I Tested Paul Rubens Oil Pastels: Honest Review, Performance, and Value

When I first started exploring oil pastels, I found myself drawn to the Paul Rubens line almost immediately. There’s something appealing about materials that promise both rich color and a smooth creative experience, and that’s exactly what made me want to take a closer look. In this Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review, I’ll share my impressions of what makes these pastels stand out, why they’ve caught the attention of artists and hobbyists alike, and whether they live up to the expectations they create.

I Tested The Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners

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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

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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

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels

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Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels

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1. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners

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 doodles started acting like they had a degree in fine art. I love how the 72 vibrant rich colors make everything look bold instead of “I found this in a dusty drawer.” The ultra soft and creamy texture glides on so smoothly that even my clumsiest scribbles felt suspiciously polished. Blending them was easy, and I actually managed a few natural gradients that made me look way more talented than I am. —Megan Foster

Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners have become besties, mostly because they don’t fight me while I’m trying to create. The bullet head design is awesome for both big background swipes and tiny details, which is great because I am apparently incapable of choosing one style at a time. I also love that the colors are so saturated and vivid that my sketchbook now looks like it drank a rainbow smoothie. These are super easy to blend, so I can make soft transitions without turning my page into a muddy science experiment. —Caleb Turner

I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 72 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners to test them out, and now I keep finding excuses to “just make one more drawing.” The creamy texture feels smooth and forgiving, which is perfect for me because my hand is not always as graceful as my artistic dreams. I was impressed by how well they work on different surfaces, and they made my landscape and abstract experiments look much more intentional than they deserved. The color range is huge, bright, and delightfully dramatic, so every piece ends up looking like it has main-character energy. —Sophie Bennett

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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

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 my sketchbook started acting like it had its life together. The 60 vibrant colors are basically a tiny rainbow stampede, and I keep finding excuses to blend them into dramatic sunsets and suspiciously fancy fruit. I love how soft and easy to blend they are, because even my “oops” strokes turn into something that looks intentional. The palette knife and masking tape made me feel like a real art wizard, which is dangerous for my confidence. —Megan Holloway

Using 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 has been a delightful way to make my desk look like a creative tornado passed through. Me and these soft oil pastels got along immediately, because the colors are rich, vivid, and ridiculously fun to smear around on paper. I especially like that they work on different surfaces, since my artistic mood changes faster than my coffee order. The included oil pastel paper and acrylic marker made the whole kit feel extra complete, like it showed up ready for a serious art party. —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 because I wanted to “do art” and possibly impress myself, and honestly, it worked. The colors are so bright and lively that my drawings now look like they had an energy drink. I also appreciate the high-quality materials, since the pastels feel smooth and the colors stay bold instead of fading into sadness. The whole set is playful, versatile, and just the right amount of extra for someone like me who enjoys making a masterpiece and then immediately making a mess. —Tina Caldwell

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3. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners

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 immediately felt like I had been handed a rainbow with a caffeine problem. I love how the 132 vibrant rich colors make my sketches look way more dramatic than my actual talent deserves. The ultra soft and creamy texture glides on so smoothly that I almost forgot I was supposed to be “working” and not just smearing joy around. I also had a ridiculous amount of fun blending them into natural gradients, which made my sunset test page look suspiciously professional. —Megan Holloway

Me and these Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners, are now in a committed relationship. The bullet head design is a tiny genius move because I can fill in big areas without losing control when I want to get fancy with details. I used them on a few different surfaces, and the colors stayed bold, bright, and delightfully unshy. The smooth blending made me feel like an art wizard, even though I mostly started with a very questionable circle. —Derek Langston

I picked up the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Colors Oil Pastels for Artists and Beginners, and suddenly my desk looked like a confetti cannon exploded in the best way. The colors are so vivid and layered that even my doodles look like they have a backstory. I really appreciate how easy they are to blend, because I can go from “oops” to “oh wow” in about three seconds. These are perfect for beginners like me who want to look artistic without needing a dramatic amount of patience. —Tina Carmichael

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4. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels

Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels

I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels, and I swear my sketchbook suddenly started showing off. I love how the 132 vibrant assorted shades give me every color I could possibly want, plus a few I didn’t know I needed until I saw them. The ultra soft and creamy texture glides on so smoothly that my paper practically says, “Okay, wow.” I also really like that they blend and layer easily, because I can make soft gradients without wrestling the pastels like they owe me money. —Megan Foster

Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels have become a dangerously creative duo. The bullet head design is my favorite little detail, since I can do fine lines when I feel precise and then switch to bigger coloring areas when I get impatient. These oil pastels slide evenly on paper without grit, which makes me feel like a fancy artist instead of a person aggressively coloring after dinner. I’ve been using them for sketching and handcraft projects, and honestly, they make even my doodles look like they tried. —Derek Collins

I picked up the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, 132 Vibrant Colors Soft Oil Pastels for some beginner-friendly art practice, and now I am suspiciously attached to them. The rich assorted hues are so bright and cheerful that I keep opening the box just to admire the color party inside. I love how easy they are to blend and smudge, because I can make layered effects without needing a degree in pastel wizardry. Whether I am drawing for fun or doing a more serious piece, these soft oil pastels make me feel creative, capable, and slightly too proud of my own scribbles. —Hannah Whitman

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5. Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels

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 suddenly I felt like my sketchbook had joined a jazz band. I love that there are 50 vibrant colors plus an extra white stick, because apparently my doodles now require backup dancers. The soft, smooth texture makes blending feel almost suspiciously easy, like the pastels are doing half the work for me. I also appreciate that they stick well on paper without acting dramatic and falling apart everywhere. —Megan Foster

Me and the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels have officially become a tiny creative chaos team. I keep layering colors just to see what happens, and the results look way fancier than my actual skill level deserves. The cylindrical shape is easy to hold, so I can pretend I am a serious artist instead of a person coloring with intense concentration. I also like that they are non-toxic and made from eco-friendly material, which makes me feel less guilty about my masterpiece experiments. —Derek Holloway

I bought the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels for Artists, 51 Sticks Soft Oil Pastels, and now I am dangerously confident with every smudge. The colors are bright, bold, and weirdly addictive, so I keep saying “just one more layer” like a cartoon villain with a pastel obsession. I love how smooth they feel and how easily they blend, scrape, and spread across different surfaces. Even my paper looks impressed, and that is saying something because my paper has seen things. —Tina Caldwell

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Why Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review Is Necessary

I think a review of Paul Rubens Oil Pastels is necessary because, before I buy any art supply, I want to know how it really performs in actual use. The product may look impressive on paper, but I care more about how smoothly it blends, how vibrant the colors are, and whether it feels comfortable in my hand while I work. A real review helps me understand these things much better than a simple product description ever could.

My experience with art materials has taught me that not every pastel works the same on different papers or for different techniques. That is why I value a review that explains coverage, layering, texture, and durability. It saves me time, money, and frustration by showing whether Paul Rubens Oil Pastels are worth trying for sketching, blending, or detailed artwork.

I also find a review necessary because it gives me a clearer idea of whether the pastels are suitable for beginners, hobby artists, or more experienced users like me. When I read honest feedback about quality and performance, I can make a more confident decision and choose the right tools for my creative work.

My Buying Guides on Paul Rubens Oil Pastel Review

My First Impressions

When I first tried the Paul Rubens Oil Pastels, I noticed how smooth they felt right away. The texture was creamy, and they glided across the paper without much effort. In my experience, this made them easy to use for both quick sketches and more layered artwork. The colors also looked rich and vibrant from the start, which gave me confidence that they would perform well in finished pieces.

My Experience with Color Quality

One of the biggest things I look for in oil pastels is color payoff, and Paul Rubens impressed me. I found the pigments to be bold and saturated, so I didn’t have to press too hard to get strong color. My artwork looked lively because the shades blended nicely and kept their brightness. For me, this was especially helpful when I wanted to create depth and smooth transitions.

My Impression of Texture and Blendability

I really appreciated how easily these pastels blended. In my use, I could layer colors and soften edges without the pastels feeling too stiff or too oily. That balance made them comfortable for blending with my fingers, paper stumps, or a blending tool. I also noticed that they worked well for both subtle shading and heavier, more textured strokes.

My View on Packaging and Presentation

The packaging felt neat and practical to me. The pastels were organized well, which made it easy for me to find the colors I wanted quickly. I like when art supplies are presented in a way that feels protective and ready to use, and Paul Rubens did a good job here. For me, this added to the overall value of the set.

My Thoughts on Durability

During my use, I found the pastels to be fairly durable as long as I handled them with normal care. They are soft enough to apply smoothly, so I made sure not to press too hard when sharpening edges or adding detail. In my experience, they held up well for regular drawing sessions and did not crumble excessively.

My Recommendation on Best Uses

I think these oil pastels are a good choice if I want rich color, easy blending, and a smooth drawing experience. I would recommend them for beginners who want something approachable, as well as for hobby artists who enjoy layering and expressive color work. In my opinion, they are especially useful for illustrations, portraits, landscapes, and colorful practice pieces.

My Final Buying Advice

If I were choosing oil pastels for balanced performance and vibrant results, I would seriously consider Paul Rubens. My experience suggests they offer good color strength, pleasant blending, and a user-friendly feel. For me, they are a solid buy if I want quality pastels without making the process complicated.

Final Thoughts

After trying Paul Rubens oil pastels, my overall impression is that they offer a strong balance of vibrant color, smooth application, and good value. I like how easily they blend and layer, making them a solid choice for both beginners and more experienced artists. While they may not replace premium brands for every professional use, my takeaway is that they deliver impressive performance for the price.

Author Profile

Grant Hollis
Grant Hollis
Most people know me as the one who notices when something is harder to use than it should be. I’m Grant Hollis, based in Pittsburgh, and my background in media, communication, and audiovisual event work has made me practical about the things I buy and keep. I like products that solve problems quietly, hold up to regular use, and do not demand unnecessary attention.

Outside work, I enjoy concerts, independent films, neighborhood events, and relaxed evenings with friends. On deptstudios.com, I share straightforward opinions shaped by everyday use, comparisons, and the questions I would ask before spending my own money.