I just received my order today. This is a nice set of 432 ct. of 12 types of oil pastels by Pentel Arts for $36.19 plus tax and maybe shipping. It is marketed as a classroom size pack. But to me, it is a nice inexpensive set for beginners. It comes in a nice size box. The top lifts off easily and the oil pastels set is in a sturdy cardboard base which is divided into 12 sections. There are 12 colors in the box and there should be 36 of each color. (not sure it they are all there though. there are a couple of colors that looks like they are missing one or three, but I haven't counted them yet. As far as I can tell they all look like they are intact. The box had a plastic film over it to hold it shut and as requested they shipped them in an amazon box that had shipping protectors surrounding this item to keep it from moving around during shipping. The 12 colors Range from white, red, two types of greens and blues, yellow, orange pinkish or flesh tone, brown, gray and black. The reason I am saying this is that I didn't quite understand that it was only just 12 colors when I first ordered them. I thought it was 432 different colors, so I don't want anyone to make a mistake like I did and be disappointed for not understanding. But I am still happy with this set because I have a opportunity to practice more using these colors, because there is a lot of the same type of colors. It should also help me to lean how to blend the colors and how to add shading to my drawings. As well as how to layer the colors. An besides I had order another pack as well form another distributer that has 48 different colors. Mainly because of the bad reviews on this item and also for me to have a variety of colors to choose from. These Pentel Oil Pastels are about the circumference of a regular crayon maybe slightly bigger. They are soft pastels and they glide on easily. They are not hard. As soon as I received and open them, I pulled out my sketch book and used them to draw a flower, stem and peddles. They blend very well the color is very vibrant. In fact on this paper they go on it thick (maybe too thick, which you may need to adjust your pressure depending on what type of paper that you use.) I use a Q-tip to blend them. one of the leaves turned out really well the other one was more of a blurry blob. The peddles of the flower blended well on one but not so much on the other three. I believe that maybe me and not the oil pastels. There will be a learning curb like everything in life. But it is your failures (even in art) that teach you how to do and not to do things in life. Now for the smell. Yes, there is a smell. and yes, there is a slight petroleum, gas like smell, Not too strong but it is there. An they probably need to be opened and aired out either in a building or outside or in a garage. To me it isn't really overwhelmingly, but it would have been too strong for someone like my dad because, he had a nose that probably could smell out a truffle before he even got out of the car to walk into the forest. I can smell it too and it does kind of give you a slight headache. So I am not sure what oil pastel are made of, but it may have a petroleum base to them, not sure. Or it could have something to do with how or where they are manufacture or how they are boxed and/or packed. So if you have a nose like my dad remember that it could bother you. For me the smell is strong, but hopefully tolerable. I'm going to keep them no matter the smell, (I am more stubborn.) Besides I think I will get a lot of use out of these pastels and will use them to teach myself how to do pastel drawing which I have always wanted to do since I was young. I still have my small 12 set that I got when I was around 13 or 14 years of age which was a Craftint brand that came in an orange package the size of your hand or smaller. So this Pentel set to me is a step up and I have a lot of pastels now to practice and use. I will try different ways of blending to see what works best as well as different paper. Would I recommend these to a beginners? Yes. I would also recommend these to others as well even season Artists. Just air them out. You may have to put them out of the box in a separate pan (oil pastel in a pan laid out in a line and the box open and empty) and air them out separately. Hopefully this wont cause them to dry out but if you are afraid that it will then just put the box somewhere slightly open till the smell is less. Especially if the smell bothers you. I know this is a lot of reviewers concern. But to me they are worth having. They are a great set for learning and practicing with. Wish they would offer a box of this many with more colors to choose from though. (like 432 ct. or more, of 24 or 48 different colors) for the same price. I would recommend these and I believe this is a nice set to start out with and for even an Art classroom. Very nice price. Vibrant colors. very soft and goes down well on paper or at least my drawing sketch book paper. If you are starting out give them a try. They will make a good addition to any artist's workshop. Even for season Artist you could just use them to just try out new ideas before you use your expensive ones. Great price. A lot of oil pastel for you money. beautiful colors, very soft, blends easily. Can't wait to use them trying different blending techniques. I am very happy with this product. Will definitely buy again if I ever run out of colors to use. Thank you so much.
Brielle 
Michelle Carlson
