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10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
The PRINA 120 Colors Colored Pencils set is a solid choice for both beginners and hobbyist artists who want a large variety of vibrant colors. Its oil-based cores are soft, which makes blending and layering colors easier and smoother, enhancing shading and mixing options. The set comes with a handy sketchbook and tutorial, which is great if you're just starting out or want some guidance. The pencils have a medium hardness (HB), striking a good balance between being soft enough to blend well but firm enough to hold a point for detailed work.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,294
Pigment Quality
Color Range
Blendability
Most important from
4031 reviews
#2
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
The ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils set includes 120 vibrant colors, giving artists a wide range to choose from, which is great for anyone wanting creative freedom. The pencils have soft, break-resistant cores that make blending and layering easy, especially since they are water-soluble, allowing you to create watercolor effects by adding a wet brush. The pigments are highly pigmented and designed to be lightfast, meaning the colors should not fade quickly over time, which is important for preserving your artwork. The core hardness is marked as F (firm), balancing between softness for smooth application and enough firmness for detailed work.
Rating
8.5
Pigment Quality
Blendability
Pencil Durability
Most important from
2265 reviews
#3
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
The Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set is a solid choice for adult artists, professionals, and hobbyists alike. One of its standout features is the soft core, which allows for a smooth and creamy application, making blending and layering of colors easy. The intense pigmentation ensures that colors are vibrant and rich, which can enhance any art project. The pencils are well organized in a stylish presentation tin, featuring color-coded arrangements that make selecting the right pencil effortless.
Rating
8.2
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range
Most important from
23915 reviews
Top 10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
PRINA Art Supplies 120 Colors Colored Pencils Set for Adults Coloring Books with Sketchbook, Professional Vibrant Artists Coloring Pencils for Drawing Sketching Blending Shading, Soft Core Oil Based
Lightfastness: not specified
Core Hardness: medium (HB)
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: soft oil-based cores
Pencil Durability: durable, pre-sharpened pencils
Chosen by 1294 this week
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
ARTEZA Watercolor Pencils Set of 120 Water-Soluble Colored Pencils for Blending, Layering, Painting, Lightfast Pigments with Soft Cores in Tin Case, Art Supplies for Adults, Artists, Holiday Gift Set
Pigment Quality: highly pigmented
Lightfastness: designed to be lightfast
Core Hardness: F (firm)
Color Range: 120 vibrant colors
Blendability: easy blending and layering
Pencil Durability: soft, break-resistant cores
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Pigment Quality: intense pigmentation
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 72
Blendability: smooth, creamy application
Pencil Durability: minimizes crumbling
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Box of 100 Individual Coloured, Artists, Colour Coded Pencils & 1 Full & 1 Pencil Blender
Pigment Quality: high concentration of lightfast pigments
Lightfastness: resists fading over time
Core Hardness: smooth, soft yet firm for details
Color Range: 100 shades
Blendability: blends easily; includes full and pencil blender
Pencil Durability: sturdy 3.8mm lead; water-resistant
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set (50ct), Stocking Stuffer for Kids & Teens, No Sharpen Colored Pencils For Kids Coloring Books, Drawing & Sketching, 4+
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set (50ct), Stocking Stuffer for Kids & Teens, No Sharpen Colored Pencils For Kids Coloring Books, Drawing & Sketching, 4+
Pigment Quality: may not meet high standards
Core Hardness: moderate
Color Range: 50 different shades
Blendability: perform well for basic mixing
Pencil Durability: plastic barrel protects color core
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Up to 30% off
Shuttle Art 136 Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Book, Soft Core Colored Pencils Set for Doodling, Sketching, Drawing, Art Supplies
Shuttle Art 136 Color Pencils for Adult Coloring Book, Soft Core Colored Pencils Set for Doodling, Sketching, Drawing, Art Supplies
Pigment Quality: rich
Core Hardness: soft
Color Range: 136
Blendability: smooth application
Pencil Durability: break-resistant
Crayola Colored Pencils Set (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Kids Classroom Art Supplies, Bulk Colored Pencils, Presharpened, Gifts for Kids, Ages 3, 4, 5
Crayola Colored Pencils Set (120ct), Coloring Book Pencils, Kids Classroom Art Supplies, Bulk Colored Pencils, Presharpened, Gifts for Kids, Ages 3, 4, 5
Core Hardness: HB
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: smooth creamy texture
Pencil Durability: decent
ARTEZA Colored Pencils 72 Soft Wax-Based Color Pencils for Adults & Artists. Pre-Sharpened Drawing Set for Blending, Coloring, Shading & Sketching. Professional Art Supplies in Tin Box, Holiday Gift
ARTEZA Colored Pencils 72 Soft Wax-Based Color Pencils for Adults & Artists. Pre-Sharpened Drawing Set for Blending, Coloring, Shading & Sketching. Professional Art Supplies in Tin Box, Holiday Gift
Pigment Quality: wax-based
Lightfastness: may lack highest lightfastness
Core Hardness: soft cores
Color Range: 72 vibrant shades
Blendability: strong blendability
Pencil Durability: break-resistant cores, maintain sharp points
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 120 Premium Soft Core Coloring Pencils for Adults | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 120 Premium Soft Core Coloring Pencils for Adults | Organized in Presentation Tin Case
Pigment Quality: intense, richly pigmented
Core Hardness: soft core
Color Range: 120 colors
Blendability: great for blending, layering
Pencil Durability: durable, resists breaking, sharp point
#10
Castle Art Supplies - Set of 72 colored pencils with soft core for artists, professionals and adult colorists, sturdy zipper case for easy carrying
Castle Art Supplies - Set of 72 colored pencils with soft core for artists, professionals and adult colorists, sturdy zipper case for easy carrying
Pigment Quality: intensely pigmented
Core Hardness: soft core
Color Range: 72 colors
Blendability: smooth layering and blending
Pencil Durability: resists breaking, keeps fine point
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Buying Guide for the Best Art Colored Pencils
Choosing the right art-colored pencils can significantly impact the quality of your artwork. Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of colored pencils will help you make an informed decision. The right set of colored pencils can enhance your creativity, provide better control, and ensure your artwork stands the test of time. Here are the key specifications to consider when selecting art-colored pencils.Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the richness and vibrancy of the colors in the pencils. High-quality pigments provide more vivid and intense colors, which are essential for creating striking and detailed artwork. Pigment quality can be divided into student-grade and artist-grade. Student-grade pencils have lower pigment concentration and are suitable for beginners or casual use. Artist-grade pencils have higher pigment concentration, offering superior color payoff and blending capabilities, making them ideal for professional artists or serious hobbyists. Choose based on your level of expertise and the type of artwork you plan to create.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil colors to fading when exposed to light over time. This is important if you want your artwork to remain vibrant and unchanged for years. Lightfastness ratings are usually indicated on the pencil or packaging, with higher ratings signifying better resistance to fading. For artwork intended for display or sale, opt for pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less critical.
Core HardnessCore hardness determines how soft or hard the pencil lead is. Softer cores provide richer color application and are easier to blend, making them suitable for shading and layering. Harder cores are more durable and produce finer lines, which are ideal for detailed work and precision. Soft cores are great for expressive, painterly techniques, while hard cores are better for technical drawings and intricate details. Consider your drawing style and the type of effects you want to achieve when choosing the core hardness.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors available in a set of colored pencils. A wider color range offers more options for creating detailed and nuanced artwork. Sets can range from basic 12-color packs to extensive 150-color collections. Beginners might start with a smaller set to learn basic techniques, while more advanced artists may prefer larger sets to have a broader palette at their disposal. Think about the complexity of your projects and whether you need a wide array of colors or just the essentials.
BlendabilityBlendability is the ability of the colored pencils to mix and blend with each other to create smooth transitions and new colors. This is crucial for achieving realistic shading and gradients in your artwork. Pencils with good blendability allow for seamless color mixing and layering. Wax-based pencils generally offer better blendability compared to oil-based pencils, which are more suited for detailed work. If your artwork involves a lot of blending and layering, prioritize pencils known for their blendability.
Pencil DurabilityPencil durability refers to the strength of the pencil core and the casing. Durable pencils are less likely to break during use or sharpening, which is important for maintaining a consistent drawing experience. Durability can be influenced by the quality of the wood casing and the bonding of the core. High-quality pencils are less prone to breakage and can withstand more pressure. If you tend to apply heavy pressure while drawing or need pencils that can endure frequent sharpening, look for those with high durability.