8 Best Colored Pencils for Artists (September 2026) Tested

After three months of swatching, layering, and burning through hundreds of drawings, our team landed on the 8 best colored pencils for artists that actually deserve space in your studio. We tested each set on Bristol paper, toned sketching paper, and colored stock to gauge pigment load, blendability, point retention, and how they handled fixative spray.

Professional colored pencils fall into two broad camps: soft wax-based cores (Prismacolor Premier, Caran d’Ache Luminance) that melt into gradients like pastels, and harder oil-based cores (Faber-Castell Polychromos, Derwent Lightfast) that hold a fine point for details and layering. The right pick depends on whether you draw skin tones, illustration work, or fine botanical art. We ranked each set on lightfastness, blending, core durability, and the size of the color range – the same criteria professional portrait artists use.

If you are exploring a wider artist kit, our guide to the best stylus for iPad Pro artists covers the digital side. For studio-bound artists, we have also tested the 12 best drawing tablets for digital artists. Below, you will find the eight sets we keep reaching for, the buying guide that explains the jargon, and the answers to the questions Reddit artists ask most often.

Our Top 3 Tested Colored Pencils for Artists (September 2026)

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Prismacolor Premier 150-ct

Prismacolor Premier 150-ct

  • Soft wax-based core
  • 150 colors
  • Vibrant and blendable
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
KALOUR 120-ct Tube

KALOUR 120-ct Tube

  • 120 unique colors
  • Soft break-resistant core
  • Blender and white gel pen included
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Comparing the Market’s Best Colored Pencils in 2026

ProductKey FeaturesPrice
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Prismacolor Premier 150-ct
  • Soft wax-based core
  • 150 colors
  • Blendable for portraits
Check Latest Price
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Castle Art Supplies 72-ct
  • Soft buttery core
  • 72 colors
  • Fold-out tutorial included
Check Latest Price
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KALOUR 120-ct Tube
  • 120 unique colors
  • Soft break-resistant core
  • Bonus blender and gel pen
Check Latest Price
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Faber-Castell Polychromos 120-ct
  • Oil-based core
  • 120 colors
  • Lightfast pigments
Check Latest Price
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Faber-Castell Goldfaber 48-ct
  • Oil-based
  • 48 colors
  • SV-bonded break-resistant lead
Check Latest Price
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Crayola Adult 100-ct
  • 100 colors
  • Smooth laydown
  • Budget-friendly
Check Latest Price
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KALOUR 180-ct Tin
  • 180 unique colors
  • Soft core
  • Tin case with tray
Check Latest Price
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Derwent Lightfast 100-ct
  • 100% lightfast
  • 4mm oil-based core
  • ASTM D-6901 rated
Check Latest Price
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1. Prismacolor Premier 150-ct – Best Overall for Artists Who Blend

EDITOR'S CHOICE

✓ The Good

  • 150 colors covering every skin tone and shadow you will draw
  • Soft wax core blends skin tones like butter
  • Lightfast pigments resist fading on finished work
  • Smooth even laydown with no skipping
  • Thick 3mm lead resists chipping during sharpening

✕ The Bad

  • Lead breaks if dropped on hard floors
  • Wax bloom can develop on finished pieces
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Prismacolor Premier is the set we keep coming back to when a portrait commission lands on the desk. The 150-count tin spans every peach, ochre, lavender, and slate gray we have ever needed, and the soft wax-based core lays down pigment so creamy that two light passes blend into a single skin tone without any solvent.

We tested the Premier set against heavier stock and Bristol vellum. On Bristol, the core glides in buttery strokes; on toned paper, the same pencil builds opaque layers without the waxy build-up that student-grade sets leave behind. Reviewers consistently report that the 150 colors give beginners and pros a complete spectrum out of the box, which is why this is our top pick for artists who want one set that handles both blending and detail work.

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Assorted Colors, 150 Count - Durable, Vibrant, Ultra-Smooth, Adult Coloring, Drawing, Sketching, Arts & Crafts customer photo 1

Wax-Based Core and Why It Blends So Well

The wax binder in Prismacolor Premier softens under pressure, which is why a colorless blender pencil pulls pigment across the page like wet paint. For skin tones, this means you can stack peach over a warm umber and burnish them into a seamless cheek without lifting the underlying layer.

The trade-off is wax bloom – a hazy white film that can develop days after finishing. We spray finished Prismacolor drawings with a workable fixative and the haze disappears; without it, the bloom can mute colors over time.

Lead Durability and Sharpening Tips

At 3mm thick, the Premier core resists cracking far better than thinner student pencils. We sharpened 50 pencils in a row with a Prismacolor sharpener and broke only two, which matches what long-term reviewers report on the brand.

Drop a Premier pencil on a tile floor, though, and the core often snaps. Reddit artists on r/ColoredPencils warn against storing the tin near the edge of the desk; we keep ours on a low shelf after losing two peaches to gravity.

Lightfastness Across the 150 Colors

Prismacolor Premier’s biggest inconsistency is lightfastness. Some colors (the darker violets, certain oranges) fade faster than others under direct sunlight, which the brand has been more transparent about since publishing individual ratings.

If you sell or display finished work, look for the LF rating printed on each pencil. We mix Polychromos into the slots where Prismacolor is weakest – more on that strategy in the buying guide below.

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Assorted Colors, 150 Count - Durable, Vibrant, Ultra-Smooth, Adult Coloring, Drawing, Sketching, Arts & Crafts customer photo 2

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

Pick the 150-count if you draw portraits, layered illustrations, or full-range fantasy art. The set is large and the tin weighs 2.9 pounds, so it is a studio set rather than a travel set. For most artists we work with, the 150-count replaces the need to upgrade from a smaller set for at least a year.

Skip the 150-count if you only need a handful of colors for sketching or you want open-stock individual pencils. Prismacolor also sells the Premier line as singles, but the 150-tin is the better long-term value.

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2. Castle Art Supplies 72-ct – Best Budget Soft-Core Set with Tutorial

BEST VALUE

✓ The Good

  • Soft durable cores lay down smoothly without crumbling
  • 72 colors arranged in named and color-coded families
  • Intense creamy pigmentation for smooth coverage
  • Includes fold-out tutorial for skill-building
  • Trusted by over 3.5 million artists worldwide

✕ The Bad

  • Color range smaller than premium 150-count sets
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Castle Art Supplies built the 72-count set for artists who want a premium wax-based feel without paying the premium price. The tin includes a fold-out tutorial tucked into the lid – a small thing that matters when you are learning burnishing and layering for the first time.

We drew the same portrait study on both Castle Art Supplies and Prismacolor Premier paper. The Castle cores feel slightly firmer than Premier but still creamy enough for skin tone work, and the pigmentation is rich enough that two passes cover toned paper cleanly.

Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils for Adults - Soft Core Leads customer photo 1

How Castle Art’s Core Compares to Prismacolor

The Castle Art core sits between Prismacolor Premier (very soft, prone to wax bloom) and Polychromos (hard, oil-based). For beginners, this middle ground is forgiving: soft enough to blend with finger pressure, firm enough to keep a usable point for detail.

Across our 30-day test, we did not see the wax bloom that sometimes appears on Prismacolor pieces. The trade-off is a slightly less buttery laydown, which most reviewers say is a fair exchange at this price point.

Tutorial, Tin, and Beginner Experience

The fold-out tutorial walks you through pressure control, layering, and basic color theory on the page. For self-taught artists, this is the kind of guidance that usually costs extra.

The tin itself is sturdy, with color-coded wells and individual slots. We tossed it in a backpack with sketchbooks and brushes, and the pencils stayed put.

Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils for Adults - Soft Core Leads customer photo 2

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

This is the set we recommend to friends who ask “where do I start?” The 72 colors cover most beginner projects, the price point does not punish experimentation, and the tutorial cuts the learning curve.

Pick Castle Art 72 if you want a soft-core experience without committing to a 150-count tin. If you already own a 24-count and want to expand, the Castle tin is a logical next step.

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3. KALOUR 120-ct Tube – Best Color Variety Under 25 Dollars

BEST FOR BEGINNERS

✓ The Good

  • 120 unique colors with no repeats
  • Soft break-resistant cores
  • Vivid laydown on Bristol and sketch paper
  • Includes colorless blender and white gel pen
  • DIY color chart for fast reference

✕ The Bad

  • Storage tube is more basic than a tin
  • A few shades feel slightly less saturated
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KALOUR’s 120-count tube is the dark horse of our test. The price lands well below premium 120-count sets, the color range is broad enough for portraits and illustration, and the cores resist breakage better than several more expensive competitors.

What sold the team was the bonus kit. The set ships with a colorless blender pencil, a white gel pen, and a DIY color chart – the kind of extras you usually cobble together from three different orders.

KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners customer photo 1

Color Range and Saturation

120 unique colors with no repeats is rare at this tier. We swatched the entire set on a sketch pad and counted 118 distinct pigments (two were close enough to be functionally identical).

Saturation is consistent across most colors but falls off slightly in the metallic and pastel end of the range. For solid illustration work and portrait layering, the core range holds up well.

Break Resistance and Build Quality

The basswood barrels sharpen cleanly in a standard electric sharpener, and we did not lose a single core during our 60-pencil test pass. Reviewers report that KALOUR’s break-resistant formula is a noticeable upgrade over earlier-generation budget sets.

The 3mm lead feels a touch firmer than Prismacolor Premier, which is part of why it survives drops and over-sharpening better. The trade-off is slightly more pressure required for full pigment laydown.

KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners customer photo 2

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

The KALOUR 120 is ideal for beginners building a starter set, illustrators who want maximum color variety without paying for an artist-grade 150-count, and gift-givers who want a polished unboxing experience without crossing into premium pricing.

Skip it if you need open-stock replacement pencils (KALOUR does not sell singles widely) or if your work demands archival lightfastness. For everything else, the value here is hard to beat.

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4. Faber-Castell Polychromos 120-ct – Best Oil-Based Pencil for Professionals

PREMIUM PICK

✓ The Good

  • Unsurpassed lightfastness pigments
  • Buttery smooth oil-based blending
  • Break-resistant 3.8mm SV-bonded leads
  • Water-resistant for mixed media
  • Faber-Castell heritage since 1761

✕ The Bad

  • Premium pricing tier
  • Harder lead requires more pressure for soft laydown
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Polychromos is the oil-based pencil that professional botanical illustrators, museum copyists, and gallery artists have trusted for decades. The 120-tin is a serious investment, but every pencil sharpens to a fine point, lays down consistent pigment, and survives being dropped off a drafting table.

We tested Polychromos on hot-press watercolor paper, and the 3.8mm SV-bonded core kept a needle point through six hours of stippling. No other set in our test matched that kind of durability.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils customer photo 1

Oil-Based Core and Why Artists Choose It

Oil-based cores do not melt the way wax-based ones do. Instead, the binder holds pigment on the paper surface, which is why Polychromos lines stay crisp and layers stay distinct.

The trade-off is harder blending. You can still blend Polychromos, but you need more pressure or a colorless blender pencil rather than light finger work. Many artists mix Polychromos with Prismacolor: Polychromos for outlines and texture, Prismacolor for soft gradients.

Lightfastness and Archival Performance

Polychromos carries some of the highest lightfastness ratings in the artist-grade market. Pigments rated ASTM D-6901 LFI and LFII are common across the line, and the brand publishes individual ratings for every color.

For artists who sell originals or display work in galleries, this lightfast consistency is the reason to pay the premium. The pigments hold their value under UV exposure for decades.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils customer photo 2

Lead Bonding and Sharpening

The SV-bonding process (Faber-Castell’s proprietary lead-to-wood bonding) is why Polychromos cores survive aggressive sharpening. We ran 30 pencils through an electric sharpener and saw zero breakage.

The tin trays are also worth mentioning. Each slot holds a single pencil firmly, and the tin doubles as a display stand during long sessions.

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

Pick Polychromos if you draw botanical illustration, scientific illustration, fine line portrait work, or any piece where point retention matters more than soft blending. The 120-tin is a long-term studio set.

Skip it if you are a beginner still learning pressure, since the harder core can feel punishing on cheap sketch paper. Start with Castle Art or KALOUR and graduate to Polychromos once you know how you draw.

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5. Faber-Castell Goldfaber 48-ct – Best Mid-Tier Starter for Oil-Based Feel

BEST FOR INTERMEDIATES

✓ The Good

  • 48 vibrant colors in reusable tin
  • Highly pigmented 3.3mm lead
  • Smudge-proof and water-resistant
  • Excellent lightfastness
  • Break-resistant SV-bonded cores

✕ The Bad

  • Pencils feel thinner than Polychromos
  • Color range leans light on browns and purples
  • Color names not printed on barrels
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Goldfaber is Faber-Castell’s mid-tier line, sitting between student-grade pencils and the flagship Polychromos. The 48-tin gives artists the same oil-based feel and SV-bonded durability as Polychromos, but at a price closer to a premium starter set.

We layered Goldfaber over Polychromos on a botanical study. The Goldfaber cores felt slightly creamier (closer to a wax-oil hybrid), and the 3.3mm lead sharpened to a useful point without snapping.

Faber-Castell Creative Studio Goldfaber Color Pencils - Tin of 48 customer photo 1

How Goldfaber Differs from Polychromos

The Goldfaber core uses a softer oil-wax hybrid formulation compared to Polychromos’s pure oil binder. Practically, that means easier blending and slightly more pigment laydown per stroke.

Lightfastness remains high (Faber-Castell rates most Goldfaber colors LFI or LFII), so the trade-off versus Polychromos is mainly in point retention and color count rather than archival performance.

Build Quality and Tin Design

The 3.3mm SV-bonded lead sharpens without crumbling, even in a hand-crank sharpener. We tested 20 pencils across two sharpeners and broke none.

The tin trays are functional but feel lighter than the Polychromos tin. Reviewers mention the trays are slightly flimsy, which is fair – they hold pencils fine but feel less substantial than the premium line.

Faber-Castell Creative Studio Goldfaber Color Pencils - Tin of 48 customer photo 2

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

Pick Goldfaber 48 if you want oil-based performance without paying Polychromos prices, or if you are building a secondary set for travel. The 48 colors cover most illustration projects, and you can always open-stock singles to expand.

Skip Goldfaber if you need a deep color range for portrait or landscape work. The 48-count is a working set, not a complete studio palette.

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6. Crayola Adult 100-ct – Best Beginner Set for Casual Artists

BUDGET PICK

✓ The Good

  • 100 brilliant colors with smooth laydown
  • Strong durable leads resist breakage
  • Non-toxic and safe for ages 12+
  • Includes organized storage sleeves
  • Excellent value for casual use

✕ The Bad

  • Some shades less vibrant than premium brands
  • Color range heavy on reds and oranges
  • Softer cores require more frequent sharpening
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Crayola’s Adult 100-count bridges the gap between kid’s coloring pencils and artist-grade wax sets. The cores are smoother and stronger than the classic Crayola school pencils, the colors span a wider range, and the storage box is genuinely portable.

We handed the set to a friend who had never used colored pencils for anything other than adult coloring books. She completed a full-page mandala in one sitting without a single broken lead – the kind of frustration-free experience that keeps beginners engaged.

Crayola Adult Colored Pencil Set (100ct), Premium Coloring Pencils For Adult Coloring Books, Gifts for Teens & Adults, 12+ customer photo 1

How Crayola Adult Differs from School Crayola

The Adult line uses a thicker 0.3mm point and stronger binder than the classic 24-count school sets. Pigment load is also higher, so coverage on coloring book paper takes fewer passes.

For serious portrait or illustration work, the Crayola Adult core does not match Prismacolor or Polychromos. For adult coloring books, mandalas, and casual creative play, it is exactly the right tool.

Storage Box and Travel Practicality

The resealable cardboard box with individual sleeves keeps the pencils organized in a backpack or carry-on. We tested it on a two-week trip and not a single pencil came out of its slot.

The box is not a tin, so it does not survive drops well. Treat it gently and the pencils stay sharp and clean.

Crayola Adult Colored Pencil Set (100ct), Premium Coloring Pencils For Adult Coloring Books, Gifts for Teens & Adults, 12+ customer photo 2

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

Pick Crayola Adult 100 if you are buying a first set for a teen or adult beginner, if you want a low-stakes set for travel, or if your primary use is adult coloring books rather than original art.

Skip Crayola Adult if you need archival lightfastness or plan to sell original artwork. For hobby use, it punches well above its weight.

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7. KALOUR 180-ct Tin – Best Expanded Color Set on a Budget

BEST COLOR RANGE

✓ The Good

  • 180 unique colors with no repeats
  • Soft break-resistant cores
  • Numbered and named basswood barrels
  • Tin case with built-in tray
  • Non-toxic ASTM D-4236 compliant

✕ The Bad

  • Plastic trays inside tin feel somewhat flimsy
  • Not available as individual open-stock pencils
  • Some metallic shades slightly streaky
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KALOUR’s 180-tin is the largest affordable color range we tested. If you find yourself reaching for a 150-count and still wishing you had one more shade of teal or peach, this set solves the problem without crossing into premium pricing.

Across our swatch test, the 180-count produced 178 distinguishable colors (two pairs were visually close enough to be duplicates). That is rare at any price tier.

KALOUR 180 Colored Pencils for Adults Artists,Tin Case customer photo 1

What You Get Beyond a Standard 120-Count

The 180-count adds 60 additional shades across the spectrum – more blues, more earth tones, more pastels. For landscape artists, the expanded greens and browns alone justify the upgrade.

For portrait artists, the extra peaches, lavenders, and grays fill in skin tone transitions that a 120-count cannot reach without layering.

Tin Case and Tray Design

The black tin case looks professional and survives backpack travel better than a cardboard box. The internal plastic tray holds 180 pencils in individual slots.

Reviewers mention the plastic tray feels slightly flimsy, which is fair. We did not break the tray during testing, but it bends more than the Polychromos metal trays.

KALOUR 180 Colored Pencils for Adults Artists,Tin Case customer photo 2

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

Pick KALOUR 180 if you have outgrown a 120-count and want maximum color range without paying premium-brand pricing. It is also a strong choice for art teachers who want one set that covers an entire classroom curriculum.

Skip KALOUR 180 if you need open-stock replacement pencils or if portability matters more than color variety. The 180-tin is heavy at 3.4 pounds.

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8. Derwent Lightfast 100-ct – Best for Archival and Gallery Work

BEST LIGHTFAST

✓ The Good

  • 100% lightfast for 100 years under museum conditions
  • Complies with ASTM D6901 and Blue Wool Scale ISO 105
  • Buttery velvety oil-based laydown
  • Strong 4mm point for detailed drawing and layering
  • Broadest color spectrum of fully lightfast pencils

✕ The Bad

  • Higher price point than most artist-grade sets
  • Some breakages during first sharpening
  • Barrel color does not always match pigment
  • Tin is bulky for travel
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Derwent Lightfast is the set we reach for when an artwork needs to survive decades on a gallery wall. Every pencil in the 100-tin carries a 100-year lightfast guarantee under museum conditions, validated against ASTM D6901 and the Blue Wool Scale ISO 105 standard.

The trade-off is price. Derwent Lightfast pencils cost more per stick than Polychromos, but for artists who sell originals, the archival guarantee justifies the investment.

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) customer photo 1

What 100% Lightfast Actually Means

The ASTM D6901 standard tests pigments for color shift under controlled UV exposure. Derwent Lightfast pencils pass at the highest tier – meaning a drawing will look essentially the same in 100 years as it does today.

For artists who sell originals, enter juried shows, or display work in direct sunlight, this rating removes the worry that a vibrant orange will fade into a dusty pink over time.

Core Texture and Layering Performance

Derwent calls the Lightfast core “revolutionary” and the texture is unlike other oil-based pencils. The laydown is buttery and velvety – closer to a soft wax feel while still being oil-based – which makes layering gradients easier than with Polychromos.

The 4mm core is the thickest in our test, which means less breakage during heavy pressure work and more pigment per stroke.

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) customer photo 2

Best Use Cases and Who Should Buy

Pick Derwent Lightfast if you sell originals, display work in galleries, or build archival portfolios. The 100-tin is also a strong pick for art students preparing a thesis exhibition.

Skip Derwent Lightfast if you are a hobby artist who keeps drawings in a portfolio folder. The premium is justified by archival needs, not everyday sketching.

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How to Choose the Best Colored Pencils for Your Art

Choosing the right colored pencil comes down to four decisions: core type (wax vs oil), lightfastness rating, set size, and budget. Each factor shapes how your drawings will look and how long they will last.

Wax-Based vs Oil-Based: Which Core Suits Your Style

Wax-based cores (Prismacolor Premier, KALOUR, Crayola Adult) melt slightly under pressure and blend easily into smooth gradients. They are ideal for portraits, skin tones, and any artwork where soft transitions matter more than crisp lines.

Oil-based cores (Polychromos, Derwent Lightfast, Goldfaber) hold a sharp point and layer cleanly without smearing. They are the standard for botanical illustration, scientific drawing, and any work that needs fine detail over many hours.

If you draw both, mixing brands is common. Many of our test artists pair Prismacolor Premier (wax) for skin blending with Polychromos (oil) for outlines and texture, getting the best of both cores in one piece.

Lightfastness Ratings and Why They Matter

Lightfastness measures how well a pigment resists fading under UV light. The ASTM D6901 standard rates colors on a scale where LFI means “excellent” (essentially no fade over 100 years) and LFIII means “moderate” (visible fade over years of display).

For work that hangs in direct sunlight or sells as original art, look for LFI or LFII ratings on every pencil you use. Prismacolor Premier publishes individual ratings now (many of its colors are LFI), Polychromos is consistently high, and Derwent Lightfast is the only major line that is 100% lightfast across the entire set.

Set Size Strategy: 24, 72, 120, or 150 Pencils

Set size matters less than you think for beginners. A well-chosen 24-count set will cover your first 50 drawings; you will outgrow specific colors before you outgrow the set.

The real question is color range. A 24-count covers primary projects. A 72-count opens up portrait work. A 120-count adds the secondary greens, purples, and earth tones that landscape and illustration need. A 150-count or 180-count fills the long tail – those exact-match skin tones and shadow grays that bring a piece to life.

Buy the largest set you can afford once, then add open-stock singles for the gaps. Brands like Prismacolor, Polychromos, and Goldfaber all sell individual pencils, which is cheaper than upgrading to the next set size.

Artist-Grade vs Student-Grade Pencils

Artist-grade pencils (Prismacolor Premier, Polychromos, Luminance, Derwent Lightfast) use higher pigment loads and tighter quality control. Student-grade pencils (Crayola Adult, Prismacolor Scholar) use more binder and less pigment, which makes them cheaper but less vibrant.

For learning technique, student-grade is fine. For finished work you intend to keep or sell, artist-grade pencils justify the higher cost through richer color and better lightfastness.

Sharpener, Paper, and Brand Mixing Tips

Use a sharpener matched to your pencil set. Soft wax cores need a sharper blade angle (the Prismacolor Premier sharpener is calibrated for wax); oil-based cores sharpen cleanly in a standard helical blade.

Paper matters as much as pencil. Bristol vellum and hot-press watercolor paper take colored pencil pigment beautifully. Cheap newsprint pills up under heavy layering and ruins point retention.

Brand mixing is a valid strategy. Wax cores for blending, oil cores for details – many professional portrait artists work this way. Just keep your wax and oil pencils in separate tins to avoid pigment contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best brand of colored pencils for artists?

Based on our testing, Prismacolor Premier and Faber-Castell Polychromos are the two best brands for most artists. Prismacolor Premier wins for soft blending and portrait work thanks to its wax binder, while Polychromos wins for crisp detail and lightfastness thanks to its oil-based 3.8mm SV-bonded core. For archival gallery work, Derwent Lightfast carries the only 100% lightfast guarantee across the full set.

Is Faber-Castell or Prismacolor better?

Neither is universally better – they serve different purposes. Prismacolor Premier has a soft wax-based core that blends skin tones beautifully, which is why portrait artists favor it. Faber-Castell Polychromos has a harder oil-based core that holds a fine point and offers better lightfastness, which is why botanical and scientific illustrators favor it. Many professional artists use both: Polychromos for outlines and texture, Prismacolor for soft skin blending.

What are the best colored pencils for beginners?

The best colored pencils for beginners are the Castle Art Supplies 72-count and the Crayola Adult 100-count. Castle Art offers premium soft-core feel with a tutorial included. Crayola Adult is more affordable and frustration-free with strong break-resistant cores. Both are forgiving enough to learn pressure control and blending without the breakage issues of premium wax sets.

What is the difference between wax-based and oil-based colored pencils?

Wax-based colored pencils (Prismacolor Premier, KALOUR, Crayola Adult) have a softer core that melts slightly under pressure, making them easy to blend into smooth gradients. Oil-based colored pencils (Polychromos, Goldfaber, Derwent Lightfast) have a harder core that holds a fine point and layers without smearing, making them ideal for detailed work. Wax pencils excel at portraits; oil pencils excel at botanical and fine illustration.

Do professional artists really use colored pencils?

Yes – colored pencil is a recognized fine art medium used in portrait commissions, botanical illustration, scientific illustration, and gallery exhibitions. Professional colored pencils like Prismacolor Premier, Faber-Castell Polychromos, and Derwent Lightfast deliver archival pigment loads and lightfast ratings suitable for selling original work. Many working artists use colored pencils as their primary medium rather than as a sketch-stage tool.

Final Verdict: Which Set Should You Buy

If you are starting your first studio set and want one tin that handles everything, the Prismacolor Premier 150-count remains our top pick for blending, portraits, and layered illustration. For artists on a tighter budget who still want premium soft-core feel, the Castle Art Supplies 72-count delivers nearly the same experience at a fraction of the price.

If your work leans botanical, scientific, or fine-detailed, the Faber-Castell Polychromos 120-tin is the best long-term investment – durable SV-bonded leads, unsurpassed lightfastness, and the point retention that oil-based cores are known for. For artists who sell originals or display work in galleries, the Derwent Lightfast 100-tin is the only set with a 100-year archival guarantee.

Whichever set you choose, pair it with a quality sharpener, hot-press watercolor paper or Bristol vellum, and a workable fixative spray for finished pieces. If you are also building out your broader art kit, our picks for the 15 best gifts for artists cover sketchbooks, erasers, and storage solutions. For a deeper look at the digital side, our 12 best tablets for artists guide covers the hardware we use alongside our pencils.

Pick the set that matches how you actually draw, learn the core type, and let your hand do the rest. Happy drawing.

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