10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2025 in the United States

The Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils set is a fantastic choice for artists at any skill level, thanks to its rich pigment quality and impressive lightfastness. With 72 assorted colors, these pencils offer a broad color range that allows for vibrant artwork. The soft, thick cores make shading and blending a breeze, providing an ultra-smooth application that produces even color laydown. Additionally, the durability of the leads minimizes the risk of cracking and chipping, which is a significant advantage for both beginners and experienced users alike.

These colored pencils are particularly well-suited for artists looking to create dynamic and detailed work with ease. They are especially beneficial for anyone who appreciates smooth blending and rich colors.

The Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set is designed for a variety of artists, from beginners to seasoned professionals, offering a broad color palette and excellent usability. One of its key strengths is the high pigment quality, which delivers rich and vibrant colors. Artists will appreciate the smooth coverage and the ability to blend and layer colors effectively, making it suitable for different surfaces like paper and canvas. The soft yet durable pencil cores resist crumbling, providing a satisfying drawing experience without frequent breakage.

This set is also well-organized, with pencils arranged in color families, making it easy to find the right shade quickly. The included fold-out tutorial is a charming feature for those looking to improve their skills and create stunning artwork.

While the soft core enhances blendability, some users might find that it can wear down quicker than harder pencils, requiring more frequent sharpening. Additionally, although the color range is impressive with 72 pencils, artists who require an extensive array of specialized shades may still find some limitations. Durability is generally solid, but it's essential to handle the pencils with care to maintain their integrity, especially considering the presentation tin box they come in.

The Faber-Castel 110060 Polychromos Colored Pencil Set is a popular choice among artists, offering 60 vibrant colors stored in a convenient metal tin. The pigment quality is excellent, allowing for rich and vivid colors that can be applied with both delicate and bold strokes. This set stands out for its high lightfastness, meaning the colors are resistant to fading over time, an important feature for artists concerned with the longevity of their work.

The pencils have a medium hardness (rated H), making them versatile for various techniques, from shading to fine details. They blend well, which is crucial for creating smooth transitions and gradients in coloring projects. Durability is another strong point, as the pencils are designed to withstand heavy use without breaking easily.

However, some users may find the medium hardness less ideal for extremely soft blending or very detailed work compared to softer or harder pencils. Additionally, while the 60-color range is substantial, professional artists might prefer sets with even more colors for greater flexibility. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Faber-Castel 110060 Polychromos set is highly rated by users, reflected in its impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 4,000 reviews, making it a reliable choice for both amateur and professional artists looking for quality colored pencils.