Search Categories

What Are The Best Charcoal Drawing Pencils in 2025

"Unlocking the Art of Charcoal: Essential Insights for Selecting the Finest Drawing Pencils" As a seasoned artist, I understand that the right tools can elevate your work from ordinary to extraordinary, and charcoal drawing pencils are no exception. When choosing the best charcoal drawing pencils, look for high-quality brands that offer a range of hardness levels, as this versatility allows for dynamic shading and intricate details. Consider options like compressed charcoal for rich, dark lines, and willow charcoal for softer, more subtle strokes. Always test the pencils on different types of paper to find the perfect match for your style; textured surfaces can enhance your work's depth while smooth papers might require softer pencils for blending. Don’t overlook the importance of a good sharpener or blending tools, as they can greatly enhance your drawing experience. Remember, investing in premium drawing pencils not only improves your artwork but also boosts your confidence as an artist. Take the time to research and experiment, as the perfect charcoal pencil can transform your artistic expression.

1

General Pencil 33-Piece Charcoal Drawing Set

Buy Now $62.00

Why We Love It

We love the General Pencil 33-Piece Charcoal Drawing Set because it is comprehensive and made of high-quality materials. It's great for artists of all levels, offering an array of tools needed for charcoal drawing. Users have praised the set for its ability to produce deep, rich blacks and a wide range of shades.

Pros

  • Comprehensive set
  • High-quality materials
  • Reusable tray for storage

Cons

  • Some users might find the charcoal too soft
  • The eraser may not be effective on all surfaces

33-piece set including different grades of charcoal pencils, sticks, and tools.

This set by General Pencil includes different grades of charcoal pencils, sticks, compressed charcoal, graphite drawing pencil, and an array of tools for blending and erasing. The materials are of high quality, enabling artists to produce deep, rich blacks and a wide range of shades. The set is packaged in a sturdy, reusable tray which makes it easy to organize and store the materials.

2

Derwent Charcoal Pencils, Metal Tin, 6 Count

Why We Love It

Reviewers appreciate the high quality and durability of these pencils. They also love the range of shades that can be achieved, making these perfect for detailed work. The round barrel design is also noted for allowing easy and expressive drawing.

Pros

  • Well-crafted pencils
  • Offers good range of shades
  • Less messy than traditional charcoal

Cons

  • Not as many items as other sets
  • May be too hard for some artists

6-count Derwent charcoal pencil set in a metal tin.

Derwent Charcoal Pencils offer the traditional effect of charcoal with more control and less mess. The set includes two each of light, medium, and dark charcoal pencils, providing a good range of shades. These pencils are encased in cedar with a round barrel, allowing easy movement and loose, expressive drawing.

3

Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal Pencils

Buy Now $12.00

Why We Love It

Reviewers love the professional quality of these pencils, with the compressed charcoal providing intense, smooth lines. The fact that they are smudge-proof and water-resistant is a big plus for many. Users also appreciate the different hardness levels for varied effects.

Pros

  • High-quality compressed charcoal
  • Smooth color laydown
  • Smudge-proof and water-resistant

Cons

  • Relatively expensive
  • May be too soft for some users

Compressed charcoal pencils from Faber-Castell Pitt.

Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal Pencils are the choice of professionals for producing deep and intense lines. These pencils are made with the highest quality compressed charcoal and offer smooth color laydown. They are also smudge-proof and water-resistant. The set includes soft, medium, and hard charcoal pencils.

4

Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Charcoal Pencil Set

Why We Love It

Reviewers appreciate the precision and control these pencils offer compared to traditional charcoal. The inclusion of a white charcoal pencil is unique and adds variety to sketches. As a product from Winsor & Newton, a trusted brand in art supplies, users also praise the quality of these pencils.

Pros

  • Easy to use and control
  • Includes tinted charcoal white
  • Comes from a reputable brand

Cons

  • Only four pencils
  • White charcoal may not be used as often

Charcoal pencil set from the Winsor & Newton Studio Collection.

The Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Charcoal Pencil Set includes four pencils: light, medium, dark, and tinted charcoal white. These pencils offer the artist the traditional charcoal medium in a form that is easy to use and control. The tinted charcoal white adds highlights and can be used as a contrast to the black charcoal.

5

Prismacolor Premier NuPastel Firm Pastel Color Sticks, Charcoal

Buy Now $49.00

Why We Love It

Users love the unique texture and blendability of these pastel sticks, which offer a different experience compared to traditional charcoal pencils. They are praised for their firmness, which allows for both broad strokes and fine details. The ability to use these sticks with other Prismacolor products for varied effects is also appreciated.

Pros

  • Unique pastel sticks
  • Highly blendable
  • Can be used for broad strokes and fine details

Cons

  • Not as many color options as some sets
  • May not be preferred by those used to charcoal pencils

Firm pastel color sticks in charcoal from Prismacolor Premier.

Prismacolor Premier NuPastel Color Sticks offer the rich, creamy texture of pastels with the convenience and control of a pencil. These charcoal-colored sticks are firm, allowing them to be used for both broad strokes and fine details. They are also highly blendable and can be used with other Prismacolor products to create a wide range of effects.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 5 Products Updated Oct 11, 2025
Product Variety of Charcoal Types Number of Pieces Portability Pre-sharpened Control and Precision Quality of Materials
1 General Pencil 33-Piece Charcoal Drawing Set
Multiple grades (charcoal pencils, sticks, compressed charcoal) Yes Moderate (includes reusable tray) No Moderate High-quality materials
2 Derwent Charcoal Pencils, Pack of 6
Light, medium, dark, white, tinted Yes High (compact pack) Yes High Professional quality
3 Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal Pencils, Set of 3
Compressed charcoal (soft, medium, hard) Yes Moderate (simple packaging) Yes High High-quality charcoal
4 Royal & Langnickel Small Tin Charcoal Drawing Art Set
Charcoal pencils and stick Yes Very high (includes storage tin) No Moderate High-quality charcoal
5 Mont Marte Woodless Charcoal Pencils, Set of 3
Woodless charcoal (soft, medium, hard) Yes High (includes plastic case) Yes Very high Superior charcoal
1

General Pencil 33-Piece Charcoal Drawing Set

Variety of Charcoal Types
Multiple grades (charcoal pencils, sticks, compressed charcoal)
Number of Pieces
Yes
Portability
Moderate (includes reusable tray)
Pre-sharpened
No
Control and Precision
Moderate
Quality of Materials
High-quality materials
2

Derwent Charcoal Pencils, Pack of 6

Variety of Charcoal Types
Light, medium, dark, white, tinted
Number of Pieces
Yes
Portability
High (compact pack)
Pre-sharpened
Yes
Control and Precision
High
Quality of Materials
Professional quality
3

Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal Pencils, Set of 3

Variety of Charcoal Types
Compressed charcoal (soft, medium, hard)
Number of Pieces
Yes
Portability
Moderate (simple packaging)
Pre-sharpened
Yes
Control and Precision
High
Quality of Materials
High-quality charcoal
4

Royal & Langnickel Small Tin Charcoal Drawing Art Set

Variety of Charcoal Types
Charcoal pencils and stick
Number of Pieces
Yes
Portability
Very high (includes storage tin)
Pre-sharpened
No
Control and Precision
Moderate
Quality of Materials
High-quality charcoal
5

Mont Marte Woodless Charcoal Pencils, Set of 3

Variety of Charcoal Types
Woodless charcoal (soft, medium, hard)
Number of Pieces
Yes
Portability
High (includes plastic case)
Pre-sharpened
Yes
Control and Precision
Very high
Quality of Materials
Superior charcoal

Frequently Asked Questions About Charcoal Drawing Pencils

What makes a charcoal drawing pencils the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your charcoal drawing pencils recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of charcoal drawing pencils?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.