SAKURA Cray-Pas Junior Artist Oil Pastels

The Sakura Cray-Pas Oil Pastels bring the original and still-definitive oil pastel experience to artists at every level. Sakura's founders invented the oil pastel in 1925 as a better medium for young artists than traditional crayons, and a century later the Cray-Pas line remains the reference point against which every other oil pastel is measured.

Oil pastels sit in their own category between crayons and soft pastels. Where crayons produce a dry, waxy line, oil pastels deliver a creamy, paint-like application that blends smoothly across paper and layers vibrantly over previous strokes. The creamy texture opens up techniques that no other dry medium allows: wet-look blending without water, aggressive scratching (sgraffito) through layers to reveal colors beneath, and direct finger-smudging for atmospheric effects.

Japanese manufacturing quality is the quiet story behind Sakura's reputation. Each pigment color is individually color matrix tested against every other color in the lineup to ensure predictable blendability. That testing matters because oil pastels only deliver their full range of technique when colors layer cleanly without muddying each other, and Sakura's hundred-year commitment to that standard is what separates their pastels from lesser alternatives.

The set is certified non-toxic by ACMI toxicologists and bears the trusted AP Seal, which makes it appropriate for young artists, classroom use, and hands-on creative work where safety matters. The creamy, forgiving texture gives beginners confidence to explore color and form, while the pigment quality supports the advanced technique that serious artists demand.

Key Features

• The original oil pastel, invented by Sakura in 1925 as a superior alternative to crayons.
• Creamy texture supports blending, layering, and scratch-through (sgraffito) techniques.
• Color matrix tested pigments ensure predictable blendability across the full color range.
• Japanese manufacturing quality delivers consistency lesser brands can't match.
• ACMI certified non-toxic with the trusted AP Seal.
• Suitable for beginners through advanced artists.

Product Details