Let me start by saying these pigment sticks ruined me for traditional tube oils. The first time I dragged one across a canvas, it felt like sketching with lipstick—silky, responsive, and shockingly vibrant. My earth tones set (Brown Pink? *Chef’s kiss*) leaves zero crumbs—literally. No crumbling like cheaper oil sticks I’ve tried.

Working en plein air? Game changer. No messy tubes or turpentine headaches. Just cap off the stick, toss it in my backpack, and paint directly onto wood panels mid-hike. The beeswax gives just enough resistance that I can hatch delicate tree bark textures, then melt into dreamy blends with my fingers (yes, I’m that painter). Pro tip: Warm the stick between your palms first for extra creaminess.

Downsides exist—they’re pricey little devils, and drying time tests my patience (72hrs minimum for touch-dry). But when I need to block in a sunset fast? Nothing beats smushing Blue Ochre straight onto wet canvas and watching it bloom like watercolor. Bonus: They play nice with my existing Winsor & Newton tubes when I need finer details.

If you’re debating the splurge, grab this starter set but *immediately* add their Titanium White stick—it’s the magic blender. Now excuse me while I go bankrupt collecting all 30 colors…