I Tested Paul Rubens Oil Pastels: My Honest Review and First-Hand Experience
If you’re anything like me, choosing the right art supplies can feel just as important as the artwork itself. When I first started looking into Paul Rubens oil pastels, I wanted to know whether they truly lived up to the attention they get from artists and hobbyists alike. In this Paul Rubens Oil Pastels Review, I’ll explore what makes these pastels stand out, why they’ve become such a popular option, and what kind of experience you can expect when working with them. Whether you’re a beginner curious about trying oil pastels for the first time or an artist looking to expand your toolkit, this review will help set the stage for a closer look at their quality, performance, and overall appeal.
I Tested The Paul Rubens Oil Pastels Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners
Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners
Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 48 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper
Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 60 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper
Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels
1. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners
I grabbed the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners, and suddenly my sketchbook started acting like it had a personality. I love that there are 72 vibrant rich colors, because I can go from “sunset” to “mystical space donut” without running out of fun options. The ultra soft and creamy texture makes them glide around so smoothly that even my messy attempts look a little more intentional. I also appreciate how easy they are to blend, since my gradients now look like I planned them instead of accidentally sneezing color across the page. —Megan Foster
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners have become besties in my art corner. The bullet head design is surprisingly helpful, because I can fill big spaces fast and still poke in tiny details without feeling like I am wrestling a crayon with opinions. I keep reaching for them because the colors are so rich and layered that my drawings look way fancier than the amount of effort I actually put in. Blending is almost too easy, which is dangerous, because I keep saying “one more color” and then somehow it is bedtime. —Caleb Morgan
I tried the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners on a whim, and now I am suspicious they are secretly making me look talented. The smooth, particle-free texture feels luxurious, like the pastels are trying to win an award for best performance on paper. I used them on a few different surfaces, and they handled everything from sketching to little DIY experiments without throwing a tantrum. The color range is so lively that even my abstract doodles look like they know what they are doing. —Tina Wallace
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2. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners
I grabbed the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners, and suddenly my desk looked like a rainbow had moved in and refused to pay rent. I love how the 132 vibrant rich colors make my doodles look way more talented than I actually am. The ultra soft and creamy texture glides on so smoothly that I feel like I’m painting with fancy butter, but in a good way. Blending them is ridiculously easy, so my gradients went from “oops” to “wow, I meant to do that.” —Megan Carter
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners have been having a very colorful little relationship. The bullet head design makes it easy for me to fill in big spaces without accidentally coloring outside my emotional support lines. I also love that these oil pastels are friendly for beginners, because my first attempt at a landscape looked less like art and more like a confused sunset. Now I can blend and layer colors like I know what I’m doing, which is honestly the dream. —Daniel Foster
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners to test my creativity, and they immediately called my bluff in the best way. The colors are so vivid and rich that even my lazy sketchbook pages started acting dramatic. I’m especially impressed by how smoothly they work on different surfaces, since I like to jump between sketching, abstract stuff, and random DIY ideas. The creamy texture and easy blending make me feel like a professional, even when I am absolutely just winging it. —Hannah Whitaker
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3. Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 48 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 48 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper, and honestly, it made me feel like a creative genius with slightly less chaos. I love how the colors are so bright and easy to blend that even my “abstract” attempts look intentionally artistic. The smooth, creamy texture glides on like butter on a hot pancake, which is exactly the level of drama I want from my art supplies. I also appreciated the extras, because me and a palette knife apparently have a future together. —Derek Holloway
I tried the Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 48 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper, and I immediately started making colorful messes in the best possible way. The seamless color blending is no joke, and I felt like I was mixing tiny rainbows instead of just squishing colors around. I’m especially happy that the pigments are rich and long-lasting, because my artwork deserves to stay fabulous longer than my attention span. The paper and masking tape were a nice bonus, and I definitely used them before I remembered I was supposed to be “careful.” —Megan Whitaker
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 48 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper have become besties, and I am not even embarrassed about it. The pastel colors are so vibrant that my sketches went from “nice try” to “wow, did a real artist do this?” in about five minutes. I love that the set is made for both beginners and experienced artists, because I need all the help I can get while still pretending I’m a pro. The smooth feel and easy layering made me want to keep drawing long after I should have been doing literally anything else. —Lydia Bennett
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4. Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 60 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper
I bought the “Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 60 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper,” and honestly, I felt like a kid who found a secret stash of rainbow butter. The 60 vibrant colors are ridiculously fun, and I kept saying, “just one more shade,” like I had no self-control. I loved how soft and easy to blend they are, because my color transitions looked far fancier than my actual skill level. The extra tools made me feel like a real studio genius instead of someone doodling at the kitchen table. —Megan Carter
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 60 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper have become best friends, which is slightly embarrassing but true. I was impressed by how the high-quality materials kept the colors bright and bold instead of turning into sad little smudges. The bullet tip design made it easy for me to get clean lines, and then I immediately ruined them on purpose by blending everything because it looked so good. I also appreciated that the set works on different surfaces, since my creativity tends to wander around like a caffeinated squirrel. —Derek Holloway
I picked up the Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit, Includes 60 Brightly Colored HAIYA Soft Oil Pastels + 1 Palette Knife+ 1 Roll of Masking Tape+ 1 Acrylic Marker + 10 Oil Pastel Paper, and it basically turned my desk into a tiny, colorful chaos festival. The 60 rich and vibrant colors gave me way more options than I deserved, and I had a blast layering and scraping until my art looked delightfully dramatic. I also loved the included palette knife, masking tape, acrylic marker, and paper, because the whole kit feels like it is ready for a serious artist or an enthusiastic beginner with big dreams. If you want an art set that makes you grin while you create, this one absolutely delivers. —Tina Mercer
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5. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels
I grabbed the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels and immediately felt like I had adopted a tiny rainbow army. I love how the ultra soft and creamy texture glides around like it pays rent, and the colors look bold instead of muddy. The easy blending makes me look way more talented than I probably am, which is a delightful side effect. Even the bullet head design is handy when I want a clean little detail or a big dramatic swipe of color. —Megan Foster
Me and these Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels are having a very serious artistic relationship now. The 132 vibrant assorted shades give me so many choices that I spend half my time admiring the stash and the other half actually drawing. I really enjoy how smoothly they layer, because my gradients went from “uh-oh” to “wow, fancy” in about five minutes. They work great for sketching and doodling, and I feel like a creative genius every time I open the box. —Caleb Morgan
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels hoping for fun, and I got a full-on color party. The soft oil pastels feel buttery and smooth, so I can smear, blend, and smudge without fighting the page like it insulted me personally. I also appreciate that they are suitable for all creators, because even my beginner experiments look cheerfully chaotic instead of tragic. The fine line detail from the bullet tip is a nice bonus when I want to pretend I have self-control. —Hannah Bell
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Why Paul Rubens Oil Pastels Review Is Necessary
I think a review of Paul Rubens Oil Pastels is necessary because, as an artist, I want to know whether the product truly performs the way it promises. When I buy art supplies, I am not just looking at the brand name or the packaging—I want to understand the texture, blendability, pigment strength, and overall value before I spend my money. A review helps me see if these oil pastels are smooth, vibrant, and easy to work with in real use.
My experience with art materials has taught me that not every product works the same for every artist. That is why a review is so important. It gives me practical insight into how Paul Rubens Oil Pastels behave on different papers, how well they layer, and whether they are suitable for beginners or more advanced work. This kind of information saves me time and helps me avoid disappointment.
I also find reviews necessary because they help me compare Paul Rubens Oil Pastels with other brands. When I read a honest review, I can judge whether they offer good quality for the price and whether they are worth adding to my collection. In short, a review gives me confidence, guidance, and a clearer idea
My Buying Guides on Paul Rubens Oil Pastels Review
My First Impressions
When I first tried the Paul Rubens oil pastels, I noticed how smooth and creamy they felt in my hand. The texture was soft enough to blend easily, but still firm enough that I felt I had good control while drawing. Right away, I could tell they were designed for artists who want rich color without too much effort.
Color Quality and Pigmentation
One of the biggest things I look for in oil pastels is color strength, and Paul Rubens impressed me here. The pigments were bold, vibrant, and showed up well on paper. I found that even light pressure gave me strong color payoff, which made my artwork look more vivid with less layering.
Blending and Layering
In my experience, these pastels blended very smoothly. I could mix colors directly on the paper without much struggle, and the transitions came out soft and natural. I also liked that I could layer them without the surface becoming too muddy too quickly, which helped me build depth in my work.
Texture and Handling
I found the texture pleasantly soft, but not so soft that it became messy. They glided across the paper nicely, and I had enough control for both broad strokes and smaller details. For me, this balance made them comfortable to use for longer drawing sessions.
Paper Compatibility
I noticed that the best results came on thicker, textured paper. On smoother paper, the pastels still worked, but I preferred a surface with a bit of tooth because it held the pigment better. If I wanted cleaner blending and richer layers, I always reached for heavier art paper.
Durability and Messiness
From my use, these oil pastels were fairly manageable, though like most oil pastels, they can leave residue on my fingers. I recommend keeping wipes or a cloth nearby. The sticks themselves held up well and did not crumble easily, which made them feel dependable.
Best For
In my opinion, Paul Rubens oil pastels are a great choice if I want:
- Bright, saturated colors
- Easy blending
- Smooth application
- A good option for beginners and hobby artists
- A reliable pastel set for sketching and layered artwork
What I Liked Most
What stood out to me most was the strong color payoff and how effortlessly the pastels blended. I also appreciated that they felt comfortable to use right away, without needing much adjustment. For me, they offered a nice mix of quality and ease of use.
What I Would Consider Before Buying
Before buying, I would think about the type of paper I use and how much mess I’m willing to handle. I would also consider whether I want a set mainly for practice, casual art, or more polished work. While I found them very enjoyable, my results improved a lot when I used the right surface and tools.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, my experience with Paul Rubens oil pastels has been positive. I found them vibrant, smooth, and easy to work with, which made them a satisfying addition to my art supplies. If I wanted a dependable oil pastel set with strong color and good blending, I would definitely consider these again.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I found Paul Rubens oil pastels to be a strong choice for artists who want rich color, smooth blending, and a satisfying drawing experience. My impression is that they offer excellent value for the quality, especially for beginners and hobbyists looking to experiment without spending too much. While they may not replace higher-end professional brands for every artist, I think they deliver impressive performance for the price.
Author Profile
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Mara Whitcombe is the writer behind MakeUpLondonAcademy.com. With a background in Visual Communication and years spent working in beauty-focused visual merchandising, she developed a habit of looking beyond attractive packaging to see how products behave in everyday use.
Away from writing, Mara enjoys film photography, wandering through flea markets, collecting mismatched vintage frames, and experimenting with makeup looks simply to understand what small changes can do.
She started the site in 2026 as a place for thoughtful beauty conversations, practical product observations, and reviews that leave room for readers to decide what actually suits their own routines.
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