The 7 Best Coloured Pencils That Every Artist Needs

Sharing is caring!

Heads up: This post may contain affiliate links, Learn more.

If You Love Making Art, You’ll Love Our Choice Of Best Coloured Pencils

 

Putting a pencil to paper can unlock a number of childhood memories; from filling in colouring books to making random scribbles. Coloured pencils helped to formulate our early understanding of art and creation, proving to be essential in our artistic development. Perhaps these days, coloured pencils are unfairly forgotten about in favour of more ‘advanced’  materials and techniques. Nonetheless, even the most developed artist may find it hard to contain their excitement when opening a fresh box. With them, comes endless inspiration and the limitless potential to create whatever you want at your fingertips. Who could say no to that?

 

 

However, finding the best coloured pencils is crucial if you’re wanting to take your piece from a childhood drawing to a fine art creation. As exciting as unboxing pencils can be, it can all quickly change if they don’t perform the way you expected. Dull pigments, a lack of variety, and snapping ends are all unfortunate aspects we sometimes find with low quality pencils. So to avoid this, we’ve put together a list of what we consider to be the best coloured pencils for artists.

 

What makes the best coloured pencils?

As with most things, this question depends on your preferences and needs. But as a general rule, good coloured pencils have the following:

 

➤  Rich, bold colours that transfer from pencil to paper.

➤  A comfortable grip

➤  Smooth and flowing application

➤  A varied range of colours, covering different shades and hues.

➤  Reasonable longevity and reliability.

 

Use this checklist when you’re sifting through coloured pencil reviews to determine whether they’re worth your money. To save yourself more time, we’ve already found some great ones below.

 

 

What type of coloured pencils should I use?

The type of pencil you use is dependent on your project or practice, as well as your desired outcome. An illustrator has different needs than a painter, one wants vivid colour and the other requires sharp points and precision. Another factor is your budget which will obviously affect your final decision.

 

It can be quite confusing when you start to research all the numerous types of coloured pencils that are out there, so let us break it down for you. 

 

Soft coloured pencils which are usually wax-based are your typical artist grade pencil; containing less binder, filler and more pigment making up the ‘lead’. Their prices vary with the more expensive sets tending to be higher quality as they are aimed at professional artists. However, these high quality pencils can suffer from ‘wax-bloom’, the patchy white space that sometimes appears in highly coloured areas.

 

Hard coloured pencils are sometimes considered student grade as they can be produced cheaply by substituting pigment out for more binder and filler. However, harder oil-based coloured pencils still fall into the top end, and can be pricey depending on what brand you go for. In general, these would probably be the best coloured pencils for drawing projects over actual ‘colouring’.

 

Water soluble pencils are completely different to both, as their water soluble gum binder enables colours to be thinned out when activated. They can be used in conjunction with standard watercolour paintings to create whole paintings.

 

SOFT-CORE WAX BASED	HARD-CORE OIL BASED
Great colour mixing and blending	Sturdy and reliable and resistant
Vibrant pigmentation	Great for fine detail and drawing
Increased coverage on page	No wax-bloom
Good for building layers	More control over colour application
More prone to breakage	Can apply more pressure without  breaking
Smooth, buttery consistency	Takes longer to blend

 

Most professional artists will want good sets of both coloured pencil types to switch between when needed. However, if you’re looking for one, go-to type of pencil; you should opt for the one you’re most likely to need regularly. 

 

The Best Coloured Pencils For Artists In 2022

 

1. Faber-Castell Polychromos Colour Pencils

 

Considering their high price point, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to question whether Faber-Castell’s quality was worth the money. After all, artists want to ensure they’re spending their cash on great products. In terms of oil-based coloured pencils, these are some of the softest, even leading some to mistake them for being wax-based. They lay down colour very impressively whilst managing to sharpen to a fine point. Due to this, Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils are the best on our list for realistic drawing projects. You could argue that these coloured pencils give you the best of both the hard and soft type, making them one of the best coloured pencils options out there.

BEST FOR: Professional artists and projects

 

✔ Faber-Castell is recognised for their high quality and commitment to tradition.

✔ Their oil based lead is soft but still resistant to smudging and water.

✔ Impressive range and variety of vibrant colours.

✔ Sharpen to a fine point, making them good for detailed work.

✔ No issue with wax-bloom.

 

✖ On the pricer end.

✖ Could do with a better protecting case.

 

 

2. Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils

 

Another contender when searching for the best coloured pencils is the brand Prismacolor, especially their Premier Coloured Pencils in this case. These soft-core, wax-based pencils lay down colour extremely fast, keeping a rich, vibrant colour payoff that is just as good as what it shows on the box and pencil itself. The softness also allows these to be some of the best blendable colouring pencils on the market. The application is smooth, consistent and flowing giving artists a great colouring experience. Although, these will not be your go-to if you’re an artist creating detailed work. Instead, these Prismacolor pencils are for expressive, bright and free-flowing work. They work out to be the most affordable professional coloured pencils option too, ideal for beginners and definitely worth the money.

 

BEST FOR: Beginner artists

 

✔ Rich, vibrant colour payoff.

✔ Creamy and smooth consistency enables great blending abilities.

✔ Comfortable and secure grip for prolonged use.

✔ Fast and easy application.

 

✖ Heavily layered work can suffer with wax-bloom.

✖ Too soft for detailed, fine line work.

✖ At risk of breaking if applied with too much pressure.

 

 

3. Derwent Inktense Permanent Watersoluble Pencils

 

Next up, we’re taking a look at Derwent’s Inktense Permanent Watersoluble Pencils, one of the best watercolour pencils on this list. They can be used both wet and dry, giving them added versatility over other options. When dry, the pencils offer great fine detail drawing and sketching, perfect for going over the top of your previous washy, watercolour marks. And because the watercolour marks are permanent, any added colouring isn’t going to disturb what’s dry underneath. What’s more is that these coloured pencils can be used on multiple surfaces including paper, ceramic, wood and fabric.

 

BEST FOR: Watercolour projects

 

✔ Can be used both wet and dry for a variety of projects.

✔ Great for fine detail and line work.

✔ Can be used on multiple surfaces.

✔ Affordable watercolour option.

 

✖ The watercolour can be a lot less vibrant than the pencil.

✖ Colour quality changes once dry.

✖ Lack of colour variety, especially lighter shades.

 

 

4. Caran d’Ache Supracolor Water Soluble Pencils

 

If the previous watercolour pencil option wasn’t for you, then here’s another one. Caran d’Ache has some of the best colouring pencils for artists at affordable prices, making them a favourite colouring pencil brand amongst creatives. These Supracolor pencils perform great as a dry tool, differing from Derwent’s through their softness and subsequent blendability. With the added bonus of being water soluble, Caran d’Ache have provided a great all-round artist tool that can bring any colouring pencil project to life. Check out their different sized tins for maximum colour selection.

 

BEST FOR: Versatility

 

✔ Sturdy and well presented packaging.

✔ Vibrant colours when both wet and dry.

✔ Soft consistency making blending easy.

✔ Hexagonal shape helps with pencil control.

 

✖ The lightfastness of these could be better, meaning when exposed to light it isn’t very resistant to fading.

✖ Larger sets with colour variety are quite expensive.

 

 

5. Staedler Ergosoft

 

If you’ve ever been in any stationery shop before, then you’ve seen Staedler’s Ergosoft colouring pencils already. These are another great pencil option for beginners as they’re affordable and widely accessible, with Staedler being stocked in supermarkets and high street shops across the country. The Egrosoft are particularly known for their handy container that folds upright to allow you to quickly grab a new colour, perfect for a home studio setup. Their recognisable triangular shape also allows a good grip and considerable pressure to be applied without risking any breakages. 

 

BEST FOR: Accessibility

 

✔ Useful packaging and holder.

✔ Can apply pressure without breaking.

✔ Non-slip texture on pencil.

✔ Decent variety of colours, great for beginners.

 

✖ Not as soft and blendable as other high quality pencils.

✖ Colour vibrancy not quite there.

✖ Layering can be quite difficult.

 

 

6. Arteza Professional Colouring Pencils

 

These Arteza colouring pencils provide another great choice if you’re looking for soft, wax-based leads that suit any creative, especially the professionals. They glide over the paper, providing rich, deep colours that can easily be blended due to their consistency. The colour variety is impressive too, with enough choice for any colouring project. The metal storage tin helps to protect the pencils even when you’re on the go, making them a great set if you’re an artist that values portability. They have a rounded barrel however, something to note if you’re particular about how they feel in your hand.

 

BEST FOR: Soft, wax-based pencil projects.

 

✔ Soft and blendable with great colour coverage.

✔ Choice of 72 varied colours.

✔ Portable and protective metal case.

✔ Ideal for expressive colouring and shading.

 

✖ Can be hard to sharpen them to a fine point.

✖ Consistency is too soft to apply a lot of pressure.

 

 

7. Castle Arts Coloured Pencils

 

Presented in a smart tin box, these Castle Arts coloured pencils have a large range of 72 shades to choose from, all conveniently arranged with their labels and colour families. For the number of pencils, Castle Arts serve as a reasonably priced option, making them ideal for artists who are just starting out. They’re a joy to use through their expressive and vivid colours, making colouring projects that more exciting. Something to note again is the round, soft-touch barrel giving extra comfort during prolonged use. However, if you prefer your pencils to have a hexagonal shape, these might not be for you.

 

BEST FOR: Colour range and choice

 

✔ Smooth and soft consistency allowing easy blendability.

✔ Can be applied to multiple surfaces including paper, canvas, wood and more.

✔ Large colour range with organised coding and labels.

✔ Includes a fold out tutorial to help master the best coloured pencil skills.

 

✖ Pencils can be prone to breakages even in the tin.

✖ Quite waxy and can suffer with wax-bloom.

 

 

What are the best coloured pencils?

Overall, the best coloured pencils for you as an artist really does depend on what type of projects you’re doing and whether you require a hard or soft lead. As mentioned above, if you want the best of both worlds then the Faber-Castels Polychromos pencils are probably the best on our list. 

 

However, all the coloured pencil brands mentioned here are reputable and of good quality, so your own individual needs come more into play here. That should be your first point to note when making a decision, followed by reviews from actual customers. To save you reading similar comments over and over again, we’ve picked up on some fairly common areas to be aware of that apply to all coloured pencils in general.

 

 

Potential issues with colour pencils

– A lot of the time, the casing that pencils come in aren’t protective enough. You may want to invest in a suitable pencil case or container that helps prevent any breakages. Or if you have a friend that loves using pencils, check out this artist gift guide that has a number of storage options.

 

– Issues can start happening when it comes to sharpening the pencils, so ensure that you’ve bought yourself a decent one. If your existing sharpener is blunt and broken, you could be compromising the longevity of your pencils.

 

– Wax-bloom is a common problem with all soft, wax-based colouring pencils. To help, gently use a cloth to wipe away the excess and apply a fixative spray to seal the surface.

 

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST COLOURED PENCILS THAT YOU’VE USED?  LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

Don’t forget you can always share your art with us! Become the next Artist of The Month or tag us on Instagram @darkyellowdot.

Thank you for reading and if you found this article useful, share it around, that makes us happy. To receive updates and more posts like this just join our mailing list, everyone is welcome.

 

NEED MORE ADVICE?

 ARTICLES TO HELP:

19 Perfect Gift Ideas For Painters That You Wouldn’t Have Thought Of

How To Use Reference Photos For Drawing (Best Tips For Artists)

Art Studio At Home: 5 Tips To Make The Best Creative Space

SITES TO HELP:

Prevent Coloured Pencil Wax Bloom

Artist Pencils | Derwent UK

Faber-Castell Brand Story | Cass Art

COURSES TO HELP:

Realistic Pencil Drawing: Go From Beginner To Expert

Bringing Skin To Life With Coloured Pencils

Steps To Creating Vivid Portraits With Coloured Pencils