Sennelier Oil Pastels Sets

The world's finest oil pastels, high quality pigments and high pigment loads

The world's finest oil pastels were their first, originally created in 1949 by Henri Sennelier for Pablo Picasso. Picasso, a frequent patron of Henri’s art supply shop across from the Louvre, was looking for a vibrant colored pastel he could use to paint on anything, giving examples of wood, metals, paper, canvas, etc. Picasso enjoyed the immediacy of children’s crayons and soft pastels, but wanted to be able to use their freer, gestural qualities on all surfaces, and wanted them to be professional quality and lightfast. Sennelier’s first oil pastels have since been the hallmark and long-time standard of the medium.

Creamy, lightfast, and vibrant, Sennelier Oil Pastels use the same high quality pigments and high pigment loads as their other lines, combined with a pure, synthetic binding medium and mineral wax.  As the binding medium does not oxidize, it will not jeopardize the artwork’s film stability or surface.  They are acid-free, so there is no need to prime any surface as a preventative barrier for protection against deterioration from acid.  The neutral pH mineral wax provides a remarkably creamy texture that will never harden or yellow, thus providing excellent adhesion to any support, without ever fearing cracking. They may be thinned with spike lavender oil, turpentine, or mineral spirits to make washes or soften drawing strokes, or blended with the Transparent Blending Medium stick for a wide array of effects. They are the ideal medium for artists on the go, as sets can be taken on airplanes without any restrictions since they contain no solvents or liquid oils like tubed paints. The open stock of both traditional sized sticks and La Grande sticks boasts 120 vibrant colors, including iridescents, metallics, and fluorescents (fluorescents are not lightfast). Sennelier’s selective sets offer both assorted color range sets for broader work, and specific ranges dedicated to landscape, still life and portrait colors, both in sturdy Cardboard and Wood Box Sets, perfect for gift-giving or extensive travel. 

Sennelier Oil Pastels are available in both Standard (2 9/16" long x 3/8" diameter) and La Grande (5" long x 3/4" diameter) sizes. Sets can easily be replenished with open stock individual pastels as you finish a stick! Makes the perfect gift for Oil Painters or that artist who has everything, or for an easy travel companion!

• Black Wooden Box Set Of 24 - Twenty-four assorted oil pastels are displayed beautifully in the Sennelier cushioned black wood box. The set also includes a wipe cloth embroidered with the Sennelier logo and a Cetacolor Monolith HB graphite stick for pre-drawing.
• NEW! Voyage Set of 12 - This Voyage pastel set features 12 Artist quality oil pastels by Sennelier. Containing more pigment than any other brand, Sennelier oil pastels are lightfast, acid-free and resist drying. Use on a variety of surfaces including canvas, metal and glass. Enclosed in a sturdy metal tin for protection, each set also includes 3 sheets of oil pastel paper and a graphite pencil. 
• NEW! Value Sets - These value sets of Standard size oil pastels are available 24 packs of assorted Colors, perfect for portrait and still-life work. These sets also include a Creative Mark Mesh Zipper Bag and a Pack of Strathmore 500 Mixed Media Boards!
• Cardboard Box Sets - These sets of Standard size oil pastels are available in 6, 12, 24, and 48 Assorted Colors, as well as Iridescent Shades and 24 Portrait, Landscape or Still Life Shades. There is also a cardboard set of 5 Assorted La Grande pastels ideal for large scale work!
• Cardboard Box Set of 72 - Jerry's is pleased to be the first to offer Sennelier's NEW cardboard set of 72 Assorted Standard size oil pastels! By adding 24 colors to their set of 48 Assorted colors, this new collection of pastels broadens the options of the discerning artist and allows work in a wider range of subject matters from portraits and landscapes to abstract pieces. The perfect gift for pastel artists and oil painters alike, the wider color spectrum offers greater artistic flexibility for the painter and as always, at Jerry's excellent low pricing!
• Wood Box Sets - These attractive boxes are made of varnished wood and lined with foam dividers for safe pastel storage. Standard size pastels are available in sets of 36, 50 and 120 (the full range of colors!), as well as a 36 Assorted colors set of the large La Grande pastels. Perfect for taking on trips and plein aire painting!