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10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Perfect for Sketching, Drawing, Art, Coloring, Assorted, 36 Count
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are a popular choice for artists who enjoy sketching and coloring with rich, vibrant colors. These pencils have soft, thick cores that make shading and blending smooth and easy, which is great when you want to create gradients or shadows. The pigments are richly saturated and lightfast, meaning your artwork will hold its color well over time without fading. With 36 assorted colors, you get a good range to work with, though professional artists might find the selection somewhat limited compared to larger sets.
Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,145
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
48160 reviews
#2
Prismacolor Colored Pencils | Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count
The Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils set is a fantastic choice for artists at any skill level, thanks to its rich pigment quality and impressive lightfastness. With 72 assorted colors, these pencils offer a broad color range that allows for vibrant artwork. The soft, thick cores make shading and blending a breeze, providing an ultra-smooth application that produces even color laydown. Additionally, the durability of the leads minimizes the risk of cracking and chipping, which is a significant advantage for both beginners and experienced users alike.
Rating
9.8
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
59387 reviews
#3
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils are a strong choice for artists seeking professional quality supplies. Their biggest strengths lie in the high pigment quality and excellent lightfastness, meaning your artwork will maintain vibrant colors over time without significant fading. The pencils contain oil-based leads that are smooth and buttery, making blending and layering colors easy, which is great for creating depth and subtle color transitions.
Rating
9.7
Pigment Quality
Lightfastness
Core Hardness
Most important from
9202 reviews
Top 10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
9.9 score
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Perfect for Sketching, Drawing, Art, Coloring, Assorted, 36 Count
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Perfect for Sketching, Drawing, Art, Coloring, Assorted, 36 Count
Pigment Quality: richly saturated
Lightfastness: lightfast
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 36 assorted colors
Blendability: smooth and easy
Pencil Durability: thick, sturdy cores, less breakage
Chosen by 1145 this week
Prismacolor Colored Pencils | Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count
Prismacolor Colored Pencils | Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count
Pigment Quality: rich
Lightfastness: impressive
Core Hardness: Soft Core, 2H
Color Range: 72 colors
Blendability: ultra-smooth
Pencil Durability: minimizes cracking and chipping
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils
Pigment Quality: high
Lightfastness: excellent
Core Hardness: H, 3.8 mm lead
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: easy
Pencil Durability: durable, breakage resistant
Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set | Quality Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists, Professionals and Colorists | Protected and Organized in Presentation Tin Box
Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set | Quality Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists, Professionals and Colorists | Protected and Organized in Presentation Tin Box
Pigment Quality: high
Core Hardness: Soft
Color Range: 72
Blendability: effective
Pencil Durability: solid
KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil Set for Adults Artists - Rich Pigment Soft Core -12 Metallic Pencil - Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending - Vibrant Color（Tin Case）
KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil Set for Adults Artists - Rich Pigment Soft Core -12 Metallic Pencil - Ideal for Coloring Drawing Sketching Shading Blending - Vibrant Color（Tin Case）
Pigment Quality: vibrant
Core Hardness: Soft
Color Range: 180
Blendability: ideal for blending
Pencil Durability: high-quality wood
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Polychromous Colored Pencil Set In Metal Tin 60pc
Polychromous Colored Pencil Set In Metal Tin 60pc
Pigment Quality: excellent
Lightfastness: high
Core Hardness: H
Color Range: 60
Blendability: blend well
Pencil Durability: withstand heavy use without breaking
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Adult Coloring, 12 Pack
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Adult Coloring, 12 Pack
Pigment Quality: richly saturated
Lightfastness: designed to be lightfast
Core Hardness: around 2H
Color Range: 12 colors
Blendability: blend well
Pencil Durability: thick, tough cores prevent breakage
Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper | Quality Soft Coloured Leads for Adult Artists, Professionals and Colorists | In Zipper Pouch
Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper | Quality Soft Coloured Leads for Adult Artists, Professionals and Colorists | In Zipper Pouch
Core Hardness: Soft
Color Range: 120
Blendability: smooth, creamy laydown
Pencil Durability: durable design prevents crumbling
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
Pigment Quality: high pigment
Core Hardness: soft core
Color Range: 100 shades
Blendability: mixing, blending, shading, burnishing
Pencil Durability: highly durable
#10
8.0 score
Derwent Inktense Pencils Tin, Set of 24, Great for Holiday Gifts, 4mm Round Core, Firm Texture, Watersoluble, Ideal for Watercolor, Drawing, Coloring and Painting on Paper and Fabric (0700929)
Derwent Inktense Pencils Tin, Set of 24, Great for Holiday Gifts, 4mm Round Core, Firm Texture, Watersoluble, Ideal for Watercolor, Drawing, Coloring and Painting on Paper and Fabric (0700929)
Pigment Quality: highly pigmented
Core Hardness: firm yet soft
Color Range: 24
Blendability: water solubility
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Buying Guide for the Best Colored Pencils For Artists
Choosing the right colored pencils for your artistic needs can greatly impact the quality of your work. Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of colored pencils will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main factors to consider when selecting colored pencils for your art projects.Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the richness and vibrancy of the colors produced by the pencils. High-quality pigments result in more vivid and long-lasting colors. Artists who require intense and true-to-life colors should opt for pencils with high pigment quality. For casual use or coloring books, lower pigment quality may suffice. To determine the right pigment quality for you, consider the level of detail and color accuracy needed in your artwork.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil colors to fading when exposed to light over time. This is crucial for artists who want their work to remain vibrant and unchanged for years. Lightfastness is often rated on a scale, with higher ratings indicating better resistance to fading. If you are creating artwork for display or sale, choose pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lower lightfastness may be acceptable.
Core HardnessCore hardness refers to the softness or hardness of the pencil lead. Softer cores produce richer, more intense colors and are easier to blend, making them ideal for detailed and expressive work. Harder cores are more durable and produce finer lines, suitable for precise and technical drawings. Consider your drawing style and the type of artwork you create when choosing the core hardness. If you prefer smooth shading and blending, go for softer cores. For detailed line work, harder cores are better.
Color RangeThe color range is the variety of colors available in a set of colored pencils. A larger color range provides more options for creating detailed and nuanced artwork. Artists who work on complex pieces with many color variations should opt for sets with a wide color range. For simpler projects or beginners, a basic set with essential colors may be sufficient. Assess the complexity of your artwork and your need for color diversity when selecting the color range.
BlendabilityBlendability is the ability of the colored pencils to mix and blend smoothly with each other. Good blendability allows for seamless transitions and gradients in your artwork. Artists who focus on realistic and detailed pieces will benefit from pencils with high blendability. If your work involves bold, distinct colors, blendability may be less critical. Consider how important smooth color transitions are to your style when evaluating blendability.
Pencil DurabilityPencil durability refers to the strength and longevity of the pencil itself, including the lead and the wood casing. Durable pencils are less likely to break during use or sharpening, making them more reliable for long-term projects. If you frequently travel with your art supplies or work on large projects, choose pencils known for their durability. For occasional use or stationary work, durability may be less of a concern.