Faber Castell Oil Pastels

The Faber-Castell Creative Studio Oil Pastels (part of their entry-to-intermediate blue-box line) sit right in the sweet spot between student-grade crayons and professional artist-grade pastels. They are formulated using wax, oil binders, and high-concentration pigments.

Key Performance Characteristics

Consistency & Texture: They have a creamy, slightly firm, buttery stroke. They aren't as overly soft or lipstick-like as Sennelier, which makes them easier to control for detail work, fine lines, and firm layering without immediately clogging the tooth of the paper.

Surface Adhesion: Because oil pastels are non-drying and naturally adhesive, they work well across a wide variety of surfaces:  Standard & heavy-weight paper (pastel paper, watercolor paper). Stretched canvas and canvas boards.  Smooth wood, cardboard, masonite, and unglazed ceramic/pottery. Permanence & Fixation: Unlike soft pastels, oil pastels do not require a fixative. Once laid down, they are water-resistant and remain slightly soft indefinitely.