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Why We Love It

Reviewers love the versatility of these pencils, noting that they can be used for both dry and wet techniques. Many users also praise the high-quality pigments, stating that the colors are vibrant and true to life. The ease of blending is another popular feature, with users commenting on how simple it is to create a wide range of shades and hues. Overall, users find these pencils to be a great addition to their art supplies.

Pros

  • Versatile usage
  • High-quality pigments
  • Easily blendable

Cons

  • May not be suitable for professional artists
  • Some colors may appear washed out when wet

A pack of 24 water-soluble colored pencils from Derwent.

The Derwent Watercolor Pencils offer a versatile combination of dry pencil techniques and wet paint effects. The pencils can be used dry for sharp, defined lines, or they can be dampened with a brush to create a softer, watercolor effect. Each pencil is encased in a hexagonal barrel made from cedarwood, ensuring durability and comfort during use. The set includes 24 assorted colors, all of which are easily blendable to create a wide array of shades and hues.

2

Why We Love It

Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Artists' Watercolor Pencils are adored by professional artists for their superb quality and array of colors. Users consistently praise the pencils' lightfast pigments and their ability to produce beautiful watercolor effects. The durability, smooth application, and easy blending capabilities also receive high marks. Many also appreciate the sturdy metal tin for storage and transport.

Pros

  • High-quality pigments
  • Large color variety
  • Durable and break-resistant

Cons

  • Expensive
  • May be too advanced for beginners

120-color set of artist-grade watercolor pencils in a metal tin.

The Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Artists' Watercolor Pencils are a top pick for professionals. The 120-color set features high-quality pigments that offer unsurpassed lightfastness. The 3.8mm leads are break-resistant and fully water-soluble, providing stunning watercolor effects. The pencils are encased in premium, SV-bonded wood to prevent breakage. With a buttery smooth color laydown, these pencils can be easily blended for layered effects, highlights, and transitions.

3

Why We Love It

Artists and reviewers alike rave about the Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils. They love the smooth texture of the pencils and the rich, vibrant colors. The wide variety of shades is also a highly-praised feature. Despite the higher price point, users believe the quality of these pencils is unmatched, making them a worthwhile investment.

Pros

  • Rich color saturation
  • Superior blending and shading
  • Wide range of colors

Cons

  • Can be prone to breakage
  • Higher price point

72-pack of soft core colored pencils from Prismacolor.

Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils are known for their superior quality and resilience. With 72 vibrant colors, these pencils offer a wide range of shades for every artist’s needs. The soft, thick cores create a smooth color laydown for superior blending and shading, while the high-quality pigments offer rich color saturation.

4

Why We Love It

Users love the Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencils for their ability to smoothly transition from a detailed pencil drawing to a washed-out watercolor look. The color-coordinated barrels are a hit for quick color identification. Despite some minor issues, users commend the overall quality and versatility of these pencils, especially for their price.

Pros

  • Highly blendable
  • Color-coordinated barrels
  • Great for layering

Cons

  • Colors may be less vibrant when wet
  • Some users report lead breakage

72-piece Castle Art watercolor pencil set with a focus on blendability.

Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencils Set is a premium choice for artists seeking to create stunning watercolor effects, detailed sketches, and complex layering. The set includes 72 unique, vibrant colors, each pencil with a cleverly color-coordinated barrel for easy identification. The pencils are designed for a smooth application and are highly blendable, making them ideal for both beginners and professionals.

5

Why We Love It

Users love the soft, thick core of these pencils, which is perfect for layering and blending. They also appreciate the rich color saturation and the potential for watercolor effects. Some users have noted that the pencils may break easily, but overall, they are highly recommended for their quality and versatility.

Pros

  • Soft, thick core
  • Rich color saturation
  • Versatile

Cons

  • May break easily
  • Some colors may not blend well

A set of 36 water-soluble colored pencils from Prismacolor.

These pencils feature a soft, thick core that is perfect for layering, blending, and shading. The high-quality pigments provide a rich color saturation and the water-soluble cores allow for exciting watercolor effects.

6

Why We Love It

Users love the Faber-Castell watercolor pencils for their high pigment load and vibrant colors. The quality of the materials used in the pencils is frequently praised, as is the ability to use them both dry and wet. The stylish studio box also makes the set a popular gift among artists.

Pros

  • Highly pigmented colors
  • High-quality materials
  • Can be used wet or dry

Cons

  • Higher price point
  • Pencils may break if not handled carefully

36-pack of Faber-Castell watercolor pencils in a gift box.

The Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils come in a set of 36 colors and are packed in a stylish studio box. They are made with high-quality materials and offer high pigment load for vibrant and intense colors. The pencils can be used dry or with a wet brush to achieve stunning watercolor effects.

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Why We Love It

The Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils are highly praised by artists and review sites for their outstanding quality and performance. Users love the vibrancy of the colors, the easy blending, and the premium storage tin. Some find the colors to be softer than they prefer, but most agree that the quality of these pencils justifies the higher price point.

Pros

  • Highly pigmented leads
  • Excellent blending quality
  • Premium storage tin

Cons

  • Higher price point
  • Some users find colors too soft

60-piece set of Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils.

The Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils are artist-grade pencils offering unsurpassed watercolor effects and vibrancy. The set includes 60 pencils with highly pigmented leads that are fully water-soluble, providing smooth color laydown and high blending quality. The pencils are encased in a premium tin for easy storage and transportation.

8

Why We Love It

Reviewers appreciate the Arteza watercolor pencils for their affordability and professional quality. The sturdy, break-resistant cores and the high-quality wood casings are often highlighted in reviews. Users also like the wide range of colors available and the versatility of the pencils, which can be used both wet and dry.

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Break-resistant cores
  • Can be used wet or dry

Cons

  • Colors may not be as vibrant when wet
  • May require frequent sharpening

72-pack of Arteza professional watercolor pencils.

The Arteza Professional Watercolor Pencils come in a set of 72 vibrant colors. They are made with sturdy, break-resistant cores and high-quality wood casings. The pencils are suitable for a wide range of techniques and can be used wet or dry. The set comes in a convenient tin case for easy storage and transportation.

9

Why We Love It

Users praise the Staedtler watercolor pencils for their excellent color intensity and high break-resistance. Many beginners and hobby artists like the set for its ease of use and the range of colors available. The pencils are also appreciated for their easy sharpening and the affordable price.

Pros

  • Excellent color intensity
  • High break-resistance
  • Ideal for beginners

Cons

  • Colors may not be as vibrant as professional-grade pencils
  • Cardboard box might not be as durable

36-pack of Staedtler watercolor pencils in a cardboard box.

The Staedtler Watercolor Pencils come in a set of 36 colors. They offer excellent color intensity both in dry and wet states. The pencils are made with high break-resistance and are easy to sharpen. This set is perfect for beginners and hobby artists who want to explore the world of watercolor pencils.

10

Why We Love It

These pencils are a favorite among children and beginners for their affordability and ease of use. They offer a range of possibilities with both wet and dry use, and the bright, intense colors are great for detailed drawings. While they are not as pigmented as some other brands, they are a great starting point for those new to watercolor pencils.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Versatile
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Not as pigmented
  • May not blend well

A set of 24 watercolor pencils from Crayola.

These pencils are designed for both wet and dry use, offering a range of possibilities. The pre-sharpened pencils feature a reforested quality cedar wood for easy sharpening and smooth lay down. The bright, intense colors are great for detailed drawings and color mixing.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 3 Products Updated Oct 04, 2025
Product Water-Soluble Color Count Pigmentation Quality Break Resistance Barrel Material Lightfastness
1 Derwent Watercolor Pencils, 24 Count (32883)
Yes Yes High-quality pigments No Cedarwood Standard
2 Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencil Tin, Set of 60
Yes Yes Highly pigmented Yes Reforested wood Superior
3 Prismacolor Premier Water-Soluble Colored Pencils, 36 Pack
Yes Yes Smooth color laydown Yes Durable round barrel Superior
1

Derwent Watercolor Pencils, 24 Count (32883)

Water-Soluble
Yes
Color Count
Yes
Pigmentation Quality
High-quality pigments
Break Resistance
No
Barrel Material
Cedarwood
Lightfastness
Standard
2

Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencil Tin, Set of 60

Water-Soluble
Yes
Color Count
Yes
Pigmentation Quality
Highly pigmented
Break Resistance
Yes
Barrel Material
Reforested wood
Lightfastness
Superior
3

Prismacolor Premier Water-Soluble Colored Pencils, 36 Pack

Water-Soluble
Yes
Color Count
Yes
Pigmentation Quality
Smooth color laydown
Break Resistance
Yes
Barrel Material
Durable round barrel
Lightfastness
Superior

Frequently Asked Questions About Watercolor Pencils

What makes a watercolor 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 watercolor 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 watercolor 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.