Imagine a world bursting with vibrant hues, where every shade tells a story and every stroke brings your imagination to life. That’s the magic of artist color pencils! But have you ever stood in the art supply aisle, completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices? It’s like trying to pick a favorite star in a galaxy – so many beautiful options, and you’re not sure which one will shine brightest for your art.
Choosing the right color pencils can feel like a challenge. You want pencils that blend smoothly, colors that are rich and true, and a set that won’t break your budget. It’s frustrating when your artwork doesn’t turn out the way you pictured, and you wonder if it’s the pencils’ fault. You might be asking yourself, “What’s the difference between wax-based and oil-based pencils?” or “Which brands are best for beginners?”
Well, get ready to unlock the secrets of the colored pencil world! This post is your friendly guide to understanding artist color pencils. We’ll break down the different types, explore what makes a pencil “artist-grade,” and help you discover the perfect tools to bring your creative visions to life. By the end, you’ll feel confident and excited to pick out your next set of colorful companions. Let’s dive in and explore the wonderful world of artist color pencils together!
Our Top 5 Artist Color Pencils Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Artist Color Pencils Detailed Reviews
1. KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
Rating: 9.5/10
Unleash your inner artist with the KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils! This vibrant set is perfect for anyone who loves to color, draw, or sketch. Whether you’re tackling a detailed adult coloring book or starting a new art project, these pencils offer a rich and smooth coloring experience. They are designed for artists of all ages and skill levels, making them a fantastic addition to any art supply collection.
What We Like:
- You get 72 different colors in this set.
- Each pencil has a number and color name for easy finding.
- The pencils are made of good quality basswood, so they sharpen easily.
- The soft cores are highly pigmented and lay down smooth, vivid color.
- They are great for blending and layering colors.
- The break-resistant cores mean less frustration.
- This set is perfect for drawing, sketching, and adult coloring books.
- They are also suitable for classroom art projects.
- The pencils are non-toxic and safe for kids ages 5 and up.
- KALOUR offers to help if you have any issues with their products.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the set is great for beginners, advanced artists might want an even wider range of shades or specialized pencils.
- The packaging could be sturdier for long-term storage and travel.
This KALOUR colored pencil set offers a wonderful way to add color to your world. It’s a thoughtful gift that encourages creativity for both kids and adults.
2. PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook
Rating: 9.5/10
Unleash your inner artist with the PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set. This comprehensive kit is designed for adults and aspiring artists alike, offering a vibrant spectrum of colors and essential tools to bring your creative visions to life. Whether you love coloring books or enjoy sketching and drawing, this set provides everything you need.
What We Like:
- The 120 colors are incredibly bright and bold, making your artwork pop with rich pigment and smooth application.
- This professional art kit includes a 3-color sketchbook and pre-sharpened pencils, so you can start creating beautiful color shades right away.
- The portable zipper case keeps all your pencils neatly organized and protected, making it easy to take your art supplies anywhere. It also makes for a fantastic gift!
- You can feel good about using these pencils because they are non-toxic and eco-friendly, meeting ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards.
- Beginners will appreciate the included drawing tutorial, which offers step-by-step instructions for drawing a parrot, helping you get started with confidence.
- The oil-based colored pencils have a thick, soft core, perfect for layering colors and achieving smooth blending and shading effects.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the sketchbook is a nice addition, some users might prefer a larger sketchbook or one with different paper types for various mediums.
- The “soft core” is great for blending, but it might mean the pencils wear down a bit faster than harder lead pencils, requiring more frequent sharpening.
This PRINA colored pencil set is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to dive into the world of art. It offers a high-quality experience with a thoughtful collection of tools and resources.
3. Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists’ Color Pencils – Tin of 120 Colors – Premium Quality Artist Pencils
Rating: 8.9/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists’ Color Pencils. This incredible set comes with 120 vibrant colors, all housed in a sturdy metal tin. These pencils are made for artists and anyone who loves to create colorful masterpieces. They are a top-quality choice for bringing your imagination to life.
What We Like:
- A huge range of 120 beautiful colors means you’ll always have the perfect shade.
- The colors stay bright and don’t fade over time, so your artwork looks amazing for years.
- These pencils blend so smoothly, like butter! You can easily layer colors to create awesome effects.
- The thick leads are super strong and won’t break easily, even with lots of drawing. They are also water-resistant.
- Faber-Castell has been making art supplies since 1761, so you know these pencils are the best quality.
What Could Be Improved:
- With such a premium set, the price might be a bit high for beginners.
- While the tin is great for storage, it can be a little bulky to carry around.
These Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils offer an exceptional drawing experience. They are a fantastic investment for anyone serious about their art.
4. Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
Rating: 9.0/10
Unleash your inner artist with this vibrant 72-color colored pencil set, perfect for adult coloring books and all your creative projects. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, these oil-based pencils offer smooth blending and rich color payoff.
What We Like:
- Comprehensive Palette: With 72 colors, you have a wide range of shades to explore for intricate blending and layering.
- Smooth Application: The oil-based cores provide a creamy texture that glides onto the page, making coloring enjoyable.
- Versatile Use: These pencils are great for adult coloring books, sketching, drawing, and other artistic endeavors.
- Sturdy Packaging: The cylindrical case keeps your pencils safe, organized, and easy to transport.
- Inspiring Brand: Aenir is committed to providing quality art supplies that encourage creativity.
- Thoughtful Gift: This set makes a wonderful present for artists of all ages and skill levels.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the set is comprehensive, some artists might desire even more specialized shades or a wider range of pastels or neons.
- The packaging is functional, but a more elaborate presentation might elevate the gift experience for some recipients.
This colored pencil set is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add color and depth to their artwork. It’s a well-rounded set that balances quality with accessibility for artists of all kinds.
5. Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
Rating: 8.7/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils! This vibrant set is packed with everything you need for coloring, drawing, and sketching. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, these pencils offer a fantastic way to add color to your world. They make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves to create, from kids to adults.
What We Like:
- A generous 72 pre-sharpened colors to choose from.
- The included pencil box with two trays keeps all your colors organized and easy to see.
- Numbered and named barrels help you quickly find the exact shade you need.
- Soft core leads create smooth coloring and beautiful blending for gradients and shading.
- The pencils are made from high-quality black wood and premium pigments, making them durable and less likely to break.
- They are odorless and have a safety certificate (EN71), making them a safe choice.
- Perfect for adult coloring books, drawing, sketching, craft projects, and schoolwork.
- They make a great Christmas or birthday gift for teens and kids.
What Could Be Improved:
- The product contains small parts, so it’s not suitable for children under 3 years old.
This Soucolor pencil set is a fantastic value, offering a wide range of colors and a great drawing experience. It’s an ideal choice for sparking creativity and bringing your artistic visions to life.
Unleash Your Inner Artist: A Guide to Choosing the Best Color Pencils
Ready to add vibrant color to your world? Choosing the right artist color pencils can make a huge difference in your artwork. This guide will help you find the perfect set to bring your creative visions to life.
What to Look for: Key Features of Great Color Pencils
When you’re picking out color pencils, keep these important features in mind. They’ll help you create amazing art.
- Pigment Quality: This is super important! High-quality pigments mean colors that are bright, true, and don’t fade easily. Look for pencils that promise rich, vibrant colors.
- Smoothness: Good color pencils glide across the paper. They lay down color smoothly without being scratchy. This makes coloring and blending much easier.
- Blendability: Can you mix colors together easily? Great pencils blend smoothly, allowing you to create soft transitions and new shades.
- Lightfastness: This means how well the color resists fading when exposed to light. Pencils with high lightfastness will keep your artwork looking fresh for a long time.
- Core Strength: The colored part of the pencil is called the core. Strong cores are less likely to break when you sharpen them or press down as you draw.
- Variety of Colors: A good set offers a wide range of colors. This includes basic colors, plus some unique shades for special effects.
What They’re Made Of: Important Materials
The stuff color pencils are made of really matters. It affects how they feel and how they perform.
- Pigments: These are the colored powders that give pencils their hues. Higher quality pigments are more concentrated and pure.
- Binder: This is what holds the pigment together. It can be wax-based or oil-based. Wax binders are common and offer a smooth application. Oil binders can provide a creamy feel and excellent blending.
- Wood Casing: Most pencils have a wooden barrel. Look for smooth, well-sanded wood that’s easy to sharpen. Cedar wood is a popular choice because it sharpens nicely and smells good.
Making or Breaking Your Art: Factors Affecting Quality
Some things make color pencils better, and some make them not so good.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Finely Ground Pigments: When pigments are ground very finely, they create smoother, more vibrant colors.
- High Pigment Concentration: More pigment means richer, more intense color payoff.
- Quality Binder: A good binder helps the pigment stick to the paper and allows for smooth application and blending.
- Even Core Placement: A centered core makes sharpening easier and prevents breakage.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Chalky Pigments: These can make colors look dull and powdery.
- Low Pigment Load: You’ll have to press hard to get any color down.
- Poor Quality Binder: This can lead to a waxy buildup or a crumbly texture.
- Off-Center Cores: These make sharpening difficult and can cause the core to break.
Your Art Journey: User Experience and Use Cases
How you use your color pencils and how they feel in your hand are important.
For Beginners:
If you’re just starting out, you don’t need the most expensive pencils. Look for sets with good pigment and smooth application. These pencils will help you learn basic coloring techniques and blending without frustration. They’re great for school projects, coloring books, and simple drawings.
For Intermediate Artists:
As you get better, you’ll want pencils that offer more control and better blending. Pencils with higher lightfastness are also a good choice. These are perfect for detailed illustrations, portraits, and creating more complex artwork.
For Professionals:
Professional artists need the best. They look for pencils with exceptional pigment quality, superior blendability, and very high lightfastness. These pencils allow for subtle layering, rich textures, and artwork that lasts. They are used for everything from fine art to commercial illustration.
Frequently Asked Questions about Artist Color Pencils
Q: What’s the difference between wax-based and oil-based color pencils?
A: Wax-based pencils are common and offer a smooth laydown. Oil-based pencils often feel creamier and blend very well. Some artists prefer one over the other, or use both!
Q: How do I prevent my color pencil cores from breaking?
A: Use a good quality sharpener. Don’t press too hard when sharpening. Also, store your pencils carefully so they don’t get knocked around.
Q: What does “lightfastness” mean?
A: Lightfastness tells you how well a color resists fading when exposed to light. High lightfastness means your artwork will stay vibrant for a long time.
Q: Can I use regular paper with artist color pencils?
A: Yes, you can use regular paper. However, smoother, heavier paper (like Bristol board or watercolor paper) will give you better results for blending and layering.
Q: How many colors do I really need?
A: For beginners, a set of 12-24 colors is a great start. As you grow, you might want larger sets with more shades.
Q: Are colored pencils good for shading?
A: Absolutely! Good quality color pencils blend beautifully, making them excellent for creating smooth shading and gradients.
Q: What’s the best way to blend colors?
A: You can blend colors by layering them on top of each other. You can also use a colorless blender pencil or a blending stump.
Q: Do expensive color pencils make a big difference?
A: Yes, usually. More expensive pencils often have better pigments, smoother application, and better blending qualities.
Q: How should I store my color pencils?
A: Keep them in a case or tin. This protects the cores from breaking and keeps them organized.
Q: Can I use watercolor pencils and regular color pencils together?
A: Yes, you can! Watercolor pencils can be activated with water to create a watercolor effect, which can be combined with regular colored pencil layers.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
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