12 best color colored pencils

Ah, colored pencils, the unsung heroes of the art world! They come in a vibrant array of hues, perfect for bringing imagination to life on paper. What makes them special is their versatility—great for everything from intricate details to broad strokes.

Colored pencils usually consist of a core encased in wood, though you can find some with a plastic or metal casing. The core is made from a combination of pigments, binders, and fillers.The quality of these components determines factors like color intensity and blendability.

Artists often look for pencils with a high pigment concentration for richer colors. The binders and fillers affect the pencil's hardness. Softer pencils are great for blending and shading, while harder ones are fantastic for fine lines and details.

Some brands pride themselves on lightfastness, meaning their colors resist fading over time. This is crucial for preserving the vibrancy of your masterpiece.

If you're a serious artist, you might invest in a set with a wide range of colors. Some sets even come in organized palettes based on themes like landscapes or portraits.

When it comes to techniques, layering is a favorite among artists. It involves building up colors gradually to achieve depth and complexity. Blending, whether with a blending stump or your fingertip, is another technique to smooth transitions between colors.

So, whether you're sketching, coloring, or creating intricate masterpieces, colored pencils are your artistic accomplices, ready to turn your visions into a kaleidoscope of creativity!

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best color colored pencils on the market
  

Broken Crayons Still Color 2: Based on a True Story

Based on 567 reviews Check latest price

Broken Crayons Still Color: Based on a True Story

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Broken Crayons Still Color: From Our Mess to God's Masterpiece

Based on 681 reviews Check latest price

Red: A Crayon's Story

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils - Tin of 120 Colors - Premium Quality Artist Pencils

Faber-Castell

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Polychromos artists' pencils are valued internationally by professionals and semi-professionals for their unsurpassed quality. The high quality standards of the Polychromos colored pencils shine through, whether they are used for graphics, artistic free style or for the exact rendition of plans.

  • 120 COLORS IN METAL TIN - Includes all colors from the Polychromos Artist Pencil line. Polychromos Artists' Pencils are valued globally by professionals and semi-professionals for unsurpassed quality.
  • UNSURPASSED LIGHTFASTNESS - Each Polychromos pencils contains the highest quality pigments for permanent color and unsurpassed lightfastness (resistance to fading).
  • EASY TO BLEND - Buttery smooth color laydown, Polychromos Pencils feature oil based leads that can be easily blended for layered effects, highlights and transitions without the concern of waxy bloom that results with wax-based pencils
  • BREAK RESISTANT LEADS - Polychromos Pencils feature thick 3.8 mm leads that are break and water resistant. Leads are SV-bonded the entire length of the barrel resulting in easy sharpening and longer lasting art materials.
  • FABER-CASTELL QUALITY ART MATERIALS - See your artwork come to life with the absolute best quality art materials. Faber-Castell has produced premium quality artist materials since 1761.

User questions & answers

Question: Do you need to use baby oil or whatever oil to blend the colors or can I just blend them without the oil
Answer: Depends on what sort of effect you're after. I blended one picture I did with Gamsol (an odorless paint thinner) after layering and blending several layers of pencils to produce more of a "paint-like" effect. I usually just self-blend them. Some people, especially those used to layering and blending the creamy, wax-based Prismacolor pencils, seem to have difficulty working with the oil-based, somewhat firmer "drier" Polychromos. There is always some sort of learning curve when trying out new types of art materials. Since I never use baby oil to blend anything, I honestly can't even tell you how well they work with Polychromos pencils. I can tell you that personally I find these pencils very easy to layer and blend on their own and they are a pleasure to work with. I suggest that if you haven't worked with these pencils before, that rather than invest into a big sbcet, just buy the smallest set available, or because they are available singly (open stock), you purchase a few of your favorite colors and just experiment with them.
Question: When using artist-grade Polychromos, is there a noticeable difference from the student-grade Fiber Castell classic pencils
Answer: The Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils will perform in a very noticeably different way than their classic colored pencils. The Polychromos have a small measure of mineral oil incorporated into the pencil core, which causes the colors to lay more smoothly onto the paper surface, and appear more rich and vibrant. They are easier to layer and blend, without getting a waxy "bloom" or haze developing on the surface. Polychromos Pencils also use pigments with very stable lightfast ratings for greater permanence.
Question: These pencils are not just pastel colors correct
Answer: Correct. They are not just pastel colors. All of the colors are beautiful. You may vary the shade by varying the amount of pressure. Beautiful pencils. Worth every penny.
Question: Does anyone know how these compare with Prismacolor Soft core pencils
Answer: they really don't compare. prismacolors are expensive crayons. polychromos is paint in a hard pencil format. the basic set of 12 polychromos pencils is more versatile than the entire line of prismacolor pencils. I could go on and on about how much better polychromos pencils are, but for less than $20, you owe it to yourself to try them out.

Product features

Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils

Polychromos artists' pencils are valued internationally by professionals and semi-professionals for their unsurpassed quality. The high quality standards of the Polychromos colored pencils shine through, whether they are used for graphics, artistic free style or for the exact rendition of plans.

Vibrant, Easy to Blend Colors

Buttery smooth color laydown. Polychromos Pencils an be easily blended for layered effects, highlights and transitions

Polychromos Color Pencils have an oil-based technology lead for blending smoothly without the concern of waxy bloom that results with-wax based color pencils.

168 Colored Pencils - 168 Count Including 12 Metallic 8 Fluorescence Vibrant Colors No Duplicates Art Drawing Colored Pencils Set for Adult Coloring Books, Sketching, Painting

Wanshui

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Do you love creating beautiful, colorful artwork? Enjoying drawing, coloring or painting? If so, then you need this bold and vibrant 168 count Colored Pencil Set from Wanshui

Wanshui Blendable Pencils are the perfect coloring solution. Rich, vibrant pigments & expertly balanced shades provide superior blending. Whether you're a beginner, a hobbyist or a professional artist, these premium pencils are ideal for all your creative work from quick sketches to intricate details

168 colored pencils contain a wide range of gorgeous colors, Eco-friendly, Non-toxic, Super smooth and thick lead that’s friendly and helps your art stand out with impeccable originality

Product Details:

  • Colored Pencil Set (168-Count)
  • Bold, Vibrant Colors
  • Nontoxic, Oil-based
  • Break-Resistant, Fine Point Lead
  • Smooth Grip Surface
  • Adult Friendly

Kindly Remind:

168 colored pencils is oil based, so the lead is a little soft. we suggest that the buyer sharpen them by knife, it is not easy to break lead.

If you love it, please do not hesitate to Click ‘Add to Cart’ now

  • Multiple Colors: 168 colored pencils comprises with 168 vivid colors, including 12 metallic colors and 8 Fluorescence colors. It's ideal for artist and color lovers, perfect for adult coloring books, doodling, sketching and other art work
  • Creative Design: 168 colored pencils comes with one DIY blank chart and each pencil has its own individual color number. Soft leads writes smoothly and lays down different shades easily, all in artist quality
  • Double The Fun: 168 colored pencils are pre-sharpened, so you can start drawing as soon as you open the box. They'll provide hours of drawing and coloring entertainment that's limited only by your imagination
  • Convenience Package: Superior high level PET box packing with trays inside provides large space for storing and color selection. Very portable, gradually varied color sequence layers your artwork
  • Stress Relieving Gift: Believe it or not, coloring is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety, especially after a long day or week at work. Pick up an adult coloring book for your own quiet time, it will help you feel more relaxed

User questions & answers

Question: The set of 168 says colored pencils, not watercolor, and yet when I tested them, they behave like watercolor pencils. Anyone else experience this
Answer: I gave these as a gift to my grand daughter so, sorry I don't know that she experienced these pencils responding as water color pencils
Question: I ordered 2 other sets from different maker and they were broken every quarter inch all the way Dow extreme waist are these good quality
Answer: These are the same way.
Question: Are the current pencils labeled guang hui or brutfuner
Answer: They are labeled Guanghui because they are the same company they are not Brutfuner.
Question: Have the crumbling leads and splitting barrels been dealt with at all
Answer: 168 colored pencils comprise with 168 different colors ( including 12 metallic & 8 Fluorescence) and a blank color chart. 168 colored pencils is oil based, so the lead is a little soft. if you sharpen them by knife, the lead don't break. the PET box is good quality, so please worry.

Artlicious - 50 Premium Distinct Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books - Bonus Sharpener - Color Names on Pencils

Artlicious

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Artlicious - 50 Distinct Colored Pencils

Artlicious Colored Pencils are made with thick, soft leads, so they won't break easily under pressure. The smooth colors are perfect for color mixing and blending, as well as practicing more detailed techniques. Perfect for all types of coloring pages, including intricate adult coloring pages.

Artlicious Colored Pencils are the perfect tools for coloring! These colored pencils bring out the beauty of even the most detailed coloring pages. The different colors offer a rich and diverse palette to keep you calm, cool and colorful. Artlicious colored pencils are the best pencils for adult coloring.

With 50 bright, bold colors to choose from, you won't run out of ways to turn plain drawings into vibrant works of art. The long-lasting pencils are pre-sharpened so you can start drawing as soon as you open the box. They'll provide hours of drawing and coloring entertainment that's limited only by your imagination.

  • 50 distinct colored pencils with sharpener
  • Color names on each barrel
  • Pre-sharpened non-rain forest harvested wood
  • Thick 3.3 mm leads resist cracking
  • Non toxic

User questions & answers

Question: How do these compare to Primsacolor. They are certainly less expensive but no sure on the quality. Hard or soft lead
Answer: They are soft lead. They are certainly less expensive and depending on what you're coloring they are a good value but you can't beat Primsacolor for quality.
Question: How do they erase
Answer: I have found that they don't erase completely. But if I'm putting another color on top of it then the amount of the eraser is very good.
Question: What about the product
Answer: They work as good as any other, I would buy again
Question: does not mention if they are also watercolor pencils
Answer: There are two different products offered here. One is for colored pencils, the other is for watercolor pencils. Make sure you're selecting the one you want when adding to your cart.

Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils, Soft Core, Art Coloring Drawing Pencils for Adult Coloring Book, Sketch,Crafting Projects (72-Colors)

Soucolor

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price
  • WHAT YOU GET -- 72 colored pencils + 1 Soucolor pencil eco-friendly tube. Convenient to storing and keep the color all visible, without any trouble finding the color you are looking for.
  • PREMIUM PENCILS-- 72-color art colored pencils have soft leads, easy to sharpen, they won't breaking, cracking or crumbling.
  • MULTIPLE COLOR -- 72 individual colors, rich colors provide smooth coloring, easy blending and shading, colorful illustrations Perfect for drawing, sketching, adult coloring book.
  • SAFE To USE -- Odorless Materials. With safety certificate EN71. Note: Choking Hazard: Small parts, not suitable for under 3 years of age.

User questions & answers

Question: Are these artist grade and lightfast
Answer: I like these colored pencils. I don't have any problems blending or using them with other pencils. I love that there is a wide range of greens! The different papers to color will determine if you like them or not. The "toothier" the paper, the better they blend. But printer paper, glossy paper are not the best papers to use with these. I also use Prisma and they don't work that well with glossy paper either. I guess it depends on what you personally like. I'm buying another set because I've used several right down to little nubs. Hope this helps.
Question: Will these work to touch up scratchs on posters
Answer: Dear customer, They are the wax base pencils.Thanks for your concern about our product.
Question: Hi can you get a set of 72 of these for an honest opinion? I color a lot and I would love to try these out
Answer: Hi! I honestly don't know. I ordered 2 sets of chargers & both sets was the wrong ones.
Question: Are they oil base or wax base
Answer: This means the battery charge is too low for the charger to even register. Time to replace the batteries.

Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils, 36 Count, Art Tools, Ages 4, 5, 6, 7

Crayola

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Creating picture perfect coloring pages seasonal crafts and drawings is easier than ever with 36 Erasable Colored Pencils in classic colors With an eraser on every pencil kids can easily make changes to schoolwork and drawings when needed These colored pencils are ideal for classrooms and homework stations where kids can make needed changes instead of having to start all over again or even giving up Pair these colored pencils with their favorite coloring book for a long car ride or flight

  • ERASABLE ART: Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils are a great tool for kids. 36 pre-sharpened colored pencils with erasers let kids redo drawings or correct mistakes. Brightly colored lines are perfect for school projects and creating detailed artwork.
  • CRAYOLA COLORED PENCILS are made from reforested wood – which is unique to Crayola – and never from tropical rainforest or endangered species. Including 36 bright, bold colors with smooth lay down, these easy erase pencils are strong and durable.
  • CREATIVE PROJECTS: Whether you're creating a landscape masterpiece or decorating t-shirts with your Girl Scouts troop, Crayola has the markers, pens, kids markers, paints, colored pencils & crayons you need to make your project pop in bold, bright colors.
  • A RANGE OF OPTIONS: We offer a diverse range of packs for artists of all ages, from washable formulas for the youngest students, to premium colored pencils for teens and adults. Check out our Twistables, Metallic, Extreme colors & watercolor pencils.
  • FROM MARKERS TO SIDEWALK CHALK: Markers for kids or adults, washable paints, bright crayons, even scented markers, we've got it all! Crayola gives kids the power to express all that inspires them as they explore, discover, play, pretend, create & dream.
  • TRUSTED QUALITY: Crayola is passionate about helping parents & educators raise creative children who will become inspired, original adults. We've inspired artistic creativity in children since the first box of Crayola crayons rolled off the assembly line.

User questions & answers

Question: Sharpening them - better, worse or the same as regular colored pencils? Do they get eaten by the pencil sharpener fast
Answer: Thanks for your question! We suggest sharpening the 36ct. Erasable Colored Pencils with a handheld sharpener. This will give you the best results, and leave you with the perfect point. Hope this helps!
Question: What is the width of the lead? .7? .5? How well do they erase
Answer: I bought them for my grand daughter.... My daughter (her mother) say the work GREAT. But we never discussed or analyzed the lead width... Buy a 12 pack....see how you like them...and if you do, but the big box!
Question: How many are there in a box
Answer: It clearly says 36 count - there are 36 in a box - great set
Question: Will the pencils wash out of fabric? My grand daughter decided to color on my couch
Answer: Probably most of the color should come out. These are horrible quality and have hardly any color unless you press down really hard. So as long as she used lighter color pencils then I think it should come out of your couch but I'd test any cleansers in an inconspicuous place.

Product features

Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils

Ideal for fine drawing and detailed coloring, Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils are an indispensable tool at home and in the classroom. Unlike most colored pencils, they are fully erasable. Each pencil is equipped with an eraser for easy changes to schoolwork. The versatile, pre-sharpened tips are made with a thick, but pliable core that doesn't crack under normal pressure, making these pencils ideal for blending colors, jotting down notes, and drawing detailed pictures. And with 36 different colors, these pencils give kids plenty of creative flexibility.

What's in the Box:

Colors That Erase Easily

Unlike most regular colored pencils that are difficult to erase, Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils take the worry out of coloring and rub away with just a few strokes of an eraser. Each pencil features a pre-sharpened tip at one end and a firm eraser on the other, so kids can make changes to their drawings and homework assignments without having to start over.

A Versatile Palette of Colors

With a wide array of 36 colors to choose from, these colored pencils are ideal for creating maps, completing art or science projects, and making signs and labels. This colored pencil set contains all of the regular colors and new shades such as turquoise, orchid, and slate.

BIC Kids Coloring Pencils, Assorted Colors, Durable Case, 24-Count

Based on 251 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Designed for exceptional durability, BIC Kids Coloring Pencils help minimize frustrations to keep children happy and focused on their art. These colored pencils feature durable barrels, offering long-lasting coloring while remaining easy to sharpen. If the barrels break, they snap cleanly without splintering, unlike traditional wooden pencils. The bright and colorful leads are also break-resistant, allowing young artists to draw and color with added pressure. These ACMI approved non-toxic pencils come in a durable and reusable case for easy organization and storage.

  • Colored pencils designed for kids
  • Break-resistant leads help prevent frustration
  • Splinter-free barrels
  • Bright, long-lasting coloring
  • Durable case included for easy storage and transportation

Product features

BIC Kids Coloring Pencils

Help keep drawing time easy and fun with BIC Kids Coloring Pencils. Featuring durable barrels, these colored pencils sharpen easily and will not splinter if broken. The strong, kid-friendly pencils come in a variety of vivid colors that stand out on the page, with break-resistant lead to help reduce frustration and keep young artists focused on their work.

Long-Lasting Coloring

BIC Kids Coloring Pencils bring color to every child’s artwork and projects. Each pencil has super-soft lead for smooth coloring and is easy to sharpen. The barrels are designed to snap cleanly so, should they break, little hands are safe from splinters!

Break-Resistant to Reduce Frustration

It can be easy for young artists to become frustrated by breaking their pencil lead while coloring or drawing with too much pressure. BIC Kids Coloring Pencils feature vibrant, colorful leads that stand up to added pressure without breaking, helping keep kids engrossed in creative play.

Add to Your Collection

Ultra-washable markers, durable, wrap-free crayons, break-resistant coloring pencils, and combo kits...the BIC Kids Coloring collection offers a variety of packs that are sure to entertain and delight young artists. Encourage imaginative play and creativity with BIC Kids Coloring!

Crayola 100 Colored Pencils, Amazon Exclusive, Adult Coloring, Gift

Crayola

Based on 26 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This Colored Pencil Collection includes 100 Crayola Colored Pencils and makes a wonderful gift idea for adult artists and crafters who want to expand their palette. Presharpened, these colored pencils are ready for use right out of the box, and add color variety to any artist's existing collections. Premium colored pencils, exclusive colors, and a massive color selection are enough to inspire the most colorful outcomes possible for crafts, coloring pages, and drawings. Pair them with adult coloring books as a great gift idea for the adult coloring enthusiast in your life, or refresh your own color pencil collection with some brand new shades and colorful classics.

  • CRAYOLA COLORED PENCILS: Great for adult coloring enthusiast, this 100 Ct colored pencil set offers a wide variety of brilliant colors.
  • INCLUDES AMAZON EXCLUSIVE COLORS: 100 pencils in 100 different vibrant colors.
  • PRESHARPENED COLORED PENCILS: These long-lasting colored pencils are ready to color right out of the box, with pre-sharpened tips.
  • PREMIUM COLORED PENCILS: Quality art supplies made from reforested wood.
  • SAFE AND NONTOXIC: Ideal color pencils for adult coloring enthusiasts and kids 12 & up.

User questions & answers

Question: Does the color shocking pink still exist in crayola colored pencils? i need another one
Answer: Just to clarify, there are two sets of 100. The 100 pack is actually 60 colors, with the add'l 40 repeats. The other is 100 Different Colors.
Question: Are these better for adult coloring books or will the 24 pack work as well
Answer: The unused pencil is 7" long from sharpened tip to opposite end. I consider these to be the long pencils. I honk the short ones by Crayola are only about 4" long.
Question: Are the color names on the pencils
Answer: That's a great question! The 120 ct. Colored Pencils pack includes the original 100 ct. Colored Pencil assortment with 20 additional colors. This includes favorites like: lobster red melon sun yellow atomic tangerine outrageous orange screamin’ green forest green asparagus sea green blue bell mantatee midnight blue pacific blue bluetiful dark blue periwinkle ultra violet dark mauve parrot pink burnt sienna Happy coloring!
Question: Are these pencils more vibrant than the original 50-count Crayola OR is the box just the only difference
Answer: Thanks for your question! You are correct; the 100 and 120ct. Colored Pencils do not include silver or gold. We will pass your suggestion to include these colors along to our Colored Pencil Team. In the meantime, please contact us at Crayola.com/support for further assistance. Have a colorful day!

Product features

100 Crayola Colored Pencils

This Colored Pencil Collection makes a colorful gift idea for adult artists and crafters. Premium colored pencils, exclusive colors, and a massive color selection are enough to inspire the most colorful outcomes possible for crafts, coloring pages, and drawings. Pair them with adult coloring books as a great gift idea for the adult coloring enthusiast in your life, or refresh your own color pencil collection with some brand new shades and colorful classics.

Crayola Colored Pencils

When it comes to colored pencils, Crayola has you covered! From erasable and washable formulas for the youngest students, to premium colored pencils for teens and adults, there's an option for every age and artist!

Vibrant Pencil Colors

Go bold or go home with Crayola Colored Pencils! No matter the size, every box of these coloring pencils features vibrant, creamy color that's easy to blend and layer. Choose from shocking neon shades, classic colors, and soft pastel hues to make your next work of art stand out from the rest.

Sustainable Art Supplies

Crayola Colored Pencils are produced with wood from well-managed forests and never from tropical rainforest or endangered species. It's all a part of our commitment sustainability, preserving resources, and developing creative solutions that promote greener tomorrows.

Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set, Kids Indoor Activities at Home, 50 Count

Crayola

Based on 9 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Stay sharp when you're getting creative with the Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils Coloring Set. This colored pencil set is ready whenever you are and never needs sharpening! When the tip starts to wear, just twist these colored pencils up and get back to coloring in no time. With 50 coloring tools, including 20 colors we've never featured before, there's a shade for every detail. Add these to your coloring supplies for kids, teens, or adults to get the most out of every design. These non-toxic art tools make a great gift for girls and boys ages 4 and up.

  • CRAYOLA TWISTABLES: One Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils Coloring Set with 50 Twistable Colored Pencils, exclusive to Amazon.
  • PRE-SHARPENED PENCILS: No sharpening or peeling required, just twist up these drawing pencils to keep them sharp.
  • STRONG & DURABLE: Sturdy plastic barrels provide protection to the color core of each pencil. Perfect art supplies for coloring, drawing, and creating on-the-go.
  • SAFE & NONTOXIC: This drawing set is ideal for ages 4 and older.

User questions & answers

Question: There are a few colors inceluded on the 18 color set thry are like "neon" colors. Are they included on this 50 color set
Answer: No, these are not erasable.
Question: What are the dimensions of the pencil cores in mm
Answer: Dear L. Mahlum, Thank you for your inquiry. I apologize for any inconvenience. These colored pencil come pre-sharpened. Thank you, Karen S/Blick Art Materials
Question: are there any larger quantity sets
Answer: I do not think the short ones do, I have longer ones and they do have names
Question: Are these erasable
Answer: Out of the box they measure 3.5 inches long. I could barely hold them to use them but my 2.5 year old son can color with them perfectly.

Product features

Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils

Forget the hassle of sharpening dull colored pencils! Crayola Twistables conveniently twist up to provide more color, eliminating the need to sharpen broken tips. Kids will love having a sharp point to work with every time they color!

Durable Coloring Supplies

These sturdy colored pencils feature strong, plastic barrels that resist cracking and breaking. Plus, the clear body not only protects the core, it also allows you to see how much color is left! Convenience and durability make these art supplies perfect for budding artists!

Bold Crayola Colors

Great for use at home, school, or on-the-go, Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils add vibrant color to drawings and other creations. Like classic Crayola Colored Pencils, they are perfect for coloring, doodling, blending, shading, and more!

Latest Reviews

View all

Bestforyall.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products on Amazon.com and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. Amazon, Amazon Prime, the Amazon logo and Amazon Prime logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.