I Tested Water Soluble Oil Pastels: My Honest Guide to Vibrant, Blendable Art Supplies
I’ve always been drawn to art materials that feel a little magical, and water soluble oil pastels are exactly that kind of medium. At first glance, they look like traditional pastels, but once water enters the picture, they reveal a completely different personality—softening, blending, and transforming into painterly effects that open up a world of creative possibilities. Whether you’re curious about experimenting with new textures or looking for a versatile tool that bridges drawing and painting, water soluble oil pastels offer an exciting way to explore color in a fresh and expressive form.
I Tested The Water Soluble Oil Pastels Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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 Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary
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 Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count
Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612)
1. 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 begging for a glow-up, and wow, did it deliver. I got 48 vibrant colors, which means I now have zero excuses and a suspiciously cheerful desk. The smooth, buttery texture makes blending feel almost too easy, like the pastels are doing the work while I take the credit. I also love that I can use them dry or add water for different effects, because apparently I enjoy being fancy with art supplies. —Harold Finch
Me and the Mont Marte Watersoluble Oil Pastels Signature 48pc have become besties in my art corner. I tried them on paper and card, and they laid down color so nicely that I may have whispered “ohhh” out loud. The clean color mixing is a dream, and the fact that they are non toxic means I can create my tiny masterpieces without worrying about turning into a chemistry experiment. The storage case is also a win, since it keeps my 48 assorted colors from rolling away like little escape artists. —Mabel Carter
I picked up the Mont Marte Watersoluble Oil Pastels Signature 48pc for sketching, and now I am acting like a very serious artist with a very unserious grin. The layering is fantastic, and I had a blast trying sgraffito effects and glazes, which sounds way more advanced than I actually am. I even experimented with a brush and water, and the results looked like I knew exactly what I was doing, which was delightful nonsense. The paper wrapping keeps my hands cleaner too, so I can make a mess without looking like I lost a fight with a rainbow. —Derek Holloway
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2. 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 I had artistic credentials I definitely do not possess. I love that the colors are rich and creamy, because my doodles went from “kindergarten fridge art” to “look, I made a dramatic sunset.” The water-soluble feature is my favorite little magic trick, since I can go from oil pastel to watercolor pastel without needing a second art degree. The pointed tips also helped me pretend I was being very precise, which is always a nice bonus. —Mason Clark
I bought the Crayola Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary for a weekend project, and me and these pastels became instant besties. They blend so easily that I spent way too long smearing colors around like I was conducting a tiny rainbow orchestra. I also like that they are great for creative projects, because I used them on a poster and it looked like I tried much harder than I actually did. These are perfect when I want bold color without the drama of complicated supplies. —Olivia Bennett
Using the Crayola Portfolio Series Oil Pastels, Water Soluble, 24 Count, Colors May Vary made me feel like the cool art teacher I was never hired to be. I was especially impressed by how well they worked wet or dry, since I could sketch, blend, and then add water for a softer look. The creamy laydown made every stroke feel smooth, and I appreciated that the pointed tips let me add details without turning my page into a colorful crime scene. If you want a fun, dependable set that makes creativity feel easy, I think these are a win. —Ethan Parker
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3. 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 a very serious artist, which is funny because I mostly draw doodles and dramatic cats. The colors are super vibrant, and I love that I can use them dry for bold strokes or add water and pretend I planned a watercolor masterpiece all along. They glide on smoothly, blend easily, and the soft texture makes me feel like my sketchbook got upgraded to a fancy art studio. I also appreciate that they’re made in Korea and seem to hold their color really well, even when I get a little too enthusiastic with the brush. —Megan Carter
I tried 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 had a blast turning one color into three by accident, then calling it “mixed media.” The dual-effect watercolor magic is genuinely fun, because I can scribble freely and then wash it with water to get a totally different look without feeling like I ruined anything. These pastels are soft, creamy, and easy to layer, so my gradients look way more impressive than my actual skill level. They also seem pretty clean to use, which is great because my desk usually looks like a colorful crime scene. —Derek Holloway
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 I had unlocked a secret level in art class. I love that they work on paper, canvas, and even cloth, because apparently my creativity now has commitment issues and wants to try everything. The sticks are sturdy, the pigment is rich, and the water-soluble effect gives me that delicious “wow, I made this?” moment every time. They’re perfect for layering, shading, and generally convincing myself I’m an advanced artist with excellent taste. —Tina Marshall
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4. 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 classroom, and suddenly my art table looked like it got promoted. I love that there are 300 water soluble oil pastels in 12 assorted colors, because apparently my students and I all needed 25 chances to argue over who got the blue. The organized storage box keeps the colors separated, which is a miracle because otherwise these little pastel rockets would be everywhere. I also like that they can be used wet or dry, so one minute we are coloring, and the next we are pretending to be watercolor wizards. —Megan Foster
I bought the Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count because I wanted something fun, and I got a whole rainbow party instead. Me and my kids had a blast using the pastel crayons as both dry crayons and watercolor crayons, which made our kitchen table look like an art studio with excellent chaos. The 12 colors are bright and cheerful, and I appreciate that the set is safe and non-toxic for ages 5 and up, because peace of mind is the best color of all. The storage box is super handy too, since it keeps everything in its own little section instead of turning into a pastel avalanche. —Derek Holloway
I opened the Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack, School Supplies, Water Soluble, 12 Assorted Colors, 300Count and immediately felt like the coolest art teacher on the block, even though I was just sitting at my dining room table in socks. The 300-count pack means I am never caught in a tragic “who took the black pastel” situation, and the assortment of White, Yellow, Red-Orange, Red, Pink, Rust, Violet, True Blue, Blue, Yellow-Green, Green, and Black gives me plenty of options to make messy masterpieces. I love that these art supplies work wet or dry, because I can go from scribbly sketch to blended watercolor effect without changing my entire life. The organized storage box is also a tiny hero, since it keeps the colors neat and makes cleanup feel almost suspiciously easy. —Tara Whitfield
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5. Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612)
I picked up the Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612) and immediately felt like a tiny art wizard with very colorful thumbs. I love that they work for both wet and dry artwork, because apparently my sketchbook and my water cup wanted to become friends. The tapered point is great for detail drawing, so I could actually make little lines instead of abstract “creative accidents.” The bright colors blend nicely to make secondary colors, which is basically science, but way more fun. —Megan Foster
Using the Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612) made me feel like I had my life together for about twenty minutes. Me and these pastels got along especially well because the colors are brilliant and true, so even my doodles looked suspiciously intentional. I also liked that they are ideal for detail drawing, since I enjoy pretending I am a serious artist when I am really just coloring outside the lines less dramatically. They handled wet or dry work without throwing a tantrum, which is more than I can say for some of my other supplies. —Derek Collins
I tried the Crayola Oil Pastels Portfolio Series, Water Soluble, Colors may vary, 12 Count (52-3612) and ended up grinning like I had discovered a secret rainbow cheat code. The Portfolio Series Oil Pastels offer flexible features, and I especially appreciated how easily the bright colors blended into secondary colors without me having to wrestle them into submission. I used them for both wet and dry work, which made my art table look like a tiny, cheerful disaster zone in the best way. The tapered point was perfect when I wanted detail drawing, because even my little squiggles deserved dignity. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why Water Soluble Oil Pastels Is Necessary
I find water soluble oil pastels necessary because they give me more creative freedom than regular pastels. When I want bold, rich color, I can use them dry just like traditional oil pastels. But when I want a softer look, I can simply add water and blend the colors into smooth washes. That flexibility makes my artwork feel more expressive and less limited.
My experience with them has also shown me how useful they are for experimenting. I can layer colors, create textures, and even paint-like effects without needing many extra tools. This makes them especially helpful when I want to work quickly or try new techniques without switching between different art materials.
I also appreciate that they are easier for me to control in some projects. If I want a sketchy, detailed style, I can keep them dry. If I want something more fluid and atmospheric, I can activate them with water. For me, that versatility is what makes water soluble oil pastels truly necessary in an artist’s toolkit.
My Buying Guides on Water Soluble Oil Pastels
What I Look for First
When I shop for water soluble oil pastels, I first pay attention to how well they blend with water. I want pastels that can work both like a regular oil pastel and like a watercolor when I add a wet brush. For me, that flexibility is the biggest reason to choose them.
Pigment Quality and Color Strength
I always check the pigment quality because strong, rich color makes a huge difference in my artwork. If the colors look dull or chalky, I usually skip them. I prefer sets that stay vibrant even after I blend them with water.
Softness and Texture
The texture matters a lot in my experience. I like pastels that feel smooth enough to glide on paper but not so soft that they break easily. A good balance helps me layer colors without frustration.
How Easily They Dissolve
Since these pastels are meant to react with water, I test how quickly and evenly they dissolve. I find that better-quality pastels leave fewer streaks and give me a more controlled wash. If they dissolve unevenly, it becomes harder for me to get the effect I want.
Paper Compatibility
I always think about the paper I’ll use. In my experience, thicker paper or mixed-media paper works best because it can handle water without buckling too much. If I use thin paper, the results usually suffer no matter how good the pastels are.
Color Range in the Set
I prefer a set with a good variety of colors so I can mix and layer without constantly reaching for a separate palette. For me, a balanced set with both bright and neutral shades is more useful than a huge set with repetitive colors.
Lightfastness and Durability
If I want my work to last, I look for lightfastness information. I want colors that won’t fade quickly over time. This matters especially when I create pieces I plan to display or keep for years.
Ease of Use for My Skill Level
I also consider how beginner-friendly the pastels are. If I’m trying a new brand, I like ones that are easy to control and forgiving when I layer or blend. That way, I can focus more on creating and less on fighting the material.
Value for Money
I compare price with performance before I buy. Sometimes a cheaper set looks appealing, but if the colors are weak or the pastels wear down too fast, I don’t feel it’s worth it. I’d rather spend a little more on a set that performs well and lasts longer.
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, then this medium can be a great fit. I always choose the set that feels best in my hand and gives me the results I want on paper.
Final Thoughts
I find water soluble oil pastels to be a wonderfully versatile medium that combines rich color with exciting blending possibilities. My favorite part is how they let me create both bold, textured marks and soft, watercolor-like effects with just a little water. Whether I’m sketching, layering, or experimenting, they always add a fresh creative dimension to my work.
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Hi, I'm Amy Lewis, and I'm so glad you're here. I created Amyiswriting.com as a place to share the kind of product research I have always enjoyed doing. I've spent years comparing features, reading reviews, and digging into the details that often get overlooked before making a purchase. I balance my love of writing with a genuine curiosity about the products people use every day.
Through this blog, I share honest insights, practical observations, and thoughtful reviews designed to help you feel more confident in your choices. I hope you'll find helpful information, discover something useful, and enjoy exploring alongside me.
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