selection. Also, the round shape is less precise than square sticks for sharp edges and architectural details, so you may want to pair these with a firmer pastel for fine work.

8. Rembrandt Soft Pastels Basic Set – 30 Full-Sized Sticks

Rembrandt pastels by Royal Talens are one of the most recognized names in the pastel world, and for good reason. They sit in the space between student-grade and artist-grade, offering solid pigment quality at a reasonable price. I found their consistency to be firmer than I expected, which works great for controlled layering but less so for that buttery, effortless application some artists prefer.

Several users on Reddit note that Rembrandt pastels are a tad too hard for their taste, and I understand that criticism. When compared side-by-side with the MUNGYO Gallery Handmade sticks, the Rembrandts feel noticeably stiffer. However, that firmness makes them excellent for underpaintings and building up base layers without muddying the colors underneath.

The pigments are genuinely vibrant. Rembrandt uses pure pigments bound with fine kaolin clay, and the result is a pastel that delivers clean, saturated color. I was able to dissolve them with an alcohol wash for underpaintings, and they created a rich, even base that accepted additional pastel layers without beading or patching.

The cardboard box with foam insert provides decent storage, though the foam could be better designed. Shipping breakage is a recurring complaint in reviews, so be prepared for some sticks to arrive in pieces. They still work fine when broken, but it is disappointing when you are paying for a quality product.

Who benefits from Rembrandt pastels

Artists who want a reliable mid-range pastel for underpainting, base layers, and controlled blending will get the most from this set. The firmness is actually an advantage if you prefer building color gradually rather than laying down heavy pigment in one pass. They are also a solid choice for classroom settings.

What to know beforehand

If you are specifically looking for ultra-soft, buttery pastels, Rembrandt will likely disappoint. They are firmer than Sennelier, Schmincke, and even the MUNGYO Gallery Handmade sticks. The half-stick size in some configurations also means you get less pastel per stick, so check whether you are getting full or half sticks before ordering.

9. Schmincke Extra-Soft Pastels – 15 Handmade German Sticks

Schmincke pastels are the gold standard of soft pastels. Made in Germany since 1881, these handmade sticks contain minimal binder, which means you are getting almost pure pigment in your hand. The moment you touch one to paper, you understand why professional artists are willing to pay premium prices. The texture is as close to velvet as a solid object can feel.

During testing, I noticed that the color releases with almost no pressure. A gentle stroke deposits a rich, even layer of pigment that blends like a dream. The velvet-matt finish creates a distinctive look that photographs beautifully, with none of the chalky sheen you get from cheaper pastels. For creating atmospheric, luminous work, Schmincke pastels are in a class of their own.

The trade-off for this level of softness is fragility. These pastels crumble if you look at them wrong. I recommend handling them with extreme care and storing them in padded containers. The starter set only includes 15 colors, which feels limiting, but you can expand your collection one stick at a time since Schmincke sells open stock in over 400 individual colors.

The lightfastness is the highest available, which is critical for professional artists creating work for galleries and collectors. Your colors will remain vivid for decades. This is the set you buy when you are committed to pastel painting as a serious practice and want materials that will not hold your talent back.

When to invest in Schmincke

Professional artists, gallery-represented painters, and serious hobbyists who want the absolute best pastel quality should consider Schmincke. They are also worth the investment if you create work for sale where archival quality directly affects your reputation and your clients satisfaction.

The reality of the price

At this price point for only 15 sticks, this is not a casual purchase. Many artists build their Schmincke collection gradually, adding individual colors as needed. If you are just starting with pastels, I would recommend the MUNGYO Gallery Handmade set instead and save Schmincke for when you know pastel is your primary medium.

10. SENNELIER Extra-Soft French Half Pastels – 30 Professional Colors

Sennelier pastels have been the choice of master painters for over a century, and using them makes it clear why. The extra-soft formula contains pure pigment with no binder filler, which gives you maximum color intensity with every stroke. When I first swatched these on Pastelmat, the pigment seemed to melt into the paper, creating coverage that was immediate and complete.

The half-stick format in this 30-color set gives you more colors per dollar than buying full sticks individually. Reddit users consistently recommend the Sennelier half-stick sets as amazing value for the quality you receive. For landscapes and looser, more expressive work, the creamy softness of these pastels lets you create atmospheric effects that harder pastels simply cannot achieve.

Be prepared for mess. These pastels are among the softest and dustiest I have used. Within minutes of starting a painting, my hands, easel, and surrounding surface were coated in pigment dust. Some artists embrace this as part of the medium, but if cleanliness matters to you, Sennelier will test your patience. Working on an easel with a tray to catch dust is practically mandatory.

The half sticks lack paper wrapping, so you will be handling pigment directly. This gives you better tactile control but also means more pigment on your fingers. I recommend wearing cotton gloves if you plan extended sessions. The sticks also get used up quickly due to their softness, so factor replacement costs into your decision.

Why artists love Sennelier

The pure pigment formula creates a luminosity that other pastels struggle to match. For portrait work, the forgiving nature of Sennelier pastels allows you to lift and rework areas easily. Landscape painters especially love these for creating soft, atmospheric skies and distant mountains.

Things to consider carefully

The mess factor is significant even by pastel standards. These crumble easily and deposit pigment everywhere. If you work in a shared space or have sensitivity to dust, this could be a dealbreaker. The half-stick format also means less product per stick, so you will go through them faster than full-size alternatives.

How to Choose the Right Soft Pastel Set

Choosing a soft pastel set involves more than picking the biggest box at the lowest price. Here is what actually matters when making your decision.

Softness and texture

Soft pastels range from relatively firm to meltingly soft. Firmer pastels like Rembrandt and Prismacolor NuPastels give you more control and last longer, but they require more pressure to deposit color. Ultra-soft pastels like Schmincke and Sennelier deliver instant pigment with minimal effort, but they crumble faster and produce more dust. For beginners, a mid-softness option like the MUNGYO Gallery Handmade or Mont Marte set provides a comfortable balance.

Set size and color range

The common advice on Reddit is to start with 30 to 48 colors, which gives you enough variety to mix virtually any hue without an overwhelming number of near-duplicates. Budget sets with 64 or more colors often include filler shades that look similar, while smaller 15-to-24 color sets force you to mix more but cost less. If you are a beginner, go with at least 30 colors to avoid frustration.

Artist grade versus student grade

Student-grade pastels like the standard MUNGYO and Artecho sets use less refined pigments and minimal lightfastness testing. They are perfectly fine for practice, learning, and sketching. Artist-grade pastels like Schmincke, Sennelier, and the MUNGYO Gallery Handmade line use purer pigments and undergo rigorous lightfastness testing, making them suitable for artwork you intend to sell or display long-term.

Half sticks versus full sticks

Half-stick sets give you more colors per dollar because each stick uses less material. They are also easier for small hands to grip and work well for detail-oriented painting. Full sticks cover large areas faster and last longer, but they cost more per set. If budget is a concern, half-stick sets from quality brands offer excellent value. The Sennelier 30 half-stick set is a community favorite for this reason.

Lightfastness and pigment quality

Lightfastness measures how resistant a color is to fading when exposed to light over time. Professional artists need high lightfastness ratings for any work that will be displayed or sold. Student-grade pastels often use fugitive pigments that shift or fade within months of sun exposure. Check the manufacturer lightfastness ratings if you plan to create permanent work. The Charvin and MUNGYO Gallery Handmade sets both offer professional-grade lightfastness at reasonable prices.

Paper and surface pairing

Your pastel choice should complement your paper. Sanded papers like Pastelmat and UArt grip pigment aggressively, allowing more layers and working well with all pastel types. Standard pastel paper has less tooth, so softer pastels perform better because they deposit more pigment per stroke. If you are using basic sketchbook paper, start with a budget set to practice on before committing premium pastels to premium surfaces. Many Reddit users recommend pairing budget pastels with good paper rather than expensive pastels with cheap paper.

Health and safety considerations

Soft pastels produce fine dust that you inhale during use. Work in a well-ventilated area and consider wearing a dust mask during long sessions. Never blow pastel dust off your work surface; instead, tap the paper gently or use a brush. Some pigments contain heavy metals, so wash your hands thoroughly after painting, especially before eating. Look for AP Seal certification if toxicity is a concern. The MUNGYO standard set carries the AP Seal, confirming it is non-toxic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Pastel Sets

Final Thoughts on the Best Soft Pastel Sets for Artists

After testing all 10 of these sets across different papers and techniques, my top recommendation is the MUNGYO Gallery Handmade 30-stick set. It delivers professional-grade softness, pigment quality, and lightfastness at a price that makes it accessible to serious artists who are not ready to invest in Schmincke or Sennelier. For beginners on a tight budget, the Artecho 50-piece set or the standard MUNGYO 64-color set will give you everything you need to learn the fundamentals.

The best soft pastel sets for artists are the ones that match your current skill level and ambitions. Start with a mid-range set, practice your blending and layering, and upgrade when you feel your materials are holding back your progress. Pair whatever you choose with quality sanded paper, manage your dust, and enjoy one of the most direct and satisfying painting mediums available in 2026.