The best pastel sets for mixed media give you more than vivid color: they should layer cleanly, blend predictably, and work with complementary materials such as watercolor, ink, acrylics, or colored pencils.
Our selection includes soft pastels, oil pastels, water-soluble crayons, pan pastels, and complete mixed-media kits. Use the guide below to match each format, color range, and accessory set to your workflow.
Best 10 Pastel Sets for Mixed Media Picks for 2026
Muted Palette Pick
KINGART Pastel Gel Stick Crayons
- Muted pastel palette with unique shades
- Blend wet or dry across multiple surfaces
- Includes an organizing storage case
Best For: Portable, low-overlap pastel coloring
Professional Color Range
- Includes all 80 original PanPastel colors
- Comes with trays and Sofft application tools
- Blends dry like paint with less dust
Best For: Full-palette studio mixed-media work
Beginner Multi-Technique Kit
- Use dry or activate with water
- Includes a brush and mixing palette
- Designed for journaling and mixed-media projects
Best For: Accessible experimentation with wet and dry effects
Curated Mixed-Media Palette
- Seven colors selected by Donna Downey
- Low-dust pan format blends like paint
- Includes tray and Sofft application tools
Best For: Focused mixed-media studies and compact palettes
Best Oil Pastel Set
MUNGYO 48-Color Gallery Soft Oil Pastels
- 48 assorted oil pastel colors
- Soft, smooth, blendable formula
- Works on paper, card stock, and textured pastel paper
Best For: Artists and students wanting a broad oil pastel palette
Best Pan Pastels for Effects
PanPastel Metallics, Pearlescents & Mediums
- 17 specialty colors and mediums
- Includes palette tray and Sofft tools
- Low-dust pan application
Best For: Artists creating metallic and pearlescent mixed-media effects
Best Square Soft Pastels
MUNGYO 64-Color Artist Soft Pastel Set
- 64 vibrant square pastel colors
- Supports blending, gradation, and dry-wash
- AP-seal, non-toxic formulation
Best For: Students and artists practicing broad-color dry pastel techniques
Most Complete Mixed-Media Kit
- 175 pieces span oil pastels, paints, pencils, and charcoal
- Includes mixed-media and drawing paper
- Comes with brushes, palettes, and palette knives
Best For: Artists wanting a broad all-in-one mixed-media kit
Artist-Grade Soft Pastels
Professional Soft Pastels Set of 30
- Soft sticks blend smoothly with concentrated pigment
- Artist-grade colors offer advanced lightfastness
- Metal case supports portable, organized storage
Best For: Artists seeking blendable soft pastels for drawing and painting
Broad Color Variety
Artecho 50-Color Oil Pastel Set
- 50 vibrant oil pastel colors support varied projects
- Soft, creamy texture blends and layers easily
- Sleeved 60-by-8-millimeter sticks are portable
Best For: Beginners and creators wanting a dedicated, colorful oil pastel set
Muted Palette Pick – KINGART Pastel Gel Stick Crayons
For artists seeking pastel sets for mixed media, these KINGART gel stick crayons offer a muted 12-color palette with a creamy, easy-gliding formula. Use them dry or activate them with water for blending on paper, canvas, wood, fabric, and chipboard.
Best For: Artists who want portable pastel crayons and a dusty, low-overlap color palette for varied surfaces.
Pros:
- Includes 24 unique pastel shades with muted colors such as blush, periwinkle, sea green, and taupe.
- Water-soluble formula supports dry coloring, wet blending, shading, and soft transitions.
- Compact storage case keeps the crayons organized for home, school, or travel.
Cons:
- The supplied product information is inconsistent about the set being 12 colors versus 24 shades.
- Broad crayons may be less suited to very fine details.
This is a flexible choice for layered mixed-media work, especially when you want creamy coverage and a subdued palette rather than vivid primary colors.
Professional Color Range – PanPastel 80-Color Set
This 80-color PanPastel set is a comprehensive option for pastel sets for mixed media, combining a broad professional palette with tools for applying, mixing, and blending color like paint. Its pan format is designed for even application with less dust.
Best For: Experienced artists who need extensive color selection and a complete set of Sofft application tools.
Pros:
- Provides all 80 original PanPastel colors for detailed color mixing and smooth gradations.
- Includes palette trays, painting knives, sponges, mini applicators, and a replaceable-head applicator.
- Pan format supports even application and a cleaner working environment with less dust.
Cons:
- The large kit may be more equipment than beginners need.
- Its 2-pound weight is less convenient for highly portable sketching.
Choose this set when color breadth and application options matter most. It is especially well suited to artists building layered mixed-media paintings and custom blends.
Beginner Multi-Technique Kit – Water-Soluble Pastel Crayons
For beginners comparing pastel sets for mixed media, this water-soluble crayon kit offers several techniques in one package. Use the colors dry for textured strokes, add water for watercolor-style washes, or mix tones on the included palette.
Best For: Beginners, students, and hobby artists exploring sketching, journaling, cards, and mixed-media effects.
Pros:
- Supports dry pastel texture, water-activated washes, gradients, and layered effects.
- Includes pastel crayons, a brush, and a mixing palette for immediate experimentation.
- Works well for backgrounds, shading, florals, landscapes, journal pages, and expressive drawings.
Cons:
- The supplied title and details differ on the color count, listing 36 colors in one place and 25 in another.
- The set is positioned for beginners and may offer less specialized tooling than professional kits.
This is a practical starter set for artists who want to experiment with both crayon texture and watercolor-like blending without assembling separate supplies.
Curated Mixed-Media Palette – Donna Downey PanPastel Set
This curated PanPastel set is a focused choice among pastel sets for mixed media, with seven colors selected by mixed-media artist Donna Downey. The low-dust pan format supports smooth blending and even application with the included Sofft tools.
Best For: Mixed-media artists who prefer a compact, artist-curated palette for focused projects and demonstrations.
Pros:
- Includes seven selected colors, including turquoise, bright yellow green, reds, black, and titanium white.
- PanPastels blend dry like paint to create color mixes and smooth gradations.
- Includes a palette tray, sponge bar, painting knife, and angle slice sponge.
Cons:
- The seven-color selection is less versatile than a larger multi-color set.
- Artists needing a broader palette may need to add separate colors.
This compact set makes sense when you want a deliberately chosen palette rather than a large collection. Its focused colors and included tools are well suited to controlled mixed-media studies.
Best Oil Pastel Set – MUNGYO 48-Color Gallery Soft Oil Pastels
For artists seeking pastel sets for mixed media, this 48-color MUNGYO oil pastel set offers a ready-to-use palette with soft, blendable sticks. Its oil-based formula works on textured pastel paper, card stock, and mixed paper studies without requiring water or additional mediums.
Best For: Artists, students, classrooms, and sketchbook users who want smooth oil pastels for blending, layering, coloring, and drawing.
Pros:
- Includes 48 assorted colors for a broad starting palette.
- Soft oil-based sticks glide onto paper and support dense coverage.
- Colors can be blended and layered by hand, with a paper stump, or with a cloth.
Cons:
- The soft sticks may snap if gripped or pressed too firmly.
- They are not water resistant and require careful storage away from direct heat.
This set is a practical choice when you want traditional stick pastels with an oil-based feel. The generous color count and tool-free blending make it adaptable for both practice work and finished pieces.
Best Pan Pastels for Effects – PanPastel Metallics, Pearlescents & Mediums
Among pastel sets for mixed media, this PanPastel collection stands out for its pan format and specialty finishes. It combines metallics, pearlescents, mediums, a palette tray, and Sofft tools for dry color application that can be mixed and blended like paint.
Best For: Professional and hobby artists creating metallic accents, pearlescent effects, smooth gradations, and low-dust mixed-media work.
Pros:
- Includes 17 metallic, pearlescent, medium, blender, and specialty shades.
- Pan format supports even application with the included Sofft tools.
- Designed for dry color mixing and blending with less dust than loose pastel application.
Cons:
- The set focuses on specialty metallic and pearlescent colors rather than a broad basic palette.
- Application depends on the included tools instead of conventional pastel sticks.
This is a strong option for artists who want surface effects and controlled pan application. The included tray and tools make it more self-contained, while the specialty colors add finishes that standard pastel sets may not provide.
Best Square Soft Pastels – MUNGYO 64-Color Artist Soft Pastel Set
MUNGYO Soft Pastel Set – 64 Vibrant Colors for Artists | Smooth & Blendable | Square Shape
Check Price On AmazonThis MUNGYO set is a versatile pick among pastel sets for mixed media, providing 64 vibrant square soft pastels in a compact box. The AP-seal, non-toxic formulation supports blending, gradation, and dry-wash techniques for artwork at home or in class.
Best For: Students, artists, and classrooms that need a large selection of square chalk pastels for blending, shading, and expressive drawing.
Pros:
- Offers 64 rich, vibrant colors in a compact set.
- Square shape is easy to handle and apply.
- Supports blending, gradation, and dry-wash techniques.
- Uses an AP-seal, non-toxic formulation according to the supplied product notes.
Cons:
- As soft chalk pastels, they are not water resistant.
- The square format may feel less familiar to users who prefer round sticks.
Choose this set if color variety and classic dry pastel techniques matter most. Its square profile offers control for application, while the broad palette gives artists room to build gradients and layered shading.
Most Complete Mixed-Media Kit – 175-Piece Mixed Media Art Set
If you want pastel sets for mixed media alongside paint and drawing tools, the KINGART Ultimate Series offers a broad studio-style assortment. It includes 24 oil pastels plus watercolor cakes, pencils, acrylic paints, brushes, palettes, and paper, making it a practical all-in-one option for exploring different techniques.
Best For: Artists, teens, and adults who want one large kit for mixed-media experiments, sketching, painting, and pastel work.
Pros:
- 175 pieces cover oil pastel, watercolor, acrylic, colored-pencil, charcoal, and sketching projects.
- Includes 12 sheets of mixed-media paper and 35 sheets of drawing paper.
- Brushes, palette knives, palettes, sharpener, and erasers are included.
Cons:
- The set has only 24 oil pastels, so the pastel color range is smaller than dedicated pastel sets.
- Its large assortment may be more than artists seeking one focused medium need.
This is the strongest choice when versatility matters more than a specialized pastel selection. The included surfaces and accessories also make it convenient for getting started immediately.
Artist-Grade Soft Pastels – Professional Soft Pastels Set of 30
For artists comparing pastel sets for mixed media, the Winsor & Newton Professional Soft Pastels emphasize concentrated pigment, smooth application, and blendability. The 30-color selection comes in a metal case and includes a range from white and yellow through blues, greens, browns, grays, and black.
Best For: Artists who prioritize soft, blendable pastel sticks, lightfast pigments, and a portable storage case.
Pros:
- Soft consistency supports comfortable application and seamless blending.
- Artist-grade pigments offer advanced lightfastness for longer-lasting vibrancy.
- Metal carry case helps keep the pastels clean and organized.
Cons:
- With 30 colors, it offers less color variety than the 50-color oil pastel set in this roundup.
- These are soft pastels rather than oil pastels, so they suit a different working feel and finish.
This set is a focused option for pastel-first work where pigment intensity, blending, and storage are more important than a large accessory bundle. Its color range covers common warm, cool, neutral, and earth tones.
Broad Color Variety – Artecho 50-Color Oil Pastel Set
The Artecho set is a straightforward pick among pastel sets for mixed media when color variety and easy blending are priorities. Its 50 oil pastels have a soft, creamy texture for layering, shading, illustration, stenciling, scratching, impasto, and dotting on paper, canvas, and other surfaces.
Best For: Beginners, DIY creators, and artists who want a colorful oil pastel assortment for varied techniques.
Pros:
- 50 colors provide more hue variety than the 24-color oil pastel selection in the KINGART kit.
- Soft, creamy sticks are designed for smooth application, blending, and shading.
- Individual paper sleeves help protect the 60-by-8-millimeter pastels from breaking.
Cons:
- It is an oil pastel-only set and does not include paper, brushes, or other accessories.
- The notes describe basic colors rather than a specialized metallic or effect-focused palette.
This is a practical value-oriented choice for building a dedicated oil pastel collection. The 50-color range supports experimentation, while the compact sleeved sticks are easy to carry in a bag.
How We Picked These Pastel Sets for Mixed Media
We focused on sets that support more than one artistic technique, whether through a versatile pastel formula, a pan format that layers with other media, or a kit containing complementary tools. We also considered color variety, blending potential, portability, artist skill level, and the practical value of included accessories.
The selection spans professional-grade PanPastel and Winsor & Newton options, blendable soft and oil pastels from MUNGYO and Artecho, water-soluble crayons, and broad mixed-media collections from KINGART. This range makes it easier to choose based on how you actually work rather than color count alone.
Quick Comparison
- Best for controlled layering: PanPastel sets use a cake-like pan format that can be applied with tools and combined with other media.
- Best for traditional soft pastel work: Winsor & Newton and MUNGYO soft pastel sets offer stick-based application and blending.
- Best for bold, creamy marks: Oil pastel sets from MUNGYO and Artecho suit saturated drawings and mixed-media backgrounds.
- Best for experimentation: Water-soluble pastel crayons can create dry marks or watercolor-like washes.
- Best all-in-one option: The KINGART 175-piece set adds pencils, paints, brushes, and oil pastels in one collection.
Key Buying Factors for Pastel Sets for Mixed Media
Pastel Format
Pan pastels are useful when you want thin layers, broad coverage, or precise application with sponges and tools. Sticks provide direct, expressive marks, while oil pastels produce a waxier, more opaque finish. Water-soluble formulas are especially useful if you want to activate marks with a wet brush.
Compatibility and Layering
Check whether the pastel can sit over or under the materials you already use. Soft pastels generally work well for dry finishing layers, while oil pastels resist water-based media and may require a planned sequence. For mixed-media projects, test adhesion and drying behavior on the paper you intend to use.
Color Range and Selection Size
A larger set offers more hues and reduces mixing demands, but a smaller professional set may provide better-curated colors and easier storage. Metallics, pearlescents, and mediums are worthwhile if decorative highlights or special effects are part of your work.
Surface, Cleanup, and Portability
Pastels perform differently on smooth paper, pastel boards, watercolor paper, and textured surfaces. Consider dust, residue, and storage needs, particularly with soft pastels. Compact pans and smaller sets are easier to carry, while large collections are better suited to studio use.
Who Should Buy Which Pastel Sets for Mixed Media?
Beginners and gift buyers should look for a mixed-media kit or a moderately sized set with multiple tools. Illustrators and detail-focused artists may prefer pan pastels for controlled application and layered effects. Expressive pastel artists should consider soft pastel sets with many blendable colors. Artists creating bold, opaque pieces will likely prefer oil pastels. Choose water-soluble crayons if you want one material that can produce both dry pastel marks and fluid washes.