Color with Purpose: 23 Best Crayola Oil Pastels for Vibrant Creations
This comprehensive guide reviews Crayola's oil pastels, comparing their color intensity, texture, and lasting power to help artists choose the right medium for their projects.
Crayola oil pastels combine rich pigmentation with a buttery texture that's perfect for detailed artwork. These professional-grade pastels resist smudging and blend smoothly for vibrant results.
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Reviews
Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack
Crayola's jumbo oil pastels pack a punch of vibrant color in their smooth, creamy formula that blends effortlessly to create true secondary hues. The thick, durable sticks, shaped for easy grip, prevent rolling and breakage while providing the strength to withstand even the most enthusiastic color layers. With 120 user-reviews praising their reliability and brilliance, these AP-certified pastels have become a classroom staple for both beginners and veteran artists alike.
Royal Talens Panda Oil Pastels
These soft oil pastels apply beautifully and come in a convenient paper-wrapped format that protects your hands. You can use them on their own or combine them with other media like gouache or watercolor. The black pastel works great for the "repelling technique" - just add black over your colors and scratch through to reveal the ones underneath!
Cray-Pas Specialist Oil Pastels
Cray-Pas oil pastels sit on the canvas as a rich foundation for detailed work, their highly concentrated pigments building texture with each layer. The square-shaped sticks, slightly softer than a crayon yet firmer than some professional brands, excel at creating both fine lines and broad strokes. With 36 colors in each set, artists find them versatile enough for fine art drawing, commercial illustration, and personal projects alike.
Pentel Oil Pastel Set
These oil pastels bring vibrant color to your artwork with their smooth application and easy blending. The twelve-pack includes a nice variety of earthy tones and bright hues, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced artists.
Pentel Oil Pastel Set
A budget-friendly introduction to oil pastels, this 50-pack from Pentel delivers rich, fade-resistant color that applies beautifully on paper, board, or canvas. The pastels blend smoothly for soft transitions between colors, making them perfect for artists of all ages and skill levels. While some professionals might prefer the creamy consistency of more expensive brands, these durable pastels are an exceptional value for beginners and casual artists exploring this versatile medium.
Mont Marte Crayon Studio Art Oil Pastels Set
The Mont Marte Crayon Studio Art Oil Pastels Set combines the versatility of both drawing and painting into one convenient tool. Each twistable color stick can be used straight from the tube or blended to create smooth transitions. The included brush and water allow you to transform your drawings into vibrant paintings, making this set ideal for both beginners and experienced artists. All 24 colors come safely stored in a portable plastic case that doubles as your work surface.
Pentel Arts Oil Pastels
When you're working with these creamy, blendable oil pastels, you're not hurried by short drying times – they stay put for weeks, giving you plenty of time to perfect your pieces. The 25-pack is an excellent value, and while the pastels are perfect for canvas and various paper types, they're so versatile that pros and students alike swear by them. Whether you're coloring hair or creating detailed artwork for your portfolio, these acid-free pastels won't disappoint.
Crayola Oil Pastels Art Tools
These oil pastels hit all the right notes for young artists - vibrant colors that blend beautifully, a generous size that prevents breakage, and that clever hexagonal shape that keeps them from rolling off the page. At just $5 for 28 colors, it's a steal compared to pro-grade options. My go-to oil pastel trick? Using darker colors to scratch out designs with a toothpick - it's like having a secret stamp in your coloring box.
Crayola Oil Pastels
These oil pastels deliver a creamy, blendable texture that's a joy to work with, whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out. The 16 rich colors offer plenty of options for your next creative project. The sturdy hexagonal shape makes them extra comfortable to hold, so your art time is as much fun as your creation.
Crayola Neon Oil Pastels
The chunky hexagonal shape keeps these neon oil pastels from rolling off tables, making them perfect for young artists' little hands. They're AP-certified nontoxic and blend smoothly for vibrant artwork that really pops, whether you're coloring on dark or light paper. The creamy consistency means you can load up your brush and layer colors beautifully, just like the professionals do.
Crayola Neon Oil Pastels
Uncover neon brilliance with these super-sized oil pastels that blend easily to create stunning secondary colors. The hexagonal shape keeps them from rolling away while you work, making them perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists alike.
Crayola Portfolio Series Water Soluble Oil Pastels
These oil pastels put crayons to shame with their creamy texture and smooth application. The best part? You can paint over them with water to get those dreamy watercolor effects. Whether you're a pro or just starting out, these 12 colors offer blending magic that's hard to resist.
Crayola 300 Oil Pastels
Crayola's water-soluble oil pastels deliver rich, creamy colors that blend smoothly, making them perfect for both beginner artists and teachers. The pastels can be used wet or dry, and while the color intensity might not match more expensive brands, they offer excellent value for money. With 12 vibrant colors in each box, these pastels are a fun and affordable way to explore oil pastel techniques.
Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack 12 Brilliant Opaque Colors
These oil pastels pack a powerful punch of color into their hefty jumbo sticks, making them a hit with both elementary students and artist beginners alike. The smooth, creamy texture blends beautifully to create rich, opaque hues, while the sturdy hexagonal shape keeps them from rolling off desks. Each stick reveals its color name on the label when you snap off the convenient snap closure, helping artists of all skill levels identify their shades with ease.
Crayola Oil Pastels
Combining smooth consistency with vibrant color, these oil pastels create rich, blendable hues that delight both young artists and experienced creators alike. The hexagonal shape makes them comfortable to grip, while the tough, non-toxic coating ensures they stay in one piece during even the messiest art sessions. Each box holds 16 oil pastels in a rainbow of shades, enough to inspire hours of creative fun.
Crayola Portfolio Oil Pastels
These water-soluble oil pastels offer a wonderful balance of traditional oil pastel properties with modern flexibility. The smooth, non-rolling hexagonal sticks maintain their shape while providing creamy consistency and vivid color. Whether used dry or blended with water, these versatile pastels create rich color layers that rival their more expensive counterparts while remaining surprisingly affordable.
Crayola Oil Pastels
Crayola Oil Pastels pack a punch with their rich, vibrant colors that blend to create true secondary shades. The jumbo-sized, hexagonal sticks prevent rolling and feature a tapered tip perfect for detailed work. Each pack includes 6 basic colors plus metallic gold and silver options, giving young artists six brilliant shades for their next creative project.
Crayola Classpack Oil Pastels
Crayola's classpack oil pastels bring a vibrant burst of creativity to any project, with their rich color and creamy texture that blends beautifully. The sturdy hexagonal shape makes them perfect for little hands, while the smooth pointed tips allow for detailed drawing. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an experienced artist looking for a reliable set, these pastels deliver lasting color and smooth application.
Crayola Water-Soluble Oil Pastels
This 24-color set lets you dive into rich, creamy hues that blend beautifully whether you're working wet or dry. The tapered tips make it easy to get into those tricky spots, and when you're ready to switch things up, just dip them in water to transform them into paint sticks. While they might be a bit more crumbly than you'd expect from a professional set, these water-soluble oil pastels still pack a punch with their vibrant colors and smooth texture.
Pentel Oil Pastel Set
These oil pastels offer vibrant color application and smooth blending, making them ideal for artists of all skill levels. The 36-color sets measure 6.5" by 7.81" by 1.68", providing a good selection while maintaining portability. Users appreciate their acid-free quality and resistance to humidity, though some suggest they might be better for layering short strokes than for very detailed work. The pastels are highly versatile, working well on paper, board, or canvas, and have earned strong reviews from both beginners and experienced artists who appreciate their performance at an affordable price point.
Pentel Round Stick Oil Pastels
These affordable oil pastels deliver professional-quality results, with vibrant colors that blend smoothly and resist fading. The blunt-ended sticks, measuring just over 2 inches long, apply beautifully to both paper and canvas, though users recommend using gray paper stumps and an X-acto knife for precise detailing. The 12-pack offers a great variety for beginners or casual artists without breaking the bank.
Pentel 36-Color Oil Pastel Set
These oil pastels deliver rich, vibrant color with smooth application, perfect for bringing your artwork to life on paper, canvas, or artboard. The 36-piece set offers a generous selection of shades, from deep earth tones to bright pastels, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced artists. The compact carry case keeps your pastels organized and protected for easy transport to classes or studio sessions.
Crayola Oil Pastel Set
Crabby here thinks these oil pastels strike the perfect balance between affordability and artistic potential. At a bargain price point, they outshine many similarly priced options with their vibrant, fade-resistant colors and smooth blendability. Whether you're a beginner skater looking to color-coordinate your next design or an aspiring artist testing out the medium, these 36-pack pastels make an impressive first impression.
Buyer's Guide
When selecting Crayola Oil Pastels, consider factors that impact color intensity, blending properties, and durability. The type of art surface affects how the pastels perform - smooth paper works best for detailed work, while textured surfaces accommodate thicker applications.
Color Range and Intensity
Look for a comprehensive color selection that includes both primary and secondary hues. High-color intensity allows for vibrant, pure shades without mixing. Consider whether the set offers light or pastel tones in addition to bold colors for versatility.
Core Quality and Satability
Oil pastel cores should be solid and unwrinkled to prevent crumbling. The pastels need to maintain their shape during use. Premium quality pastels resist breaking and dusting off, ensuring consistent application and longevity of artwork.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
Check if the pastels are non-toxic and packaged with child-safe features like sealed ends and easy-open lids. Opt for products that use sustainable materials and eco-friendly packaging to minimize environmental impact.
FAQ
What colors are included in the standard Crayola Oil Pastel set?
The standard Crayola Oil Pastel set consists of 24 colors. The included colors typically match the standard Crayola color line, covering a wide range of primary, secondary, and intermediate hues.
Note that specific color availability may vary by region. Some sets may include alternative shades or regional-specific colors.
What is the approximate length of the oil pastels?
Crayola Oil Pastels are designed to be comfortable for young artists to hold, with an average length of about 3.5 inches (8.9 cm).
Each pastel features a sturdy cardboard tube with a convenient grip ribbed surface to prevent slipping during use.
Are Crayola Oil Pastels suitable for both children and adults?
Yes, Crayola Oil Pastels are designed to be versatile and enjoyable for artists of all ages. The pastels are suitable for children 3 years and older, as well as adult artists.
The consistent size and shape of the pastels make them easy for children to grip and control, while the vibrant colors appeal to artists of all skill levels.
How long do Crayola Oil Pastels typically last?
When stored properly and used regularly, Crayola Oil Pastels should last several years. The quality of pigmentation typically remains consistent over time.
Like most oil pastels, proper storage in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight helps maintain their quality and prevent melting or softening.
What makes Crayola Oil Pastels different from regular crayons?
Oil Pastels offer more intense color saturation and blending capabilities compared to standard crayons. The waxy core allows for smooth application and easy layering.
Unlike crayons, oil pastels don't readily break apart and resist sharpness, making them ideal for creating rich, detailed artwork.
Are these oil pastels washable or non-washable?
Crayola Oil Pastels are specifically designed for non-washable surfaces. They are not intended for use on washable surfaces such as paper or clothing.
While they can be applied to a variety of non-washable surfaces including cardboard, canvas, and wood, the oil-based formula ensures that the colors will not wash off easily.
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