The best beginner pastel sets make it easier to experiment with color, layering, blending, and mark-making without assembling supplies one piece at a time.
This roundup compares 10 oil and soft pastel options across different color counts, shapes, sizes, and accessory bundles so you can choose a set that matches your medium, budget, and creative goals.
Best 10 Beginner Pastel Sets Picks for 2026
Best All-Around Oil Pastel Set
- 50-color assortment
- Smooth, blendable application
- Works on paper, canvas, and artboard
Best For: Beginners seeking a versatile oil pastel set
Best Dry Pastel Variety
- 64 vibrant colors
- Soft and blendable square sticks
- Supports gradation and dry-wash techniques
Best For: Beginners learning dry-pastel techniques
Best Portable Oil Pastels
- 50 vibrant colors
- Soft, creamy, blendable texture
- Sleeved sticks for easier portability
Best For: Beginners wanting portable oil pastels
Best Kid-Friendly Starter Set
- 25 approachable colors
- Creamy and blendable texture
- ACMI AP Seal certified non-toxic
Best For: Children’s home and school art projects
Best Value Starter
- 24 vibrant basic colors for approachable projects
- Soft, blendable texture for beginner techniques
- Individually sleeved and portable
Best For: Beginners, students, and family crafting
Balanced Color Range
- 72 colors for blending and creative exploration
- Smooth coverage on paper, card, canvas, and more
- Level-3 lightfastness and individual packaging
Best For: Growing beginners, hobbyists, and classrooms
Largest Palette
- 120 colors for broad creative flexibility
- Soft texture for blending and layered techniques
- Individual sleeves and included storage case
Best For: Color-focused beginners and comprehensive gift sets
Color Variety Pick
- 50 sticks with 48 colors plus extra black and white
- Soft square format for blending, shading, and varied marks
- Compact individual-slot case with four fluorescent colors
Best For: Beginners wanting a portable soft pastel set with broad color coverage
Complete Starter Kit
- 103-piece kit with 48 oil pastel colors and accessories
- Includes blending tools, brushes, knives, pad, and swatch paper
- Soft, buttery texture for layering, shading, and mixing
Best For: Beginners who want tools and practice materials included
Paper-and-Tools Value Set
- 48 colors plus four extra white pastels
- Includes holder, scraper, sharpener, and 10 paper sheets
- Smooth, blendable, non-toxic, and low-odor formula
Best For: Beginners wanting oil pastels with paper and essential tools
Best All-Around Oil Pastel Set – Pentel 50-Color Oil Pastels
For shoppers comparing beginner pastel sets, the Pentel PHN-50 offers a broad 50-color palette with smooth application and easy blending. Its oil-pastel formula works on paper, canvas, and artboard, making it a flexible choice for drawing and color mixing.
Best For: Beginners, families, and artists who want a versatile oil pastel set with many color options.
Pros:
- 50 multicolor pastels provide plenty of shades for varied artwork.
- Applies smoothly and blends easily for shading and color mixing.
- Suitable for paper, canvas, and artboard.
- Acid-free and resistant to humidity effects for longer-lasting drawings.
Cons:
- The set is oil-based rather than a dry soft-pastel formula.
- Its 50-color assortment may be more than needed for very simple projects.
The Pentel set is a practical starting point when you want beginner-friendly blending and a substantial range of colors without limiting yourself to one surface.
Best Dry Pastel Variety – MUNGYO 64-Color Soft Pastels
MUNGYO Soft Pastel Set – 64 Vibrant Colors for Artists | Smooth & Blendable | Square Shape
Check Price On AmazonAmong beginner pastel sets, the MUNGYO 64-color collection stands out for its large range of vibrant square soft pastels. The soft, blendable sticks support techniques such as blending, gradation, and dry-wash while remaining compact and easy to handle.
Best For: Beginners and students learning dry-pastel blending, shading, and gradation techniques.
Pros:
- Includes 64 rich, vibrant colors.
- Soft texture supports blending, gradation, and dry-wash techniques.
- Square shape provides an easy-to-handle grip.
- AP-seal non-toxic formulation.
Cons:
- Not water resistant.
- The square chalk-pastel format may feel less familiar to those used to round sticks.
- Its adult-oriented design may be less suitable for very young children.
This is a strong option if your priority is experimenting with dry-pastel techniques and having many vibrant shades available in one compact box.
Best Portable Oil Pastels – Artecho 50-Color Oil Pastels
The Artecho 50-color set is a convenient pick for beginner pastel sets when portability and easy handling matter. Its soft, creamy oil pastels blend and shade smoothly, while individual paper sleeves help protect each 60-by-8-millimeter stick.
Best For: Beginners, DIY creators, and artists who want a portable set for drawing, illustration, and mixed techniques.
Pros:
- 50 vibrant colors cover a range of layering and mixing needs.
- Soft, creamy texture glides smoothly and blends easily.
- Individual paper sleeves help reduce breakage and slipping.
- Suitable for drawing, illustration, stenciling, scratching, impasto, and dotting.
Cons:
- It is an oil-pastel set, so it does not provide the dry texture of soft chalk pastels.
- The set is identified for adults rather than specifically for young children.
Artecho makes a sensible beginner choice for anyone who wants a generous color selection in sticks designed to fit easily into a bag and support more than basic coloring.
Best Kid-Friendly Starter Set – Sakura 25-Color Oil Pastels
For younger artists choosing beginner pastel sets, Sakura’s Cray-Pas Junior Artist collection offers 25 bright oil-pastel colors with a creamy texture and smooth application. The sticks support blending, layering, and scratching, and they carry the ACMI AP Seal for certified non-toxic materials.
Best For: Children and school or home art projects that need a manageable, non-toxic oil pastel set.
Pros:
- 25-color assortment is approachable for young beginners.
- Creamy texture supports blending, layering, and scratching.
- AP Seal certified non-toxic formulation.
- Color matrix testing is designed to support blendability between pigments.
Cons:
- Provides fewer colors than the 50- and 64-color alternatives.
- It is an oil-pastel set rather than a dry soft-pastel kit.
The Sakura set is an especially practical introduction for children who need bright, easy-to-use colors and a smaller assortment that is less overwhelming than a larger artist set.
Best Value Starter – 24-Color Soft Oil Pastels
For shoppers comparing beginner pastel sets, this 24-color Artecho kit offers a manageable starting palette without overwhelming a new artist. The soft, buttery sticks are designed for smooth coverage, blending, shading, and other exploratory techniques.
Best For: Beginners, students, family craft sessions, and artists who want a portable basic palette.
Pros:
- Includes 24 vibrant, richly pigmented basic colors.
- Soft texture supports blending, layering, shading, and texture building.
- Individual paper sleeves help protect each 70 x 10 mm pastel.
- Non-toxic and suitable for classroom, homeschool, and family use.
Cons:
- The 24-color selection offers less variety than larger sets.
- Oil pastels are intended for dry techniques rather than water-based work.
This is a practical entry point for learning how oil pastels feel and blend. Choose it when portability and simplicity matter more than having an extensive range of shades.
Balanced Color Range – 72-Color Soft Oil Pastels
Among beginner pastel sets, the MEEDEN 72-color kit gives new artists more room to experiment with color mixing while remaining focused on easy-to-use soft oil pastels. Its smooth application works across card, oil pastel paper, canvas, and other surfaces.
Best For: Beginners ready for broader color exploration, hobbyists, classrooms, and portable sketching.
Pros:
- 72 vivid colors support basic application, blending, layering, and shading.
- Soft pastels provide smooth, even coverage on several surfaces.
- Level-3 lightfastness is specified for color stability over time.
- Individual packaging helps keep colors separate and hands cleaner.
Cons:
- The larger set weighs 0.5 kg, making it less lightweight than a small starter kit.
- A broader palette may be more than someone wants for occasional basic coloring.
The 72-color selection is a useful middle ground: it gives beginners meaningful variety without moving to the very largest set. It is especially suitable if blending and color experimentation are priorities.
Largest Palette – 120-Color Soft Oil Pastels
For beginners who want maximum color choice from the start, this Artecho 120-color set provides an extensive palette for drawing, painting, blending, and layered pastel work. The soft sticks are individually sleeved and supplied with a storage case.
Best For: Beginners planning varied projects, color-focused hobbyists, classrooms, and gift buyers seeking a comprehensive set.
Pros:
- 120 vibrant colors provide extensive room for color selection and mixing.
- Soft, buttery texture supports blending, shading, layering, and texture building.
- Each 70 x 10 mm pastel has an individual paper sleeve.
- Includes a storage case and uses non-toxic materials.
Cons:
- The large color count may feel excessive for someone just testing oil pastels.
- The set takes more storage space than smaller beginner kits.
This is the choice for beginners who prefer not to outgrow their first palette quickly. Its extensive selection supports experimentation, though a smaller set may be easier to organize for simple introductory projects.
Color Variety Pick – Artecho Soft Pastels
For beginners exploring pastel techniques, the Artecho Soft Pastels set provides 48 colors plus spare black and white sticks. The square, soft chalk format supports blending, layering, shading, sketching, and both detailed and broad marks.
Best For: Beginners, students, and hobby artists who want a portable soft pastel set with a broad color range.
Pros:
- Includes 50 sticks with 48 distinct colors plus extra black and white.
- Soft square pastels work for fine lines, thick lines, and large-area coloring.
- Individual slots help organize the sticks and reduce breakage during storage.
- Includes four fluorescent colors for luminous effects under UV or black light.
Cons:
- As soft chalk pastels, they may be less suited to users specifically seeking oil pastels.
- The set does not include drawing paper or specialty tools.
This is a straightforward beginner pastel set with useful color coverage and a compact case. Choose it when blending and traditional soft-pastel shading matter more than an extensive accessory bundle.
Complete Starter Kit – COLOUR BLOCK Oil Pastels
The COLOUR BLOCK oil pastel set is designed for beginners who want supplies beyond the sticks themselves. Along with 48 colors, it includes blending tools, brushes, palette knives, a pastel pad, swatch paper, and other accessories for practicing multiple techniques.
Best For: Beginners and hobbyists seeking an all-in-one oil pastel kit for blending, layering, shading, scratching, and stenciling.
Pros:
- Includes 103 pieces, including 48 oil pastels and nine listed tool types.
- Ultra-soft texture supports smooth blending, layering, and high-coverage effects.
- Includes a pastel pad and swatch paper so users can start practicing immediately.
- Rigid storage box has individual grooves and paper sleeves to help keep colors organized.
Cons:
- The large accessory set may be more than someone seeking only basic pastel sticks needs.
- Oil pastels are less focused on the dry-chalk experience of traditional soft pastels.
Among beginner pastel sets, this option stands out for its broad collection of tools and practice materials. It is a practical choice when learning different oil pastel methods is more important than keeping the kit minimal.
Paper-and-Tools Value Set – WINSONS Oil Pastels
The WINSONS oil pastel set gives beginners a ready-to-use collection of 48 colors, four extra white pastels, and basic accessories. Its included paper, holder, scraper, and sharpener support drawing, blending, layering, shading, and scratch-art practice.
Best For: Beginners, students, and adults who want oil pastels with paper and simple control tools included.
Pros:
- Includes 48 colors, four extra white pastels, and 10 sheets of oil pastel paper.
- Soft, smooth sticks are designed for strong coverage and easy blending.
- Holder, scraper, and sharpener support cleaner handling, texture work, and fine lines.
- Described as non-toxic and low-odor, with lightfastness intended to help colors remain vivid.
Cons:
- The set has fewer total pieces and accessories than the 103-piece COLOUR BLOCK kit.
- Its included paper supply is limited to 10 sheets.
This set balances a useful color range with the essentials for getting started. It suits shoppers who want more than pastel sticks but do not need a very large accessory collection.
How We Picked These Beginner Pastel Sets
We focused on sets that are approachable for new artists while offering enough color variety for practice, portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and mixed-media projects. We considered the number of usable shades, pastel format, stick dimensions, blendability, included tools, portability, and overall value.
The selection includes both oil pastels and soft pastels. Oil pastels generally feel creamy and durable, while soft pastels produce a drier, more powdery mark that is useful for atmospheric blending. Because these materials behave differently, the best choice depends as much on working style as on color count.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| First pastel set | 24–50 colors, straightforward format, and a manageable price |
| Broad color exploration | 64–120 colors with multiple tints and darker shades |
| Portable practice | Compact packaging and sturdy sticks that are easy to organize |
| Complete starter kit | Paper, blending tools, scrapers, or holders included |
| Detailed work | Longer or firmer sticks that support controlled marks |
Key Buying Factors for Beginner Pastel Sets
Choose the Right Pastel Type
Oil pastels are usually a forgiving starting point because they do not require water or fixative and can be layered directly on paper. Soft pastels blend readily and can create smooth gradients, but they may produce dust and work best with suitable pastel paper.
Balance Color Count with Usability
A larger set is not automatically better. Beginners often get more use from a thoughtfully arranged 24- or 50-color selection than from a very large set with many similar shades. More colors can reduce mixing, though they also require more storage and organization.
Check Stick Size and Shape
Shorter sticks can be economical and portable, while longer sticks provide more material for frequent practice. Square pastels offer edges for lines and broad faces for coverage; rounded or conventional sticks may feel more comfortable for general coloring.
Consider Included Accessories
Paper, blending stumps, tortillions, brushes, scrapers, and holders can make an all-in-one kit convenient for beginners. However, accessory quality varies, so prioritize the pastel quality and color selection if you already own basic tools.
Who Should Buy Which Beginner Pastel Sets?
Choose a smaller 24- or 25-color set if you want an affordable introduction, teach a child, or prefer learning to mix colors. A 48- to 50-color set is a strong general-purpose choice for beginners who want variety without an oversized case.
Artists who enjoy experimenting with gradients, portraits, or colorful landscapes may prefer a 64- to 72-color set. A 120-color collection suits frequent users who want extensive shade coverage and do not mind paying more for storage and selection.
If convenience matters most, choose a complete kit with paper and blending tools. For classroom use, travel, or shared family projects, prioritize durable packaging and a clear color layout. Whichever set you choose, pair it with suitable paper and test a few blending techniques before judging the pastels’ full potential.