Do you dream of creating vibrant masterpieces, but feel lost in a sea of colorful pencils? You’re not alone! Choosing the right artist colored pencils can be surprisingly tricky. So many brands, so many shades, so many promises – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. You want pencils that blend smoothly, layer beautifully, and bring your artwork to life, but how do you find those perfect tools?
This post is your friendly guide to navigating the exciting world of artist colored pencils. We’ll break down what makes some pencils truly special and help you understand the differences. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clearer picture of what to look for, so you can pick pencils that will truly help your creativity shine. Let’s dive in and discover the magic of colored pencils together!
Our Top 5 Artist Colored Pencils Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Artist Colored Pencils Detailed Reviews
1. KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
Rating: 8.6/10
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 diving into adult coloring books, working on school projects, or just enjoying a creative hobby, these pencils offer a fantastic range of colors and smooth application. They’re designed for ease of use, making them a great choice for both kids and adults, from beginners to experienced artists.
What We Like:
- Brilliant Colors: You get 72 distinct, vibrant colors to bring your artwork to life.
- Smooth & Pigmented: The soft, velvety leads lay down rich, vivid color that’s perfect for blending and shading.
- Easy to Use: Each pencil has a unique number and color name for quick identification, and they sharpen easily thanks to their quality basswood bodies.
- Versatile: Ideal for adult coloring books, drawing, sketching, and even classroom art projects.
- Safe for All Ages: These pencils are non-toxic and safe for children aged 5 and up.
What Could Be Improved:
- Breakage Potential: While the cores are break-resistant, very heavy pressure could still lead to some breakage.
- Limited Range: For highly specialized art techniques, a wider professional range might be desired.
This KALOUR colored pencil set is a wonderful gift for anyone looking to add more color to their life. It offers a high-quality experience without breaking the bank, making art accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
2. Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
Rating: 9.2/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils! This set is packed with vibrant colors and designed for everyone from young artists to adults who love to color. Whether you’re sketching, drawing, or filling in an adult coloring book, these pencils bring your creations to life. They also make fantastic gifts for holidays and birthdays, fitting perfectly into stockings for teens and kids.
What We Like:
- A generous 72 pre-sharpened colors with a soft core for smooth, effortless coloring and blending.
- The included pencil box with two trays keeps all your colors organized and easy to see, making it simple to find the perfect shade.
- Numbered and named pen barrels help you quickly identify colors, saving you time.
- Made from high-quality black wood with a durable 3.0mm core that resists breaking and crumbling.
- The pencils are odorless and have a safety certificate (EN71), making them a safe choice for art supplies.
- These pencils are incredibly versatile, perfect for coloring books, drawing, sketching, craft projects, and even classroom use.
- They are a wonderful gift idea, especially for Christmas and birthdays, fitting the bill for trendy teen gifts.
What Could Be Improved:
- The product contains small parts, so it’s not suitable for children under 3 years old due to choking hazards.
This Soucolor pencil set offers a fantastic coloring experience for a wide range of projects and ages. It’s a well-rounded art supply that sparks creativity and delivers beautiful results.
3. PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook
Rating: 9.4/10
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 for all your creative projects. From detailed coloring books to freehand sketching, these pencils deliver smooth, rich pigment that will bring your artwork to life.
What We Like:
- The colors are incredibly bright, vivid, and bold. They create rich pigment for beautiful color shades.
- This set is a professional sketch art kit. It includes a 3-color sketchbook and pre-sharpened wood coloring pencils.
- The portable zipper case keeps all 120 colors neatly organized and protected. It’s perfect for taking your art on the go or for a thoughtful gift.
- These pencils are non-toxic and eco-friendly. They meet ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards, making them safe for everyone.
- Beginners will love the comprehensive drawing tutorial. It provides step-by-step instructions to help you draw a parrot and get started.
- The pencils are made with quality oil-based pigments. Their soft, thick core allows for excellent layering and blending of colors.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the sketchbook is a nice addition, some users might prefer a larger or different type of sketchbook.
- The “soft core” description can be subjective; some artists might prefer an even softer core for certain techniques.
This PRINA colored pencil set offers fantastic value and a wonderful creative experience for artists of all levels. Dive into a world of color and let your imagination soar!
4. Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set
Rating: 9.1/10
The Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set offers a fantastic collection of 72 premium soft-core colored pencils, designed specifically for adult artists. These pencils come neatly organized in a handsome presentation tin case, making them easy to access and store. The set is ideal for anyone looking to explore their artistic talents and create vibrant, detailed artwork.
What We Like:
- The pencils are thoughtfully arranged by color families, with names and numbers, so finding the right shade is a breeze.
- The presentation tin has three layers, making it simple to flip through and select your desired pencil.
- The soft-core leads have a buttery smooth laydown, yet they are durable and resist crumbling, holding their point well.
- They are intensely pigmented, offering rich, creamy colors that blend and layer effortlessly for stunning results.
- These pencils work wonderfully on various surfaces, including paper, eggshell, canvas, and wood.
- A unique fold-out tutorial is included to help artists improve their skills by recreating the unicorn illustration.
- The set has been rigorously tested by studio experts and trusted by millions of customers worldwide.
- Castle Art Supplies backs this set with a generous money-back-PLUS guarantee.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the tin case is attractive, some users might prefer a different storage solution for portability or space.
- The “premium” label might suggest a higher price point, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious artists.
This Castle Art Supplies set is a wonderful choice for artists seeking quality, ease of use, and a comprehensive color range. It truly empowers you to build your skills and bring your creative visions to life.
5. Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper
Rating: 8.9/10
Unleash your inner artist with the Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils! This set is designed for everyone, from hobbyists to seasoned professionals. It comes in a handy zipper pouch, making it easy to take your art supplies anywhere. The pencils are arranged by color, so finding the perfect shade is a breeze. You’ll love how smoothly these pencils glide onto the page, creating vibrant and beautiful artwork.
What We Like:
- A huge selection of 120 colors, perfectly organized by color family and clearly labeled for quick and easy selection.
- The soft, buttery lead lays down rich color smoothly and is also surprisingly durable, resisting crumbling and holding a sharp point.
- Intensely pigmented leads deliver creamy coverage and blend beautifully, allowing for amazing layering and shading effects on various surfaces.
- Comes with a helpful fold-out tutorial to boost your colored pencil skills.
- This product has been rigorously tested by experts and trusted by millions of customers worldwide, plus it has a fantastic money-back guarantee.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the case is great for portability, some users might prefer a more rigid box for long-term storage.
- The tutorial is a nice addition, but a more in-depth guide or online resources could be beneficial for absolute beginners.
This set offers an incredible value and an exceptional art experience. You’ll be creating stunning masterpieces in no time!
Choosing Your Perfect Colored Pencils: A Guide for Artists
Ready to bring your art to life with vibrant color? Choosing the right artist-grade colored pencils can make a huge difference in your drawing experience. This guide will help you understand what to look for, so you can find pencils that help your creativity shine.
Why Artist-Grade Colored Pencils Matter
Think of artist-grade pencils like professional tools for a chef. They are made with better ingredients and perform better. They offer richer colors, smoother application, and last longer. For serious artists, or those who want to improve their skills, investing in quality pencils is a smart move.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for colored pencils, keep these important features in mind:
- Pigment Quality: This is the most important thing. High-quality pencils use a lot of pure pigment. This means the colors are super bright and true. They also blend and layer much better. Cheaper pencils often use fillers, which make the colors dull.
- Lightfastness: This tells you how well the color resists fading from light, like sunlight. Artist-grade pencils usually have good lightfastness. This means your artwork will look beautiful for a long time. Look for ratings like “excellent” or specific numbers (like ASTM ratings).
- Binder Type: The binder holds the pigment together.
- Wax-based: These are common and good for layering. They can create a nice waxy sheen.
- Oil-based: These are harder and smoother. They’re great for fine details and blending without a waxy buildup.
- Water-soluble: You can use them dry, or add water to create watercolor effects.
- Core Hardness (or Softness): This affects how the pencil feels and how much pigment it lays down.
- Softer cores: Lay down more color easily. They blend well but can wear down faster.
- Harder cores: Are good for fine lines and details. They don’t lay down as much color at once.
- Packaging and Presentation: Pencils often come in tins or boxes. This protects them and keeps them organized. A good tin makes them easy to carry and store.
Important Materials
Artist-grade colored pencils use specific materials to achieve their quality:
- High-Quality Pigments: These are finely ground powders that give pencils their color. The purer and more concentrated the pigment, the richer the color.
- Binder: This is what holds the pigment together. It can be wax, oil, gum arabic, or a mix. The type of binder affects how the pencil feels and blends.
- Wood Casing: Good quality wood, like cedar, encases the colored core. This wood is strong, sharpens easily, and doesn’t splinter.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a colored pencil great or not so great?
- What Makes Pencils Better:
- More Pigment: A higher pigment load means brighter, more intense colors.
- Better Binders: Smooth, high-quality binders allow for easier blending and layering.
- Lightfast Pigments: These colors resist fading over time.
- Even Core: A well-made pencil has a core that is perfectly centered and consistent.
- What Makes Pencils Worse:
- Too Many Fillers: Cheap pencils often have chalk or other fillers. These make colors dull and chalky.
- Poor Quality Pigments: These colors are weak and fade easily.
- Inconsistent Core: A core that is off-center makes sharpening difficult and leads to broken leads.
- Cheap Wood: Wood that splinters or is hard to sharpen ruins the drawing experience.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use colored pencils and what you create with them matters.
- For Beginners: Start with a smaller set (like 12-24 colors). Focus on learning basic blending and layering techniques. Look for pencils that are easy to use and forgiving. Wax-based pencils are often a good starting point.
- For Portraits: You’ll need a good range of skin tones, browns, and subtle grays. Oil-based pencils can be excellent for smooth blending of subtle color transitions in skin.
- For Landscapes: A wide array of greens, blues, and earth tones is essential. Consider pencils that layer well for building up depth in skies and foliage.
- For Still Life: You need pencils that can capture the texture and subtle color shifts of objects. Pencils with good blending capabilities are key here.
- For Mixed Media: Water-soluble pencils are fantastic for adding watercolor effects to drawings. You can also use colored pencils over acrylics or watercolors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are the main Key Features to look for?
A: The main key features are pigment quality, lightfastness, binder type, core hardness, and packaging.
Q: Are wax-based or oil-based colored pencils better?
A: Neither is strictly better; they offer different benefits. Wax-based pencils are great for layering and creating rich color. Oil-based pencils are good for fine details and smooth blending without a waxy buildup.
Q: How do I know if a colored pencil is lightfast?
A: Look for lightfastness ratings on the packaging or in the product description. Ratings like “excellent” or specific ASTM numbers indicate good resistance to fading.
Q: Can I blend colored pencils?
A: Yes, blending is a key technique! You can blend by layering colors, using a colorless blender pencil, or by using solvents like rubbing alcohol or water (for water-soluble pencils).
Q: Do I need a special sharpener for colored pencils?
A: While a good quality manual sharpener usually works well, some artists prefer electric sharpeners designed for colored pencils. Avoid sharpeners that create too much dust or can break the core.
Q: How can I make my colored pencil drawings last longer?
A: Use pencils with good lightfastness. Once finished, spray your artwork with a UV-resistant fixative to protect it from light and smudging.
Q: What’s the difference between artist-grade and student-grade colored pencils?
A: Artist-grade pencils have higher pigment concentration, better lightfastness, and smoother binders, leading to richer colors and better blending. Student-grade pencils use more fillers and less pigment, resulting in duller colors that fade more easily.
Q: Can I use colored pencils on different types of paper?
A: Yes, but the paper surface affects the outcome. Smoother paper is good for fine details. Textured paper (tooth) helps pencils grip and build up layers of color.
Q: How many colors do I need to start with?
A: For beginners, a set of 12-24 colors is a great starting point. As you progress, you can expand your collection to include more shades and specialized colors.
Q: Are water-soluble colored pencils worth it?
A: Yes, if you enjoy watercolor effects or want to add a unique dimension to your art. They offer versatility, allowing you to use them dry or activate them with water for a painterly look.
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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