When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Best Colored Pencils For Drawing (2024 Updated)

If you’re looking for a versatile tool to express your creativity, colored pencils for drawing may be the perfect fit for you. They come in a wide range of colors and can be used for various art styles, from realistic portraits to whimsical illustrations. However, before you make your purchase, there are a few factors to consider.

First, you’ll want to think about the quality of the pencils you’re looking to buy. Higher-priced options often yield better results but may not fit within your budget. Make sure to read reviews and compare prices to find the best option for you. Additionally, think about what type of art you want to create and what level of pigment intensity and durability you’ll need.

Another important consideration when buying colored pencils for drawing is the level of experience you have with them. If you’re a beginner, you may not need professional-grade pencils just yet. However, if you’re an experienced artist, you may want to invest in the highest-quality options for your work.

Are you ready to explore the world of colored pencils for drawing and express yourself in a new way? Do you want to try out different art styles and techniques with these versatile tools? Whatever your experience level and artistic goals, choosing the right colored pencils for drawing can make all the difference in your work. Keep reading to discover more about the best options available and find the perfect fit for you.

10 Best Colored Pencils For Drawing

# Product Image Product Name Product Notes Check Price
1
Ideal for adult artists, professionals, and colorists looking for a set of high-quality colored pencils with soft core leads.
2
The product is ideal for adults, kids, and beginners who want to draw, blend, shade, and color in coloring books.
3
Ideal for adult coloring books, sketching, drawing, and art projects. Great gift for adults, kids, and beginners. Soft core colored pencils.
4
Ideal for adult artists, professionals and colorists looking for high-quality colored pencils with soft core leads in a presentation tin box.
5
Ideal for artists and coloring enthusiasts, featuring soft core color pencils in a 72 pack set for drawing and sketching.
6
The product is ideal for adult coloring books and professional art drawing, sketching, shading, blending, and crafting.
7
This product is ideal for school kids and teachers who need vibrant colored pencils for drawing, coloring, sketching, and painting.
8
The product is ideal for professional artists and adults who enjoy coloring books, drawing, sketching, blending and shading.
9
The product is ideal for drawing, sketching, and adult coloring with its soft core colored pencils in a pack of 150.
10
Ideal for adult artists, professionals, and colorists who require quality soft core colored leads that are protected and organized.
Ideal for adult artists, professionals, and colorists looking for a set of high-quality colored pencils with soft core leads.
The product is ideal for adults, kids, and beginners who want to draw, blend, shade, and color in coloring books.
Ideal for adult coloring books, sketching, drawing, and art projects. Great gift for adults, kids, and beginners. Soft core colored pencils.
Ideal for adult artists, professionals and colorists looking for high-quality colored pencils with soft core leads in a presentation tin box.
Ideal for artists and coloring enthusiasts, featuring soft core color pencils in a 72 pack set for drawing and sketching.
The product is ideal for adult coloring books and professional art drawing, sketching, shading, blending, and crafting.
This product is ideal for school kids and teachers who need vibrant colored pencils for drawing, coloring, sketching, and painting.
The product is ideal for professional artists and adults who enjoy coloring books, drawing, sketching, blending and shading.
The product is ideal for drawing, sketching, and adult coloring with its soft core colored pencils in a pack of 150.
Ideal for adult artists, professionals, and colorists who require quality soft core colored leads that are protected and organized.

1. Artists' Zipper Case: 72 Colored Pencils Set

The Essential range of 72 pencils is perfect for artists and hobbyists alike. The pencils are arranged in color families and named, numbered, and color-coded for easy selection. The protective, fabric zip-around case allows you to flip between the layers with ease, making it a go-anywhere option.

The latest advanced formulation by in-house artists and technicians results in cores that offer a soft, buttery laydown while also being durable enough to avoid crumbling under pressure and maintain their point.

These intensely pigmented pencils come in rich, creamy colors that provide smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing. They can be used on paper, eggshell, canvas, wood, and more to create various textures and achieve the perfect shade.

The unique fold-out tutorial included with the set allows artists to refine their colored pencil skills by re-creating the stunning gryphon illustration on the sleeve cover.

The set has been tested by studio experts to beat competitors and trusted by 1.5 million customers worldwide. It is backed by a unique money-back-PLUS guarantee, ensuring customer satisfaction.

Pros

  • Comes with 72 pencils arranged in color families for easy selection
  • Soft and durable cores that maintain their point
  • Intensely pigmented pencils provide smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing
  • Unique fold-out tutorial allows for skill refinement
  • Backed by a unique money-back-PLUS guarantee

2. Soft Core Color Pencils – Perfect For Adult Coloring!

This color pencil set includes 72 vibrant colors that are perfect for coloring, drawing, and sketching. Each pencil has a unique number and color name printed on the body for easy color identification. The pencils are made of high-quality basswood, making them easy to sharpen and durable.

The soft core of these colored pencils creates a silky smooth, velvety texture that lays down lots of vivid color. The highly pigmented core is perfect for blending and layering multiple colors to produce incredible tone. These colored pencils are perfect for adults, kids, and beginners alike.

This set is ideal for preparing the classroom for creative art projects and homework assignments. It conforms to ASTM D-4236 & EN71-3, making it non-toxic and safe for kids ages 5 and up. These colored pencils make the perfect gift for any art lover or student.

Pros

  • The 72 vibrant colors provide a wide range of coloring options
  • Each pencil has a unique number and color name for easy identification
  • The high-quality basswood makes the pencils easy to sharpen and durable
  • The soft core creates a silky smooth, velvety texture for vivid color
  • The highly pigmented core is perfect for blending and layering multiple colors
  • Conforms to ASTM D-4236 & EN71-3, making it non-toxic and safe for kids

3. Colorful Creations: 72 Soft-Core Pencils

The Soucolor colored pencil set includes 72 high-quality pencils and a convenient eco-friendly tube for easy storage. With this set, finding the color you need is hassle-free and all colors are visible.

These premium art colored pencils have soft leads, making them easy to sharpen without the worry of breaking, cracking, or crumbling. The pencils also provide smooth coloring and easy blending, perfect for drawing, sketching, or adult coloring books.

The set features 72 individual colors, providing a wide range of rich colors that are perfect for shading and creating colorful illustrations. These pencils are made with odorless materials and have obtained safety certificate EN71. However, please note that they are not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts that could present a choking hazard.

Pros

  • 72 high-quality pencils with soft leads that are easy to sharpen without breaking or crumbling
  • Convenient eco-friendly tube for easy storage
  • Wide range of individual colors that are perfect for shading and creating colorful illustrations
  • Odorless materials used

Cons

  • – Not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts

4. Castle Art 120 Soft Core Colored Pencils

The Ultimate range of 120 colored pencils arranged in color families, named, numbered and color-coded for easy and precise selection. These colored pencils come in a handsome presentation tin box and have three layers that flip up to reveal your preferred color.

The Latest advanced formulation by in-house artists and technicians results in cores that are soft, buttery and durable. The pencils are designed not to crumble under pressure and hold their point for a long time of use.

These colored pencils are a joy to use, with intensely pigmented, rich and creamy colors that provide smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing. They can be easily used on paper, eggshell, canvas, wood, and more.

The set includes a unique fold-out tutorial that enables you to refine your colored pencil skills by re-creating the stunning Camelot illustration on the sleeve cover.

The pencils have been tested and trusted by ultimate judges – our 1.5 million customers worldwide. They have also been tested by our studio experts and found to be superior to competitors. These colored pencils are backed by a unique money-back-PLUS guarantee.

Pros

  • The colored pencils come in a wide range of colors arranged in color families, making them easy to select.
  • The pencils are soft, buttery, and durable, designed not to crumble under pressure and hold their point for a long time of use.
  • Intensely pigmented, rich and creamy colors provide smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing.
  • The set includes a unique fold-out tutorial that enables you to refine your colored pencil skills.
  • The pencils have been tested and trusted by 1.5 million customers worldwide.
  • The colored pencils are backed by a unique money-back-PLUS guarantee.

5. Color Your World With Prismacolor Premier!

Bring your artwork to life with these 72 premium colored pencils from the USA. Whether you're a beginner or an expert artist, these artist-quality colored pencils are perfect for every level of expertise. The soft, thick cores are designed for shading and shadows, producing a smooth color laydown for superior blending and shading. Moreover, the ultra-smooth, even color laydown of these colored pencils is a true testament to their richly saturated pigments.

The thick, robust leads of these colored pencils resist cracking and chipping, allowing you to produce stunning artwork without any interruption. Additionally, these colored pencils are lightfast and waterproof, ensuring that your artwork remains vibrant and fresh for years to come. You can easily blend these colors to create your desired shade, and they are slow to wear, making them ideal for long-lasting artwork.

This package contains a tin with a dimension of 9 3/4 by 8 1/8 by 1 1/8 inches, which houses 72 premium colored pencils. So, if you're looking for artist quality colored pencils that deliver professional-grade results, look no further than these colored pencils from the USA.

Pros

  • Soft, thick cores are perfect for shading and shadows
  • Lightfast, richly saturated pigments
  • Ultra-smooth, even color laydown
  • Thick, robust leads resist cracking and chipping
  • Colors are easily blended, slow to wear and waterproof
  • Package contains one 9 3/4 by 8 1/8 by 1 1/8 inches tin with 72 pencils
  • Made in USA

6. Soucolor Pro Artist Pencil Set – 180 Colors

The 180 Vibrant Colors Numbered colored pencils with a metal tin box is an excellent choice for artists, beginners, kids, and girls. The metal tin box is an added convenience as it helps you to keep the colors visible and stored well. The professional art coloring pencils are of premium quality, and the soft leads make them easy to sharpen without breaking, cracking or crumbling. The odorless materials used to make the colored pencils make them safe to use. The set comes with safety certification to help you rest easy. The multiple colors-180 numbered individual vibrant colors make them a great choice for smooth coloring, easy blending, and shading, and they are perfect for drawing, sketching, adult coloring books.

The set comes with a metal tin box that makes it easy to organize the colored pencils. The box also makes it easy to transport the colored pencils without losing them. The set's odorless materials make the colored pencils safe to use, and they come with safety certification. The 180 colors make it easy to create colorful illustrations, and they are perfect for drawing, sketching, and adult coloring books. The soft leads make it easy to sharpen them without breaking, cracking or crumbling. The set is a great gift idea for artists, beginners, kids, and girls.

Pros

  • The 180 vibrant colors make it easy to create colorful illustrations
  • The set comes with a metal tin box that makes it easy to organize and transport the colored pencils
  • The odorless materials used to make the colored pencils make them safe to use
  • The soft leads make it easy to sharpen them without breaking, cracking or crumbling

Cons

  • – Not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts

7. Colorcap: Vibrant Presharpened Pencils With Sharpener Tube.

The 36 pack vibrant pencil colors is the perfect addition to any artist's collection. The pencils have a hexangular barrel design which provides a comfortable grip for easy control and precise coloring, shading or drawing. The built-in sharpener is integrated in the cap, allowing you to sharpen your colored pencils anytime within your reach. With these pencils, you can put them down without the worry of them falling off of your desk or table and getting lost.

These high-grade color pencils have soft and dense inner cores which are break-resistant, ensuring that your pencils will last for a long time. Each pencil is encased in high-grade, ultra-lightweight basswood for durability and strength. These pencils are perfect for both beginners and professionals, as they offer a wide range of colors to choose from. Whether you are working on a school project, a coloring book or a professional artwork, these pencils will provide you with the tools you need to create your masterpiece!

The 100% satisfaction guarantee ensures that you can purchase these pencils with confidence. If you are not completely satisfied with our colored pencils, we are glad to issue a refund or send a replacement. With these pencils, you can take your creativity to the next level and bring your ideas to life in vibrant colors!

Pros

  • 36 pack vibrant pencil colors
  • Built-in sharpener
  • Hexangular barrel design for comfort grip and easy control
  • Soft and dense inner cores which are break-resistant
  • High-grade, ultra-lightweight basswood for durability and strength
  • Perfect for both beginners and professionals
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

8. Vibrant 120-Color Art Set For Adult Coloring

The Premium 120 Pack Vibrant Coloring Pencils are perfect for creating lifelike portraits, landscapes, and abstract art that seem to pop off the page. These artist-quality softcore pencils produce bright, vivid, and bold colors with rich pigment and an ultra-smooth application. The thick core won't break easily and the blendable colors are perfect for layering, shading, and shadows. Made of oil-based basswood, these pencils are lightfast and provide a professional look to your artwork.

This professional sketch art pencils kit comes with a set of unique color pencils for adults coloring books and a sketchpad containing 3-color sketch paper (white, toned tan, and black) that is spiral bound and has a weight of 100GSM. The pre-sharpened wood coloring pencils set allows you to create brilliant color shades, tints, and color mixtures.

The art supplies sketching colored pencils set comes with a portable zipper-case to keep the colors pencils organized and protected. This set is an ideal gift box for advanced artists, beginners, adults, students, starters, and kids on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthday, and other occasions. The set includes a wide variety of different shades and brightly colored lines that are great for school projects and detailed artwork.

The high-quality adult artist colored pencils are printed with color name, numbers, and color-coded for identification. This feature allows you to quickly find the color you need without confusion. Additionally, these art drawing colors pencils conform to strict ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards, making them non-toxic and eco-friendly.

The Profesionales 120 Colors Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring BOOK with Drawing Tutorial are great for use at home, school, indoor, and outdoor. This set includes a drawing tutorial on how to draw a parrot, giving you a comprehensive guide to getting started with your first steps in the art world. You can start creating your artwork now and take your art to the next level.

The team behind these products cares about their customers and strives to create products they're proud of. If there are any issues with the product, they are ready to make it right.

Pros

  • Bright, vivid, and bold colors with rich pigment
  • Blendable colors perfect for layering, shading, and shadows
  • Thick core that won't break easily
  • Oil-based basswood for a professional look
  • Set includes a sketchpad and a portable zipper-case
  • Colors are printed with color name, numbers, and color-coded for identification
  • Non-toxic and eco-friendly

Cons

  • – None found

9. 150 Soft-Core Colored Pencils For Creatives

Enjoy the ultimate coloring experience with these 150 premium colored pencils. The soft, thick cores provide excellent shading and shadowing capabilities, while the lightfast pigments deliver rich, vibrant color that lasts. The ultra-smooth color laydown ensures even and consistent coverage, making it easy to achieve professional-looking results every time. These pencils are perfect for adult coloring books, thanks to their thick and robust leads that resist cracking and chipping. With a wide range of colors to choose from, you'll have everything you need to bring your artistic vision to life.

These pencils are made with high-quality materials and are designed to offer exceptional performance. They are built to last and can withstand the rigors of frequent use. Whether you're a professional artist or just starting out, these colored pencils are an excellent choice for any project.

In addition to their superior performance, these pencils are also easy and comfortable to use. The ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, even during long coloring sessions. The pencils are also easy to sharpen, thanks to their durable and resilient leads.

Experience the joy of coloring with these premium colored pencils. They offer exceptional performance, durability, and ease of use, making them a must-have for any artist or coloring enthusiast.

Pros

  • Soft, thick cores for excellent shading and shadowing capabilities
  • Lightfast pigments deliver rich, vibrant color that lasts
  • Ultra-smooth color laydown ensures even and consistent coverage
  • Thick and robust leads resist cracking and chipping, making them perfect for adult coloring books
  • Wide range of colors to choose from
  • High-quality materials and exceptional performance
  • Comfortable, ergonomic design
  • Durable and resilient leads are easy to sharpen

10. Artistic Colors: 72 Pencils In Presentation Tin

The Essential range of 72 pencils is made to make coloring easy and enjoyable. These pencils are arranged in color families, named, numbered, and color-coded for unerring selection. The handsome presentation tin box has three layers, and you can flip up your choice of pencil easily. The latest advanced formulation by in-house artists and technicians results in cores that have a soft, buttery laydown. These cores defy crumbling under pressure and hold their point, making them both soft and durable. You can enjoy using these intensely pigmented, rich, creamy colors for smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing to add texture and achieve the perfect shade. You can even use them on paper, eggshell, canvas, wood, and more. The unique fold-out tutorial enables you to refine your colored pencil skills by re-creating the stunning unicorn illustration on the sleeve cover. These pencils have been tested by studio experts to beat competitors and are trusted by our 1.5 million customers worldwide. They are also backed by a unique money-back-PLUS guarantee.

The Essential range of 72 pencils is perfect for those who love coloring. The pencils are arranged in a way that makes selecting the perfect color easy, and the latest advanced formulation ensures that the cores are both soft and durable. The colors are intensely pigmented, rich, and creamy, making them perfect for smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing. The unique fold-out tutorial is a great way to refine your colored pencil skills and create stunning illustrations.

The Essential range of 72 pencils is a great investment for anyone who loves to color. The pencils are arranged in color families, making it easy to find the perfect shade. The latest advanced formulation ensures that the cores are both soft and durable, while the intensely pigmented, rich, creamy colors are perfect for smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing. The unique fold-out tutorial is a great way to refine your colored pencil skills and create stunning illustrations. These pencils have been tested by studio experts to beat competitors and are trusted by our 1.5 million customers worldwide. They are also backed by a unique money-back-PLUS guarantee.

Pros

  • Arranged in color families, named, numbered, and color-coded for unerring selection
  • Soft and durable cores that defy crumbling under pressure and hold their point
  • Intensely pigmented, rich, creamy colors for smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing
  • Can be used on paper, eggshell, canvas, wood, and more
  • Unique fold-out tutorial that enables you to refine your colored pencil skills and create stunning illustrations
  • Tested by studio experts to beat competitors
  • Trusted by 1.5 million customers worldwide
  • Backed by a unique money-back-PLUS guarantee

Best Colored Pencils For Drawing FAQs

Can colored pencils be used for professional-level art and illustration?

Yes, colored pencils can be used for professional-level art and illustration. While they are often associated with children's artwork and school projects, colored pencils have evolved into a medium that can produce stunning and intricate illustrations. Professionals in the art industry use colored pencils to create everything from portraits and landscapes to graphic novel illustrations and fine art pieces. Colored pencils offer a range of colors, hues, and tones that can be blended together to create depth and texture in artwork. Additionally, colored pencils are versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces such as paper, wood, and even fabric. With the right techniques and skill, colored pencils can produce artwork that rivals that of other mediums such as oil paints or watercolors. So, if you are interested in pursuing art and illustration professionally, don't overlook colored pencils as a viable option for creating stunning and unique pieces.

How do I choose the right colored pencils for my drawing style?

When choosing the right colored pencils for your drawing style, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, consider the type of artwork you plan on creating. If you're creating highly detailed and realistic artwork, you may want to invest in high-quality colored pencils with a wide range of hues and shades. On the other hand, if you're creating more abstract or whimsical art, you may be able to get away with a smaller set of pencils.

It's also important to consider the quality of the pencils themselves. While cheaper pencils may be tempting, they often lack the pigment and consistency needed for high-quality artwork. Look for brands with a good reputation and consistent quality.

Finally, consider your personal preferences and style. Different pencils may work better for different artists, depending on their technique and style. Experiment with different brands and types of pencils to find the ones that work best for you.

Overall, when choosing colored pencils for your artwork, it's important to consider the type of art you plan on creating, the quality of the pencils themselves, and your own personal preferences and style. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the right pencils to bring your artwork to life.

What are some techniques for using colored pencils in drawing?

Colored pencils are a versatile and popular medium for drawing, and there are several techniques that can help artists create stunning and realistic works of art. Here are a few techniques to consider:

1. Layering: Layering colors is a fundamental technique in colored pencil drawing. By layering different colors on top of each other, artists can create depth and dimension in their drawings. It's important to use light pressure when layering, as heavy pressure can damage the tooth of the paper.

2. Blending: Blending colors together can create a smooth, seamless look in a drawing. There are several ways to blend colored pencils, including using a blending stump, a tortillon, or even your fingers. It's important to use a light touch when blending, as heavy pressure can smear the colors.

3. Burnishing: Burnishing is a technique that involves applying heavy pressure to the pencil, which fills in the tooth of the paper and creates a smooth, shiny surface. This technique can be used to create a polished look in a drawing.

4. Cross-hatching: Cross-hatching is a technique that involves drawing overlapping lines in different directions. This can create a textured look in a drawing and can be used to create shadows and highlights.

5. Stippling: Stippling involves creating tiny dots with the pencil, which can create a stippled or pointillist effect. This technique can be used to create texture or to fill in large areas of a drawing.

Overall, colored pencils offer a wide range of possibilities for artists, and experimenting with different techniques can help you create unique and stunning works of art.

What are the best colored pencils for drawing?

When it comes to colored pencils for drawing, there are several great options available in the market. The choice of colored pencils mainly depends on the artist's personal preference, budget, and the type of artwork they intend to create.

One of the most popular and recommended brands of colored pencils for drawing is the Prismacolor Premier. These colored pencils are known for their soft, creamy texture that allows for easy blending and layering of colors. They come in a vast range of colors and are suitable for creating vibrant and detailed artworks.

Another great option for colored pencils is the Faber-Castell Polychromos. These pencils are oil-based and offer excellent color intensity and lightfastness. They are perfect for creating fine details, intricate textures, and smooth gradients.

For those on a budget, the Castle Art Supplies colored pencils are a great choice. These pencils offer a wide range of colors, are highly pigmented, and come with a reasonable price tag.

Ultimately, the best-colored pencils for drawing depend on one's personal preference and the type of artwork they intend to create. It is always a good idea to try a few different brands and see which one works best for you.

Which colored pencil brands offer the widest range of colors for drawing?

When it comes to colored pencils, there are several brands that offer a wide range of colors for drawing. One of the most popular brands is Prismacolor, which offers a vast selection of 150 colors for artists to choose from. Another well-known brand is Faber-Castell, which has a range of 120 colors that are highly pigmented and blendable.

Caran d'Ache is another brand that is known for its high-quality colored pencils, offering a range of 120 colors that are water-resistant and lightfast. Derwent is also a brand that is popular among artists for its range of colors, with their Inktense line offering a palette of 72 intense and vibrant colors that can be used both wet and dry.

In summary, there are several colored pencil brands that offer a wide range of colors for drawing, including Prismacolor, Faber-Castell, Caran d'Ache, and Derwent. Each of these brands has its unique features, such as pigmentation, blendability, and water-resistance, so it's essential to choose based on the desired outcome and personal preferences.

Leave a Comment