I Tested Oil Based Colored Pencils for Use with Oil Pastels: My Best SEO-Friendly Guide

AvatarByAnthony Whitley Personal Recommendations

When I first started exploring mixed media art, I quickly realized how much depth and richness could come from combining different drawing materials. One pairing that especially caught my attention was oil based colored pencils for use with oil pastels. At first glance, these two mediums might seem like they belong to separate worlds, but together they can create striking layers, bold textures, and beautifully blended effects that bring artwork to life.

In this article, I want to look at why this combination is so appealing, how it can expand creative possibilities, and what makes it such a valuable choice for artists who enjoy experimenting with color and texture. Whether I’m aiming for subtle shading or vibrant, expressive marks, this medium pairing offers a unique way to push artwork beyond the ordinary.

I Tested The Oil Based Colored Pencils For Use With Oil Pastels Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Ohuhu Colored Pencils: 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils for Coloring Portrait Sketching Landscape, Durable Soft Core, Professional 72 Pack for Artist, Adult & Beginners, Halawa Series

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Ohuhu Colored Pencils: 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils for Coloring Portrait Sketching Landscape, Durable Soft Core, Professional 72 Pack for Artist, Adult & Beginners, Halawa Series

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AXUS MARCO Oil-based Colored Pencils 3.7mm Thick Core, Unbreakable, Great Color Rendering, Iron Box Packed, for Artists & Art Lovers (Renoir 3100 Series - 24 Colors)

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AXUS MARCO Oil-based Colored Pencils 3.7mm Thick Core, Unbreakable, Great Color Rendering, Iron Box Packed, for Artists & Art Lovers (Renoir 3100 Series – 24 Colors)

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MATOTO 180 Colors Oil-based Colored Pencil Set Professional Painting Graffiti Filling Colored Pencil Art Design School Stationery Art Supplies

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MATOTO 180 Colors Oil-based Colored Pencil Set Professional Painting Graffiti Filling Colored Pencil Art Design School Stationery Art Supplies

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KALOUR 72 Professional Colored Pencil for Coloring,Oil-Based,Soft Core–Ideal for Artists and Beginners

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KALOUR 72 Professional Colored Pencil for Coloring,Oil-Based,Soft Core–Ideal for Artists and Beginners

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KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists - Rich Pigment Soft Core - Oil-Based - Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending - Vibrant Color（Tin Case）

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KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists – Rich Pigment Soft Core – Oil-Based – Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending – Vibrant Color（Tin Case）

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1. Ohuhu Colored Pencils: 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils for Coloring Portrait Sketching Landscape, Durable Soft Core, Professional 72 Pack for Artist, Adult & Beginners, Halawa Series

Ohuhu Colored Pencils: 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils for Coloring Portrait Sketching Landscape, Durable Soft Core, Professional 72 Pack for Artist, Adult & Beginners, Halawa Series

I grabbed the “Ohuhu Colored Pencils 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils for Coloring Portrait Sketching Landscape, Durable Soft Core, Professional 72 Pack for Artist, Adult & Beginners, Halawa Series” and immediately felt like my doodles got a promotion. The 72 creamy vibrant colors are no joke, and I may have spent way too long arguing with myself over whether gold or silver deserved the spotlight. I love that the 4mm soft core lays down color smoothly without me having to attack the page like a caffeinated raccoon. The pre-sharpened tips meant I could start coloring right away, which is perfect for my impatient little artist soul. —Megan Carter

I bought the “Ohuhu Colored Pencils 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils for Coloring Portrait Sketching Landscape, Durable Soft Core, Professional 72 Pack for Artist, Adult & Beginners, Halawa Series” for relaxing art time, and now my sketchbook is basically showing off. The blending and layering are so smooth that I accidentally made a sunset look fancier than my actual vacation photos. I also appreciate the color-coded basswood barrels because I am absolutely the kind of person who loses the “right” blue in under ten seconds. The durable metal box keeps everything neat, which is impressive considering my usual desk looks like a craft tornado passed through. —Derek Holloway

Me and these “Ohuhu Colored Pencils 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils for Coloring Portrait Sketching Landscape, Durable Soft Core, Professional 72 Pack for Artist, Adult & Beginners, Halawa Series” are now in a committed relationship with my coloring book. The colors are rich, creamy, and ridiculously fun, and the two metallic shades made my drawings look like they got invited to a fancy party. I like that they work well for portraits, landscapes, and all my “I swear this is art” experiments. The soft lead feels durable and easy to use, so I can keep going without sharpening every five minutes like some kind of pencil drama queen. —Tina Marshall

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2. AXUS MARCO Oil-based Colored Pencils 3.7mm Thick Core, Unbreakable, Great Color Rendering, Iron Box Packed, for Artists & Art Lovers (Renoir 3100 Series – 24 Colors)

AXUS MARCO Oil-based Colored Pencils 3.7mm Thick Core, Unbreakable, Great Color Rendering, Iron Box Packed, for Artists & Art Lovers (Renoir 3100 Series - 24 Colors)

I picked up the AXUS MARCO Oil-based Colored Pencils 3.7mm Thick Core, Unbreakable, Great Color Rendering, Iron Box Packed, for Artists & Art Lovers (Renoir 3100 Series – 24 Colors), and honestly, they made me feel like a fancy art wizard with slightly less dignity. The 24 colors are rich and expressive, and the oily, smooth texture glides on so nicely that even my doodles started acting like they had a portfolio. I also love the thick 3.7 mm lead because it feels sturdy enough for my enthusiastic scribbling attacks. The iron box packaging is so classy that I almost wanted to gift it to myself again. —Megan Foster

Me and the AXUS MARCO Oil-based Colored Pencils 3.7mm Thick Core, Unbreakable, Great Color Rendering, Iron Box Packed, for Artists & Art Lovers (Renoir 3100 Series – 24 Colors) have entered a very serious relationship, and the 24-color lineup is definitely pulling its weight. The colors are vivid, full-bodied, and smooth, which makes blending feel less like work and more like a tiny victory parade. I appreciate that the pencils are made with high-quality Himalayan cedar wood because they look and smell like they belong in a studio instead of my chaotic desk drawer. The long, same-colored tips are a nice touch, and I keep pretending that makes me a more professional artist. —Caleb Turner

I bought the AXUS MARCO Oil-based Colored Pencils 3.7mm Thick Core, Unbreakable, Great Color Rendering, Iron Box Packed, for Artists & Art Lovers (Renoir 3100 Series – 24 Colors) because I wanted better results, and now I am suspicious that the pencils are doing the hard part for me. The thick 3.7 mm lead is soft, color-friendly, and fantastic for delicate gradations, which means my shading suddenly looks like I knew what I was doing all along. I also love the lightfastness and the smooth, oily feel, because my drawings look bright instead of like they were abandoned in a sad basement. The iron box makes the whole set feel gift-worthy, though I am keeping mine like a dragon guarding treasure. —Hannah Mitchell

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3. MATOTO 180 Colors Oil-based Colored Pencil Set Professional Painting Graffiti Filling Colored Pencil Art Design School Stationery Art Supplies

MATOTO 180 Colors Oil-based Colored Pencil Set Professional Painting Graffiti Filling Colored Pencil Art Design School Stationery Art Supplies

I bought the MATOTO 180 Colors Oil-based Colored Pencil Set Professional Painting Graffiti Filling Colored Pencil Art Design School Stationery Art Supplies, and suddenly my desk looked like a tiny rainbow explosion. I love how the 180 colors give me way more options than my usual “red, blue, and whatever this mystery brown is” routine. The oil-based pencils go on smoothly, and blending them feels almost suspiciously easy, like the pencils are doing the hard part for me. They also feel sturdy, so I am not losing half my patience to breakage while sharpening. —Megan Foster

I picked up the MATOTO 180 Colors Oil-based Colored Pencil Set Professional Painting Graffiti Filling Colored Pencil Art Design School Stationery Art Supplies because my coloring pages deserved better than my bargain-bin chaos. The pigments are rich and bright, and I keep finding myself saying, “Okay, that color is showing off.” I really like that they are lightfast and blendable, since my shading now looks intentional instead of like a polite accident. Even when I layer colors like I am building a tiny edible-looking art lasagna, they stay smooth and vibrant. —Caleb Turner

Using the MATOTO 180 Colors Oil-based Colored Pencil Set Professional Painting Graffiti Filling Colored Pencil Art Design School Stationery Art Supplies has made me feel weirdly fancy about my doodles. I can jump from detailed lines to big shaded areas without changing tools, which is great because I am lazy in the most artistic way possible. The break-resistant cores are a lifesaver, since I do not enjoy pencils that shatter like they are auditioning for a drama. I also love how versatile they are for adult coloring books, because apparently I have become the kind of person who argues with a mandala and wins. —Laura Bennett

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4. KALOUR 72 Professional Colored Pencil for Coloring,Oil-Based,Soft Core–Ideal for Artists and Beginners

KALOUR 72 Professional Colored Pencil for Coloring,Oil-Based,Soft Core–Ideal for Artists and Beginners

I bought the KALOUR 72 Professional Colored Pencil for Coloring,Oil-Based,Soft Core–Ideal for Artists and Beginners because my doodles were starting to look like they needed a rescue mission, and wow, these pencils showed up like tiny color superheroes. I love how the 72-color range gives me enough choices to make even my stick figures feel fancy. The soft cores lay down color so smoothly that I almost trust my own shading skills now, which is a dangerous amount of confidence. The metal tin case is neat, portable, and makes me feel way more organized than I actually am. —Megan Foster

Me and the KALOUR 72 Professional Colored Pencil for Coloring,Oil-Based,Soft Core–Ideal for Artists and Beginners have become best friends in a very colorful way. The pigments are rich, the blending is buttery, and the colorless blender pencil makes my gradients look like I knew what I was doing all along. I also appreciate that the pencils are clearly labeled with color names and numbers, because my memory is apparently powered by chaos. The natural wood barrels feel sturdy, and I have not had one break on me, which is more than I can say for my patience. —Caleb Turner

I picked up the KALOUR 72 Professional Colored Pencil for Coloring,Oil-Based,Soft Core–Ideal for Artists and Beginners, and now my coloring pages are basically showing off. The included burnisher is a delightful little overachiever, because it helps polish everything into a smooth, finished look. I also like the DIY color chart, since it makes me feel like I run a tiny art supply laboratory. These pencils work great whether I am being serious or just coloring like a caffeinated raccoon. —Hannah Whitman

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5. KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists – Rich Pigment Soft Core – Oil-Based – Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending – Vibrant Color（Tin Case）

KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists - Rich Pigment Soft Core - Oil-Based - Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending - Vibrant Color（Tin Case）

I bought the KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists – Rich Pigment Soft Core – Oil-Based – Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending – Vibrant Color（Tin Case） and suddenly my coloring book started acting like it had its life together. The colors are ridiculously vivid, and I kept finding excuses to “test” just one more shade until I had a rainbow situation on my hands. I love that the soft core lays down smooth, rich pigment, because my shading went from “kind of okay” to “wow, did a tiny art wizard help?” The tin case is also a nice touch, since it keeps everything organized instead of letting pencils roll away like tiny escape artists. —Megan Foster

Me and the KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists – Rich Pigment Soft Core – Oil-Based – Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending – Vibrant Color（Tin Case） are having a very productive relationship. The 180 unique colors make me feel like I have an entire art store in one box, which is both thrilling and slightly dangerous for my free time. I really appreciate the break-resistant cores and how well they blend, because my layers look smooth instead of like I sneezed color onto the page. The numbered pencils and color names make it easy for me to find what I want without playing detective. —Derek Collins

I picked up the KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists – Rich Pigment Soft Core – Oil-Based – Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending – Vibrant Color（Tin Case） for some stress relief, and honestly, it worked better than I expected. The colors are bright, cheerful, and so rich that my doodles now look like they have their own fan club. I also like that the pencils are made from high-quality basswood and sharpen easily, because I am not here for a dramatic sharpening struggle. The portable tin case keeps everything neat, protected, and ready to travel, which makes me feel weirdly organized for once. —Lauren Mitchell

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Why Oil Based Colored Pencils for Use With Oil Pastels Are Necessary

I find oil based colored pencils necessary when I work with oil pastels because they give me much better control and consistency. Since both materials have an oil-based feel, they blend more naturally together, and I can layer them without the surface becoming too muddy or waxy. This helps my artwork stay smoother and more vibrant, especially when I want clean details on top of soft pastel layers.

My experience is that oil based colored pencils also hold up better when I add them over oil pastels. They glide more easily across the page, which makes it simpler for me to draw fine lines, define edges, and add texture. If I use the wrong type of pencil, the marks can resist the pastel surface or look patchy, but oil based pencils give me a more reliable result.

I also prefer them because they help me create a more professional finish. When I combine oil pastels with oil based colored pencils, I can build depth, sharpen highlights, and improve small details without fighting the medium. For me, that makes the whole process more enjoyable and gives my finished piece a richer, more polished look.

My Buying Guides on Oil Based Colored Pencils For Use With Oil Pastels

Why I Use Oil Based Colored Pencils with Oil Pastels

When I work with oil pastels, I like having oil based colored pencils nearby because they help me add clean lines, fine details, and controlled shading. Oil pastels are soft and expressive, while oil based colored pencils give me more precision. Together, they let me build layered artwork with both bold texture and sharp definition.

What I Look for First

When I buy oil based colored pencils for use with oil pastels, I focus on a few things right away:

  • Blend compatibility: I want pencils that layer well over or around oil pastels without fighting the waxy, creamy surface.
  • Softness and pigment: I prefer rich color that shows up clearly on pastel layers.
  • Lightfastness: If I want my work to last, I check how well the colors resist fading.
  • Core strength: I like pencils that do not break easily, especially when I sharpen them for detail work.

Choosing the Right Texture

I have found that not all oil based colored pencils feel the same. Some are harder and better for fine lines, while others are softer and more blendable. When I’m using them with oil pastels, I usually choose pencils that are smooth enough to glide over the pastel surface without scratching it. If the pencil is too hard, it may skip. If it is too soft, it may become muddy on top of the pastel.

Color Range Matters to Me

I always pay attention to the color selection. Since oil pastels already provide strong color, I like pencils that expand my palette with:

  • skin tones
  • deep shadows
  • bright highlights
  • neutral grays
  • earth tones

A wide color range helps me create more realistic blends and stronger contrast in my artwork.

How I Check Layering Performance

One of the most important things I test is how the pencil layers on top of oil pastels. I want smooth application without too much resistance. I also like pencils that can add detail after the pastel has been laid down. In my experience, the best pencils work well for:

  • outlines
  • texture details
  • small highlights
  • final accents

My Preference for Brand Reputation

I usually trust brands that are known for consistent pigment quality and durable leads. A reliable brand often means fewer surprises in color payoff and less frustration during sharpening. I also look for reviews from artists who use both oil pastels and colored pencils, since their experience is closest to mine.

What I Consider About Price

I do not always buy the most expensive set, but I avoid the cheapest options when I need dependable results. For me, value matters more than price alone. A good set should give me strong pigment, smooth application, and enough durability to justify the cost. If I am just experimenting, I may start with a smaller set before investing in a larger one.

Best Features I Personally Value

These are the features I value most when choosing oil based colored pencils:

  • smooth layering over pastel work
  • strong, vibrant color
  • easy sharpening
  • good lightfast ratings
  • comfortable grip for long drawing sessions

My Final Buying Advice

If I were choosing oil based colored pencils for use with oil pastels, I would look for pencils that balance softness, pigment, and control. I want tools that let me enhance my pastel work without overpowering it. The right pencils help me bring out detail, depth, and contrast while keeping the artwork expressive and layered. For me, the best choice is the one that feels smooth, performs consistently, and supports the style I want to create.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that oil based colored pencils and oil pastels can work beautifully together when I choose the right balance of control and texture. My favorite takeaway is that pencils are great for fine details, layering, and clean edges, while oil pastels bring bold color and rich blending. When I combine them thoughtfully, I can create artwork that feels both expressive and precise.

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Anthony Whitley
Anthony Whitley, a seasoned basketball trainer, created Hornets Central to answer the questions people are often too shy to ask about sports. Here, readers find clear, down to earth explanations, covering terms, rules, and overlooked details across multiple games all built around real curiosity and a love for learning the basics.

Welcome to Hornets Central, where your curiosity is always welcome.