Editor recommended by ARTnews

Offering a simple, low-clutter alternative to liquid paint, sticks with compacted pigments are ideal for classrooms and mixed media artists of all ages. In most cases, the water-soluble versions of these sticks are made of tempera paints, which are easy to mix and mix, are non-toxic and can quickly clean most surfaces. Sold in a twisted tube, the tempera paint stick can be used directly on dry paper without any water, providing a smooth, pastel-like consistency and quick drying. Another water-soluble option is the gel stick, which has a different formulation and may dry more slowly. Our selection below will help you find the tempera paints and gel sticks that best suit your project needs.

Both young and experienced artists will love these highly colored sticks from KingArt, which are made of water-soluble wax and provide buttery brush strokes. This set has 24 bright colors, from the classic Neapolitan yellow and cobalt blue to the less common rose, evening primrose yellow and aqua green. These quick-drying sticks are acid-free and non-fading to create long-lasting works, and they work well on dark paper. They can be used alone or layered well, you can add water and mix colors with a brush.

This set of 12 non-toxic tempera paint sticks includes bright and dark tones, making it perfect for quick painting projects that require minimal cleanup. They dries quickly and lay flat and smooth, with bold and bright colors. Achieving consistent coverage is also easy, but artists who are looking for tools for more complex layering should keep looking.

This small set of paint sticks comes in metallic shades of pink, green, blue, purple, silver and gold. The color is opaque, has a clear luster, and the long and comfortable tube has a large twisted dial at the bottom that allows you to push the paint. They also have hats with pocket clips-not only to help carry, but also to prevent the stick from rolling off the table. The paint slides smoothly on the paper, dries quickly, and is non-toxic through AP certification, providing a stress-free creative experience.

Faber Castell's ice cream is a fascinating medium. As a product of the company's children's gel sticks, these colored sticks are somewhere between chalk, crayons and watercolors. When dry, they provide a buttery, vibrant coverage, and when wet they can create softer, more subtle brush strokes. Like many paint sticks, they are packed in convenient twisted tubes to reduce clutter. This set is especially suitable for artists who want to learn the possibilities of Gelatos on their own. It includes not only 24 sticks, but also a watercolor pen, three stamps for "inking" and a palette knife for playing with layers. A clear written and illustrated guide is also included.

This 32-pack large tempera paint stick provides you with a variety of color options: you can get 20 classic colors as well as six metallic shades and six neon color paint sticks. Although designed for children, they are also a good choice for adults who want to try tempera. This paint formulation slips smoothly and is easy to mix (before it dries in 90 seconds), and the color will jump off the page. Most rods are very opaque, although some colors are slightly transparent. (Plug-in for product card) A variety of colors. These twisted tempera paint sticks use carefully selected complementary shades with different finishes.

The main source of art reports since 1902. Subscribe now!

Sign up for our newsletter

Get our latest story in the feed of your favorite network

We hope to hear from you! Use our anonymous form to send us tips.

Subscribe to our newsletter below

ARTnews is part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2021 Art Media LLC. all rights reserved.