Sennelier Extra Soft Pastel 12pc - Introductory Set

These sets of twelve of the highest quality Extra Soft Pastels come in a range of curated hues from the 120 available colours made by Sennelier.

Experience the beauty and craftsmanship of Sennelier Soft Pastels with this 12-piece Introductory Set – the perfect starting point for artists who appreciate rich colour and buttery smooth texture. Made in France using pure, finely ground pigments and a minimal binder, these pastels offer exceptional softness and vibrant, luminous tones that glide effortlessly onto paper.

Each pastel stick is carefully hand-rolled to preserve the natural brilliance of the pigment, ensuring intense colour application and superb blendability. Ideal for layering, shading, and subtle transitions, Sennelier Soft Pastels are loved by professional artists and beginners alike for their consistent quality and expressive potential.

Beautifully presented, this introductory set provides a curated selection of versatile colours—perfect for sketching, portraits, landscapes, or exploring pastel techniques for the first time.

To watch a product demonstration click here for a video from Sennelier.

Click here to see other Sennelier Soft Pastel Sets.

Features:

• Set of twelve Oil Pastels - Bright Yellow 2, Cinereous Green 1, Cobalt Blue 1, Helios Red 2, Hot Brown 2, Ivory Black, Madder Carmine 1, Mummy 1, Naples Yellow 3, Prussian Blue 2, Red Brown 1, White.

• Use on pastel paper, gessoed boards, plates, glass and canvas

• Dimensions: each pastel 67 x 10 mm

• Made in France

About the Brand

One morning, in April 1887, Gustave Sennelier takes the horse-drawn carriage along the banks of the Seine. Like every day, he passes in front of the shop, selling colour pigments, of Joseph Léon Prévost. He discovers a ‘for rent’ sign in front of the art store on the quai Voltaire. A deal is quickly agreed, and the transfer of the lease is endorsed in the Paris records.

Initially, Sennelier sold paints made by various manufacturers; later he chose to produce his own paints using local pigments and binders procured from his travels across Europe.

Anecdotally, it is believed that Sennelier gained prominence at this time. Art-supply shops were ubiquitous, and Cézanne, Gauguin, and many other artists would shop around in the neighbourhood, in search of specific shades of paint. If Gustave Sennelier didn't stock the colour, he would create it for his painters.

In 1949, Henri Sennelier, Gustave's son, created the first professional-quality oil pastel for Pablo Picasso. Picasso wanted colours he could use on any surface, without any special preparation. In addition to the Cézanne, Gauguin, and Picasso, Vincent van Gogh was also known to have used Sennelier oil paint.

Sennelier is one of just a few companies that still provides dry pigments for sale. While the vast majority of artists today simply buy ready-mixed paints, the range of dry pure pigments offered by the company is quite large, exceeding eighty colours. The artist can then mix the colours into the preferred medium, creating a range of possibilities.