Best Paper Drawing Pastels of 2026

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 25, 2026

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Paper drawing pastels are a versatile and vibrant medium for artists of all skill levels. Made from a blend of pigment, chalk, and binder, these soft pastels are perfect for creating a range of effects on paper. They come in a variety of colors and can be blended together to create unique shades and tones. Paper drawing pastels are easy to use and can be applied to a range of textured paper surfaces. Whether you're a professional artist or just starting out, these pastels are a great addition to any art supply collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper Cover #TOP 1
Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper
ftb score rating icon 9.9
CANSON Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad, Assorted Colors Cover #TOP 2
CANSON Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad, Assorted Colors
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper Gray Tones Cover #TOP 3
Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper Gray Tones
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Paper Drawing Pastels

Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper

411705
Black
9"X12"
Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper Cover
Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper, Black, Foldover Pad, 9x12 inches, 24 Sheets (98lb/160g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students

Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper is a high-quality artist paper that is recognized worldwide as the preferred choice for pastel, drawing, and paper craft. This dual-surfaced paper features a heavy texture on one side and a lighter texture on the other, giving artists the flexibility to choose the surface that best suits their technique. Made from 50 percent cotton and gelatin-sized, this paper is not only durable but also light-fast, ensuring that your artwork remains vibrant over time. With 24 sheets of acid-free paper in a convenient 9 x 12 inch size, this pad is perfect for both adults and students who want to unleash their creativity. Whether you're a professional artist or just starting out, Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper provides the perfect canvas for your artistic endeavors.

What We Like
Excellent for oil pastels
Enhances color brightness
Good layering capability
Affordable price
Textured and smooth sides
#TOP 2

CANSON Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad, Assorted Colors

100510864
White
9"X12"
CANSON Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad, Assorted Colors Cover
Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper, Assorted Colors, Foldover Pad, 9x12 inches, 24 Sheets (98lb/160g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students

The CANSON Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad is recognized worldwide as the preferred paper for pastel, drawing, and paper craft. The 50% cotton, gelatin-sized papers come with dual-surfaces, one with a heavy texture and the other with a lighter texture. This light-fast paper is colored at the pulp level and comes with 24 sheets of 9 x 12 inch acid-free 98 pound/160-gram paper.

What We Like
Excellent for oil pastels
Enhances color vibrancy
Suitable for soft pastels
Good layering capability
Affordable art paper
#TOP 3

Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper Gray Tones

C100510899
multicolored
9"X12"
Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper Gray Tones Cover
Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper, Gray Tones, Foldover Pad, 9x12 inches, 24 Sheets (98lb/160g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students

The Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad is a favorite among artists worldwide, especially for pastel and drawing projects. Its gelatin-sized surface helps your artwork last longer by protecting it from smudging and fading. Made with 50% cotton, this paper offers durability and resistance to fading, so your creations stay vibrant over time. Plus, it features two different textures on each side—one rough and one smooth—giving you the flexibility to choose the perfect surface for your style. This dual texture is ideal for experimenting with various pastel techniques and effects, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and experienced artists.

What We Like
Gelatin-sized surface
50% cotton content
Fade resistance
Dual-textured paper
Preferred by artists worldwide
#TOP 4

Pentel Oil Pastels and Paper Pad Set

0650079524503
Assorted Colors
Pentel Oil Pastels and Paper Pad Set Cover
The Mega Deals Oil Pastels 50 Colors Soft oil Pastels, Oil Pastels for Artists and Kids, Oil Crayons and Oil Pastel Paper Pad 9"x12" Spiral Bound 30 Sheets, Oil Pastels Art Supplies

The Pentel Oil Pastels and Paper Pad Set includes 50 vivid assorted colors of oil pastels and a 30-sheet spiral-bound pastel paper pad. The non-breakable, soft texture of the oil pastels makes them perfect for all ages and stages of art. These oil pastels apply smoothly and blend easily for subtle shades, tints, and mixtures. They are also easy to blend with other colors by simply using your finger. The included acid-free and smooth surface pastel pad is ideal for soft pastel, oil pastel, crayons, and more.

What We Like
50 vivid assorted colors included
Soft texture makes them perfect for all ages and stages of art
Blend easily with other colors using just your finger
#TOP 5

Soft Pastels Set for Drawing and Painting

TXD-AP1
12Pcs
Soft Pastels Set for Drawing and Painting Cover
Non Toxic Artist Pastels,Square Soft Pastels Set,Chalks 12/24/36/48 Colors Soft Dry Pastel Artist Chalk Pastel Sticks for Office School Art Drawing Painting Supplies Professional Art Pastel (12Pcs)

This set includes 12/24/36/48 soft pastels for drawing and painting. The pigments used are multi-screened for high light fastness and stability. The texture of the square artist pastels are soft, moderate, fine and even, and easy to use. Non-toxic and suitable for children to use. It can be used for pastel painting, graffiti, sketching, disposable hair dyeing, doll hand coloring, and more.

What We Like
Vibrant color selection
Easy to blend and layer
Great for polymer clay art
Convenient pencil-like shape
Good for textured papers
#TOP 6

HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels

MPS-48/64
24 colors Long
HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels Cover
HA SHI Soft Chalk Pastels, 24 Assorted Colors, Soft Art Supplies for Artists, Professional Drawing Media, Stick Pastel for Advanced Users, DIY Beauty Nail Art, Pan Chalk Pastels

HA SHI Pastels are versatile and safe for artists of all levels. Their high-quality pigments allow effortless color mixing and soft textures, perfect for creating beautiful art with ease. The elongated design is ideal for bold touches and larger compositions, ensuring every stroke stands out. These pastels offer innovative expressions, allowing for blending, gradation, and dry wash techniques, providing a multifaceted art experience.

What We Like
Versatile for all artists
High-quality pigments
Ideal for bold touches
#TOP 7

Mont Marte Extra Soft Natural Hues Oil Pastels 26pc

MMPT0049
Natural
Mont Marte Extra Soft Natural Hues Oil Pastels 26pc Cover
Mont Marte Extra Soft Oil Pastels Natural Hues Premium 26pc, Assorted Natural Colors, Vibrant and Buttery, Versatile Art Pastels for Blending, layering & Shading, Ideal for Coloring and Sketching

The Mont Marte Natural Oil Pastels offer 25 beautiful, natural colors including whites, greens, blues, and warm earth tones, giving you a versatile palette for your artwork. Their extra-soft and buttery texture makes blending colors smooth and easy, helping you create clean mixes and subtle gradients with less effort. These pastels work well on various surfaces like paper, card, and canvas, so you can experiment freely. Plus, each pastel is wrapped in paper to keep your hands clean while you work, and they’re non-toxic, making them safe and convenient for artists of all ages.

What We Like
Wide natural color range
Soft, blendable texture
Works on multiple surfaces
Non-toxic and paper wrapped
#TOP 8

Artecho Oil Pastels Set

Artecho 48 Basic Colors Oil Pastels
Multicolor
Artecho Oil Pastels Set Cover
Artecho Oil Pastels Set of 48 Colors, Soft Oil Pastels for Art Painting, Drawing, Blending, Art Supplies for Artists, Beginners, Students, Teachers (10 x 70 mm)

Artecho Pastels Set includes 48 vibrant colors with high-quality pigments, allowing for brilliant artwork. The soft touch of these oil pastels makes blending and shading easy, perfect for various drawing techniques like illustration and stenciling. The pastels come in a humanized size design, making them portable and convenient to carry around. Each pastel has its own paper sleeve for protection against breakage. This set is a fabulous gift for painting enthusiasts, ideal for art projects for kids, beginners, students, and experienced artists.

What We Like
Soft, smooth texture
Excellent blendability
Wide color variety
Great value for price
Durable, sturdy sticks
#TOP 9

Artecho Soft Oil Pastels Set

ATO-OP5008
Multicolor
Artecho Soft Oil Pastels Set Cover
Artecho Oil Pastels Set of 50 Colors (8 x 60 mm), Soft Oil Pastels for Art Painting, Drawing, Blending, Art Supplies for Artists, Teachers

The Artecho Oil Pastels offer an impressive range of 50 vibrant colors, perfect for unleashing your creativity. Their soft texture makes blending and shading a breeze, allowing you to create stunning illustrations and various artistic effects like stenciling and dotting. The thoughtful packaging ensures that each pastel is easy to carry and protected in its own paper sleeve, preventing breakage. This set is not only ideal for artists of all skill levels, but it also makes a fantastic gift for anyone passionate about art and crafts.

What We Like
Variety of beautiful colors
Soft and easy to glide
Great for beginners
Reasonably priced
Fun for kids
#TOP 10

Pentel Arts Oil Pastel Set 25

PHN-25
Assorted Colors
Pentel Arts Oil Pastel Set 25 Cover
Pentel Arts Oil Pastel Set, Assorted Colors, Set of 25 (PHN-25)

The Pentel Oil Pastels Set offers vibrant colors that glide on smoothly, allowing you to create beautiful art with ease. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, these pastels are designed for everyone. They blend effortlessly, giving you the ability to achieve subtle shades and unique color mixtures in your artwork. Plus, being acid-free, they are perfect for use on various surfaces like paper, board, or canvas, ensuring your creations last longer without fading. With better humidity resistance than chalk pastels, your drawings will maintain their brilliance over time.

What We Like
Vibrant color application
Easy blending for shading
Acid-free for longevity
Works on multiple surfaces
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is drawing paper good for pastels?

If you're just starting out with pastels, I'd recommend you try Canson Mi-Teintes Drawing Paper because it's cheap and versatile. It's textured enough for pastels but is also suitable for a range of other media (a handy trait when you're on a budget).

2. Can oil pastels be used on drawing paper?

If you think that using just any kind of paper when drawing with oil pastels will yield the same results, then you need to think again. There are paper types that have rough and coarse surfaces. Others, on the other hand, come with smooth surfaces. The good news is that you can use oil pastels on both types of paper.

3. What paper is best for chalk pastels?

Best Paper For Soft Pastels: 5 Picks. Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad.Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad by Canson.Hahnemuhle Velour Trial Pack.

Editor's Notes

During our paper drawing pastel research, we found 24 paper drawing pastel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 189,981 customer reviews through our big data system to write the paper drawing pastels list. We found that most customers choose paper drawing pastels with an average price of $15.43.

The paper drawing pastels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of paper drawing pastels, including Canson, The Mega Deals, MARJAQE, HA SHI, Mont Marte. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.