Paul Rubens Oil Pastels Set (48 Colours) Soft, Non-Toxic Pastels for Sketching, Blending & Decorative Painting
Product description
If you like the look of oil paint but want something a bit easier to handle, this Paul Rubens Oil Pastels set is a sensible “try it and see” option. On paper, it promises soft application, smooth blending and a fairly wide set of colours, including 3 glitter shades.
That said, it’s still a pastel set, not a substitute for oil paint proper—so it’s best thought of as a way to create oil-like effects rather than replicate the exact paint workflow.
The essentials
This set includes 48 vivid soft pastels plus 3 glitter colours, all designed for artists, students and kids. The brand’s pitch is pretty clear: the pastels are non-toxic, they lay down evenly, and they’re meant to blend and overlay for an oil-paint-style result. If you’re drawn to sketching, colouring, and decorative work, the format here is geared towards smooth strokes and controllable shading.
A practical detail worth noting is the cylindrical shape. The 12mm diameter pastels are described as having a good grip and being not easy to break. In day-to-day use, that matters when you’re doing lots of back-and-forth shading or trying to keep your line thickness consistent.
What matters most in use
The main appeal is how the set is framed for colouring, mixing and layering. The description specifically points to smooth stroke application and blending effects, with strong adhesion and stable, lasting colour that isn’t meant to fade easily. For a lot of learners, the “make it look right” part is where progress usually stalls—so having a pastel that blends cleanly on contact can genuinely help.
There’s also mention of suitability for scraper skills (scraping back into the surface for texture effects). Depending on the paper or surface you use, scraping can give you a more interesting, more “paint-like” finish than simple colour laying.
If you’re wondering what that looks like in real terms: imagine sketching a simple landscape—blocking in a sky gradient first, then layering clouds with softer overlaps, and finishing with the glitter pastels for highlights like stars or a decorative frame edge. That’s the sort of outcome this set is trying to support.
Key features to check before you buy
A lot of pastel sets sound similar, so it helps to look at the concrete claims here:
- Non-toxic and eco-friendly materials: positioned as safer for students and kids.
- Strong adhesion and stable colour: aimed at reducing fading.
- Blending and overlay: designed to create oil-paint-like effects.
- Works on multiple surfaces: the set is said to be usable on paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard.
- Includes 3 glitter colours: useful for accents rather than full coverage.
One limitation to keep in mind: there’s no information on lightfastness ratings, specific surface prep, or how well it performs on different grades of paper. So while the description suggests the colour is stable, you’ll still want to test on your chosen material if you’re aiming for a long-lasting finish.
Who it suits (and who should be cautious)
It makes sense if you want a non-toxic pastel set with a broad colour range for everyday art and learning. It’s particularly aligned with:
- Students building skills in shading, blending and layering
- Kids or younger learners who need something described as easy to handle and non-toxic
- Hobbyists doing decorative painting, simple sketches and textured effects
- Anyone experimenting with oil-paint-style results without switching to oil paints
However, it may not be the best match if you need professional-grade pigment performance details, or if you’re specifically trying to match the working feel of oil paint itself (as a medium with its own handling and drying behaviour). This sits more in the “creative and accessible results” lane than a “museum-standards colour science” lane.
Final verdict
Worth considering if you’re after soft, blendable pastels with good grip and a practical colour mix, including some glitter accents. It’s a buy that fits well for sketching, classroom-style use, and decorative projects where you want colour to go on evenly and be easy to work with.
It’s not the one to choose if you need fully specified performance data (for example, around long-term fading) or you’re expecting oil paint behaviour rather than oil-paint-like visuals. If you’re unsure, it’s the sort of set you can reasonably start with and build habits from—just be mindful that surface choice will affect the final look.
Mini FAQ
Quick questions
Are these suitable for children? They’re described as non-toxic and positioned for artists, students and kids.
Do they blend like oil paint? The set is specifically presented as offering excellent colour mixing and blending effects, aimed at an oil-paint look.
What surfaces can I use? The description mentions paper, glass, metal, plastic and cardboard.
Will the glitter colours be usable or just gimmicky? They’re included as 3 glitter shades, so they’re likely best for highlights and accents rather than entire pieces.
Do they break easily? The cylindrical design is said to help control them and makes them not easy to break, but you should still handle any pastel with care.