BEST Pastel Pencil Review - Caran D'Ache, Derwent, Carbothello, Cretacolor, Faber Castell

[@wildlifeartjm]

Learn from me - Pastel drawing / painting and more - My patreon art channel lessons (videos + more) - www.patreon.com/wildlifeart My Video (DVD + Downloads)/ebook lessons - www.jasonmorgan.co.uk/ Wildlife reference photos (copyright free) - www.wildlifeart-online.com/ Facebook - facebook.com/jason.morgan.wildlife.art/ Instagram - instagram.com/wildlife_art_jason/

[@maryfeist8080]

I watched this video over a year ago. It always stayed with me. Now that I'm ready to buy I have watched it again and decided on Carb Othello. Thanks so much for this in depth info!!

[@dianehoweart6084]

Brilliant review. I was really happy to hear you say that you couldn't be bothered to sit and sharpen them for ages with a blade as I feel the same way.

[@goldenlabstudio4758]

I learned so much from this video thanks to your great teaching and in-depth analasys. I think Stabilo Carbothelo are for me due to the price-quality ratio. Caran are definitely amazing but they are almost double the price now so it's hard to justify the investment considering that great results can be achieved even with the mid-range offerings. I'd stay clear from cretacolor because of the snaping you mentioned.

[@raquelsanchez9668]

I don't speak English very well but you understand almost everything. And it's nice to see your videos because you're direct and very objective with art supplies. Thanks!!!

[@diannedupuis2960]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@MsHopeify]

Jason, thank you so much for your marvelous art instruction, and comparison, videos. I so appreciate the time you take to make detailed art samples explaining what you are teaching. Just watched your pastel pencil review--it was thorough, fair, honest, visually effective, and informative both in pencil info, price, etc., and how you feel they are to work with. You opinion matters a great deal to a great many of us budding artists. Thanks again! God bless! PS: Please keep making these wonderful videos! Please never stop creating your amazing wildlife art! So beautiful!!!

[@shannonsmith6936]

Absolutely fantastic review! Covered everything I was wondering about. Thank you so much. This has saved me countless hours and a lot of money.

[@tinabasile4587]

That was so helpful, I can't thank you enough! The video on the paper too. Like you, I tried pastels and gave up because I didn't like the results, then I saw the difference in your paper video. Your videos are wonderful and you're a good teacher!

[@gigibarrett8784]

Thank you so much! I currently use Caran D-Ache but aam looking for a harder and less expensive choice and Carbothello is going on order today! You are the BEST!

[@hdb80]

Me too!

[@desperia1]

@Hang Art Studio yes i have that alot too

[@mariawalker8403]

Great review! I’m brand new to this medium. Just ordered my very first set of pastels and trying to figure out the rest. Because I feel like I can’t wait another minute to dive in. I’m a watercolor painter with acrylic as my 2nd favorite. I appreciate videos like this. Now I need to figure out paper, storage, sharpener, and fixative. So excited!❤️

[@teresawright5654]

I love your logical approach to this question and so appreciate you doing this test 👍 Thank you!

[@winendesertrose]

Stabilo if you like full coverage effect and a soft pencil. It really depends on what look you are going for . Some people have different preferences. Derwent nice as well but have have a hard time finding a sharpener for it unless I use a knife. I usually lay down the sketch with a harder lead then go to a softer pencil as I add the finishing colors/layers.

[@lisathaviu1154]

Good review. My husband gave me a small set of Carb Othellos for my birthday and I have had a good bit of luck with them. I have a few others in browns and pale colors. I prefer to use a harder pastel stick like Nupastels, for the initial layer, and then work with softer pastels over the top. You can also get good blending from using sanded paper to draw on and alcohol with a bristle brush (assuming the smell doesn't knock you out.) Don't dismiss Cretacolor too quickly though, they make a really good line of what they call "colored charcoal." They are really thick and more like colored chalk but they come in beautiful darker earth tones and are great for rough sketching because they erase very well, which I prefer because I do portraits and figure drawing.

[@derendathieke8947]

Thank you for this review, even though it's fairly old. I have been reading reviews and opinions on pastel pencils for the past several months had pretty much settled on ordering the Carbothello set (by reviews and by the little four pencil set that I got many years ago in high school.) Finally got them this week (60 pencil set) and I'm so absolutely in love with them! After having fun with them the last few days, I'm glad to have seen your review. Thank you!

[@cherfauvel]

Thank you Jason just what I needed today, I am not new to pastel but pastel pencils I am new and struggled listening to all the different opinions, I bought derwent (arriving tomor) and someone today said no so looking again and your video convinced me I bought the right ones, excited :)

[@ginnytalbot9125]

Thank you for taking the time to share this. I picked up the FC but I feel limited with the 60 shades. I do a lot of portraits so based on your findings the CD may be nice for skin tones. I will probably add to my set with the CD. Very helpful.

[@wildlifeartjm]

yes I agree :)

[@w.vangaal1077]

I have a full set of Faber castell Pitts .. still getting used to them but I am glad to know they are good choice .. I am curious about the pastel papers, I still haven't found the one that fits me..

[@billwesterman4583]

Again, you did an excellent job of comparisons. Thanks.

[@vanillarose1122]

Absolutely fantastic comparison review!! Thanks so much! You've really saved me time and money.

[@scruffy281]

I am just beginning to wet my feet with pastel pencils and I think your advice choice is the way to go. Thanks so much....❤️

[@Kyomiibrown]

Caran D'ache are generally the best in most art products but you pay a premium price. Personally I feel it is better to get 2 different brand sets of the other as opposed to one Caran Dache unless you make a living being a pastelist and only use them for details. I prefer to do pan pastel base, then unison or similar soft pastel then pencils for details. If you ever try velour you need to use the harder pastels such as Conte for the most part, then maybe finish with generals soft, refining details with pencils. Conte also do pastel pencils which are good too.

[@wildlifeartjm]

thanks for the info

[@IvanCapitani]

@ Kyomii What is pan pastel base?

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

such grace in his analysis, superb

[@rgrdesigns]

thanks so much! A few years ago I started in pastels & got the CarbOthello set. I haven't had opportunity to use them much due to work load responsibilities. But I'm so happy to know I chose well! I attended a workshop by a wonderful expert (Tom Christopher) where we learned how to tone in an underpainting with watercolor. He used Art paper. After watching your previous pastel videos I looked up the paper you are using and see that it is also appropriate for a watercolor underpainting. THANKS for all your great info!

[@wildlifeartjm]

my pleasure

[@DebStanleyArt]

thank you for the information, I nearly bought some of the caran d'Ache pastels last week end at an art fair but now I think I'll try the Pitt pastels as they are a little firmer.

[@IvanCapitani]

If sound is anything to judge these pencils by then the Stabilo is the one that sounds better

[@susancooper214]

thank you for the in depth review. I'm a beginner in the pencil realm and I am starting to research pastel pencils and looking to purchase a set to use.

[@IngridMuellerart]

This was VERY useful, Jason. Thank you. I have been considering using pastel pencils and was confused as to which brand. Great.

[@claritzairosario68]

Jason, thank you so much for this video! It's very useful! I'm going to save this video, for any doubts that I have. Many thanks again😊❤😊❤

[@lallidutoit7720]

I love Derwent the most🎨❤️

[@creativesolutionsart-h3o]

I have Derwent pastel pencils from 17 years ago… When I recently decided to start using them again, I bought some more open stock. They are significantly different in formula. I really wish they would’ve kept the formula from 17 years ago, it is so much smoother and richer and texture. Now I’m trying to find something close to that. Thank you for the comparison review

[@AnnvanEssen]

@@creativesolutionsart-h3o try carbothello, they are soft and smooth

[@anitatovey2031]

Great review! I have a set of the FC Pitt Pastels but just don't love them as I do their other products. I'm just trying Koh-I-nor giaconda pastel pencils and so far I'm wowed by them. Superb pigment and feel softer than the Pitt pastel pencils which can be scratchy at times. I have a Carbothello but it feels very chalky so still on the fence about that one! I use mine over Conte Sticks or Pan Pastels both of which I love, so hoping the Koh-I-nor live up to my initial impressions.

[@azalea1404]

I was also very pleasantly surprised by the Giaconda set by Koh-I-Nor. Wonderful to work with. They were actually the ones that got me to pay more attention to pastel art supplies. I definitely recommend them.

[@mikepolo2887]

I have a Gioconda set for a decade or so now, used them quite a lot once I got them, the color range is ok, worked really well for what I used them (muted palette on gray paper), but felt a bit weak for full color drawings on brightly colored non-abrasive papers.

[@brendadavies3942]

Thank you xxx you have made so much sense as I have a mixture of pastel pencils xxx

[@gammitch]

Very much appreciate the information. You've done a great and fair job of showing the different properties of each brand. Thank you.

[@tonyrichengod9280]

Great comparison, thank you. I have owned both Carbothellos and Fabers. I preferred the Carbos because they were softer and easier to blend than the Fabers.

[@Kharmagain]

Thank you so much for making that comparison video! You helped me immensely! Ordering the ones I want now, thanks to you! :)

[@TrueLoveX1027]

What a really helpful video! Thanks so much Jason. I am so glad I found your channel, as I've just started getting into pastels and I adore animal portraits. I checked out your library of photography...what a great deal they are! Finding "good" reference photos without the copyright infringement issues can be a real hassle even if you do pay the $30 per month fees to Shutterstock and the lot. I also think becoming a patron is in my future as well. I just feel like I hit the jackpot with your channel. Thanks so much for sharing your time and your talent! Blessings from across the pond.

[@perfectimagination35]

I'm using Derwent currently. They blend quite easily and are vibrant. Maybe I try Carbothello as well because everyone is talking about it!

[@orcamum]

This was an excellent review! Thank you very much!

[@jaimemicelotti8539]

I recently heard of your channel. My main medium is graphite and colored pencils. I own prismacolor, Derwent Inktense, the 24 set of FC Polychromos, a few open stock FC Goldfaber & open stock Caran D’ache Supracolor. I own two small sets of Rembrandt and a few open stock Sennelier pastels. ( I love them both) I enjoy having a pencil format for better details. Thank you for the comparison video. I’m going to go with either the Derwent of Faber-Castell. I can see adding a few open stock Caran D’Ache as well.

[@felixmarinjr.66]

Your videos are so informative - perhaps some of the best for these topics on youtube. Thank so much!!!

[@patriciaschoenberg1261]

Wonderful review and comparison! Really thorough! Thank you.

[@Declan4]

Thanks for this video!!!! I loved it as you showed your whole process of testing them and it was really unbiased. The audio was great because we could hear the difference in the pencils and it matched perfectly with what you were saying. Great video.

[@jackierainger7447]

Thankyou! Helped me decide which ones I will buy today 😊

[@alzippideedodah326]

Thank you Jason, I found the review of the pencils very useful.

[@aimer.e]

Thank you so much! This video was exactly what I was looking for!

[@dshe8637]

I have a big set of Derwent and I use them alongside Koh-I-Noor pastels. It's interesting to see what other brands are like too. Thank you.

[@spacecat7715]

Great review! Pastel pencils are on the list of supplies to try out. I'm collecting some regular colored pencils as well.

[@Norfolk250]

I was gifted a 90 piece wood boxed set of Derwent this afternoon - I came to KZbin to help me figure them out, as I extremely rarely ever used pastels (wax) in the past -- and although an earlier review had the man hating the brand, and I was chuckling whilst listening to him, I liked your review better as it was better opinionated by comparison. I look forward regardless to trying these pencils in the near future. Thank you Joe Guelph, Ontario

[@JavierStanislas]

Best pastel pencil video I have seen. Thank U.

[@tainadelcaribe]

Great comparison! It's incredible how one can notice the 5 bucks difference between the Faber Castel against the Carbothello and Derwent. I'm 15 min into the video and, to me, the Faber Castell seems like the second softest after the Caran D'ache, obviously.

[@lesleyhughes9461]

Jasonthank you so very much. I’m fairly new to pastels and your video was so helpful!!

[@Linda-qq5mg]

Your review is excellent! I think you were very fair! Thank you so much. I have subscribed to your channel.

[@leigh-annh2544]

Thank you for performing this thorough testing. I use Derwent and Faber Castell pastel pencils in my art and was interested to see the comparison with the others. I have some Caran D'Arch products and love them so may save for a set. I have recently started using Pastel mat paper and have previously used sanded paper. I found both pencil brands worked well on the sanded paper too.

[@williamstilgoe61]

Thank you so much for your posts. This has really helped.

[@tcconnection]

This was a a nicely thorough video, love reviews/comparisons.

[@beckyholt]

As someone who has used the Caran D'ache pastels for a long time they are superb and well worth the investment for professionals. They are more expensive for a number of reasons all of which fine artist's will appreciate and recognize for their value. Caran D'ache use the same method in making their pigments as the best soft pastel manufactures. They begin with single pigments of the highest quality and finest grade. They use the least binder that they can while retaining the pastel feel, hence more dust. The wood that makes up the pencil is sourced for it's quality and resilience to shaping. As to the 84 colors this gives the artist the ability to grade to a far finer degree than with any of the other manufactures, especially when blended using specific techniques and methods. The Caran D'ache pastel pencils also correspond closely to Sennelier soft pastels and combine seamlessly as both products have single pigments and are free of unnecessary fillers. If your work is going to define you long after you have gone then you want the best materials and Caran D'ache are cost effective when you consider that 200 years from now with the correct storage they will still showcase your skills for the world to see. If you don't sell your work buy the next best or the one that has that certain feel that you enjoy using and that compliments your artistic style. Thanks for sharing this very nice review.

[@leestephenson7042]

beckyholt a good artist, good enough for their work to define them after they're gone, could've easily just have used a biro...

[@eienbeau]

your comment sounds so much like an advertisement.

[@wildlifeartjm]

lots of the top pastel manufactures have great lightfasness. It is not required to spend HUNDREDS of pounds on a set of the most expensive pencils to enjoy creating art with pastel pencils.

[@ladyhollman9534]

They’re great but waaay overpriced in the US. Maybe it’s an import/export tax thing? The majority of people just want to have fun with their art materials. 😊

[@gilbirdsareawesome]

Thank you! I have the small sets of the prisma colour nupastels and the derwent pastel pencils I want more but was looking for more brands to try so I appreciate your review

[@PaulaActeson]

Great review and very helpful. I have the full set of the Carbothello's and also 20 set of the PITT by Faber Castell. I enjoy both and use both for the colour choices. I did wonder about other brands and now I know I have made a good choice. Thanks again.

[@wildlifeartjm]

my pleasure

[@jennyb-aeternabitart7436]

@@wildlifeartjm Thanks for such a good side-by-side look at these different brands. I, too, was wondering about the other available brands - and what would work with/similar/different to the Derwent set I have. Particularly thinking of replacements for the less-lightfast colours in their range. The websites for Derwent, Faber-Castell and Caran d'Ache (the two I'm considering) have their own tested lightfastness ratings on, which makes it slightly easier to make an informed choice.

[@alexandraa5742]

I use the Pitt almost exclusively although I have some Derwent. Now thinking I should get a few carbothello and caran d'ache....

[@aneelabalsavr1561]

Most helpful review .thank you

[@artistphilb]

I started off with the Derwent, but now have other shades from Conte, Caran D'ache and Faber Castell, am reasonably happy with all but each manufacturer have a few colours I prefer

[@megindog6484]

Lightfastness depends on the individual pigment. As an example look at Rembrandt Pastels they give an individual lightfastness per pastel pigment/colour.

[@ibarrabalani9337]

I'm using Derwent Pastel Pencil for the portraits and combined it with Cretacolor for the fine details..THANKS INDEED for the review Jason....

[@marangelliramos]

Excellent comparison Jason, thank you very much!

[@barbarag7831]

Very informative, thank you so much!

[@doreenlorenzo2501]

Thankyou,Jason.Now I know what to purchase.

[@shybunnyj]

Thank you. I made up my mind I'll go with Carbothello.

[@gillianburgess3441]

That has confirmed which brand too go for that would suit me.Thank you so much for such a brilliant informative and very understandable and enjoyable .

[@shivajisanyal0]

Thank you Jason for such a detailed video.It is really helpful. Love from India

[@kerry5586]

Thank you for such a thorough testing of each brand. I only have the Derwent so it was really interesting to see how the others compared. Regarding soft pastels, I can highly recommend Sennelier brand and the Paris Collection set of 120 half sticks (you can get them online for around £75) is a great starter kit. They are fabulous to use, especially on Pastelmat. Apparently the full sticks are much more crumbly compared to the half sticks, but I haven't tried those.

[@wildlifeartjm]

glad you found it of use . yes papers and also pastels sticks / pans coming soon

[@MrSpecter057]

Thanks for all the information. Saves me some time not to mention $$$ You can spend a lot in this pastel media before you find out what works for you. Thanks again.

[@MsKNascimento]

thanks for your opinion, you help me a lot in my decision.

[@eienbeau]

I bought my Carbothello because of this video and I love them sooo much! So thank you for the review.

[@marvelenia6702]

Hello Jason, did you use the Conte a Paris in the meantime? I am asking because I am considering buying them because of their vibrant colors and the feel of them in your hands, they are quite large. Thank you for all the wonderful work you do!

[@leftyfourguns]

Very thorough comparison. To me it seems like the best collection would combine the soft and rich Caran D'ache pencils with something harder and finer from the other brands.

[@phillblake6829]

I have 40 caran d ache would definitely recommend if you like really nice things I might get the derwent ones too

[@reshminair5502]

Hi thank you for giving review I was actually thinking to buy one. It was helpful 🙂

[@ciaomamabella]

Thank you for this video! It helped me a ton!

[@fernandocoye4416]

You won't go wrong with Carbothello. They blend really well and are highly pigmented. I find that a rice paper stump is the best for blending these and charcoal as it does not pick up too much of the medium off the paper.

[@wildlifeartjm]

yes - agree :)

[@valeriegehling4358]

Thanks for the results, as a beginner I was leaning towards Derwent ( as I have their watercolour pencils ) but, heard a lot about Stabilo & Faber Castell & of course CaranD’Ache but, after your video am back to Derwent. What would you advise? Can they all be sharpened with a pencil sharpener? ( or craft knife.) Thanks. Sorry I meant as a set to buy, seem to think you’re a mind reader, the Derwent that is!

[@MedaHalmaciu]

Thank you. Very useful. I was wondering if I should buy the cretacolor 36 set for 50% off. I tried a couple in the shop and felt they were too hard, however, having almost no experience with this medium I thought I would ask the internet and I'm happy I did. I generally prefer softer materials so definitely not getting yhe cretacolors.

[@dbsartworks418]

This is very helpful, will be buying some soon, veering towards the Faber castell, or the derwent

[@nmengchong620]

Thank you for this review. I have just bought a 24-set of CarbOthello to try. Am new to pastel pencils.

[@nettymolloy5220]

Thanks Jason for the demo. I have 72 set of Drewent pastel pencils & I hate them the are so bad I only use them for sketching/blocking out my pictures. They are so hard, can't use them for highlight or fine work they even scratch the paper & wont go over any other colour like you have done. I belong to a soft pastel art group with the U3A in Australia & we are all wanting to buy some pencils but not sure witch ones to get. Now you have done all the work for me & will pass it onto my senior class mates, for sure I like Caran D' Ache & Carbothello second. Regards Netty.

[@RAY7808]

I have purchased Blackwidow absolute fantastic pastel pencils cheap has chips

[@highphysics3617]

Months,and,months of indecision,confusion have finally been sorted out,thanks to your wonderful video. This is just what I need to help me make an informed decision. Thank you for spending so much time,and,effort. It will surely help a beginner to have the confidence to get started. I want to do something else other than oil painting,just for the experience. Super information.

[@anniemonroe9285]

I wish the prices were the same as they were 7 years ago!

[@Silver87sc]

I have the larger set of carbothello pencils. i am having a breaking issue though, when sharpening the pencils. maybe the sharpener?

[@stephengent9974]

We bought the Carbathello on your recommendation. Easy to find them in the US for a discounted price.

[@wildlifeartjm]

yes - i think they are super good value

[@shellelodge]

Brilliant! so glad the derwent came out well in the test, for me they just pipped the carbothello and faber castell on price and colour variety... (i already have the 72 set -search online for discounts, i got an absolute bargain with mine! think i paid £60? for the whole set) i must admit, i'd be tempted with the caran d'ache... they just looked sooo pigmented and smooth... but i have a set of sennelier half stick pastels (again, hunt online for huge discounts, as sennelier aren't cheap!) which are super soft and pigmented for larger areas... now i just need to invest in some pastel mat now that i've seen it actually being used (thank you jason!) look forward to more of your pastel work xxx

[@wildlifeartjm]

glad you found it useful

[@twicebittenthasme5545]

Interesting comparison. I would have liked to see more colors tested but I feel this was a decent start. I could always pick up a few each of them and get a bit more specific (layering and blending together, cross-brand compatibility...and so on). Good video. Glad I checked it out. Thank you for sharing!

[@Jennifer-wr9si]

Thanks for this review! I read one artist who said they used to use Stabilo but now use the Faber Castell pastel pencils because he doesn't have to apply fixative to the latter. What's your experience? If I can get away without using fixative that would be great since I tend to do my work in books...

[@DrowningB]

I keep trying to blow the dust away from my phone xD

[@IngridMuellerart]

Jason, is it ok to combine the brands? Perhaps creta would be ok if you are looking for sharp lines? How do you feel about pan pastels?

[@wildlifeartjm]

yes perfect to combine - pan pastels arriving soon to test :)

[@SathishKumar-pw9fu]

CArbothello is so vibrant and smooth ,Pitt pastel is very sturdy but not as intense and smooth like carbothello but pitt earth colors are good.Derwent also had some beautiful floral colors that carbothello never had but little gritty,i never used carandache so i can't comment..Conte also had some beautiful colors very good for portraits and floral's...

[@Jenny-yl2hw]

Wonderful review, thank you for sharing..

[@roxannestein9533]

Great review. Especially happy because I have both Fabre and carbothello. Those expensive ones could be less because of their faults in being too soft, so soft to the point where even you won’t use them. Lol thank you so much.

[@Angelica-bt4hh]

Great analysis and great advise! Thank you !

[@joellzey]

Thanks for the very informative review. It was very informative. I have all of them except the create a color. So I think I am set.

[@ArtistWizardry]

Excellent comparison and review video!!

[@deeman524]

I have a set of the Stabilo and the Derwent, I like them both