7 Best Neon Pastels In 2023: Do You Really Need Them?

Best Neon Pastels

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Artists are not too crazy about neon pastels because of several reasons. One of them is the difficulty of creating art with just neon pastels. However, it also creates interesting textures on your pastel drawings, so artists are curious about them. Here is a review of the best neon pastels to help you choose the right one to go with your regular pastels.

Our Top Picks

Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels
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Best Overall - Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels

• High-quality pigments
• Looks great in tapestry work
• Non-toxic

Crayola Neon Oil Pastels
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Best Child-friendly - Crayola Neon Oil Pastels 

• Creamy texture
• Safe for kids 4 years old and up
• Easy to grip for kids developing fine motor skills

Best Complete Set - Mungyo Gallery Artists' Oil Pastels

• Bright and vibrant colors
• Adds good light and shading
• Non-toxic

    1. Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels - Best Overall Neon Oil Pastels

    Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels
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     Pros Cons
    • Deep, luxurious colors
    • High-quality pigments
    • Easy blending
    • May be used for tapestry work
    • Non-toxic
    • Patchy coverage
    • Some colors come off when applied with pressure

    What Customers Have To Say

    According to some users, this set has vivid colors that blend well, thanks to its waxy composition. It works perfectly on black paper, other artists observe.

    Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels

    Why We Think It's Great

    Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels are easy to blend, and they come in a 12-color set, each designed to make your artwork pop. You can use them on paper, canvas, or even velvet fabric to make lovely tapestry art.

    These pastels are non-toxic, so you don't have to worry about safety when using them with children. They have a waxy texture, and the high-quality pigments keep the colors luxurious and vibrant enough to enhance your art.

    You get neon yellow, orange, pink, coral, violet, greens, and blue, though some colors are not fluorescent, especially the blue and the darker greens. They are also a bit longer than the usual oil pastels at nearly 3 inches in length and 0.5 inches in diameter.

    Who Should Buy It

    Many professionals in the industry, including artists, muralists, and illustrators alike, love using Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels for their expressive nuances of color. 

    2. Crayola Neon Oil Pastels - Best Child-friendly Neon Pastels

    Crayola Neon Oil Pastels
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     Pros Cons
    • Creamy texture
    • Bold, neon colors
    • Safe for kids 4 years old and up
    • Easy to grip for kids developing fine motor skills
    • Best for detailing
    • Does not blend well
    • Smears easily


    What Customers Have To Say

    Many users observed that Crayola Neon Oil Pastels delivered more than expected from something classified as kids' art supplies. They also work perfectly for craft and coloring projects.

    Crayola Neon Oil Pastels

    Why We Think It's Great

    These soft, velvety pastels from Crayola, makers of amazing art supplies for kids, are a dream come true for any artist! The colors are vibrant, given a neon twist that's interesting enough for younger kids to practice their art, and are non-toxic.

    The creamy texture and light feel of these oil pastels set them apart from other brands. You can use them across paper or paper-board. Each of the oil pastels has a paper wrap to keep the colors separate.

    The color names are fun and playful - Hot Magenta, Shocking Pink, Radical Red, Outrageous Orange, Neon Carrot, Laser Lemon, Electric Lime, Screamin' Green, Graphic Green, Aqua Brite, Blue Bolt, and Vivid Violet.

    Who Should Buy It

    This set is a good choice for kids to explore their artistry. They are also suitable for detailed drawing because of their sharp point.

    3. Mungyo Gallery Artists' Oil Pastel - Best Complete Set

    Mungyo Gallery Artists' Oil Pastel
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     Pros Cons
    • Bright and vibrant colors
    • High-quality pigments
    • Blends beautifully
    • Adds good light and shading
    • Non-toxic
    • Crumbly
    • Some colors are not as neon as they should

    What Customers Have To Say

    The colors are very bright, and they blend smoothly, according to some artists. The metallic and the neon colors enhance the appearance of their art projects.

    Why We Think It's Great

    Mungyo Gallery's artists' oil pastels are a godsend for those who want to create lightly detailed and lifelike portraits and landscapes. The colors used in these oil pastels come from high-quality pigments, resulting in bright, vibrant colors that blend beautifully and apply well on paper or canvas.

    There's no need to worry about toxicity because these paint sticks do not contain harmful chemicals such as lead or rosin. It bears the AP and CE seal, meaning it passed both the international and EU standards for safety.

    You get eye-catching 12 metallics + 12 neon colors per box, a perfect complement to your Mungyo Gallery oil pastels.

    Who Should Buy It

    This Mungyo Gallery Artists' Oil Pastel is best for adding interest and texture to their oil pastel paintings.

    4. Yasutomo Niji Neon Oil Pastel Set

    Yasutomo Niji Neon Oil Pastel Set
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     Pros Cons
    • Creamy texture
    • Easy to apply and blend
    • Kid-friendly colors
    • 6 colors in one set
    • Brilliant colors
    • Hard composition than regular oil pastels
    • Expensive

    What Customers Have To Say

    Many artists approved of this brand. Though it has only 6 neon colors in one pack, they are also what most artists use.

    Why We Think It's Great

    Their vibrant colors and creamy texture makes blending these oil pastels easy. Unlike other neon oil pastel sets, Yasatomo only carries the necessary and most-used neon colors - neon yellow, 3 shades of neon orange, neon green, and neon pink.

    They are best for adding details and shading for your oil pastel paintings. Though the product description mentions it as kid-friendly, it does not bear any certification of non-toxicity, making it a dubious choice for kids.

    Who Should Buy It

    From the makers of Yasutomo Oil Pastels, this 6-color set is perfect for artists who want to add a pop of vibrant colors to their artwork.

    5. SoHo Urban Artist Soft Pastel Squares

    SoHo Urban Artist Soft Pastel Squares
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     Pros Cons
    • 4 bright neon colors, 44 regular colors
    • Mixed media art
    • Less dust
    • Blends well
    • Vivid colors
    • Some colors included are not soft
    • Chalky finish

    What Customers Have to Say

    This set gives you a good value for your money, and even professional pastel artists love the texture and finish of these soft pastels. The neon colors are a great addition, too.

    Why We Think It's Great 

    SoHo Urban Artist Soft Pastel Squares is a 48-color soft pastel set that includes 4 neon colors (neon orange, neon pink, neon yellow, and neon green), 2 blacks and 2 whites, browns, and color palette of the rainbow.

    These assorted neon colors adhere to any surface, including paper, canvas, wood panels, or fabric. It also has archival properties and is non-toxic, so it's safe to use.

    The sturdy cardboard box and the plastic inserts make these pastels easy to store. You'll also love that they come in full stick dimensions (0.4x0.4x2.56"), so you get more value for your money.

    Who Should Buy It

    SoHo Urban Artists' soft pastel squares are ideal for novice artists. The colors are fantastic, and the neon colors make your art pop out.

    6. SoHo Urban Artist Fluorescent Soft Pastels

    SoHo Urban Artist Fluorescent Soft Pastels
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     Pros Cons
    • Rich pigments
    • Buttery feel
    • Sturdy plastic storage box
    • Works on pastel pad and sanded paper
    • 90-day manufacturer warranty
    • Some colors are not as fluorescent as others
    • Smudges easily

    What Customers Have To Say

    Artists love the lovely colors and the quality of this neon soft pastel set. Some artists who have tried it are very soft, and the pigments are excellent. Some artists used it for doll face-ups with amazing results.

    Why We Think It's Great

    SoHo Urban Artist Fluorescent Soft Pastels are rich in non-toxic, high-quality pigments resulting in a buttery feel. They also blend and layer well and work great for shading techniques. You may apply it on pastel paper or sanded paper.

    They come with a sturdy plastic storage box, which is a great way to keep your soft pastels from breaking, especially if you're traveling. The size is 2.68 inches long and 0.4 inches in diameter, so you also get enough of your favorite colors.

    You can use the company's safety warranty for 90 days if, in any case, you find the product not par with your expectation. Responsive customer representatives will assist you with your issues or complaints.

    Who Should Buy It

    Beginner and intermediate artists who want to explore other supplies to improve their soft pastel skills will love having this set in their art studio.

    7. Mungyo Fluorescent Oil Pastels

    Mungyo Fluorescent Oil Pastels
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     Pros Cons
    • High-quality pigments
    • Layers well
    • Creamy texture
    • Smooth consistency
    • Non-toxic
    • Some colors are not as neon as others
    • Doesn't blend easily

    What Customers Have To Say

    The colors are vibrant and apply smoothly, according to users. They don't come cheaply, depending on where you shop too.

    Why We Think It's Great

    Mungyo's premium assortment of colors provides high-quality pigments, making it easier to apply darker shades with richer color saturation. Each package comes with 12 different colors, though only 7 are true to their neon claims. Understandably, some colors, especially the blues and the purple, are more muted than the other colors.

    Like other Mungyo Gallery oil pastels, they also carry the AP and CE logo; they are non-toxic and safe to use even for kids. You also get enough colors from the whole sticks, measuring 0.43 x 2.75 inches each.

    Who Should Buy It

    Mungyo Fluorescent Oil Pastels are great for any artist--novice or professional.

    Conclusion

    We opened this review asking if artists need neon pastels for their artwork. The answer is no, but it's a lovely addition to their art supplies. You don't have much choice for neon pastels, both oil and soft, but here are our top picks.

    For the best for kid's use, we recommend Crayola Neon oil pastels. They look like ordinary crayons because of their slightly tapered points for detailing. These neon oil pastels have a hexagon shape, making it easier for young children to hold and control.

    Our best overall vote, however, goes to Sargent Art Gallery Fluorescent Oil Pastels. They use high-quality pigments resulting in deep, luxurious colors. They look great in tapestry work and are non-toxic. Don’t look farther than Mungyo Gallery Artists' Oil Pastels, Metallic + Fluorescent Colors, our top pick for the best complete set if you love metallic and fluorescent colors.

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