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10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Count - Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils in the 150-count set are a solid choice for artists seeking vibrant, high-quality colors. Their biggest advantage is the wide range of 150 colors, offering excellent options for detailed and varied artwork. The soft, thick cores allow for smooth shading and blending, making them particularly suitable for techniques requiring rich gradients and shadows. The pigments are richly saturated and lightfast, meaning your artwork will stay bright and resist fading over time.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,106
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
60257 reviews
#2
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils Soft Core 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
9.1
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
49051 reviews
#3
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners kids…
The KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils set offers a large selection of 120 vibrant colors, which is excellent for artists who want a broad color range to work with. The pencils have a soft core that lays down rich, vivid pigment smoothly, making it easier to blend and layer colors—great for sketching, shading, and coloring. Users especially appreciate that the cores are break-resistant, which helps with durability during use and sharpening.
Rating
9.1
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
9030 reviews
Top 10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Count - Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Count - Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors
Pigment Quality: richly saturated
Lightfastness: lightfast
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 150 colors
Blendability: smooth shading and blending
Pencil Durability: durable, break-resistant leads
Chosen by 1106 this week
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils Soft Core 36 Count
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils Soft Core 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
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners kids…
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners kids…
Pigment Quality: vibrant colors
Core Hardness: soft core
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: easy to blend and layer
Pencil Durability: break-resistant cores
Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count - Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors
Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Premier Soft Core Pencils, Assorted, 72 Count - Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors
Pigment Quality: rich
Lightfastness: impressive
Core Hardness: Soft Core, 2H
Color Range: 72 colors
Blendability: ultra-smooth
Pencil Durability: minimizes cracking and chipping
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
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Up to 50% off
Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer® Artists' Watercolor Pencils - Tin of 120
Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer® Artists' Watercolor Pencils - Tin of 120
Pigment Quality: rich, fully dissolves when wet
Core Hardness: F hardness
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: smooth blending
Pencil Durability: SV-bonded, resists breakage
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
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: high
Core Hardness: Soft
Color Range: 72
Blendability: effective
Pencil Durability: solid
Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils 100 Tin, Set of 100, 4mm Wide Core, 100% Lightfast, No Fade for 100 Yrs, Oil-based, Premium Core, Creamy, Ideal for Drawing, Coloring, Professional Quality (2306017)
Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils 100 Tin, Set of 100, 4mm Wide Core, 100% Lightfast, No Fade for 100 Yrs, Oil-based, Premium Core, Creamy, Ideal for Drawing, Coloring, Professional Quality (2306017)
Pigment Quality: 100% lightfast
Lightfastness: up to 100 years
Color Range: 100 pencils
Blendability: exceptional
Pencil Durability: durability
#10
Caran D'ache Supracolor Pencil Set, 120/Tin (J3888420)
Caran D'ache Supracolor Pencil Set, 120/Tin (J3888420)
Pigment Quality: strong pigment
Lightfastness: superb lightfastness
Core Hardness: 3.7mm lead
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: smooth blending
Pencil Durability: sturdy wood casing
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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.