Soft velvety pastels in a beautiful box. The colors are bright and yummy. Many colors have warm and cool versions. BUT, as they are made by extrusion and cut, the ends are are clumpy and irregular. Some are even curved. Apparently, the manufacturer does nothing to smooth the ends and sides or straighten the pastel after the cut. Quality Control, please! The ends and sides of the pastels are so very irregular and rough making the pastels' contact point(s) on the paper the same. I've found no way to predict and control mark making. So before you use them, sand down the edges on the ends so they are artist friendly and nice to work. Once you do the finishing work, these are nice pastels, but don't get them if you are not willing to do the finishing work as I found they were not useable upon receipt.

I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE WOODEN BOXED SET OF MY FAVORITE SENNELIER EXTRA SOFT FRENCH PASTELS. THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO TRANSPORT MY ART MEDIA WHILE TRAVELING OR ON LOCATION FOR PLEIN AIRE PAINTING. SINCE I LIVE ON AN ISLAND, THE SHIPPING OF THIS SALE-PRICED SET WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL.

Sennelier half sticks are the best and to come in this little black box is just the icing on the cake. well packed and well made with a great collection of colours for whatever I decide to do. Be a great kit to take plein air if the snow should ever stop here west michigan. :) i highly recommend these