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10 Best Charcoal Pencils 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

MARKART Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set - 10 Pieces Soft Medium and Hard Charcoal Pencils for Drawing, Sketching, Shading

The MARKART Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set offers a comprehensive solution for artists seeking versatile drawing tools. This set includes ten charcoal pencils with a variety of hardness levels: five soft, three medium, and two hard. This range allows for detailed work as well as broader strokes, making it suitable for sketching, shading, and blending.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,345
Hardness
Brand and Quality

Most important from
2203 reviews

Hardness
I used these pencils to transfer an image onto a stone, and it worked great! The variety in hardness levels is very useful.
Brand and Quality
The charcoal pencils appear to be of solid quality.
#2
10.0 score

KALOUR White Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set, Professional 6 Pieces White Sketch Pencils for Drawing, Sketching, Shading, Blending, Chalk for Beginners & Artists

The KALOUR White Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set is an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned artists looking to explore white charcoal techniques. It includes a versatile assortment of six pencils in soft, medium, and hard grades, making it adaptable for various drawing styles and mediums. The ability to blend with pastels and acrylics allows for creative flexibility, and the ergonomic design ensures comfort during use, which is essential for extended drawing sessions.

Rating
10.0
Hardness
Type of Charcoal
Pencil Casing

Most important from
439 reviews

Hardness
The variety of pencils, from soft to hard, is perfect for shading, blending, and fine details.
Type of Charcoal
Charcoal pencils and sticks add depth and texture, blending smoothly for transitions between light and dark areas.
Pencil Casing
Portable zippered travel case keeps everything organized and protected, making it easy to sketch on the go.
Erasability
Essential tools like a sharpener and eraser included for precision and cleanup, enhancing the drawing process.
#3
9.9 score

Brusarth Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set - 6 Pieces Soft Medium and Hard Charcoal Pencils for Drawing, Sketching, Shading

The Brusarth Professional Charcoal Pencils Drawing Set offers a versatile range of 6 charcoal pencils in various hardness levels—Ex-Soft, Soft, Medium, and Hard. This variety makes it suitable for different drawing techniques, from fine detailing to broad strokes, which is great for sketching, shading, and blending. Artists, students, and hobbyists will find these pencils easy to use, with the ability to create both bold and intricate designs whether in a classroom or personal setting.

Rating
9.9
Brand and Quality

Most important from
844 reviews

Brand and Quality
Worked perfectly for a project and offered good quality at a reasonable price.

Top 10 Best Charcoal Pencils 2025 in the United States

Winsor & Newton Studio Collection, 6 Count, Charcoal Pencils

Hardness: soft, medium, hard
Type of Charcoal: Charcoal Pencils
Pencil Casing: linden wood
Brand and Quality: Winsor & Newton

Faber-Castel 24 Piece Pitt Charcoal Set

Hardness: soft, medium, hard
Type of Charcoal: natural, compressed
Pencil Casing: metal case
Erasability: kneadable eraser
Brand and Quality: Faber-Castell, high-quality

2-Pack - General Pencil 5582BP Charcoal White Pencils 2/Pkg-2B

Hardness: 2B
Type of Charcoal: white charcoal
Pencil Casing: traditional round wood design
Brand and Quality: GENERAL'S, Made in USA

General Pencil Gen15 Charcoal Kit, Multicolor (GEN15)

Type of Charcoal: Charcoal pencils, black and white, sticks
Erasability: Includes eraser
Brand and Quality: GENERAL'S
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Buying Guide for the Best Charcoal Pencils

Choosing the right charcoal pencils can significantly enhance your drawing experience and the quality of your artwork. Charcoal pencils are a versatile tool for artists, offering a range of tones and textures that can bring depth and dimension to your drawings. When selecting charcoal pencils, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your artistic needs. Here are the main factors to consider and how to navigate them.
HardnessThe hardness of a charcoal pencil determines how light or dark the marks it makes will be. Harder pencils (often labeled H) produce lighter, finer lines, while softer pencils (labeled B) create darker, bolder strokes. If you are doing detailed work or need fine lines, a harder pencil might be more suitable. For shading and creating rich, dark areas, softer pencils are ideal. Artists often use a range of hardness levels to achieve different effects in their drawings.
Type of CharcoalCharcoal pencils can be made from different types of charcoal, such as compressed charcoal or vine charcoal. Compressed charcoal pencils are denser and produce darker, more consistent lines, making them great for bold, dramatic effects. Vine charcoal is softer and lighter, offering a more delicate touch and easier blending. Depending on your drawing style, you might prefer one type over the other, or use both to achieve a variety of textures.
Pencil CasingThe casing of the charcoal pencil can affect your comfort and control while drawing. Wooden casings are traditional and provide a familiar feel, but they need to be sharpened regularly. Paper-wrapped or peel-and-sharpen casings offer convenience as they can be peeled away to expose more charcoal without the need for a sharpener. Consider how you like to work and whether you prefer the classic feel of wood or the ease of a peel-and-sharpen design.
ErasabilityErasability refers to how easily the charcoal marks can be erased. Some charcoal pencils are designed to be more erasable, which can be useful for making corrections or creating highlights. If you anticipate needing to make adjustments to your work, look for pencils that are labeled as erasable. However, keep in mind that more erasable pencils might not produce as dark or intense marks as less erasable ones.
Brand and QualityThe brand and overall quality of the charcoal pencil can impact your drawing experience. Higher-quality pencils tend to have more consistent charcoal, better casings, and superior performance. While brand preference can be subjective, it's often worth trying a few different brands to see which ones you prefer. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from other artists can also help you find reliable, high-quality options.

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