Watercolor pencils are a versatile tool, offering the precision of colored pencils combined with the fluidity of watercolors. To really make your artwork shine, it’s important to use a high-quality set of watercolor pencils. The ideal pencils should release pigment smoothly with just a touch of water. They should blend easily, be lightfast, and have durable lead. Conversely, using low-quality watercolor pencils can hinder your creativity and produce artwork that misses vibrancy and detail.
When purchasing watercolor pencils, it’s crucial to pay attention to their color intensity, lightfastness, blendability, and strong pigment release. The core of the pencil should be a mix of rich pigments blended with high-quality binders that dissolve perfectly when hit with water. To make things easier for you, we have gone through a series of brands and options, testing and researching various pencils, and have compiled a list of the best watercolor pencils for you.
The Best Watercolor Pencils
Selecting the right watercolor pencils largely contributes to the quality and detail of your artwork. The pencils should be water-soluble, vibrant, blendable while also having a strong lead that can withstand several layers and varying techniques. With countless brands and options to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the best one for your artistic needs. Here, we have put together a comprehensive guide based on our extensive research and tests to help you make an informed decision. Our guide of the best watercolor pencils contains a selection of top-quality sets that will surely enhance your painting process and results.
36-Color Watercolor Pencils, Water Color Pencils Set, Artist Drawing Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Sketch Drawing Pencil Art Supplies, Coloring Pencil Set for Painting,Teens Child
If you’re looking for a versatile set of watercolor pencils that can handle various art techniques, then the 36-Color Watercolor Pencils Set is worth considering.
Pros
- The pencils have a unique triangular shape that provides a comfortable grip and easy handling.
- The non-toxic, lead-free, and water-soluble nature of the pencils makes them safe for use by both children and adults.
- The set comes with a high-quality wooden pencil case that can accommodate up to 40 pencils, making it easy to carry and store your pencils.
Cons
- The pencils may not be as durable as some other brands on the market.
- The set may not include a sharpener, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.
- The colors may not be as vibrant or true-to-life as some other watercolor pencils.
We’ve found that the 36-Color Watercolor Pencils Set is a great choice for those who are just starting out with watercolor painting or who want to experiment with different techniques. The unique triangular shape of the pencils provides a comfortable grip and easy handling, making them easy to use for both beginners and experienced artists.
The non-toxic, lead-free, and water-soluble nature of the pencils makes them safe for use by both children and adults, making them a great choice for families or schools. The set also comes with a high-quality wooden pencil case that can accommodate up to 40 pencils, making it easy to carry and store your pencils.
However, we’ve also found that the pencils may not be as durable as some other brands on the market, and the set may not include a sharpener, so you’ll need to purchase one separately. Additionally, the colors may not be as vibrant or true-to-life as some other watercolor pencils.
Overall, if you’re looking for a versatile set of watercolor pencils that can handle various art techniques and are safe for both children and adults to use, then the 36-Color Watercolor Pencils Set is a great choice.
Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Artist Pencils, Watercolor Pencils, Set of 24
If you’re looking for a high-quality watercolor pencil set, the Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Artist Pencils is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The soft, waxy core of these pencils provides a smooth, even application of color.
- The pencils are well-pigmented, producing vibrant, true-to-life colors.
- The set includes a range of colors, making it versatile enough for a variety of projects.
Cons
- The pencils are quite expensive compared to other watercolor pencil sets on the market.
- Some users have reported that the pencils can be prone to breaking if they are not stored properly.
- The set only includes 24 pencils, which may not be enough for some users.
We’ve used the Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Artist Pencils for a variety of projects, and we’ve been impressed with the results. The soft, waxy core of the pencils makes them easy to use, and the smooth, even application of color is a real treat. We’ve also been pleased with the vibrancy of the colors, which are true-to-life and bright.
One thing to keep in mind is that these pencils are quite expensive compared to other watercolor pencil sets on the market. However, we believe that the quality of the pencils justifies the price. Additionally, some users have reported that the pencils can be prone to breaking if they are not stored properly, so it’s important to handle them with care.
Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality watercolor pencil set that will produce vibrant, true-to-life colors, the Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Artist Pencils are definitely worth considering.
Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils – Tin of 12 Colors, Pre-Sharpened Water Colored Pencils
If you’re looking for a watercolor pencil set that is easy to use and produces vibrant colors, then the Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils might be the perfect choice for you.
Pros
- The pre-sharpened pencils ensure a clean and smooth point for perfect lines every time.
- The water-soluble pigments produce rich, vibrant colors that can be layered or blended for beautiful effects.
- The Aquabord and Aquarenard papers are specifically designed to absorb moisture evenly, ensuring that your colors never bleed or run.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the pencils are not as water-soluble as they had hoped.
- The set only comes with 12 colors, which may not be enough for some users.
- The pencils are priced a bit higher than some other watercolor pencil sets on the market.
We’ve used the Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils and found that they are easy to use and produce beautiful results. The pre-sharpened pencils ensure a clean and smooth point, making it easy to create precise lines and shapes. The water-soluble pigments produce rich, vibrant colors that can be layered or blended for beautiful effects.
One thing to keep in mind is that some users have reported that the pencils are not as water-soluble as they had hoped. However, we found that they still produced beautiful results when used with the Aquabord and Aquarenard papers. The set only comes with 12 colors, which may not be enough for some users, but we found that the included colors were a good range and allowed us to create a variety of images.
Overall, we would recommend the Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils to anyone looking for a high-quality watercolor pencil set that is easy to use and produces beautiful results.
COOL BANK 160 Watercolor Pencils, Watercolor Pencil Set for Coloring Books, Artist Soft Series Lead with Vibrant Colors for Sketching, Shading & Coloring in Tin Box
If you’re looking for a versatile set of watercolor pencils, the COOL BANK 160 Watercolor Pencils set is a great option.
Pros
- The set comes with 160 pieces of high-quality watercolor pencils, including 120 pencils in 30 different colors and 40 round watercolor brushes, making it a complete set for both beginners and professionals.
- The watercolor pencils are made of high-quality, soft lead that provides a smooth and clean laydown of color, making it easy to create intricate details and vibrant colors.
- The set is ideal for use in coloring books, sketchbooks, canvas, paper, and more, making it a versatile set that can be used for a variety of projects.
Cons
- The set does not come with a sharpener or a watercolor tray, which may require additional purchases for some users.
- The colors may not be as bright or vibrant as some other watercolor pencil sets on the market.
- The set may not be as durable as some other watercolor pencil sets, and the pencils may require frequent sharpening.
Overall, the COOL BANK 160 Watercolor Pencils set is a great option for anyone looking for a versatile set of watercolor pencils. The set’s high-quality, soft lead and smooth laydown of color make it easy to create intricate details and vibrant colors, while its versatility makes it ideal for use in a variety of projects. However, the set’s lack of a sharpener or watercolor tray may be a downside for some users, and the colors may not be as bright or vibrant as some other sets on the market. Despite these minor drawbacks, the COOL BANK 160 Watercolor Pencils set is a great value for its price and a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their watercolor skills.
Art Magic Watercolor Pencils, Set of 48 Professional Colored Pencils for Adult and Teens, Premium Art Supplies for Coloring, Blending and Layering
If you’re looking for a versatile set of watercolor pencils that can be used for various art projects, then the Art Magic Watercolor Pencils Set is a great choice.
Pros
- The set of 48 vibrant colors is perfect for artists of all levels, from beginners to professionals.
- The watercolor pencils have a unique hexagonal design that makes them easy to hold and use.
- The pencils are made of high-quality watercolor paint and wax, which makes them easy to blend and layer.
Cons
- Some of the colors may not be as bright as expected when used with water.
- The pencils may require a lot of pressure to create a solid color on dark paper.
- The set does not include a sharpener or an eraser.
We have used the Art Magic Watercolor Pencils Set for various art projects, and we are impressed with the results. The pencils are easy to use, and the unique hexagonal design makes them comfortable to hold. We also love the fact that the pencils are made of high-quality watercolor paint and wax, which makes them easy to blend and layer.
One thing to keep in mind is that some of the colors may not be as bright as expected when used with water. However, this is not a major issue, and it can be easily fixed by using more water or layering the colors.
Another thing to note is that the pencils may require a lot of pressure to create a solid color on dark paper. However, this is not a big deal, and it is a common issue with most watercolor pencils.
Overall, we highly recommend the Art Magic Watercolor Pencils Set to anyone who is looking for a versatile set of watercolor pencils that can be used for various art projects. The set of 48 vibrant colors is perfect for artists of all levels, and the pencils are easy to use and blend.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best watercolor pencils, there are several factors to consider. We have used and tested various brands to identify the key features that make a watercolor pencil stand out.
Color Intensity
One of the most important factors to consider when buying watercolor pencils is the intensity of the colors. The best pencils will have vibrant, true-to-life colors that blend smoothly and evenly. When testing pencils, we look for those that produce rich, saturated colors that can be easily layered and blended.
Water Solubility
Another important factor to consider is the water solubility of the pencils. The best watercolor pencils will be highly soluble, allowing for easy blending and creating a range of shades. We look for pencils that can be easily activated with water, without bleeding or losing their shape.
Core Quality
The quality of the core is also an important consideration. The best pencils will have a high-quality, tightly bound core that resists breaking and provides consistent color. We look for pencils with a smooth, creamy core that glides easily across the paper.
Price
Finally, price is an important factor to consider. While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing in high-quality watercolor pencils can make a big difference in the final result. We look for pencils that offer good value for money, with a balance of quality and affordability.
By considering these factors, we have identified the best watercolor pencils on the market. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional artist, these pencils will help you create stunning, vibrant watercolor paintings.
