Premium Colouring Pencil STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Tin of 24 - Soft

In this review the STABILO CarbOthello Pastel Pencil tin of 24 is assessed as a specialist set for artists who work on dark or toned papers. The bottom line: this pack is for sketchers, illustrators and mixed-media artists who want a charcoal-like feel with vivid pastel hues that stay visible on non-white surfaces. The pencils combine a creamy, heavily pigmented core and a 4.4 mm diameter lead that lays down rich color with a matte finish, and finished pieces can be fixed with a spray fixative for permanence.

Key Features

• Charcoal-like feel: The soft, slightly dry texture gives good control for shading and smudging, making it easy to build subtle transitions on dark or toned papers.
• Highly pigmented colors: Each pastel shade delivers strong, even coverage so colors remain vibrant against mid-tone and black backgrounds.
• 4.4 mm lead diameter: The thicker core stands up to pressure and fills areas quickly while still allowing for finer details when used on the point.
• Great on dark surfaces: These pencils are formulated to show clearly on dark or toned papers and mixed-media surfaces where standard colored pencils can disappear.
• Fixative compatible: Finished artwork can be treated with a fixative to reduce smudging and protect the layered pastel surface.

Who It's For

The CarbOthello Pastel set is best for artists who frequently work on colored, grey or black papers and need pigments that read as intended on those backgrounds. Illustrators doing tonal studies, sketchbook artists wanting expressive marks, and mixed-media creators combining charcoal or ink will all find value in the tin of 24 shades.

Casual colorers or those who primarily work on white paper may want to compare these to standard wax or oil-based colored pencils, as the feel and application are closer to charcoal or pastel than to firm colored pencils; those seeking highly detailed, ultra-fine line work might prefer a harder core alternative.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very pigmented cores produce strong, visible color on dark or toned papers.
• Soft, charcoal-like texture is excellent for blending and expressive shading.
• 4.4 mm diameter leads are durable under pressure and cover areas efficiently.
• Works well with fixatives to preserve finished pieces.

Cons

• The soft, pastel-like lead can smudge if not fixed, so finished work needs a fixative for long-term stability.
• Artists who require very fine, crisp lines may find the softer core less precise than hard colored pencils.

Specifications

Product name	Premium Colouring Pencil STABILO CarbOthello - Pastel Tin of 24
Brand	STABILO
Core type	Soft, charcoal-like pastel lead
Lead diameter	4.4 mm
Color range	Assorted pastel colors (24)
Best surfaces	Dark, toned or mixed-media papers and surfaces
Finish	Matte, can be treated with fixative

Our Verdict

The STABILO CarbOthello Pastel tin of 24 is a strong choice for artists who need richly pigmented pencils that perform on dark and toned papers; its soft, 4.4 mm cores blend well and produce expressive marks. For sketchers and mixed-media creatives this set offers good value because the colors remain vivid on non-white backgrounds and finished pieces can be fixed for longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these pencils suitable for dark paper?
Yes. The pencils are highly pigmented and formulated to show clearly on dark and toned papers where regular colored pencils can be faint.

Will finished work smudge?
Because the cores are soft, smudging can occur; using a fixative spray on completed pieces is recommended to reduce smudge and increase permanence.

Can these pencils be sharpened to a fine point?
The 4.4 mm cores can be sharpened for detail, but the softer texture means they are better suited to broader strokes and blending than ultra-fine line work.