I Tested Water Soluble Oil Pastels: My Honest Experience, Best Uses, and Why They’re Worth Trying
I’ve always been drawn to art materials that invite experimentation, and water soluble oil pastels are one of the most intriguing tools I’ve come across. They combine the rich, creamy feel of traditional pastels with the added magic of water, opening up a world of bold color, soft blending, and unexpected painterly effects. Whether I’m exploring them for expressive sketches or more finished artwork, they offer a unique creative experience that feels both accessible and full of possibility.
I Tested The Water Soluble Oil Pastels Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Crayola Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary
Mont Marte Watersoluble Oil Pastels Signature 48pc, 48 Assorted Colors, Great Blending and Layering, Comes in Storage Case, Ideal for Art, Craft, Coloring and Sketching
Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count
HA SHI Water-Soluble Oil Pastels for Artists 24 Colors, Soft Watercolor Art Sticks, Premium Art Supplies for Adult Artists – Blendable, Vibrant Hues, Korean Craftsmanship
Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612)
1. Crayola Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary
I grabbed the Crayola Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary, and suddenly I felt like my doodles had a fancy art degree. I love that the colors are rich and creamy, because my sketchbook usually deserves better than my usual “banana-shaped mystery line” style. The pointed tips let me add tiny details without me accidentally coloring half the page, which is honestly a miracle. Then I added a little water and watched them turn into watercolor pastels like they were showing off. —Megan Holloway
Me and these Crayola Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary, have become a dangerously creative duo. I used them for a poster project, and the easy blending made my colors look way more professional than my actual skill level. The fact that they work wet or dry means I can switch from bold scribbles to soft watercolor vibes without switching supplies every five minutes. I also appreciate that they are perfect for art classrooms and community art groups, because apparently I am now the kind of person who sounds organized. —Derek Whitman
I bought the Crayola Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary, for a “quick little project,” and then I lost an entire evening because I kept saying, “Just one more color.” The classic shades are super fun, and they made my page look bright enough to wake up a sleepy squirrel. I like that they are a must-have art supply for young artists, but honestly, they also made me feel like a tiny Van Gogh with slightly better snack breaks. The water-soluble feature was the cherry on top, because now my art supplies are doing double duty like overachievers. —Linda Mercer
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2. Mont Marte Watersoluble Oil Pastels Signature 48pc, 48 Assorted Colors, Great Blending and Layering, Comes in Storage Case, Ideal for Art, Craft, Coloring and Sketching
I bought the Mont Marte Watersoluble Oil Pastels Signature 48pc because my sketchbook was looking a little too serious, and now it feels like it’s on a sugar rush. I love that I get 48 vibrant oil pastel colors, so I can go from “mildly artistic” to “full rainbow chaos” in one sitting. The smooth, buttery texture makes blending feel almost suspiciously easy, and I had way too much fun layering colors like I knew what I was doing. I also appreciate that I can use them dry or add water for different effects, which makes me feel like a tiny wizard with a color wand. —Megan Holloway
I’m having an excellent time with the Mont Marte Watersoluble Oil Pastels Signature 48pc, mostly because they make me look far more talented than I am. The colors are bright, cheerful, and easy to mix, and the buttery feel means I can blend without wrestling the page like it insulted me. I tried them on paper and card, and they behaved beautifully on both, which is more than I can say for my last art experiment. The storage case is also a nice bonus, since it keeps my pastel army from rolling off the table and causing a tiny disaster. —Derek Whitman
Me and the Mont Marte Watersoluble Oil Pastels Signature 48pc have become a very productive little duo. I like that they are non toxic and wrapped in paper, because my hands stay cleaner and my desk looks less like a rainbow exploded. The option to create sgraffito effects or glazes with a brush adds just enough fancy magic to make me feel like an art genius in socks. I’ve used them on canvas too, and the color payoff is so bold that even my doodles started acting important. —Julia Bennett
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3. Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count
I grabbed the Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count for my art bin, and suddenly I felt like a very serious artist with a very colorful secret. I love that there are 300 water soluble oil pastels in 12 assorted colors, because my creative chaos now comes with excellent organization. I tried them wet and dry, and I was delighted when they acted like watercolor crayons one minute and smooth pastels the next. The storage box keeps each color in its own little section, which is perfect for me because I am talented at making messes but not at cleaning them up. —Megan Hart
Me and the Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count have become besties in the classroom. I especially like that there are 25 cylindrical oil crayons in each color, so nobody has to fight over the good shades like it is a tiny rainbow courtroom. The colors are bright, blend nicely, and make even my doodles look like they attended art school. I also appreciate that they are safe and nontoxic, because my students can create freely while I pretend I am calm and in control. —Daniel Brooks
I bought the Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count, and I swear my sketchbook started showing off. The 12 assorted colors are fun enough on their own, but when I use them wet, they turn into gorgeous watercolor-style magic that makes me feel suspiciously talented. I like that the pastels are separated by color in the organized storage box, because I can find Black, True Blue, or Yellow-Green without digging like a treasure hunter. These art supplies are a win for me, and they keep my inner child and my outer teacher equally entertained. —Laura Bennett
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4. HA SHI Water-Soluble Oil Pastels for Artists 24 Colors, Soft Watercolor Art Sticks, Premium Art Supplies for Adult Artists – Blendable, Vibrant Hues, Korean Craftsmanship
I picked up the HA SHI Water-Soluble Oil Pastels for Artists 24 Colors, Soft Watercolor Art Sticks, Premium Art Supplies for Adult Artists – Blendable, Vibrant Hues, Korean Craftsmanship and immediately felt like my sketchbook got a personality upgrade. The colors go on so smoothly that I almost trusted them more than my own coffee-fueled judgment. I love that I can use them dry for bold lines and then add water to turn the whole thing into a tiny watercolor miracle. The soft, blendable texture made layering a lot easier than my usual “smear and hope” technique. —Megan Foster
Using the HA SHI Water-Soluble Oil Pastels for Artists 24 Colors, Soft Watercolor Art Sticks, Premium Art Supplies for Adult Artists – Blendable, Vibrant Hues, Korean Craftsmanship made me feel like a very serious artist with a very unserious grin. I was pleasantly shocked by how vibrant the pigments stayed, even after I brushed on water and started experimenting like a kid in a fancy studio. The sticks are creamy, easy to blend, and they leave way less mess than I expected, which is honestly rude because I was prepared for chaos. I also appreciated that they work well on paper and canvas, so I could bounce between projects without acting like I needed a whole new personality. —Caleb Turner
I bought the HA SHI Water-Soluble Oil Pastels for Artists 24 Colors, Soft Watercolor Art Sticks, Premium Art Supplies for Adult Artists – Blendable, Vibrant Hues, Korean Craftsmanship because I wanted to try something different, and now I keep finding excuses to “test” one more color. The dual-effect watercolor media is the fun part for me, since I can draw first and then watch the colors transform when water hits the page. The sticks feel durable, smooth, and very professional, which makes me feel slightly more refined than I probably am. I also like that the set is rich enough for detailed shading and mixed-media play, so my art experiments can look intentional instead of accidental. —Jenna Wallace
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5. Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612)
I grabbed the Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612), and suddenly I felt like a very serious artist with a very unserious snack habit. I love that the tapered point is ideal for detail drawing, because my doodles finally stopped looking like they were done by a sleepy raccoon. The bright colors blend beautifully to create secondary colors, so I spent a ridiculous amount of time making new shades just because I could. They work great for both wet and dry artwork, which means I can switch modes like a tiny creative superhero. —Megan Foster
Me and the Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612) are now officially besties. I was impressed by how the brilliant true colors made my sketch look way fancier than my actual skill level deserved. The tapered point is super handy for detail drawing, and I did not have to wrestle with the pastel to get a clean line. I also liked that they are useful for wet or dry work, because apparently I enjoy art supplies that refuse to be boring. —Derek Collins
I bought the Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612) expecting a normal art session, and instead I got a full-on color adventure. The 24 different colors gave me enough options to make a rainbow, a sunset, and several questionable abstract masterpieces. I really enjoyed how the bright colors blend to create secondary colors, since mixing them felt a little like magic and a lot like me pretending to be a genius. The tapered point is ideal for detail drawing, so even my tiny stars and scribbles came out looking delightfully intentional. —Hannah Whitaker
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Why Water Soluble Oil Pastels Are Necessary
I find water soluble oil pastels necessary because they give me the freedom to create both bold, rich colors and softer, blended effects with the same medium. When I want strong lines and texture, I can use them dry. When I want a smoother, painterly look, I can add water and watch the colors transform. That flexibility makes my artwork feel more expressive and less limited.
My experience with them has also shown me that they are very practical for learning and experimenting. I do not need many tools to get started, and I can explore shading, layering, and blending without feeling overwhelmed. They make it easier for me to build confidence while still producing artwork that looks vibrant and polished.
I also appreciate that water soluble oil pastels help me work faster and more creatively. If I want to sketch an idea, add color, and then refine it with water, I can do all of that in one process. For me, they are necessary because they combine convenience, versatility, and beautiful results in a way that supports both simple practice and serious art-making.
My Buying Guides on Water Soluble Oil Pastels
What I Look for in Water Soluble Oil Pastels
When I shop for water soluble oil pastels, I first check how smoothly they apply on paper. I prefer pastels that feel creamy enough to blend easily, but not so soft that they break too quickly. I also look at how well they react to water, since the main appeal for me is turning dry marks into watercolor-like effects.
Color Quality and Pigment Strength
For me, strong pigmentation is one of the most important factors. I want colors that look rich and vibrant even with a light touch. If the pigment is weak, I notice that the artwork can look dull after blending. I usually choose sets that offer a good balance of bright, deep, and neutral shades.
Blendability and Water Activation
I always test how well the pastels blend both dry and wet. Some brands mix beautifully with just a finger or blending tool, while others become truly impressive once I add water. I like pastels that create smooth washes without leaving harsh streaks. If the water activation is even, I can get more control over gradients and layered effects.
Texture and Paper Compatibility
I pay attention to the texture of the pastel and the type of paper I plan to use. On smooth paper, I get cleaner lines, but textured paper helps hold more pigment. In my experience, heavier paper works better because it can handle water without buckling too much. I avoid very thin paper when I want to use a lot of wet blending.
Lightfastness and Durability
If I want my artwork to last, I check for lightfastness ratings or brand claims about fade resistance. I prefer colors that stay stable over time, especially for finished pieces I may display. Even if I am just practicing, I still like to choose pastels that hold up well because it gives me better long-term value.
Set Size and Color Selection
I think about how many colors I actually need. A small set is great when I am learning or traveling, but a larger set gives me more flexibility for detailed work. I like sets that include both primary colors and useful earth tones, because that helps me mix a wider range of shades.
Ease of Use for My Skill Level
When I am choosing a brand, I consider whether it suits my experience level. Softer, more forgiving pastels are easier for me when I want quick results. If I want more precision, I look for ones that allow sharper lines and better control. I find that the best choice depends on whether I am sketching, layering, or creating finished art.
Price and Value
I compare price with performance before I buy. A more expensive set is not always better, but very cheap pastels often disappoint me in pigment strength or blendability. I look for a set that gives me consistent quality, good color payoff, and enough pieces to justify the cost.
My Final Buying Tip
My best advice is to choose water soluble oil pastels based on how you like to work. If you enjoy bold color, easy blending, and watercolor-like effects, they can be a great medium. I always recommend starting with a mid-range set from a trusted brand so I can test the quality before investing in a larger collection.
Final Thoughts
I find water soluble oil pastels to be a wonderfully versatile medium that combines the richness of oil pastels with the added magic of water effects. My favorite part is how they let me create both bold, creamy marks and soft, painterly washes with the same tools. If you’re looking for a medium that encourages experimentation and expressive results, I think these pastels are a great choice.
Author Profile
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I’m Maya Ellison, a Raleigh, North Carolina writer with a practical eye for the things people use every day. Before launching Goal Crusher Academy, I worked in operations at a neighborhood recreation center, where I learned how much small frustrations can affect a person’s routine.
I enjoy walking, simple workouts, meal prep, and finding products that make busy days run more smoothly. I write with everyday life in mind, not perfection.
Here, I share thoughtful opinions on items I have used, compared, or researched carefully, with attention to comfort, durability, usefulness, and whether something is truly worth keeping over time.
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