Pastel Pencils for Portraits: Skin Tones, Paper and Blending

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-18

On 2026-10-18

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Pastel pencils combine the soft, glowing colour of pastels with the control of a pencil, which makes them a favourite for portraits and pet portraits. This guide to pastel pencils for portraits explains the skin tone sets we stock, which paper to use, how to layer and blend skin tones, and how to protect finished work.

Why pastel pencils for portraits?

Control: a sharpenable point for eyes, lips and strands of hair.
Soft blending: colours blend smoothly, perfect for gentle changes in skin tone.
Layering: on textured paper, you can build many layers of colour.
Works with soft pastels: use soft pastel for big areas and pencils for details. See our soft pastels guide.

Pastel pencils we stock

Mont Marte Skin Tints Pastel Pencils (12 pcs): realistic skin tones for portraits, figure drawing and pet portraits.
KeepSmiling Skin Tints Pastel Pencils (12 set): skin tones for portraits.
Worison Skin Colour Pencils (12 pack): soft pastel pencils in skin tones.
Mont Marte Pastel Pencils (12 pack): a general colour range for backgrounds, clothing, eyes and hair.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all skin tint sets and pastels.

Choosing paper

Use paper with tooth (a slightly rough texture), which grips pastel. The Mont Marte Pastel Pad A4 has textured pastel paper.
Toned or mid-coloured paper, such as Tinto Paper 250gsm, makes skin tones and highlights glow. See our toned paper guide.
Fabriano Accademia drawing paper also takes pastel pencil well.

How to draw skin tones step by step

Sketch the face lightly with a light pastel pencil rather than graphite, which can make pastel look greyish.
Block in the main light and shadow areas with light pressure.
Layer two or three skin tones: a warm mid-tone first, then darker tones in shadows and lighter ones on highlights.
Blend gently with a blending stump, keeping some texture so later layers stick.
Add a touch of pink on cheeks, nose and lips, and cooler tones in the deepest shadows.
Finish eyes, eyebrows and hair with sharp points, and add the brightest highlights last.

For face proportions, see our portrait drawing guide.

Pet portraits with pastel pencils

Pastel pencils are wonderful for pets. Start with the darkest areas of fur, then layer mid and light tones, always stroking in the direction the fur grows. Use the skin tint sets for warm browns and creams, and the general colour set for eyes. Finish with a few crisp white whiskers and a bright highlight in each eye. Work from a clear, well-lit photo so you can study the fur pattern closely.

A wooden or plastic drawing board and a clip keep the paper steady while you work, and a soft brush helps sweep away loose dust between layers.

Tips

Sharpen pastel pencils gently with a sharp blade or a good sharpener; the cores are soft and break easily.
Work light to dark and keep pressure light at first so the paper tooth doesn’t fill up too early.
Tap off dust rather than blowing it.
Spray finished work lightly with Kuelox Fixative or frame it behind glass.

Frequently asked questions

Are pastel pencils the same as colour pencils?

No. Pastel pencils have soft, chalky cores that blend like pastel; colour pencils have firmer, waxier cores.

Can I mix pastel pencils with colour pencils?

Yes, with care. Use pastel for soft layers and colour pencil for crisp details on top.

Which skin tone set should I start with?

Any 12-piece skin tint set gives a good range of light, medium and dark tones to mix.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose pastel pencils and paper for portraits.

More Haanz Art Guides