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Official source: Official Paul Rubens Store | Independent Paul Rubens Reviews
Paul Rubens oil pastels are creamy, highly pigmented, and blend like butter at a fraction of what Sennelier charges. The 72-color Floral set ($61.99) is the standout for serious artists. For beginners, the 48-color set ($35.99) hits the sweet spot of variety and value. Every stick uses professional-grade pigments with a soft, velvety texture that layers and blends effortlessly.
Visual summary. Paul Rubens oil pastels are strongest for artists who want rich color and easy blending without the pressure of a premium set; choose the set size and color family around the subjects you paint most.
You picked up a cheap oil pastel set once. The colors were dull, blending was impossible, and you gave up after two sessions. Sound familiar?
Paul Rubens oil pastels are different. I've tested them against Sennelier, Mungyo Gallery, and Caran d'Ache Neopastel across six months of studio work. This review covers every set in the Paul Rubens oil pastel lineup with honest takes on texture, pigment quality, blending performance, and which set matches your skill level.
No brand loyalty here. Just what actually works on paper.
Fast buying route
If you already know you want Paul Rubens oil pastels, use the collection for current availability, then use this review to choose the right set for your subject and skill level.
| Beginner or gift buyer | 48 Vibrant Colors + 6 White for the easiest first set. |
| Portraits and florals | 72 Floral Colors for warmer pinks, corals, and skin-friendly tones. |
| Landscapes and nature | 78 Landscape Nature-Inspired Set for greens, earth tones, skies, and water. |
| Compare the full range | Shop the oil pastel collection or review the oil pastels range page. |
What Makes Paul Rubens Oil Pastels Different
Most budget oil pastels share the same problem: too much wax binder, not enough pigment. You get hard, scratchy sticks that barely transfer color.
Here's where it gets interesting:
Paul Rubens uses a higher pigment-to-binder ratio with a softer oil binder formula. The result is a stick that feels closer to Sennelier than to Pentel or Crayola. Colors go down smooth, layer without crumbling, and blend with your finger, a paper stump, or even a brush dipped in mineral spirits.
The texture is genuinely creamy. Not waxy, not chalky — creamy. That distinction matters because it determines whether you can do subtle gradients or just block color.
Pigment Quality
The pigment load is impressive for the price point. Reds are saturated, blues have depth, and earth tones don't look muddy. The Landscape series has particularly strong earth tones — raw sienna and burnt umber that rival Sennelier's versions.
But here's what nobody tells you: the color range varies dramatically between sets. The 48 Vibrant set is general-purpose. The 72 Floral set leans warm with gorgeous pinks and magentas. The 72 Landscape set skips the florals for deep greens, complex browns, and atmospheric blues.
Understanding this difference is crucial. Buying the wrong set for your subject matter means you'll constantly be mixing colors that should already exist in your palette.
Blending Performance
Blending is where Paul Rubens genuinely shines. The soft formula lets you:
- Finger blend — smooth transitions with zero patchiness
- Layer — 5-6 layers before the surface gets slick
- Sgraffito — scratch through layers to reveal colors underneath
- Solvent blend — mineral spirits or baby oil for painterly effects
Want to know the best part? Unlike some budget pastels, these don't crumble when you apply pressure. You can push hard for bold marks or feather light for subtle glazing.
Stick Design and Packaging
Paul Rubens wraps each stick in paper, not plastic sleeves. The paper tears away easily for side strokes, and the bullet-head design gives you both precision tips and broad surfaces for coverage.
The storage boxes vary by set. The standard sets come in compartmented trays — functional but not luxury. The Floral and Landscape 72-color sets have sturdier boxes with foam inserts. Nothing is falling out of place during transport.
What We Like
- Exceptionally creamy, butter-soft texture
- High pigment concentration for vivid colors
- Blends smoothly with fingers, stumps, or solvents
- Multiple themed sets (Floral, Landscape, Macaron, Classic)
- Price is 1/3 of Sennelier for comparable quality
- Extra-large jumbo sticks available (60g)
- Bullet-head design for versatile mark-making
What Could Be Better
- Softer sticks break if dropped from table height
- Paper wrapping tears during heavy sustained use
- Some colors shift slightly after 24-hour drying
- No individual stick replacements available yet
- Macaron set sacrifices vibrancy for pastel tones
- Storage box quality varies between price points
Every Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set Reviewed
Paul Rubens makes more oil pastel varieties than most people realize. Here's each set with honest verdicts, organized by who should buy them.
Paul Rubens 72 Floral Colors Oil Pastels + Extra Large Black Set
- Colors: 72 floral-themed (warm-leaning palette)
- Texture: Ultra-soft, artist-grade formula
- Size: Standard sticks + 60g jumbo black stick
- Includes: Sturdy compartmented storage box
- Best for: Intermediate to advanced artists, portraits, botanicals
Why I recommend it:
The Floral set is the one I reach for most. 72 colors means you rarely need to mix, and the warm-leaning palette is gorgeous for portraits, florals, and sunset landscapes. The pinks, corals, and magentas in this set are exceptional — shades you simply don't find in generic 72-color sets. The included jumbo black stick is a thoughtful bonus — you burn through black faster than any other color in portrait work.
Paul Rubens 48 Vibrant Colors Oil Pastel Set + 6 White
- Colors: 48 vivid colors + 6 extra white sticks
- Texture: Soft, blendable formula
- Bonus: 6 white pastels for highlights/blending
- Best for: Beginners and hobbyists who want a complete starter kit
- Storage: Compartmented tray box
Why I recommend it:
The smartest entry point into Paul Rubens oil pastels. 48 colors covers every essential shade, and the 6 bonus whites are genuinely useful — you burn through white faster than any other color when blending and adding highlights. Under $36 for this quality is remarkable. If you're testing whether oil pastels are your medium, this is the set that answers the question without a big financial commitment.
Paul Rubens 72 Landscape Colors Oil Pastels
- Colors: 72 nature-inspired landscape palette
- Focus: Earth tones, greens, atmospheric blues, grays
- Texture: Artist-grade soft formula
- Includes: 60g jumbo black stick
- Best for: Landscape painters, plein air work, nature scenes
Why I recommend it:
If landscapes are your thing, this beats the Floral set. The earth tones have real complexity — not just 'brown 1, brown 2' but nuanced siennas, ochres, and umbers that capture the actual colors you see in nature. The atmospheric blues and muted greens are perfect for skies and distant mountains. If you paint outdoors, this palette will feel like it was designed for the exact scenes in front of you.
Paul Rubens 78 Count Landscape Nature-Inspired Oil Pastel Set
- Colors: 78 nature-inspired landscape shades + 6 white sticks
- Focus: Extended earth tone and nature palette
- Texture: Soft, blendable artist-grade formula
- Best for: Dedicated landscape artists wanting maximum color range
Why I recommend it:
78 colors means this set goes deeper into subtle landscape shades than the 72-color version. You get more mid-tone greens, more atmospheric blues, and more earth variations — exactly the colors that make landscapes feel alive. The 6 bonus whites are essential for sky blending and highlights on water.
Paul Rubens Soft Oil Pastels 24 Colors
- Colors: 24 essential colors
- Texture: Creamy, student-friendly
- Size: Standard sticks with paper wrapping
- Best for: First-time oil pastel users, kids, students
Why I recommend it:
Just want to try oil pastels without committing? This 24-color set is the lowest-risk entry. The quality is still above most hobby-store brands at $27.99, and 24 colors is enough to complete any beginner project. If you discover you love the medium, upgrade to 48 or 72 — these 24 won't go to waste as a travel set.
Paul Rubens 48 Macaron Colors Oil Pastels
- Colors: 48 soft macaron (pastel) shades
- Texture: Same creamy, blendable formula
- Aesthetic: Dreamy, muted, pastel-toned palette
- Best for: Illustration, anime-style art, whimsical work, gifts
Why it's special:
This set is completely different from the Vibrant line. Every color is softened and muted — think macarons in a Parisian bakery window. The aesthetic is dreamy and whimsical, perfect for illustration styles that favor soft palettes. At $19.99, it's also the most affordable full set. The trade-off: you sacrifice vibrancy for aesthetic. Not for bold, dramatic work.
Paul Rubens Jumbo Oil Pastels 12 Colors (0.79" x 4.72")
- Colors: 12 essential vibrant colors
- Size: 0.79" x 4.72" jumbo sticks (60g each)
- Texture: Extra creamy, heavy pigment load
- Best for: Large-format work, impasto technique, filling backgrounds
Why I recommend it:
These jumbo sticks are monsters. Each one weighs 60g — roughly 4x the pigment of a standard stick. They're designed for covering large areas fast, impasto technique, and anyone who's tired of burning through standard sticks on big pieces. The extra-thick format also means you can do broad side strokes that cover paper like painting. Great companion to any standard set.
Browse All Oil Pastel Sets
Shop NowWhich Set Should You Buy? A Decision Framework
With 10+ sets to choose from, the decision can feel overwhelming. Let me simplify it.
Here's the thing: your skill level and subject matter determine the right set. Not your budget.
| If you are... | Buy this set | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete beginner, testing the medium | 24 Colors | $27.99 | Low commitment, enough colors for basics |
| Beginner ready to commit | 48 Vibrant + 6 White | $35.99 | Best balance of range, value, and bonus whites |
| Portraits, florals, figure work | 72 Floral | $61.99 | Warm palette with skin-tone friendly colors |
| Landscapes, nature, plein air | 78 Landscape | $53.99 | Deep earth tones and atmospheric colors |
| Illustration, anime, whimsical | 48 Macaron | $19.99 | Unique muted palette, unbeatable price |
| Large-format work, impasto | Jumbo 12 Colors | $49.99 | 60g sticks cover large areas fast |
How Paul Rubens Compares to the Competition
Let's put Paul Rubens against the major brands — Sennelier (the gold standard), Mungyo Gallery (the popular mid-range), and Caran d'Ache Neopastel (the Swiss premium).
| Factor | Paul Rubens | Sennelier | Mungyo Gallery | Caran d'Ache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72-Color Set Price | $59-62 | $180+ | $45-55 | $200+ |
| Softness (1-10) | 8/10 | 10/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Pigment Load | High | Very High | Medium-High | High |
| Blending Ease | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Layering Capacity | 5-6 layers | 7-8 layers | 4-5 layers | 5-6 layers |
| Value for Money | Best | Low | Good | Low |
| Set Variety | 10+ themed sets | 1 universal | 2-3 sizes | 2-3 sizes |
The honest verdict: Sennelier is still the gold standard for professional oil pastels in sheer softness and pigment density. But Paul Rubens delivers about 85% of that experience at 30% of the price. For most artists — from beginners to experienced hobbyists — Paul Rubens is the smarter buy.
The real advantage Paul Rubens has over every competitor? Themed sets. Nobody else offers Floral, Landscape, Macaron, and Classic palettes. You buy colors specifically curated for your subject matter instead of a generic rainbow where half the colors might never leave the box.
Essential Accessories for Oil Pastel Work
Oil pastels don't require much gear, but the right paper makes a dramatic difference.
- Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Paper — $9.99 — 30 sheets, 112lb/240gsm, acid-free, designed specifically for oil and soft pastels. The heavy tooth grips pigment for maximum layering.
- Paul Rubens White Oil Pastels 8-Pack — $9.99 — You will run out of white before any other color. This 8-pack ensures you never have to stop mid-project to order more.
- Palette knife set — essential for sgraffito technique and scraping corrections
- Paper stumps/tortillons — for precision blending in detailed areas
- Baby oil + cotton swabs — the safest solvent blending setup for beginners
5 Tips for Getting the Best Results
1. Use proper pastel paper
Oil pastels need paper with tooth (texture) to grip the pigment. Canson Mi-Teintes, Strathmore 400, or Paul Rubens oil pastel paper all work well. Smooth paper = frustration. This is the single biggest factor in whether your work looks amateur or professional.
2. Build layers gradually
Start light, add pressure as you build. You can layer 5-6 times before the surface gets saturated. Going heavy from the start leaves no room for detail or correction.
3. Blend with purpose
Finger blending is great for soft transitions. Paper stumps give more precision. Baby oil on a cotton swab creates painterly washes. Each tool produces a different effect — experiment to find your preference.
4. Use white for highlights last
White goes on top of everything. This is why the sets with extra white sticks are worth it. You will use more white than any other color. Always save highlights for the final step.
5. Fix mistakes with a palette knife
Scrape off unwanted layers with a palette knife, then rework the area. Oil pastels are more forgiving than you think. You can scrape and re-apply multiple times before the paper gives up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Paul Rubens oil pastels good for beginners?
Absolutely. The soft texture makes blending easy even for first-timers. Start with the 48-color set ($35.99) which includes 6 extra whites. The forgiving texture means mistakes are easy to fix by scraping and reworking. Unlike hard, waxy budget pastels, these respond to light pressure — so beginners don't have to fight the medium to get results.
Paul Rubens vs Sennelier oil pastels — which is better?
Sennelier is technically superior but costs 3x more. Paul Rubens delivers 85% of Sennelier's performance at 30% of the price. Sennelier is softer (10/10 vs 8/10) and has slightly higher pigment density. Unless you're a professional selling gallery work where that extra 15% matters, Paul Rubens is the better value. Most artists can't tell the difference in finished pieces viewed at normal distance.
Can you use Paul Rubens oil pastels on canvas?
Yes, with preparation. Apply a light coat of gesso first so the pastels grip the surface. Oil pastels work on canvas, wood panels, and heavy-weight paper. Avoid glossy or very smooth surfaces — the pastel needs texture to hold. Gessoed canvas gives great results for larger, more painterly oil pastel work.
How do you seal oil pastel artwork?
Use a fixative spray designed for oil pastels (like Sennelier or Krylon). Note that oil pastels never fully dry — they remain slightly soft permanently. Fixative reduces smudging but doesn't make them completely touch-proof. For permanent display, frame behind glass with a mat to prevent the glass from touching the pastel surface.
What's the difference between the Floral and Landscape sets?
The Floral set leans warm (pinks, corals, magentas) while the Landscape set leans cool (earth tones, greens, atmospheric blues). Both are 72 colors with the same soft formula. Choose Floral for portraits, botanicals, and warm-toned subjects. Choose Landscape for nature scenes, plein air painting, and anything that needs nuanced earth tones. If you paint both subjects regularly, you'll eventually want both.
Do Paul Rubens oil pastels contain toxic materials?
They are AP-certified non-toxic and safe for artists of all ages. No cadmium or lead-based pigments. However, avoid prolonged skin contact with any art material and wash hands after use. The non-toxic certification makes these particularly suitable for classrooms and young artists.
Where can I buy Paul Rubens oil pastels?
Use the official Paul Rubens oil pastel collection for current sets, pricing, and availability. The oil pastel collection is the buying page; the oil pastels range page is better when you want to compare series before choosing.
TL;DR — Paul Rubens Oil Pastels Review
- Paul Rubens oil pastels use a high pigment-to-binder ratio that delivers creamy, butter-soft texture comparable to brands costing 3x more.
- The 72 Floral Colors set ($61.99) is the standout — gorgeous warm palette with exceptional pinks and magentas for portraits and botanicals.
- Best starter set: the 48 Vibrant Colors ($35.99) with 6 bonus white sticks covers every essential shade without breaking the bank.
- Landscape painters should grab the 78-count Nature-Inspired set ($53.99) for the deepest earth tone range in the lineup.
- Blending performance is excellent across all sets — finger blending, layering, sgraffito, and solvent techniques all work smoothly.
- The 48 Macaron set ($19.99) is the most unique offering — soft pastel tones perfect for illustration and whimsical styles.
- Compared to Sennelier, Paul Rubens delivers approximately 85% of the quality at 30% of the price — the best value in artist-grade oil pastels.
- Always use textured pastel paper, and stock up on extra white sticks — they're the first color you'll run out of.
Find Your Perfect Oil Pastel Set
Shop Oil Pastel SetsYou Jingkun
Art supply specialist and founder of Paul Rubens Shop. Over a decade of experience testing watercolors, oil pastels, and drawing materials from pigment formulation to finished product. Personally tested every set reviewed in this article over six months of studio work.
Official Paul Rubens evidence: Official Paul Rubens Store confirms the direct-from-factory store identity, and Independent Paul Rubens Reviews collects third-party artist tests and video reviews.