OpenTube

Comparing 8 Oil Pastel Ranges: Sennelier, Neopastels, Meeden, Lightwish, Paul Rubens Haiya, Artecho

Helen Cryer

8,499 views

In this video (my longest ever!!) I take a look at eight ranges of oil pastels, testing them for all the different properties I'm interested in.
I also test them head to head, doing eight paintings of the same subject, with some interesting results!
This isn't an exhaustive review, and it's biased towards the style of art I like using oil pastels for, so please bear in mind your own particular style of art, and how the oil pastel properties I show, might lend themselves to that, in a different way than they do to mine.

These are the eight ranges I review:

UK Caran D'Ache Neopastels 96 Set:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...
UK Caran D'Ache Neopastels Open Stock:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...
US Caran D'Ache Neopastels Range:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...

Sennelier Oil Pastels Range, Including Open Stock:
US https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...
UK https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...

Lightwish 100 Oil Pastels:
UK https://link.amazon/B0aq7hwBl
US https://amzn.to/46b1lvg

Paul Rubens Haiya Oil Pastels 132 Set:
UK https://link.amazon/B09NyvEKT
US https://amzn.to/4hoYiXm
Paul Rubens Haiya Oil Pastels 72 Set:
UK https://amzn.to/4pFoVbF
US https://amzn.to/49eqAiH

Meeden Square Oil Pastels 48+4:
https://link.amazon/B05s2H7YV

Meeden 144 Oil Pastels:
https://link.amazon/B0aDootv6

Kawachi Big Oil Pastel Babys from the Kawachi Art Supplies Shop (Please note, sets are limited edition, and sell out):
https://en.kawachi1920.com/

Artecho 120 Oil Pastels:
https://link.amazon/B0dtVyjCs

Other Supplies I Use:

Hand Barrier Cream:
https://link.amazon/B0a84PmIY
Canson XL Sand Grain Pad
UK https://amzn.to/44sGrrE
US https://amzn.to/46sqD9V
Sennelier Oil Pastel Pad Range:
UK https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...
US https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...
Canson XL Mixed Media Pad:
https://link.amazon/B0aG05Abt

____________________________________________________

INSTAGRAM: helen_cryer_art
Instagram: helen_cryer_art

If you'd like to support my videos... thank you!
https://buymeacoffee.com/helencryer

My Amazon Storefront - Categories of art materials and books I've bought from Amazon, and still use: https://amzn.eu/d/0aqZpw8X

(As an Amazon & Jackson's Art Associate, I earn a small amount from the purchase of ANY items - not just the ones I link to - when you enter the sites via my links. It doesn't affect the price for you, and I'm very grateful when you do, thank you!)

20 Comments

@Samantha_tookey197 1 month ago

Looking at the senellier oil pastels, they are a reflection of oil paints with the opacity of the different pigments. This video is a really valuable resource for anyone looking to invest in oil pastels for the first time, and for anyone looking to expand their range. Thank you for all the time you put into these videos. ❤

@valeriegehling4358 1 month ago (edited)

So sorry people need to be rude about your views! I for one am glad to see more videos from you! And, as my husband passed away last week & am waiting for my daughter to fly over, I continue to enjoy the information you give us. And, I guess it’s escapisium at the moment for me. And, an excuse to do oil pastels again! All your older works I knew! Thanks

@artishbytrisha 1 month ago

Hats off to you Helen for doing such a detailed comparison of all these brands! The Kawachi oil pastels are so drool worthy. On Sennelier oil pastels - it’s great that you explained the role of fillers and standardising the level of softness or hardness across the pastels, seen in many other brands. I love Sennelier exactly because they DON’T seem to do that. I think they let the pigment and its true nature shine, which lends versatility of form and texture within a set. Very close to oil paints in a sense. Have fun with all those beautiful oil pastels! And your art and style is fabulous as always.

@thefrostedblueberryart 1 month ago

I’m here to start a petition to get Helen to make a website to share all her wonderful information with us! Or maybe, gasp, an app! Imagine having a helen in your pocket whenever you find yourself (mysteriously) overcome with consumerist desire in a beautiful, jam packed art shop?! 🥰

@patriciaschoenberg1261 2 days ago

Thank you for your comparisons. You've provided a new way to look at oil pastel sets.

@racechick2033 1 month ago

Woohoo, my Helen top up and I've been looking forward to this! Thank you and love you much. 😊

@Aella613 1 month ago

I absolutely LOVE these longer in depth videos. I’m very new to art, I’ve been learning for just under a year as a (very expensive lol) hobby (watercolour is my favourite) and I’ve found that your videos are the most educational. No matter how far back I go in the years on YouTube, your teaching style has stayed consistent and that is the best way for me to learn

@LeesChannel 1 month ago

What an awesome comparison! You really went above and beyond comparing these pastels.

When it came to the apple drawings, the Neopastel really caught my eye, as did the Kawachi! Those were real standouts, with the Lightwish being not far behind. I think I'm not the only one who felt so, as they made their return in the summary.

@Itsallgoingtobeokay-d2w 1 month ago

Gorgeous! I have the Haiya set and love

@firdyk 1 month ago

Thank you so much for this extensive comparison Helen. Ive stayed up way past my bedtime watching this!

@ecolicam 3 weeks ago

That video is incredably intense! thank you, I dont know so many knowledge about colors and materials but your effort is amazing!!

@UJB123 8 days ago

Interesting comparison. Thank you.

@janemcgrath9615 1 month ago

For anyone looking to buy oil pastels (or indeed not looking to buy) this really is a great comparison video so detailed and informative,thank you for taking the time and effort to put this all together. I love my PR Haiya’s (which I chose after watching an old video of yours 🙏),also the section about the various papers was very helpful. 🙏

@Puffthemagicgecko 1 month ago

Great review! I agree with pretty much all of what you said. I own a ton of different sets and had many of the same thoughts that you did when I was trying mine out. Very well put together!

@Everywhere2 1 month ago

I had those Cray-Pas once upon a time, too! This is a most amazing video, Helen. The time and thought and skill it took!

@polgara28 1 month ago

This was a lot of work to organize, and we thank you for it!
Very thorough and concise. That Kawachi set is like a jewel box with so many gorgeous colors! Thank you for all of your hard work and sharing it with us. Have a wonderful and creative day! 🌻

@margaretpinsent6388 1 month ago

Gosh, you really worked on this comparison, well done! And thank you.
I love watercolours, I think they'll always be my passion. Mostly urban but also land and seascapes .
When I saw you and one or two others using oil pastels over watercolour, I thought I'd have a go. So I bought a selection of Sennelier.
Then I got a box of Mungyo which I'm determined to get the hang of. Only to discover today that you gave yours away! Oh well.
I'm not an Artist, but I like to produce art that I take pride in. It's all for me. So, I'll carry on with what I've got, and hope than one day PR produce open stock of theu Haiya range.
I love your art, Helen, so thank you for sharing it here, and for your very helpful guidance and insight, I've learned a lot from you. And this comparison of oil pastels has been really useful.
Splodge and Scribble is still a favourite technique for me!
Maggie x

@fannifriedrich 1 month ago

Helen, this video is EVERYTHING!

I fell in love with oil pastels thanks to you, and this video is just a cherry on top. I saw you using oil pastels a lot, and a few weeks ago I saw the round Meeden ones on sale for CAD $20 for the 48-set and decided to go for it. They spark so much joy, and I think they are an amazing starter set.

I understand why people love the Senneliers and I appreciate the history, but I just know I don't have the patience to check if a colour is opaque or not. I expect a better consistency for set, but that is such a personal preference.

I can't wait to try out the Lightwish and Paul Rubens Haiya sets.