Oil pastel is one of my favorite mediums because it’s direct, tactile, oh so fast, and it really doesn't require a lot of setup or materials. A few good supplies can go a long way. Over time I’ve settled into a this small list of products that I reach for again and again and have repurchased so many times!
Below are the core materials I keep on hand in my studio. If you're looking to try oil pastel or want a simple setup that travels well, these are a great place to start.
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Oil Pastels
The most important supply is, of course, the pastels themselves. I like pastels that are soft and creamy but still hold their shape for expressive marks and layering.
Recommended:
MEEDEN Soft Oil Pastels (I recommend the 72 color set, or higher)
This set has a wide range of colors and a nice creamy texture that makes layering and blending easy. They’re a great option whether you’re experimenting with oil pastels for the first time or building a larger color palette.
→ View the MEEDEN Oil Pastel Set
Portable Sketch Board
When I’m drawing (or painting) on individual sheet of paper, a lightweight sketch board makes things much easier. This is a non-negotiable item for me. (Prior to getting one, I was using the lid of my oil pastel box!) Its lightweight, portable, and can be used on an easel if that's your vibe.
Recommended:
TX Liteart 13" × 17" Artist Sketch Board with Handle
This portable board works like a clipboard for artwork. It holds paper securely and is large enough to work with a wide range of paper sizes.
→ View the TX Liteart Sketch Board
Colored Cardstock (Great for Oil Pastel)
Oil pastels work beautifully on toned paper. Colored cardstock is an inexpensive option that holds pastel surprisingly well and allows the background color to show through the drawing.
Recommended:
EHME 8.5 × 11 Colored Cardstock (230gsm)
The heavier weight helps the paper hold up to layering and mark-making. Since using colored cardstock in my practice, my pieces have drastically changed in energy, quality, emotion. I rarely reach for a plain white piece of paper these days.
Glassine Paper (Protecting Oil Pastel Artwork)
Because oil pastel never fully dries (they harden eventually but they'll still smudge), finished pieces need protected! Glassine paper is one of the best ways to protect your artwork during storage or shipping.
Recommended options:
Gersoniel Glassine Sheets (200 pack)
Pre-cut sheets that are perfect for protecting and storing drawings, prints, and small artwork.
Bright Creations Glassine Paper Roll
A roll version that you can cut to any size, which is helpful for larger pieces or packaging artwork.
→ View the Glassine Paper Roll
Why I Reach for Oil Pastel
I also work in oil paint, which I love for its depth and slower, layered process. But oil pastel has a completely different energy. When I want to work on something quick, vibrant, and accessible, it’s the medium I reach for.
Oil pastel lets me work immediately. There’s no setup, no drying time, and no pressure to plan every step. I can sit down with a few colors and start building marks, layering pigment, and responding to the drawing as it develops.
That immediacy makes it a really fun counterbalance to oil painting. Where oil paint asks for patience and longer sessions, oil pastel encourages play, bold color, and experimentation.
It’s one of the simplest ways to explore color and mark-making and one of my very favorite mediums.
My Full Oil Pastel Supply List
If you’d like to see all of these supplies in one place, you can browse my Amazon list here:
→ View My Oil Pastel Supply List
These are the materials I use most often in my own work and the ones I recommend to anyone curious about exploring oil pastel.