Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36 Pack in Metal Tin - Fine Detail

In this review of the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36 pack, the bottom line is simple: these pencils are best for artists who need rich, easily blendable pastel color with precise control. The set comes in a slim metal tin that keeps all thirty-six colors organized and transportable, and the pencil cores are pigment-rich while being wax and oil free, which makes them especially suited for detailed pastel work and smudged transitions. The review focuses on how they perform for drawing, layering, and detail rather than heavy sculpting or encaustic techniques.

Key Features

• 36 Assorted Colors: A broad palette gives artists the flexibility to build subtle gradients and complex color mixes without buying individual sticks.
• Wax and Oil Free Formula: The pigment-rich cores resist waxiness and provide clean, vibrant color that layers well for depth and nuance.
• Fine Detail Control: Pencil form allows for precise lines and small highlights that are difficult to achieve with larger pastel sticks.
• Metal Tin Packaging: The included tin measures approximately 7-1/4 by 12-3/4 by 1/2 in and protects pencils while keeping them neatly organized for transport.
• Easy to Use: Users report that the pencils blend smoothly and are straightforward to smudge for soft transitions between tones.

Who It's For

These pastel pencils suit hobbyists, art students, and professional illustrators who work on paper and need a compact, pigmented set for layering, detailing, and tonal work. The pencil format and high pigment load are well matched to portrait accents, delicate highlights, and tight areas where control matters more than broad coverage.

Those who need large-area coverage or extremely hard, break-resistant cores for heavy-handed sketching may want to consider alternate pastel sticks or softer formats. Also, artists who prefer buttery, oily pastels for heavy blending should test a single pencil first to ensure the wax and oil free feel fits their workflow.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High pigment concentration gives vivid, reliable color for layering and detail.
• Excellent color variety in the 36-pack lets you mix and match tones without extra purchases.
• Pencil format provides superior control for fine lines and small transitions.
• The metal tin is convenient for storage and travel, keeping pencils organized.

Cons

• Some users report occasional tip breakage, so sharpening carefully and using a quality sharpener is advisable.
• Not ideal as the sole medium for covering very large surfaces quickly compared with soft pastel sticks.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils 36 pack is a solid, value-minded choice for artists who need a wide selection of pigmented, blendable colors in a controlled pencil format. They excel at detail work and layered techniques, and the metal tin makes them travel-ready. For those seeking heavy coverage or a more break-resistant core, supplementing with soft pastels is recommended, but for detail and color variety this set offers strong performance and good value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these pencils good for blending?
Yes, the wax and oil free cores smudge easily for smooth color transitions and layered effects.

Does the set include a storage case?
Yes, the pencils come in a slim metal tin that keeps all 36 colors organized and protected.

Are the pencil cores fragile?
Some users report tip breakage with heavy pressure, so sharpen carefully and use a proper pencil sharpener to reduce breakage.