best colored pencils for drawing

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Today, colored pencils come in different forms and packaging, options are countless!

We are sure that everyone has held a colored pencil before but to actually tell the quality of it can be tricky unless you're a seasoned artist. If you're a beginner looking for the right set, you're in the right place.

Hunting for a set that best suits your work can take a long time, especially if you're not experienced with this media. For this reason, we made sure to select only the best-reviewed colored pencils and prepared a guide.

In this guide, you'll see the features each set offers as well as its pros and cons.

Best Colored Pencils

Contents

• Best Colored Pencils
  • 1. Derwent Artist Watercolor Colored Pencils
  • 2. Holbein Artist Colored Pencils
  • 3. Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils
  • 4. Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencils
  • 5. Prismacolor Premier Art Stix Woodless Colored Pencils
  • 6. Faber Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Colored Pencils
  • 7. Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencils
  • 8. Prismacolor Artist Set of Colored Pencils
  • 9. Heartybay Assorted Colored Pencils
  • 10. Stabilo CarbOthello Chalk-Pastel Colored Pencils
    • Conclusion
  • Related Articles

1. Derwent Artist Watercolor Colored Pencils

As the name suggests, these colored pencils by Derwent have dual usage in that they perform as a pencil but produce results like watercolors. They can be used as both wet and dry media for any paper artwork.

The pack contains 72 sticks whose cores are 3.4mm and are 6.9mm in diameter with a hexagonal, wooden casing.

Experience

One of the many reasons we liked the Derwent Watercolor Colored pencil is its versatility which allows us to switch between using two types of media – dry and wet. Not a lot of coloring products offer the same kinds of options.

Working with the pencil is also easy. All we need is a little water to dip the tip and the next moment, we're creating magnificent work of art. Use it dry for outlines and wet for softening the edges or filling up the area.

The 72 colors are not a problem for two reasons:

1. They can easily be blended to achieve a desired shade and

2. The pencils are available for individual purchase which means we don't necessarily have to get a whole new set in case one color runs out.

The price is decent for anyone and on top of it, we also get to save extra bucks since we can buy one shade separately or simply blend them to create a new color.

While the pigments are stable depending on the amount of water the artist mixes, some users found the colors lacking in vibrancy.

Apart from that, many have reviewed that the set is perfect since it contains colors that are more distinctive compared to other usual collections. Colors such as Juniper Green, Burnt Yellow Ochre and Vandyke Brown along with sea greens and aqua blues are included inside the box.

This set will make a good bet if you're looking for affordable colored pencils with dual usability.

Pros

• Unique and distinctive colors are included in the pack
• Artists get both wet and dry media from the pencils
• The core is soft and smooth, making application easy as well as helping to prevent breakage while sharpening

Cons

• The pigments lack vibrancy and are not intense enough

2. Holbein Artist Colored Pencils

The Holbein Artist Pencil's lead is 3.8 mm thick which helps filling up an area quicker along with a diameter of 7.8 mm to make handling more comfortable.

Its lead is a product of fine combination such as oils, waxes, and fats. This combination makes its pigments strong and long-lasting. The box comes with a quantity of 150 varied colors.

Experience

We found that this colored pencil gets our artwork done at a much faster pace than other options with a flimsy or thinner built. Not to mention that with a thick lead, the pencil still produces fine edges with a smooth touch to it.

There is no need to order one specific color separately because, with 150 different colors, it has made finding a desired shade very easy. Not just that but the core lead is both soft and smooth, so we can simply blend two or more colors together to achieve a completely unique shade.

Holbein is a well-known, professional-grade brand which is why their products are high-end as well as expensive. The same applies to this particular set of colored pencils whose core is made of high-quality ingredients that one does not easily find in most regular colored pencils. Therefore, the price is one drawback for artists with a restricted budget.

It does, however, lack in certain darker shades such as brown, black and gray, which can be a problem when we want to do some shading and detailing work.

Inside the box with a color collection of rich yellows and purples, there are also unique shades such as Easter pinks and Easter greens. These are useful when creating an exclusive, valuable work of art.

All in all, the Holbein Artist Colored pencils are an excellent pick if you're in for the quality of cores and a wide selection of colors for producing professional-like drawings. There is not much we can say any further except that you can try them and see the results for yourself.

Pros

• Its core is both soft and smooth, suitable for blending shades
• The box comes with 150 colors of high-quality pigments to make any artwork stand out
• Colors seen on the barrel are exactly the same with the core colors

Cons

• There are not many dark colors for shading within the collection and the price is highly expensive

3. Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils

Here, we have the oil-based Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils that come in a box of 120 sticks with cores secured in wooden barrels.

The pigments of these pencils have strong lightfastness, leaving artworks lasting for years without fading. They are also water-resistant and can't get smudged once dry. The tips are strong and resist breakage.

Experience

Let's start off with these pencils' core – it is thick, highly pigmented, and offers smooth blending. The color does not dry out instantly as it is thick and soft which makes it easy to work with changes even after leaving the drawing idle for some time.

The wide range of colors leaves us with the ability to blend as many shades as we possibly can. Also, the color on the casing is exactly the same as that of the core so there is no case of being misled. There is no problem with the intensity of pigments too and being oil-based, the pencils do not require the assistance of spirits to make blending easy.

These pencils are professional-grade, hence, when it comes to price, they are expensive and may not fit every artist's budget. However, the good thing about the Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils is that they are also available for individual purchase, which means it eliminates the need to buy a new set altogether.

Overall, if you're looking for a set of soft-core colored pencils packed with bright shades that will last for years to come, we urge giving this option a try and you won't be disappointed.

Pros

• All shades are available for separate individual purchase
• The pigments have incredible lightfastness, helping artworks resist fading and abrasion
• The pencil's core is soft and perfect for smooth blending
• Oil-based core helps keep colors stay moist for hours, ideal for making necessary changes

Cons

• The set is very expensive which can be a problem for artists on a tight budget

4. Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencils

Similar to the previous set by Faber Castell, these colored pencils also resist fading and UV influence, thanks to their high lightfastness. The only difference is these are wax-based instead of oil.

The box comes with 40 assorted pencils of different shades with the cores encased in tight barrels. This particular set stresses more on bright, popping colors.

Sale

Experience

Mixing different shades comes pretty easy with this set, thanks to the waxy composition. A much more worthy mention is the drawings show no signs of wax effects that one normally gets with wax pencils. On the contrary, the result actually comes out clean and neat.

Moreover, both papers and paintings appear fresh for a very long time. We can also manipulate the consistency of colors to make them fit for fine details, especially since the pencil stays sturdily sharp. The tip is strong enough to handle a hard force without breaking.

We can say the single drawback of this set is that it contains less darker shades which creates a problem when working on pieces that require them.

However, what is exciting about these colored pencils is the outcome after applying layers of shades which produce an exceptional effect on the paintings that will make them stand out from the rest.

Finally, these pencils are also premium-grade which means they don't come at a cheap price. You can expect to pay a fairly high amount for them but that's because of the quality and unique features it offers.

These pencils are constructed pretty well with a reliable and stable built. They are not reserved only for professionals so anyone can use them for creating magnificent pieces. And if you're hunting for colors that will stay fresh for years, this set will be a joy to use.

Pros

• The tip is sturdy so there is no need to worry about always having to work delicately with these pencils
• Colors are intense and luminous to make artworks stand out
• The high lightfastness helps preserve drawings for a very long time
• With a smooth wax core, blending can be done extremely easily

Cons

• The pack is expensive and lacks dull colors

5. Prismacolor Premier Art Stix Woodless Colored Pencils

Prismacolor offers this set of colored pencils that come without a wooden barrel for quicker application with thick layers in large areas. The colors are also highly saturated with very lightfast pigments.

Each stick measures 3 ¼ x ¼ x ¼ inches and offers a long-lasting full coverage. There are 48 colored pencils inside this pack.

Experience

The best feature about this pencil is that we don't have to sharpen it once it's dull in order to apply. When it comes to sketching outlines or edges, sharpening is indeed required but other than that, we can simply use it dull as it fills in large areas faster. It is also quite robust so there is no need to work with caution.

Since the pack offers only 48 color choices, we have to do a lot of mixing to produce the color we want. This may be an issue for artists who need to work at a fast pace. Also, it can leave smudges anywhere we leave it because it's coverless.

However, the advantage which comes with the pencil is that we get thicker strokes that can fill in the blank areas in no time. We would recommend keeping another traditional set with sharp tips side-by-side so you can complete work faster.

When it comes to cost, this set is one of the most affordable on the list. Although it is a little pricey, it can still be counted as affordable if compared to high-end brands. This is the set you can go for if you're looking for something to use on a daily basis.

Pros

• The sticks are perfect for filling in large areas faster
• It's affordable for 48 sticks and ideal for anyone to use
• Contains high lightfastness and produces intense pigments

Cons

• Can leave messy smudges on hands or wherever the colors are left

6. Faber Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Colored Pencils

The Faber Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Colored Pencils come in a pack of 120 assorted sticks, all wrapped in hexagonal wooden casing. These pencils offer both strong pigments and high lightfastness, ideal for creating extraordinary art. The pigments can be dissolved in water to produce watercolor effects.

Its core is robust to prevent breaking and serves a dual purpose, which is dry and wet media.

Experience

Even with a box of 120 shades, we are still able to buy individual sticks if necessary. This offer comes in very handy when working on a monochrome drawing that requires a single shade throughout. It pretty much chuck off the need to purchase a complete set all over again.

Now it may not score the highest points for its dry effects but the kind of blending you'll get with these pencils is simply phenomenal once you've added water. The reason is because the core is oil-based which means only a small amount of paint can help provide a very thick coverage with one layer.

What is also noticeable with the pencils is the quality of the end results. Because the pigment is thick and has high lightfastness, the drawings stay fresh for months, and hopefully, as time passes too.

It is no surprise to say these colored pencils are premium-grade and expensive but since application is very easy, that makes the pencils suitable for all users including beginners.

Pros

• Easy application makes the colored pencils accessible and suitable for anyone to use
• The thick, oil-based core helps reduce the amount of colors used since a small amount completely covers large areas

Cons

• It can be expensive for artists on a budget

7. Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencils

Here we have the Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencils set that come with 120 sticks. Each lead core is 3.7mm wide secured in a hexagonal barrel.

What sets these pencils apart from the rest is that they are water-resistant as well as being soft and creamy. Its strong pigments give amazing coverage and popping effects. It also has incredible lightfastness.

Experience

The slim lead is perfect to use for fine lines and minor details with spot-on accuracy. It is also surprisingly sturdy for its size and it does not easily break even after applying a certain amount of force. This makes the process of application quite easy and at the same time, we don't have to worry about waxy effects.

These pencils are available in smaller sets too but with this particular set offers more color choices. We also have complete control in mixing colors, especially yellows and greens, to get interesting shades. However, unlike oil-based pencils, we need several passes and layers before getting the right dept of a color.

If compared to other regular wax colored pencils we've tried before, we can say this pack gives us the best results since the colors do not show any sign of wax bloom.

Instead, the pigments are very much like that of oil-based pencils even if the same cannot be said about the final results. These wax-based colored pencils produce a unique and distinguishable outcome altogether.

Like every other high-end colored pencils on this list, these are quite expensive too. But for the features they offer along with their quality performance, they are worth having.

Pros

• Comes with a hexagonal wooden barrel for a firm grip
• The colors are water-resistant and do not show signs of wax bloom
• It offers a lot of color selection

Cons

• The price of these colored pencils can be quite high for some artists

8. Prismacolor Artist Set of Colored Pencils

Another set of colored pencils that offers a wide range of colors is the Prismacolor Artist Set of Colored Pencils which contains 150 sticks of assorted colors.

The lead is very soft, thick, and robust to prevent breakage and make way for faster application. All the colors are rich in pigment.

Experience

If you're looking for professional-grade, wax-based colored pencils filled with different colors, the Prismacolor Artist Set might be a good bet. Before we go on any further, we have to say that this pack is one of the most expensive options on the list of wax-based colored pencils.

Keeping that in mind, the pencils have the best core we've ever experienced. Everything about the core is smooth – the built, the blending, and even the feel after application. When it comes to colors and pigments, these are simply the best to get.

However, we have to say that all the smoothness comes with a few cons including breakage. Many artists said that they have to be extra careful with these pencils. In case the pencil accidentally drops, the chance of breaking is always high.

Still, we cannot hide the fact that the number of shades and color selection is beyond compare we like to think that is the main reason these pencils are much more expensive than other similar high-end brands on the list.

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced artist, this set is made to serve every level. Drawings, too, appear fresh for a very long time.

Pros

• The pack offers a wide selection of unique colors
• All the colors are gorgeous and are excellent for blending

Cons

• Can be expensive for artists with a restricted budget

9. Heartybay Assorted Colored Pencils

The Heartybay Assorted set is one of a kind in that it offers effects similar to both oil-based and watercolor pencils. They can be used dry or even wet since they are soluble in water.

This pack contains 72 colorful pencils which are securely wrapped up in recycled wooden barrels, making them non-toxic and eco-friendly.

Experience

From our experience and the reviews of other artists, we can say that the pencils have average leads that are neither too tough nor too soft. Although we are sure the pencils are not intended to be totally water-soluble, we're surely impressed by the results when mixed with water. In fact, the drawings turn out amazingly well.

The pigments prove to be pretty consistent with every shade we tried.

What we really like about this set is that it contains all the basic colors one would normally look for in a coloring media set. Some high-end brands tend to exclude darker shades while this set has a color selection ranging from light to dark. Gold and silver are also included in the pack.

Apart from these offers, the main reason we would recommend this set to anyone is because of the price. They may not be the best when it comes to colored pencils but they do come at a very affordable price, hence, even low-budgeted artists can also afford them.

One disadvantage which comes with a cheap price is the strength of the core. Users have reported that it tends to break easily under force or even sharpening.

Pros

• Pack contains most basic colors that are not normally found inside expensive sets
• Affordable and suitable for everyday use

Cons

• Lead tips tend to break under a certain applied force

10. Stabilo CarbOthello Chalk-Pastel Colored Pencils

Last but not the least, we have the Stabilo CarbOthello Chalk-Pastel Colored Pencils set. As the name suggests, these pencils are highly distinguishable from the rest on this list because of their composition – chalk and pastel.

There are 60 sticks in the pack that have incredible lightfastness, excellent pigmentation, and can be blended without putting in extra effort.

Experience

Once a drawing is done, we can carry on with the blending process simply with the use of fingertips or even a brush. Only a small amount of wet colors is enough to cover a very large area. However, the colors can get pretty messy during the drawing process.

The outcome is completely different from the one we get by using oil-based pencils. Rather, they produce a unique chalk effect which we don't normally see with traditional colored pencils. Whether it is dry or wet application, the results come out absolutely stunning.

While the pack may contain fewer shades than expected, we cannot deny the fact that these colors can easily be blended or mixed to form a new shade. In our personal opinion, this makes way for plenty of fun experiments. Larger paks, however, contain more colors that are all assorted.

If you're wondering about the price, these colored pencils range between average to high depending on the packing and number of sticks. This particular set is a little pricey but if we consider its offers, features, and performance, we can frankly say that the price is reasonable.

Pros

• Can be used for both wet and dry application
• All colors are vibrant and once dipped in water, they become much more versatile

Cons

• Colors mixed with water can create a mess in the studio

Conclusion

As we have come to the end of today's guide with premium-grade colored pencils, we recommend giving one of these sets a try since all of them are carefully researched. Many professionals and seasoned artists find gave great reviews about most of them too.

We hope you found this guide helpful and we'll see you again next time. Have fun coloring!

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best colored pencils for drawing

Source: https://www.architecturelab.net/best-colored-pencils/

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