The 24 best chalk pastels brands
Caran d'Ache, Weber and Faber-Castell lead our ranking of 24 chalk pastels brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Chalk Pastels brands, ranked
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1
Caran d'Ache
Water-resistant wax pastels that can be used dry or blended with water, good for mixed-media sketching and layering.
Top products: Neocolor I
Website: carandache.com |Brands like Caran d'Ache
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Weber
Weber has made grills with charcoal and gas kettle models among its designs. Its grill covers and barbecue covers protect the grills outdoors. Many grilling recipes are published for people using its models.
Website: weber.com |Brands like Weber
Popularity 9.5/10
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3
Faber-Castell
Long-established German pencil maker whose soft pastel minis suit beginners and travel kits.
Top products: Soft Pastels Mini
Website: fabercastell.com |Brands like Faber-Castell
Popularity 7.8/10
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4
Panpastel
Pigment pressed into pans and applied with sponge applicators, so no stick touches the paper.
Website: panpastel.com |Brands like Panpastel
Popularity 7.7/10
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5
Royal Talens
Dutch maker whose Rembrandt soft pastels are a studio staple for portraits and tonal work.
Website: royaltalens.com |Brands like Royal Talens
Popularity 7.3/10
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6
Daler-Rowney
Sold loose by the stick, letting artists build a custom palette one colour at a time.
Website: daler-rowney.com |Brands like Daler-Rowney
Popularity 6.4/10
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7
Koh-I-Noor
Czech-origin brand with chalk pastels in tidy boxes, often sold in assortments for classroom or hobby use.
Website: kohinoorusa.com |Brands like Koh-I-Noor
Popularity 5.9/10
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8
Sargent Art
Budget sets of square chalk pastels in classroom-sized packs, with bright, chalky colour.
Top products: Rich Pigments Artist Pastels
Popularity 5.4/10
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9
Unison
Handmade English soft pastels with a dense, creamy texture that blends easily on paper.
Website: unisoncolour.com |Brands like Unison
Popularity 5.4/10
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10
Loew-Cornell
For those passionate about the art and craft, Loew-Cornell is a hub for them to discover and shop for the best products they expect. Their products involve paintbrushes, edgy pencils, and much more stuff. Their motive behind establishing this brand...
Popularity 4.4/10
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11
Sakura
Japanese maker whose square pastel sets and oil pastel sticks suit illustrators and fine-line students.
Top products: Nouvel Carré Pastel· Cray-Pas JUMBO
Popularity 4.4/10
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12
Sennelier
French maker of professional soft pastels with a large palette of single colours sold in open stock.
Website: sennelier-colors.com |Brands like Sennelier
Popularity 4.1/10
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13
Pentel
Pentel has many best-quality pens, refills, stationery, and accessories. They've been assisting people in developing their unique handwriting style and becoming more expressive for over 40 years. They are a renowned maker of exquisite writing and drawing products. Their goal...
Website: pentel.com |Brands like Pentel
Popularity 4.1/10
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14
Reeves
Student-grade soft pastels in boxed sets, sold alongside paints and drawing pads for school use.
Website: myreeves.com |Brands like Reeves
Popularity 4.0/10
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15
Royal & Langnickel
Mass-market brand whose pastel sets are common in starter kits and gift packs.
Website: art.royalbrush.com |Brands like Royal & Langnickel
Popularity 3.7/10
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16
Grumbacher
Graded sets running from sketching sticks to large landscape assortments of soft pastel.
Top products: Finest Soft Pastels
Website: grumbacher.chartpak.com |Brands like Grumbacher
Popularity 3.5/10
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17
Derwent
Pastel sticks sized to match its drawing pencils for mixing dry media on one sheet.
Website: derwentart.com |Brands like Derwent
Popularity 3.5/10
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18
Crayola
Chunky oil pastels with easy-grip barrels, sized for small hands and classroom tables.
Website: shop.crayola.com |Brands like Crayola
Popularity 3.1/10
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19
Prismacolor
Known in the US for its soft pastel sticks and coloured pencils, aimed at illustrators and designers.
Website: prismacolor.com |Brands like Prismacolor
Popularity 2.3/10
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20
Winsor & Newton
Artists' soft pastels sold alongside its oil and watercolour paints, with a professional line.
Website: winsornewton.com |Brands like Winsor & Newton
Popularity 2.3/10
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21
Dixon
Dixon Soy Candles is the premium manufacturer of soya scented candles made entirely of soy wax, a natural wax extracted from soybeans. The scented candles come in a choice of scents and provide hours of clean-burning aroma. They include no...
Popularity 2.1/10
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22
Schmincke
Dense, highly pigmented pastel sticks in a large professional palette, often bought for finished portrait work.
Website: schmincke.de |Brands like Schmincke
Popularity 2.1/10
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23
Conté
French-origin maker of conté crayons and pastel sticks, traditionally used for sketching and portraits.
Website: contebyoksana.com |Brands like Conté
Popularity 1.9/10
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24
Cretacolor
Compressed pastel sticks and graphite art pencils with a firm, smooth core.
Website: cretacolor.com |Brands like Cretacolor
Popularity 1.9/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caran d'Ache | carandache.com | /carandache.of.switzerland | carandache | – | CARANDACHEcom |
| Weber | weber.com | /Weberbbqindia | weberbbqindia | – | UCY66YsghSub9ZkrNEkJwGw |
| Faber-Castell | fabercastell.com | /FaberCastellUSA | fabercastellusa | @FaberCastellUSA | FaberCastellUSA |
| Panpastel | panpastel.com | /PanPastelColors | p | – | PanPastel |
| Royal Talens | royaltalens.com | /RoyalTalens | royaltalens | – | RoyalTalens |
| Daler-Rowney | daler-rowney.com | – | – | – | – |
| Koh-I-Noor | kohinoorusa.com | /KohINoorUSA | kohinoorusa | – | UClfMY66jglM9gB-DSdXPc1Q |
| Unison | unisoncolour.com | /unisoncolour | unisoncolour | @unisoncolour | Unison Colour |
Chalk Pastels Buying Guide
Chalk pastels are a versatile medium that allow artists to create stunning works of art with rich, vibrant colors. Whether you are a seasoned artist or just starting out, choosing the right chalk pastels can make a huge difference in the quality of your work. In this buying guide, we will explore the different types of chalk pastels available, as well as the characteristics you should consider when making a purchase.
Types of Chalk Pastels
There are two main types of chalk pastels: soft and hard. Soft pastels are made of pure pigment, mixed with a small amount of binder to hold the pigment together. They are known for their smooth, velvety texture and vibrant colors. Soft pastels can be blended easily and are ideal for creating large, colorful pieces.
Hard pastels, on the other hand, are made with a higher proportion of binder, making them harder and more durable than soft pastels. They do not blend as easily as soft pastels, but they can be used to create fine details and are ideal for sketching and drawing. Hard pastels are also less messy than soft pastels, making them a good choice for artists who like to work with more control.
Characteristics to Consider
When choosing chalk pastels, there are several characteristics you should consider.
Pigment Quality
The quality of the pigment used in the pastel is one of the most important factors to consider. High-quality pigments produce richer, more vibrant colors and are less likely to fade over time. Look for pastel sets that use pure, high-quality pigments.
Luminosity
Luminosity refers to the brightness and intensity of the colors in the pastel. You want to choose pastels that have a high level of luminosity to make your artwork stand out. Look for pastel sets that have a good range of color intensity and brightness.
Lightfastness
Lightfastness refers to the ability of the pigment to resist fading when exposed to light. Some pigments are more lightfast than others, meaning they will remain vibrant even after years of exposure to light. It is important to choose pastels that are lightfast to ensure your artwork will last for many years to come.
Texture
The texture of the pastel is also an important consideration. Soft pastels have a smooth, velvety texture that allows the pigment to be applied in a thick layer, creating a rich, vibrant color. Hard pastels have a coarser texture that allows for more control when drawing and sketching. Consider which type of texture will work best for your artwork.
Binder
The binder in the pastel is what holds the pigment together. The binder can affect the texture and hardness of the pastel. Look for pastels that have a good balance of binder and pigment to create a smooth, even application of color.
Quantity
The quantity of pastels in a set can vary greatly. Some sets have just a few colors while others have dozens or even hundreds. Consider how many colors you need for your artwork and choose a set that will provide you with the right range of colors.
Top Chalk Pastel Brands
There are many different brands of chalk pastels available, but some stand out above the rest. Here are some of the top brands of chalk pastels on the market:
Rembrandt
Rembrandt pastels are known for their high-quality pigments and luminous colors. They are soft pastels that blend easily and are ideal for creating large, colorful pieces. Rembrandt pastels are also lightfast, ensuring that your artwork will not fade over time.
Caran d'Ache
Caran d'Ache is a Swiss-based brand that is known for its high-quality art supplies. Their pastels are soft and pigmented, with a luxurious texture that allows for easy blending. Caran d'Ache pastels are also lightfast, ensuring that your artwork will retain its vibrancy for many years.
Sennelier
Sennelier pastels are another top-rated brand. They are known for their vibrant colors and smooth, velvety texture. Sennelier pastels are made with high-quality pigments and are lightfast, making them a great choice for artists who want to create artwork that will last for many years.
Conté
Conté pastels are a popular choice for artists who prefer a harder pastel. They have a high level of pigment concentration, allowing for fine details and a high level of control. Conté pastels also come in a range of vibrant colors and are a great choice for sketching and drawing.
Conclusion
Choosing the right chalk pastels is essential for any artist who wants to create beautiful, vibrant artwork. When making a purchase, consider the pigment quality, luminosity, lightfastness, texture, binder, and quantity of the pastels. Some of the top-rated brands of chalk pastels include Rembrandt, Caran d'Ache, Sennelier, and Conté. Invest in a high-quality set of chalk pastels and watch your artwork come to life.
