Colored Pencils for Artists and Hobbyists

Colored pencils are a wonderful tool for artists and hobbyists looking to add a splash of color to their drawings. But with so many options available, how do you know which colored pencils will best support your artistic intentions?

In this article, you’ll find all the essential information about colored pencils, along with a small test to help you find the perfect set for your needs.

Colored Pencil Test: Find the Right Ones for Your Art

Unsure which colored pencils you’d prefer for your art? This short quiz might help you make your decision—or confirm it!

Please select an answer before proceeding.

Wax-based Colored Pencils

Wax-based colored pencils use wax as a binder to hold the pigments together. They are relatively easy to erase.

Wax-based colored pencils are the most common type and can be found almost anywhere drawing supplies are sold. They are excellent for beginners and artists on a budget because they come in a wide price range, with affordable sets always available.

The wax in these pencils makes the core soft, allowing you to blend different colors directly on the paper. This makes it possible to create very smooth transitions, as the wax layers blend together seamlessly, carrying the pigments along.

Even smoother transitions can be achieved with a colorless or pigment-free wax pencil. This tool helps to further blend the colors by adding a transparent wax layer.

The downside of wax pencils is that the soft core doesn’t lend itself well to precise lines, making them unsuitable for detailed work. They also break more easily compared to other types of colored pencils because the core isn’t very strong.

Another drawback is that over time, the wax can rise to the surface of the artwork, causing a milky film. While the pigments remain in place, the wax layer can dull the image slightly. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about this.

If you’re looking for new wax-based colored pencils, I highly recommend Prismacolor Premier pencils. They are not the cheapest, but their quality is worth the price. They are by far the most popular wax-based colored pencils among artists (myself included).

There are also cheaper alternatives with good quality, though they may not quite match the Prismacolor:

Oil-based Colored Pencils

Oil-based colored pencils use oil as a binder instead of wax, resulting in a harder core. This makes them ideal for detailed work, as they stay sharp longer and don’t wear down as quickly. However, they are not as easy to erase, so each stroke should be deliberate.

You can also blend colors with oil-based pencils, though it’s more challenging compared to wax-based pencils. You can use a solvent to create smooth transitions, similar to how you would with oil paints. You’ll need an extra tool, such as a brush, to apply the solvent.

On average, oil-based colored pencils are more expensive and are recommended for advanced and professional artists. They break less frequently and last longer due to the hard core, which helps offset the higher cost.

Despite the high cost, oil-based colored pencils are worth the investment. Faber-Castell’s Polychromos, for example, are high-quality oil-based colored pencils and are widely regarded as the best on the market.

There are also cheaper alternatives with good quality, though they may not quite match the Polychromos:

Water-soluble Colored Pencils (Watercolor Pencils)

Watercolor pencils offer the best of both worlds: they can be used dry, like regular colored pencils, or wet, like watercolors. This versatility allows for a wide range of artistic techniques and effects.

Watercolor pencils use a binder that dissolves in water, allowing the pigments to spread like watercolor paint when water is added. You can achieve different effects depending on how much water you use and when you apply it.

One technique is to color your drawing with dry pencils and then use a wet brush to blend the colors. Alternatively, you can wet the pencil tip directly and draw with it to create a more intense color.

Watercolor pencils are great for artists who enjoy experimenting with different media and techniques. They are also excellent for creating soft, painterly effects in your drawings.

Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle pencils are among the best watercolor pencils available. They offer rich, vibrant colors and blend beautifully with water.