10 Best Watercolor Pencils 2025 in the United States

The KALOUR 72-Color Professional Watercolor Pencils Set offers a rich and versatile collection of vibrant hues, making it suitable for both experienced artists and beginners. The pigment quality is high, ensuring vivid and smooth color application, which can be used both dry and wet to achieve beautiful watercolor effects. The comprehensive color range of 72 shades allows for extensive blending and layering, catering to diverse artistic needs.

Each pencil is crafted with a durable core to withstand frequent use, making them reliable for detailed work and larger pieces. Additionally, the hexagonal shape of the pencils provides a comfortable and secure grip during long sessions of artwork. The included watercolor brush and water brush pen enhance the set's versatility, allowing artists to experiment with different techniques easily.

For organization and portability, the set comes in a sturdy cylindrical case where each pencil is conveniently labeled for quick identification. With a strong brand reputation and positive customer ratings, the KALOUR set emerges as a commendable choice for those in need of high-quality, water-soluble colored pencils. This set also makes for an excellent gift for art enthusiasts, students, and professionals.

The Faber Castell Albrecht Durer 120 Watercolor Pencil Set is a strong choice for adults looking for professional-quality watercolor pencils. These pencils stand out due to their highly pigmented leads that dissolve completely when water is applied, allowing smooth and vibrant color blending. The 3.3mm leads are SV-bonded, which means they are less likely to break, making them durable and reliable. With 120 colors available, the set offers an extensive range that suits detailed and colorful artwork. The pencil hardness is rated as 'F' (firm), providing a good balance between softness for color laying and firmness for precision. Faber-Castell is a well-known and respected brand in art supplies, adding confidence to the product's quality.

The set is quite large and might be overwhelming for beginners or those who don’t need such a broad color range. Packed in a sturdy tin, the pencils are easy to store and transport.

This set is ideal for serious hobbyists and professional artists who want a wide selection of reliable, richly pigmented watercolor pencils, though casual users might find the quantity more than necessary.

The Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Artist Watercolor Pencils are a fantastic choice for artists looking to explore the versatility of watercolor effects. One of the standout features is their high pigment quality, which ensures vibrant hues that can easily be blended, whether used dry or with water. Lightfastness is another strong point; these pencils resist fading over time, making them suitable for works that will be displayed or sold. The range of colors in this set of 24 is impressive, providing a good variety to help artists achieve the desired shades for their projects.

The pencils are designed with an easy-to-hold round cedar wood barrel and feature a 3.7mm core that is break-resistant. This means they can withstand the rigors of regular use, and they sharpen cleanly, which is a bonus for maintaining point precision. Additionally, they are ACMI Certified non-toxic, which is an important consideration for users concerned about safety, especially if children are involved in the art-making process.

These watercolor pencils are particularly well-suited for adults and more experienced crafters aiming to create beautiful art with a range of techniques. They offer a strong blend of quality and versatility, making them a great addition to any artist's toolkit.