I still remember like it was yesterday (although it was a few more years than I'd like to admit), walking down the aisle of my local art store and picking up some pastels for the very first time.

To be honest, I was young and ill-informed, but had creativity bursting at the seams. Needless to say, I was confused.

I had a friend in art school who worked with pastels, and I was always awestruck by the results. The vivid colors from such small sticks were amazing.

Combined with the minimal supply requirements (no huge H-frame easel, brushes, solvents, or palettes), it was the perfect medium for me as a starving art student trying to make ends meet.

But I remember wondering at the time about the differences between soft pastels and oil pastels. While both are sold side-by-side, they are wildly different.

The only similarities are the 'pastel' in their name, their stick form, and that they both contain pigments - that's about it!

In fact, knowing what I know now, these two mediums should hardly share the same name! But the art gods have spoken, and this is what we have.

To help you understand these two different (yet fun) mediums, let's take a detailed look at how they differ:

Composition Of Soft Pastels vs Oil Pastels

As mentioned earlier, the composition of soft and oil pastels is starkly different.

With soft pastels you will have:

Pigment
Chalk
Clay (sometimes)
Gum Arabic (binder)

These form a stick (typically round or rectangular) that crumbles as it glides along the surface.

Oil pastels on the other hand are made of:

Pigment
Wax
Oil

Like soft pastels, these come in round and rectangular forms but feel much greasier to the touch.

The ingredients are key to understanding what to expect from each medium.

Soft pastels feel chalkier, kick up dust when worked (requiring good ventilation or a respirator), and have less permanence as they can be easily moved on the surface.

When it comes to techniques and blending, soft pastels really shine - one of the key differences from oil pastels.

Oil pastels produce completely different results. Instead of being chalky, this oily and greasy medium doesn't create dust. Once applied, oil pastels are firmly fixed to the surface.

Oil pastels create broader marks and are often considered the perfect alternative to oil paints. They're more expressive but not ideal for detailed work.

While oil pastels resist blending, it's not impossible - just requires layering and persistence.

Artists love oil pastels for their brilliance. The simple composition produces extremely vibrant results that create stunning works.

Since they rely on oil, they can be manipulated with solvents like turpentine and odorless mineral spirits, making them easy to thin and create washes with.

Cost Comparison Of Soft Pastels vs. Oil Pastels

When comparing prices between oil and soft pastels, we analyzed data from Blick Art Materials website.

Key findings:

Prices were compared between brands like Holbein and Sennelier
The price per cubic inch between their lines was nearly identical, except for Holbein Soft Pastels
Other brands like Rembrandt and Blick Artists' soft pastels weren't priced significantly higher than oil pastels

The bottom line: Don't let budget dictate your medium choice. They're fairly equal in price, so focus on the type of artwork you want to create.

Supplies Required By Both Soft Pastels And Oil Pastels

One advantage of pastels is their minimal required supplies:

Set Of Pastels - Beginners should opt for sets to get a wide color spectrum
Paper - Special pastel paper from brands like Strathmore or Canson works best
Fixative - Essential for soft pastels to keep pigment in place
Blending Tools - Tortillons, stumps, or fingers for soft pastels
Tape - Acid-free tape to secure paper
Glassine - Alternative protective paper to fixative
Art Desk Or Drawing Board - Optional but improves comfort

Techniques For Both Soft Pastels And Oil Pastels Differ Greatly

Soft Pastel Techniques

5 Soft Pastel Techniques For Beginners by Unmask Art
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FVob4ORcwo

A Beginners Guide To Soft Pastels by ArtTutor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROPbUTN7miU

Oil Pastel Techniques

Oil Pastel Techniques by Ashley Elizondo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ7YYEQfY1o

10 Oil Pastel Techniques by Sakura of America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm6wo-8rJD0

Where To Buy Soft Pastels And Oil Pastels

You can find pastels at any major online art supply store or on Amazon.

Regardless of Oil Or Soft Pastels – They Are Fun!

Any medium can be both fun and challenging. To get the most from your artwork, practice and persistence are key.

If you're considering pastels, we recommend diving in. It's a fun medium that doesn't require heavy investment. Go make some beautiful pastel art!