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10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
The ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils set includes 120 vibrant colors, giving artists a wide range to choose from, which is great for anyone wanting creative freedom. The pencils have soft, break-resistant cores that make blending and layering easy, especially since they are water-soluble, allowing you to create watercolor effects by adding a wet brush. The pigments are highly pigmented and designed to be lightfast, meaning the colors should not fade quickly over time, which is important for preserving your artwork. The core hardness is marked as F (firm), balancing between softness for smooth application and enough firmness for detailed work.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,215
Pigment Quality
Blendability
Pencil Durability
Most important from
2260 reviews
#2
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 72 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
The ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils set of 72 offers a wide color range, which is great for artists who want plenty of options for creating vibrant artwork. The pencils are water-soluble, allowing you to easily blend colors and create soft washes, making them versatile for both detailed dry drawing and watercolor-style painting effects. Their cores are described as soft and break-resistant, which helps with smooth application and reduces frustration from frequent breakage. The pigments are lightfast, meaning your artwork is less likely to fade over time—a key feature if you want your creations to last.
Rating
8.5
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Blendability
Most important from
2260 reviews
#3
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
The Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 set offers 100 richly pigmented colored pencils that are highly suited for artists and serious hobbyists looking for quality and durability. These pencils stand out with their excellent pigment quality, providing bright, intense colors thanks to a high concentration of lightfast pigments that resist fading over time. The cores are smooth and soft enough to blend easily while still maintaining enough hardness for detailed work and layering. This makes them versatile for various techniques like shading, burnishing, and mixing colors smoothly.
Rating
7.9
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Blendability
Most important from
393 reviews
Top 10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
Pigment Quality: highly pigmented
Lightfastness: designed to be lightfast
Core Hardness: F (firm)
Color Range: 120 vibrant colors
Blendability: easy blending and layering
Pencil Durability: soft, break-resistant cores
Chosen by 1215 this week
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 72 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 72 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
Pigment Quality: lightfast
Lightfastness: lightfast
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 72 colors
Blendability: water-soluble
Pencil Durability: break-resistant cores
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 concentration of lightfast pigments
Lightfastness: resists fading over time
Core Hardness: smooth, soft yet firm for details
Color Range: 100 shades
Blendability: blends easily; includes full and pencil blender
Pencil Durability: sturdy 3.8mm lead; water-resistant
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
Lightfastness: not specified
Core Hardness: medium (HB)
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: soft oil-based cores
Pencil Durability: durable, pre-sharpened pencils
Crayola Colored Pencils Set (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Kids Classroom Art Supplies, Bulk Colored Pencils, Presharpened, Gifts for Kids, Ages 3, 4, 5
Crayola Colored Pencils Set (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Kids Classroom Art Supplies, Bulk Colored Pencils, Presharpened, Gifts for Kids, Ages 3, 4, 5
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: smooth creamy texture
Pencil Durability: decent
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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
Pigment Quality: intensely pigmented
Core Hardness: Soft
Color Range: 120
Blendability: smooth, buttery laydown
Pencil Durability: prevents crumbling
Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set Of 120
Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set Of 120
Pigment Quality: exceptional
Lightfastness: superb
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: smooth
Pencil Durability: good
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Pigment Quality: intense pigmentation
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 72
Blendability: smooth, creamy application
Pencil Durability: minimizes crumbling
ARTEZA Colored Pencils 72 Soft Wax-Based Color Pencils for Adults & Artists. Pre-Sharpened Drawing Set for Blending, Coloring, Shading & Sketching. Professional Art Supplies in Tin Box, Holiday Gift
ARTEZA Colored Pencils 72 Soft Wax-Based Color Pencils for Adults & Artists. Pre-Sharpened Drawing Set for Blending, Coloring, Shading & Sketching. Professional Art Supplies in Tin Box, Holiday Gift
Pigment Quality: wax-based
Lightfastness: may lack highest lightfastness
Core Hardness: soft cores
Color Range: 72 vibrant shades
Blendability: strong blendability
Pencil Durability: break-resistant cores, maintain sharp points
#10
CREATIVE ART MATERIALS Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencil Sets Set of 80 Wood Box (6901.476)
CREATIVE ART MATERIALS Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencil Sets Set of 80 Wood Box (6901.476)
Pigment Quality: purity and intensity
Lightfastness: resists fading from light exposure
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 80 colors
Blendability: easy to layer and blend
Pencil Durability: wood casing resists breakage
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Buying Guide for the Best Art Colored Pencils
Choosing the right art-colored pencils can significantly impact the quality of your artwork. Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of colored pencils will help you make an informed decision. The right set of colored pencils can enhance your creativity, provide better control, and ensure your artwork stands the test of time. Here are the key specifications to consider when selecting art-colored pencils.Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the richness and vibrancy of the colors in the pencils. High-quality pigments provide more vivid and intense colors, which are essential for creating striking and detailed artwork. Pigment quality can be divided into student-grade and artist-grade. Student-grade pencils have lower pigment concentration and are suitable for beginners or casual use. Artist-grade pencils have higher pigment concentration, offering superior color payoff and blending capabilities, making them ideal for professional artists or serious hobbyists. Choose based on your level of expertise and the type of artwork you plan to create.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil colors to fading when exposed to light over time. This is important if you want your artwork to remain vibrant and unchanged for years. Lightfastness ratings are usually indicated on the pencil or packaging, with higher ratings signifying better resistance to fading. For artwork intended for display or sale, opt for pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less critical.
Core HardnessCore hardness determines how soft or hard the pencil lead is. Softer cores provide richer color application and are easier to blend, making them suitable for shading and layering. Harder cores are more durable and produce finer lines, which are ideal for detailed work and precision. Soft cores are great for expressive, painterly techniques, while hard cores are better for technical drawings and intricate details. Consider your drawing style and the type of effects you want to achieve when choosing the core hardness.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors available in a set of colored pencils. A wider color range offers more options for creating detailed and nuanced artwork. Sets can range from basic 12-color packs to extensive 150-color collections. Beginners might start with a smaller set to learn basic techniques, while more advanced artists may prefer larger sets to have a broader palette at their disposal. Think about the complexity of your projects and whether you need a wide array of colors or just the essentials.
BlendabilityBlendability is the ability of the colored pencils to mix and blend with each other to create smooth transitions and new colors. This is crucial for achieving realistic shading and gradients in your artwork. Pencils with good blendability allow for seamless color mixing and layering. Wax-based pencils generally offer better blendability compared to oil-based pencils, which are more suited for detailed work. If your artwork involves a lot of blending and layering, prioritize pencils known for their blendability.
Pencil DurabilityPencil durability refers to the strength of the pencil core and the casing. Durable pencils are less likely to break during use or sharpening, which is important for maintaining a consistent drawing experience. Durability can be influenced by the quality of the wood casing and the bonding of the core. High-quality pencils are less prone to breakage and can withstand more pressure. If you tend to apply heavy pressure while drawing or need pencils that can endure frequent sharpening, look for those with high durability.