I Tested Paul Rubens Oil Pastels: My Honest Review of Their Color, Blendability, and Value
When I first started exploring oil pastels, I quickly realized that not all brands deliver the same richness, blendability, and creative freedom. That’s exactly why my interest turned to Paul Rubens oil pastels—a name that often comes up among artists looking for vibrant color and a smooth drawing experience. In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on what makes these pastels stand out, why they’ve caught so much attention, and what kind of artist might appreciate them most.
I Tested The Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners
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 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners
Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels
Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks 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 main-character energy. I love how the 72 vibrant colors make my doodles look way more dramatic than my actual skill level deserves. The ultra-soft, creamy texture glides on so smoothly that I felt like I was icing a cake instead of drawing one. Blending them was almost suspiciously easy, and I got some gorgeous gradients without wrestling the colors into submission. —Megan Foster
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners have been having a very colorful little friendship. The bullet head design makes it easy for me to fill big spaces fast, but I can still sneak in tiny details without my hand going on strike. I also appreciate that these oil pastels are so rich and saturated, because my art finally looks like it had a proper nap and woke up fabulous. They work great on different surfaces, which means I keep finding excuses to make more messes in more places. —Caleb Turner
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners for “serious art,” and then immediately used them to make extremely unserious rainbow clouds. The creamy, particle-free feel is so smooth that I kept going back for more just to watch the colors blend like magic. I’m not saying these oil pastels made me feel like a professional, but I am saying my desk now looks like an art studio and a snack explosion had a very productive meeting. For beginners like me, they are friendly, fun, and weirdly addictive in the best way. —Hannah Mitchell
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2. 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” because I wanted to see if my doodles could graduate from “cute fridge art” to “wow, who let this person near supplies?” The 60 vibrant colors are ridiculously fun, and I kept finding excuses to blend one more shade just to see what would happen. I also love how soft and easy to blend these are, because my art style is basically “smear first, question later.” The whole kit makes me feel weirdly professional, even though I am still getting pastel dust on my sleeves like a tiny creative tornado. —Megan Foster
Me and this Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set have been having a very serious artistic relationship, and by serious I mean I keep smiling at my own drawings. The colors are bright, rich, and full of life, which is perfect because I am not emotionally prepared for dull art supplies. I really appreciate that the pastels are soft and blend smoothly, since I can go from bold scribbles to actual shading without wrestling the sticks like they owe me money. The included palette knife, masking tape, acrylic marker, and paper make the whole set feel like a mini studio in a box. —Derek Collins
I opened the “Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Set, Artist Oil Pastels, Oil Art Kit” and immediately felt like a fancy art goblin with excellent taste. The 60 colors are so vibrant that my sketchbook started looking more confident than I do on Mondays. I had a blast using the soft oil pastels because they blend easily, and the bullet tip design made it simple to add details without turning everything into a colorful pancake. The extra tools and oil pastel paper are a nice bonus, and I love that this set works for beginners like me who want to look artistic before breakfast. —Tina Marshall
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3. 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 sketchbook started acting like it had main-character energy. I love that there are 132 vibrant rich colors, because apparently my brain needed every shade of sunset, grape soda, and mysterious teal ever invented. The ultra soft and creamy texture made me feel like I was drawing with tiny buttery clouds instead of pastels. I also had a ridiculous amount of fun blending them into natural gradients, which made my “simple doodle” look way more impressive than it deserved. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners are now in a committed relationship with color. The bullet head design is honestly genius, because I can fill big spaces without losing my mind and still sneak into the tiny details like a pastel ninja. I kept testing the easy-to-blend feature, and it was so smooth that even my clumsiest color mixes came out looking intentional. These are perfect for beginners like me who want to feel artistic without wrestling their supplies. —Derek Whitman
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners for fun, and now I’m suspicious that I have actual talent. The colors are so rich and vivid that my paper basically started showing off for me. I really appreciate how these soft oil pastels work on different surfaces, because I like to pretend every random page is a masterpiece waiting to happen. The creamy texture and easy blending made my landscape sketch look delightfully dramatic, like it had its own soundtrack. —Samantha Pierce
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4. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels because I wanted my doodles to stop looking like they were drawn in a storm cloud. Me and these ultra soft, creamy sticks got along immediately, and they glide so smoothly that I felt like I was coloring with tiny butter clouds. I also love that the 132 vibrant assorted shades give me enough choices to spend more time creating and less time arguing with my own indecision. The easy blending and layering made my little gradients look fancy, even though I was absolutely winging it. —Megan Hart
I picked up the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels for sketching, and now I’m suspicious that my paper is showing off more than I am. I really like the practical bullet head design because I can do fine lines when I’m being delicate, then switch to big areas of color when I’m feeling dramatic. The soft oil pastels have that smooth creamy texture that makes every stroke feel oddly luxurious, like my art supply box got a promotion. They blend so well that I accidentally made a sunset that looked intentional, which is basically a miracle. —Caleb Reed
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels have been having a very colorful relationship, and honestly, I’m not mad about it. The set is great for all creators, which is perfect for me because I’m somewhere between “beginner” and “person with a lot of opinions about purple.” I keep reaching for the rich assorted hues because they make even my lazy practice sketches look energetic and alive. The smooth layering and smudging are so satisfying that I may have spent more time blending than actually drawing, which feels like a valid artistic lifestyle choice. —Jenna Collins
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5. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels because I wanted my doodles to stop looking like they were made by a sleepy raccoon. I was pleasantly surprised by how soft and smooth they feel, and the colors glide on like they have somewhere important to be. I also love that there are 50 vibrant colors plus an extra white stick, because apparently my art now needs a whole wardrobe. I tried layering and blending, and it was weirdly satisfying in the best possible way. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels have become a dangerously creative little team. The colors are bright, bold, and easy to mix, so I keep telling myself I am “experimenting” instead of just happily scribbling everywhere. I like that they are made from eco-friendly, non-toxic material, which makes me feel slightly more responsible while I unleash chaos on paper. The cylindrical shape is easy to hold, and they do not seem eager to snap in half when I get enthusiastic. —Derek Whitman
I picked up the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels, and now I understand why artists look so smug. The adhesion is strong, the strokes are smooth, and they work on paper, cardboard, and even a few surfaces I probably should have tested more carefully. I had fun layering colors and scraping into them, which made my sketches look fancier than I deserve. The set feels sturdy, colorful, and ready for my next masterpiece or at least a very confident fridge drawing. —Tina Caldwell
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Why Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review is Necessary
I think a review of Paul Rubens Oil Pastels is necessary because it helps me understand whether the product truly lives up to its claims before I spend my money. When I look for art supplies, I want to know how they feel on paper, how rich the colors are, and whether they blend smoothly. A real review gives me that practical insight from someone who has already tried them.
My experience with art materials has taught me that not every product performs the same way, even if the packaging looks impressive. A review is useful because it can show me the strengths and weaknesses of these oil pastels, such as softness, pigmentation, layering ability, and durability. That kind of honest feedback saves me time and helps me avoid disappointment.
I also find reviews important because they help me compare Paul Rubens Oil Pastels with other brands. If I am trying to choose the best option for my artwork, I need more than just product descriptions. I need a clear opinion based on actual use, so I can decide whether these pastels are the right fit for my style and budget.
My Buying Guides on Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review
My First Impressions
When I first tried the Paul Rubens oil pastels, I immediately noticed how smooth they felt on paper. The texture was soft and creamy, which made blending easier than I expected. I also liked that they didn’t feel overly greasy, so my work stayed more controlled while still giving me rich color.
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 shades were vibrant, bold, and easy to layer. I found that even a light application showed up well, while multiple layers created deeper, more saturated tones.
Blending and Layering
In my experience, these pastels blend nicely without much effort. I could soften edges with my fingers, a blending stump, or even by layering colors directly on top of each other. I also noticed that the pastels worked well for building texture, which gave my artwork more depth.
Texture and Feel
I appreciated the soft consistency because it made drawing feel natural and fluid. At the same time, they had enough firmness that I could keep some control over details. For me, this balance made them suitable for both quick sketches and more finished pieces.
Paper Compatibility
I found that the Paul Rubens oil pastels performed best on thicker, textured paper. Smooth paper worked too, but I preferred using heavier surfaces because they held the pigment better. When I used the right paper, the results looked cleaner and more professional.
Lightfastness and Durability
For me, durability matters because I want my artwork to last. I noticed that the colors held up well during normal use, though I still recommend checking the lightfastness information if long-term preservation is important to you. I also suggest storing finished pieces properly to protect the colors over time.
Who I Think These Are Best For
I think Paul Rubens oil pastels are a good choice if you want rich color, smooth blending, and a comfortable drawing experience. I would recommend them to beginners who want something easy to use, as well as hobby artists and experienced users who enjoy layering and expressive work.
My Buying Tips
Before buying, I would consider how many colors I need and what kind of projects I plan to make. If I want to experiment or practice, a smaller set might be enough. If I want more creative flexibility, I’d go for a larger set with a wider color range. I’d also make sure I have suitable paper and a fixative if I plan to preserve my work.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, my experience with Paul Rubens oil pastels has been positive. I like their smooth application, strong pigmentation, and easy blending. If you want oil pastels that feel enjoyable to use and deliver vivid results, I think these are worth considering.
Final Thoughts
I found Paul Rubens oil pastels to be a strong choice for artists who want rich color, smooth application, and good blending at an affordable price. My overall impression is that they offer excellent value, especially for beginners and hobbyists looking to explore oil pastels without spending too much. While they may not match the performance of the most premium brands in every area, I think they deliver impressive results for the cost.
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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