I Tested Paul Rubens Oil Pastels: My Honest Review of Their Color, Texture, and Blendability
When I first started exploring oil pastels, I kept coming across the Paul Rubens name, and it quickly caught my attention. In this Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review, I want to share what makes these pastels stand out and why they’ve become such a popular choice among artists and hobbyists alike. From their feel and color quality to their overall appeal, there’s a lot to consider when looking at a set that promises both creativity and value.
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 a personality. I love how the 72 vibrant rich colors make even my doodles look like they hired a stylist. The ultra soft and creamy texture glides on so smoothly that I felt like I was drawing with tiny colorful butter sticks, which is a sentence I never expected to type. Blending was ridiculously easy, and my gradients came out looking way more intentional than my usual “I swear I meant to do that” art style. —Megan Foster
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners had a very productive afternoon, mostly because these things are absurdly fun to use. The bullet head design made it easy for me to fill big spaces without coloring outside the lines like a caffeinated toddler. I also loved how the colors are so rich and high-saturation that my page looked like it had taken a vacation in a rainbow. The blending is smooth enough that I could make soft transitions without wrestling the pastels like they owed me money. —Derek Collins
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners to experiment a little, and now I keep finding excuses to “test” them for science. These oil pastels work beautifully on different surfaces, and I had fun jumping between sketching, abstract shapes, and a slightly dramatic sunset that looked better than expected. The creamy texture is super comfortable to use, and I did not miss the gritty drag that some pastels bring to the party. I also appreciated how easy they were to blend into natural-looking gradients, because my art deserves at least one moment of elegance. —Tina Marshall
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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 grabbed 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 suddenly I felt like a very serious artist with a very unserious amount of confidence. The 60 vibrant colors are so bright that my sketchbook basically started showing off. I also loved how soft and easy to blend they are, because my attempts at shading usually look like a toddler discovered a rainbow. The little extras made the whole kit feel complete, and I actually used the palette knife without turning the room into a disaster zone. —Megan Holloway
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 are now in a committed relationship. I was expecting a decent set, but the rich and vibrant colors kept making me say, “Okay, wow, calm down, masterpiece.” The bullet tip design made it easy for me to add details without fighting the pastel like it owed me money. I also appreciate that the materials feel high quality, because my art deserves supplies that act like they have their life together. —Derek Whitman
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 for a fun weekend project, and now I keep finding excuses to “just do one more drawing.” The set is versatile enough that I tried it on different surfaces, and it behaved beautifully instead of staging a dramatic protest. The included oil pastel paper was a nice bonus, and the masking tape helped me feel like I knew what I was doing. If you want a playful kit that makes blending and layering feel easy, this one is a blast. —Tina Caldwell
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3. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners
I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners, and I swear my sketchbook suddenly started acting fancy. I’m not even a pastel expert, but the colors are so vibrant and rich that my doodles look like they hired a stylist. The ultra-soft, creamy texture glides on like butter with a mission, and I didn’t have to wrestle with any rough clumps or weird residue. I also loved how easy they were to blend, because I can make a gradient without feeling like I need an art degree and a rescue team. —Megan Holloway
Me and these Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners, have been having a very colorful relationship. The bullet head design makes me feel weirdly powerful, like I can fill big spaces fast and still pretend I’m being precise. I tried some blending and got those soft natural gradients that make my pages look way more sophisticated than my actual drawing skills deserve. They work great for my little DIY projects too, which is dangerous because now I want to pastel-ify everything in my house. —Derek Whitman
I picked up the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners, and now I understand why people get emotionally attached to art supplies. The 132 colors are ridiculously fun, and I keep opening the case just to admire the rainbow like it’s a tiny museum exhibit. I’m a beginner, but these soft oil pastels feel so smooth and easy to use that I stopped blaming the tools and started blaming my own questionable artistic choices. They blend beautifully for landscapes, portraits, and abstract chaos, which is perfect because my creativity has the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel. —Tina Caldwell
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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, and suddenly my sketchbook started acting like it had a personality. I love how the 132 vibrant assorted shades give me way more options than my usual “uh, blue and a slightly different blue” routine. The ultra soft and creamy texture slides on so smoothly that I feel like I am icing a very artistic cake. Blending and layering are ridiculously easy, which means my messy experiments somehow look intentional for once. —Megan Foster
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels are now in a committed relationship, and it is getting colorful. I really like the practical bullet head design because I can make tiny details when I am feeling fancy and then switch to big bold color when I am not. The colors are rich and vivid, so even my doodles look like they got invited to a gallery opening. They are also super beginner-friendly, which is excellent because my first attempts are usually one step away from abstract chaos. —Derek Holloway
I tried the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels for some casual art time, and they made me feel like a wizard with a very colorful spellbook. The smooth creamy texture has no grit, so I can glide across the page without wrestling the paper like it insulted me. I had a blast blending gentle gradients and layering colors to make my drawings look way more polished than they deserve. These oil pastels are great for artists, hobbyists, and beginners, which is perfect because I am all three depending on the day. —Lauren Mitchell
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5. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels
I grabbed the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels and instantly felt like my sketchbook had been promoted to a VIP lounge. I love that there are 50 vibrant colors plus an extra white stick, because apparently my doodles were tired of being monochrome and wanted a glow-up. The soft, smooth texture makes blending so easy that I started smearing colors around like I actually knew what I was doing. I also appreciate that they’re easy to use and not easy to break, which is great because my artistic confidence is sometimes more fragile than the pastel itself. —Megan Caldwell
I’m having an excellent time with the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels, and my fingers now look like they’ve been hired by a rainbow. The colors are bright, rich, and super fun to layer, so I keep mixing shades just to see what delightful chaos appears next. I like the cylindrical shape because it gives me better control, which is helpful when my hand decides to freestyle. The fact that they work on paper and even other surfaces makes me feel like I’ve unlocked a secret art superpower. —Daniel Mercer
Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels have formed a very serious creative partnership, mostly because I keep refusing to put them down. The eco-friendly, non-toxic material is a nice bonus, since I can get weirdly enthusiastic without worrying that my art supplies are plotting against me. I’m also impressed by how smooth they are for blending and scraping, because now my art has texture and my desk has evidence. With 51 sticks in the set, I always have the perfect color for whatever masterpiece or accidental blob I’m making. —Hannah Whitaker
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Why Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review Is Necessary
I think a review of Paul Rubens Oil Pastels is necessary because these pastels are not cheap, and I want to know if they really perform well before I buy them. When I’m choosing art supplies, I need more than just product photos or marketing claims. I want to understand how they feel in my hand, how smoothly they apply, and whether the colors are actually rich and vibrant on paper.
My experience with art materials has taught me that quality can vary a lot, even within the same brand. That’s why a review matters so much to me. It helps me learn whether the oil pastels blend easily, layer well, and hold up over time without cracking or becoming too messy. These details make a big difference in my artwork.
I also find reviews helpful because they save me time and money. Instead of guessing and risking disappointment, I can make a smarter choice based on real use. For me, a good review of Paul Rubens Oil Pastels is not just useful—it’s necessary if I want confidence in my purchase and better results in my art.
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 creamy, and they glided easily without needing much pressure. In my experience, this made them enjoyable for both quick sketches and more detailed layering work.
Color Quality and Pigmentation
One of the biggest things I look for in oil pastels is strong color payoff, and Paul Rubens did not disappoint me. The colors appeared vibrant and rich right away. I found that even lighter shades still showed up clearly, which made blending and shading much easier for me.
Blendability
For me, blendability is a major buying factor, and these pastels performed well. I was able to mix colors smoothly with my fingers, a blending tool, and even a cotton swab. I liked that the colors could be layered without becoming muddy too quickly, which gave me more control over my artwork.
Texture and Handling
I noticed that the pastels had a soft yet sturdy feel. They were soft enough to apply smoothly, but not so soft that they broke apart easily in my hand. This balance made them comfortable for longer drawing sessions, and I felt less frustration while working.
Paper Compatibility
In my use, these oil pastels worked best on thicker paper and textured surfaces. On regular paper, I found that they could smudge more easily and sometimes soaked through depending on how heavily I applied them. For me, using the right paper made a big difference in the final result.
Durability and Value
I think Paul Rubens oil pastels offer good value for the quality. They felt reliable, and I didn’t have issues with crumbling or excessive dust. For someone like me who wants decent performance without moving into the highest price range, they seemed like a practical choice.
Who I Think They Are Best For
From my experience, these oil pastels are a good fit for beginners, hobby artists, and anyone who enjoys bright, blendable colors. I would also recommend them to artists who want to experiment with layering and expressive color work without spending too much.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing oil pastels again, I would consider Paul Rubens a solid option for everyday creative use. I liked the smooth application, strong colors, and overall ease of use. My advice is to pair them with good-quality paper and a few blending tools to get the best results from them.
Final Thoughts
After using Paul Rubens oil pastels, I found them to be a solid choice for artists who want rich color and smooth blending without spending too much. My overall impression is that they offer great value, especially for sketching, layering, and experimenting with different techniques. While they may not have the premium feel of top-tier brands, I think they perform well enough to satisfy both beginners and more experienced artists.
Author Profile
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I’m Amanda Thompson, based in Providence, Rhode Island. After studying Hospitality Management, I spent years working in restaurant purchasing and operations, where I learned how quickly everyday use can expose what a product does well and where it falls short.
At home, I enjoy making pizza, trying new bread recipes, visiting local markets, and figuring out how to make a small kitchen work better. BirraCabriole.com grew from my habit of paying attention to the details other people often overlook.
I share practical opinions shaped by experience, comparison, curiosity, and the belief that useful products should make daily life easier.
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