STABILO Chalk-Pastel Artist Colored Pencil Tin Set of 36 - Blendable

In this review the STABILO Chalk-Pastel Artist Colored Pencil Tin Set of 36 is examined for artists, students and creative hobbyists who want soft, highly blendable pastel color with a slightly dusty, charcoal-like stroke. The bottom line: buy this set if you want richly pigmented, partially water-soluble pencils that layer and smudge easily for dramatic effects on dark or textured papers; it delivers excellent color selection and blendability while the wood-encased 4.4mm leads resist breakage under normal use.

Key Features

• Artist-quality pastel cores: The chalk-pastel style leads provide a dry, dusty stroke that mimics charcoal for expressive sketching and tonal work.
• Partially water-soluble pigments: Pigments can be brushed with water to produce soft watercolor-like washes while preserving visible contours.
• Wide color range: This tin set of 36 offers a broad palette suitable for mixing, layering and creating subtle gradations.
• 4.4mm lead diameter: A thicker core gives a creamy laydown and reduces the frequency of sharpening for uninterrupted work sessions.
• Wood-encased barrel: The wooden casing protects the lead from accidental breakage and makes sharpening straightforward.
• Works on dark papers: High pigmentation and pastel texture produce dramatic results on dark backgrounds and textured pastel papers.

Who It's For

This set is aimed at art students, illustrators and hobbyists who enjoy experimenting with texture, smudging and light washes; it suits people who like to combine dry pastel techniques with occasional wet blending. The 36-color selection gives enough range for studies, landscapes and mixed-media sketches without overwhelming a starter kit.

Those who need archival, fully waterfast paints or intensely hard leads for fine, mechanical drafting should look elsewhere, since these pencils are intentionally soft, partially aquarellable and best used for expressive, painterly work rather than precision technical drawing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very blendable dry texture makes smudging and subtle gradation easy with fingers or stumps.
• High pigmentation yields rich colors that stand out, especially on darker paper.
• Partially water-soluble formula adds versatility for watercolor-like effects while keeping outlines visible.

Cons

• Some users report occasional brittleness in individual pencils, so care is needed when sharpening or pressing hard.
• Packaging may vary, which can be confusing for collectors seeking a consistent tin design.

Specifications

Brand	STABILO
Set size	36 colored pencils
Lead type	Chalk-pastel, partially water-soluble
Lead diameter	4.4mm
Barrel	Wood-encased for lead protection
Best surface	Dark and textured papers, Pastelmat

Our Verdict

The STABILO Chalk-Pastel Artist Colored Pencil Tin Set of 36 is a strong choice for artists who value soft, blendable pigment and the option to add subtle washes without losing contour definition. It represents good value for expressive drawing and mixed-media work, though users should sharpen gently to avoid occasional brittle cores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these pencils water-soluble?
Yes, the pigments are partially water-soluble and can be worked with a brush and water while leaving contours visible.

Do these work on dark paper?
Yes, their high pigmentation and chalk-pastel texture produce dramatic effects on dark or textured papers.

Are the leads fragile?
Most pencils are protected by a wooden barrel and resist breakage, but some customers report individual brittle cores so careful sharpening is advised.