How to Choose Pastels: A Practical Guide

How to Choose Pastels: The Short Answer

How do you choose pastels? Start by deciding what result you want to achieve. Dry pastels often produce a loose, matte mark and allow tones to be blended softly, while oil pastels create denser strokes and offer a different experience when working in layers. The next factors to consider are the color selection, stick shape, working surface, and scale of your project.

For a first purchase, the largest set is not automatically the best choice. A small, carefully selected palette may be enough for a specific subject, while a varied set is more useful when you want to try different palettes. To see all the options together, you can browse the pastel collection and compare products using criteria prepared in advance.

Main Selection Criteria

When evaluating pastels, focus on four points: type, desired mark, color selection, and frequency of use. The type determines the overall nature of the process; the shape and size of the stick affect how it feels in the hand and how details are created; and the list of colors shows how well the set suits your subject.

• Technique: Do you want soft transitions, clear lines, broad areas of color, or a combination of several effects?
• Palette: Do you need basic colors, many tonal variations, or one frequently used color?
• Format: Are you working on small details or filling a large surface?
• Surface: Do you already know which paper or other support you will use to test the material?
• Use: Is this your first trial set, a regular working material, or an addition to an existing palette?

Along with the number of colors shown on the packaging, examine the actual color list. Two sets with the same number of colors may serve different purposes: one may contain more bright shades, while the other may include neutral or closely related colors. The quantity is therefore only a starting point, not the final answer.

Type, Size, Support, and Use Case

Choosing Dry and Soft Pastels

Dry pastels are suitable for those interested in a matte surface, light distribution of color, and tonal transitions. A soft stick easily leaves a broad mark, although you may need to use its corner or edge for fine details. When choosing, consider whether a clean contour or a free, painterly mark is more important for your work.

The working support is also part of the process. Surfaces with different textures hold pastel differently, so it is not worth starting a large piece directly on unfamiliar paper. Test the stroke, blending, layering, and how comfortably you can control the material on a small area.

Choosing Oil Pastels

You may choose oil pastels if you want dense strokes, areas of color, and gradual layering. Stick thickness also matters here: the broad side is useful for covering large areas, while the edge can define relatively small shapes. Using the same stick for a very small sketch and a large-format work requires different levels of control.

If you want many colors in one set, you can consider MM Oil Pastels, 120 Pieces. If you specifically need white oil pastels, a separate option is MM White Oil Pastels, 6 Pieces. These two options serve different purposes: the first is a multicolor set, while the second consists of six pastels in a single color.

How to Compare Options Step by Step

Begin the comparison with one sentence: “I need pastels to...” Complete it with a specific task—for example, creating small sketches, color transitions, clear outlines, or large areas of color. This wording will quickly rule out options that do not suit your technique.

Next, make a short list of essential colors. If you often draw portraits, landscapes, or abstract compositions, each subject may require a different palette. First mark the essential colors, then the additions you would like, and finally the shades you can work without at this stage.

• Choose the pastel type according to the mark you want.
• Compare sets by their actual color selection, not only by quantity.
• Consider the stick shape in relation to the scale and level of detail in your work.
• Decide on a test surface in advance.
• Determine whether you need a full palette or one specific additional color.
• Connect your final choice to one real project.

If you are undecided between two options, describe how each one performs against these five criteria. “Many colors” is a less precise argument than “this set contains the main and transitional tones needed for my project.” This shifts the decision from visual impression to practical suitability.

Using and Testing Pastels in Practice

Start using new pastels on a small test sheet. Make a thin line, a broad stroke, marks with light and heavy pressure, and then overlap two colors. This simple exercise will show you how the pastel behaves on your chosen surface and how easily you can control it.

Creating small color swatches is also useful. Mark each color separately and add its name or a reference number. A color may appear different on a screen, on the packaging, and on the working surface, so a personal swatch sheet makes it easier to plan future palettes.

Do not open every color at once while working. Select a limited palette for the current composition and test how the colors interact first. This will help you see whether you truly need a new shade or whether you can achieve the desired result with the colors already selected.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Pastels

The most common mistake is focusing only on the number of colors. A large set may be appealing, but quantity will not solve the problem if it lacks the tones needed for your subject or if the selected type does not suit your technique. Define the purpose first, and only then compare set sizes.

Another mistake is evaluating different kinds of pastels in the same way. Dry and oil pastels should not be compared only by their shape—the way they are used and the marks they produce are different. Do not overlook the support either: the combination of pastel and surface directly affects the overall working process.

Testing a new material immediately on a finished piece is equally problematic. A small test will help you assess pressure, the order of layers, and the behavior of the color in advance. Also avoid choosing a set because of one standout color when you have little practical need for the rest of the palette.

Conclusion: Choosing Pastels Thoughtfully

The right pastel is one that suits your technique, subject, working scale, and surface. Start with the effect you want, choose the appropriate type, check the actual color selection, and decide whether you need a full set or a specific color. After that, evaluating stick size and the number of colors becomes much easier.

Before making the final decision, connect your choice to one specific project and plan a small test sample. This approach will help you select not simply more pastels, but a material you will actually use.