A major difference between oil sticks and oil pastels is drying capability. Oil sticks will have similar dry times to oil paints. Oil stick marks become touch dry, then drying completely over several months. Oil pastels, however, are formulated to stay malleable. Oil pastels will require some form of fixative to set layers. Oil sticks also require the same gesso preparation as oil paints, v.s. oil pastels, which can be used on many more surfaces. One last clear difference is the format, the average oil stick being much larger than the typical oil pastel.