There are many different forms of art media available to artists, and colored pencils are one of them. Pencils are so familiar to us as children with their squiggly lines. Even adults like to use them for coloring books as a way to have fun. However, professional artists still regularly use them in their creative projects because of the amazing possibilities they offer. That’s a lot of beautiful colors and the ability to blend, layering, and mixing.
To make it easier for you to choose a few different pencils to try. We present some of the best colored pencils for artist – based on brand reputation, user feedback, and personal experience.
In short, finding the right colored pencils for your needs can not only save you cash but also make a significant difference in your drawing experience.
Table of Contents
How to choose the right colored pencils for you?
Artist-grade colored pencils are of higher quality than Student-grade materials. Therefore, their prices are also significantly higher. This means they will have more vibrant and rich colors when you draw them on paper.
So, If your budget allows it and you are serious about your work then I recommend you choose an artist-grade product.
In addition, there are 2 types of colored pencils on the market: oil-based and wax-based.
Each type has its own set of unique characteristics that should be considered when choosing which type to use. Wax-based colored pencils are known to be soft, which makes them the ideal tool for blending, layering, and mixing. On the other hand, oil-based are known to have a harder core, which makes them less likely to break or chip. Although oil-based colored pencils may be a bit more difficult to blend, most wax-based techniques can still be applied with the right skill set.
9 Best Colored Pencils for Artists
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Pencils
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are characterized by a thick, soft, and smooth lead core. These pencils are made up of bright and vibrant pigments, allowing you to blend easily to create any color shade you want. Plus, they are slow to wear, so you don’t have to worry about having to constantly replace them.
In short, they are great tools for all your coloring needs, whether you enjoy coloring as a hobby or are a professional artist.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Count, Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors |
$139.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
ARTEZA Professional Wax-Based Core Pencils
Arteza is a company that specializes in providing quality art supplies for all ages and levels, including art and craft accessories, paints, painting tools, and more.
Their high-pigment colored pencils produce deep, rich colors; making blending, layering, and mixing a breeze. Additionally, their soft Wax-Based Core will not break or crumble easily, perfect for adults and teens who want to blend colors smoothly.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ARTEZA Colored Pencils, 48 Soft Color Pencils, Highly-Pigmented, Wax-Based Coloring Pencils for... |
$22.21 |
Buy on Amazon |
Derwent Colorsoft Pencils
Derwent Colorsoft Pencils are soft and smooth and have a velvety texture. Their ability to easily mix and blend is ideal for creating a variety of colors and many different painting styles. Besides, they work well on many different surfaces and do not fade over time. Additionally, these pencils are acid-free and pre-sharpened
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Derwent Chromaflow Colored Pencils Tin, Set of 24, Great for Holiday Gifts, 4mm Wide Core,... |
$32.41 |
Buy on Amazon |
Faber-Castell Polychromos Color Pencils
Polychromos colored pencils are selected from the purest and most brilliant pigments. Their high lightfastness means your artwork will remain vibrant for many years. Smooth color layers also allow you to be easily blended for layered effects, highlights, and transitions. Besides, These pencils feature a 3.8mm lead that is break-resistant, water-resistant, and smudge-proof, wrapped in premium California cedar. Additionally, each pencil is pre-sharpened and has a lightfastness rating.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist... |
$180.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Cretacolor Mega Colored Pencils
Cretacolor Mega colored pencils feature an extra-thick 6.4mm core, allowing you to create wide strokes quickly.
They feel soft when applied, and rich in color – great for blending and layering because their cores have a slightly waxy formula. They are suitable for all skill levels, from hobbyists to professional artists.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CRETACOLOR MegaColor Colored Pencil Set, 24 Count (Pack of 1), Multi |
$44.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils
These premium oil-based crayons are highly pigmented and easy to blend, making them perfect for creating your own custom shades and colors.
LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils offer optimal control, lying smoothly on the paper because they are wax-free. Plus, with the highest standards of lightfastness, you can be confident that your artwork will retain its vibrant colors for many years.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Colored Pencils - 24 Professional Colored Pencils for Artists and Students... | $37.17 | Buy on Amazon |
Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set
Caran d’Ache is a company famous for art products and writing instruments. Their Pablo colored pencils are outstanding in style and quality.
Their creamy, soft, waterproof 3.7 mm leads offer exceptional covering and high light fastness. Therefore, these pencils are ideal for shading, mixed media, and graded applications.
In addition, they can also work well on many different surfaces such as paper, photos – or even wood. Available individually or as a set and pre-sharpened.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set Of 120 Metal Box (666.420) | $242.49 | Buy on Amazon |
Tombow Colored Pencil Set
Tombow colored pencils have a 3mm core attached to a round cedar shell for even sharpening and break resistance. In addition, their hard and dense wax core allows for precise details and sharp lines but also creates smooth blending, layers, and transitions.
Besides, These pencils are intensely pigmented, creating deep color as well as high lightfastness.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tombow 51527 Irojiten Colored Pencil Dictionary Set, Seascape, Set of 30. Beautifully Crafted... |
$29.20 |
Buy on Amazon |
Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Pencils
Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Dry Drawing Pencils are oil-based pencils that allow for smooth application without wax buildup. These pencils can produce many different colors and can blend them together easily. Additionally, they provide outstanding control over paper and are formulated to the highest light fastness standards.
Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Dry Drawing Pencils are great for artists of any age or skill level.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Drawing Pencil Set, 72 Assorted Colored Pencils in Tin, 1 Each (FA3827) | $78.84 | Buy on Amazon |