Best Pastels in the UK: Where to Buy Soft, Hard, and Oil Pastels for Every Budget

Why pastels are a must for artists in the UK

If you love colour that sings and textures that pop, pastels are one of the most rewarding mediums to work with. They give you immediate, direct contact with pigment — no brush, no fuss — which makes them perfect for expressive sketches, portraits, landscapes, and mixed-media work. Whether you live in London, Manchester, or a smaller town, pastels offer a tactile, fast way to translate what you see and feel onto paper or board.

Types of pastels: pick the right family

Soft pastels

Soft pastels are the go-to for lush colour and smooth blending. They’re rich in pigment and tend to be looser and dustier than other kinds, so you can layer and smudge easily to create subtle transitions or bold marks. Soft pastel sticks are commonly about 2 to 3 inches long and come in single sticks or boxed sets that range from basic 12-colour starter packs to 100-plus professional ranges.

Hard pastels and pastel pencils

Hard pastels and pastel pencils are ideal for details, edges, and preliminary sketches. They hold a point longer than soft sticks and are less dusty, making them great for drawing fine hair, sharp contours, and precise marks. Many artists use hard pastels to map out a composition before moving in with softer sticks.

Oil pastels

Oil pastels behave more like a crayon with buttery texture and can be blended with turpentine or left alone for impasto-like marks. They don’t smudge the same way soft pastels do, so they’re handy when you want permanence and surface build-up rather than delicate dusting. Oil pastels are popular for experimental mixed-media pieces and outdoor sketching because they’re generally less fragile in transit.

How to choose the right pastels for your project

Think about pigment and lightfastness

Not all pastels are created equal when it comes to pigment strength or permanence. Look for information about lightfastness on the product page or packaging — professional brands usually rate their colours so you know which hues are stable in the long run. If you’re selling work or building a serious portfolio, investing in higher-grade sticks will save you headaches later.

Consider texture and the “tooth” of your surface

Pastels need “tooth” — a textured surface that grabs pigment. Papers labelled specifically for pastels will have a textured finish and sometimes are dusted with a coloured ground. If you prefer a smoother look, try pastel papers with a fine grain or use a pastel ground on board. The combination of stick texture and surface tooth is what determines how much pigment your piece can hold.

Top UK stores to buy pastels

Cass Art

Cass Art is a specialist art retailer with shops across the UK and a strong online store. They stock a wide range of soft, hard, and oil pastels from professional brands and often run workshops and demos. If you want to test a stick in person, their city-centre shops are a great place to compare brands side-by-side.

Jackson’s Art Supplies

Jackson’s is a popular online supplier known for a comprehensive selection and good product detail. They carry premium pastels like Sennelier and Rembrandt as well as economical student ranges. Jackson’s also lists pigment information and swatches which helps when you’re choosing colours remotely.

GreatArt

GreatArt offers a broad catalogue of art materials with frequent deals on boxed sets and seasonal discounts. They’re useful if you want to try a bigger set without the premium price tag. Their site usually separates beginner, intermediate, and professional options so you can match supply to skill level.

Hobbycraft

Hobbycraft is a high-street chain with many stores nationwide and a solid online presence. They stock accessible pastel sets aimed at hobbyists and students, as well as pastel paper pads and tools. If you’re hunting for bargain starter kits or craft-friendly brands, Hobbycraft is a convenient stop.

Cornelissen & Son

Cornelissen & Son in London is a historic fine-art supplier that caters to professional artists. They carry high-end pastels, rare colours, and curated selections that can be harder to find elsewhere. If you want expert advice and specialist products, their shop and mail-order service are worth exploring.

John Lewis and department stores

Some larger department stores, like John Lewis, stock reliable art brands and beginner packs. These locations are handy for one-off purchases or gifts and often provide a return window if you need a different grade or colour selection.

The Range

The Range blends home, craft, and art supplies and is often a good place to pick up budget-friendly pastel sets, pads, and frames. While their specialist selection may be smaller than niche art stores, their competitive pricing makes them popular for students and casual sketchers.

Amazon UK and eBay

Marketplaces like Amazon UK and eBay can be very convenient, especially for fast delivery and wider brand selection. Be cautious about third-party sellers and look for verified suppliers, especially when buying single sticks or luxury brands. Reviews and seller ratings are useful guides.

Local independent art shops

Don’t underestimate your local independent shop. Many small art stores in UK towns and cities offer curated pastel selections and hands-on advice. They’re often the best places to find niche brands and to test a stick before you buy, and they help keep the local art community thriving.

Best pastel brands to look for

Sennelier

Sennelier is famed for its smooth, velvety soft pastels that are beloved by many professional artists. Their sets range from small, affordable packs to extensive collections that cover subtle hues and strong pigments.

Rembrandt

Rembrandt pastels from Royal Talens are a solid mid-to-high range choice, known for consistency and a wide colour selection. They’re often praised for their balance between softness and control, making them versatile for different styles.

Unison Colour

Unison Colour specializes in handcrafted soft pastels with rich, earthy tones. Their sticks are favoured for portrait and landscape work because of the unique palette and buttery feel.

Winsor & Newton and Van Gogh

Winsor & Newton and Van Gogh offer reliable oil and hard pastels and are widely available in UK stores. They’re good choices when you want dependable quality without a very high price tag.

Pastel paper and surfaces that lift your work

Papers designed for pastels

Papers made for pastels come in different tooth levels: fine, medium, and rough. Popular brands include Canson Mi-Teintes and Clairefontaine Pastelmat. Pad sizes are often listed in inches — common sizes include 9 x 12 inches, 11 x 14 inches, and 16 x 20 inches — so pick one that fits your framing and working scale.

Alternative surfaces

Artists also use textured boards, sanded papers, and primed canvas for pastel work. Sanded papers can hold multiple layers of pigment and are great for building deep, saturated colour, while pastel grounds can turn a canvas into a workable pastel surface.

Essential pastel tools and accessories

Blenders, stumps, and erasers

Blending tools like tortillons, chamois cloths, and soft brushes expand your control over gradients and texture. Kneaded erasers and vinyl erasers help lift pigment for highlights and corrections. A small set of blending tools is one of the best investments for improving technique quickly.

Fixatives, frames, and storage

Fixatives can reduce smudging but change the look of the surface slightly, so test on scrap paper first. When framing pastels, use a spacers or mount to keep glass off the surface and prevent pigment transfer. Store loose sticks in a shallow box or tray so they don’t break; keeping artwork flat and dry is key to preserving pastel pieces.

Price guide: what to expect in the UK market

Pastel prices vary widely depending on brand, quality, and pack size. Student sets of 12 to 24 colours can start from around £8 to £20, while mid-range sets of 48 colours are often between £25 and £60. Professional sets of 80 to 120 colours from premium brands can range from £100 to £300 or more. Single professional sticks usually cost a couple of pounds each, and specialty colours or limited editions can fetch higher prices. Keep an eye out for multi-buy deals and seasonal discounts if you’re building a collection.

Buying pastels online vs in-store: pros and cons

Shopping online offers convenience, wider selection, and the ability to compare pigment information and customer reviews. However, in-store shopping lets you touch the stick, test the feel, and judge true colours under natural light. If you can’t visit a shop, order a few singles first from a reliable online retailer so you can gauge feel and hue before committing to a full set.

Tips for getting the most from your pastel purchases

Start with a small, well-chosen set and expand as you discover which colours you use most. Buy a neutral mid-tone set and supplement with single sticks of favourites rather than committing to an oversized boxed set you won’t finish. Test brands on scrap pastel paper, and keep a sample swatch sheet to remember how each colour performs after drying or fixing. Finally, invest in a good pad of pastel paper and a couple of blending tools — they’ll make inexpensive sticks sing.

Care and storage for your pastels and artwork

Handle pastel sticks gently to avoid breaking and store them in shallow trays or wrap them individually in paper if you travel with them. Loose pigment can be messy, so keep a clean workspace and wipe tools regularly. For finished pieces, use a fixative sparingly and frame under glass with a spacer to prevent smudging. Store finished works flat or upright in a dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve colours over the years.

Conclusion

Pastels are a joyful medium that reward experimentation. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, the UK market offers everything from budget starter sets at high-street chains to rare, handcrafted sticks at specialist suppliers. Start small, prioritise the pigments and surfaces that suit your style, and don’t be afraid to mix brands to create a personalised toolkit. With the right paper, a few blending tools, and a couple of good-quality sticks, you’ll be surprised at how quickly your pastel work improves.