Top Colored Pencils for Coloring: 2022's Best Picks

The world of art and craft has seen a significant resurgence in recent years, and colored pencils have become a beloved medium for both beginners and experts alike. But with a vast array of brands and types available, finding the best colored pencils for coloring can be a daunting task. This guide will help you navigate the diverse landscape of colored pencils, highlighting the key features to consider and presenting some of the top options on the market.

Colored pencils have evolved significantly over the years, offering artists a wide range of cores, pigments, and finishes. Whether you're looking for rich, vibrant hues, smooth laydown, or exceptional blendability, there's a set of colored pencils perfectly suited to your needs. Let's dive in and explore the different types of colored pencils, their unique characteristics, and the best options within each category.

Prismacolor Soft Core Colored Pencils

Prismacolor Soft Core Colored Pencils are a favorite among artists for their creamy, smooth laydown and exceptional vibrancy. These pencils feature a wax-based core that allows for easy layering and outstanding color payoff. Their soft texture enables artists to achieve both bold and subtle effects with ease.

The Prismacolor Soft Core range includes 150 colors and is consistently praised for its versatility and impressive pigmentation. These pencils are ideal for both beginners and seasoned artists looking to add a high-quality, professional set to their arsenal.

Lightfastness and Pigment Quality

One standout feature of Prismacolor Soft Core Colored Pencils is their excellent pigment quality and lightfastness ratings. With many colors boasting an ASTM lightfastness rating of I (excellent) or II (very good), these pencils ensure that your artworks will retain their vibrancy and color accuracy over time. The extensive color selection, which includes both traditional and unique shades, allows artists to create truly stunning and lasting pieces.

When using Prismacolor Soft Core pencils, be prepared for some breakage due to their soft cores. To minimize this, store your pencils properly and apply even pressure when coloring. Additionally, consider keeping a sharpener or pencil extender nearby to maintain the leads' longevity and sharpness.

Blending and Layering

Prismacolor Soft Core Colored Pencils are renowned for their exceptional blendability, making them perfect for creating smooth, gradated effects and seamless transitions between colors. Layering these pencils results in rich, deeply saturated hues, allowing artists to altitude achieve exceptional depth and dimension in their work.

Whether you prefer a traditional blending technique using a colorless blender pencil or a more innovative method like colorless ink or solvents, Prismacolor Soft Core pencils adapt beautifully. Their creamy cores glide smoothly across the paper, making them a pleasure to use and ideal for both intricate and expansive color fields.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencols are a popular choice for artists seeking high-performance, oil-based colored pencils. These pencils offer a balance between vibrant color and controlled application, making them suitable for both detailed work and broad, layeredcolor effects.

Polychromos Colored Pencils are available in a set of 120 colors, covering an extensive range of traditional and innovative hues. Their durable, wax-free cores ensure minimal breakage and enable artists to create precise, detailed lines and edges.

Oil-Based Formula and Lightfastness

The oil-based formula of Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils yields rich, deeply-saturated colors and excellent layering capability. This unique pigment composition allows artists to build up intricate, layered hues without the risk of muddying or greying that can sometimes occur with wax-based pencils.

Polychromos Colored Pencils also boast impressive lightfastness ratings, with many of their colors rated I (excellent) or II (very good) by the ASTM. This longevity ensures that your artwork will retain its vibrancy and color accuracy over time, making them an excellent choice for both personal projects and professional, archival-quality work.

Precise Application and Blade Tip

One standout feature of Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils is their thick, round barrel and triangular cross-section. This design allows for excellent grip, reduced hand fatigue, and better control during detailed and intricate work. The core also extends slightly beyond the pencil's barrel, creating a sharp, chiseled tip that is perfect for achieving fine lines and precise details.

The oil-based formula and durable cores of Polychromos Colored Pencils lend themselves well to both dry and wet blending techniques. Artists can easily create smooth, gradated effects and seamless transitions between colors, either using traditional blending techniques with a colorless blender pencil or incorporating solvents and lines for more innovative results.

The Best Colored Pencils for Beginners

If you're just beginning your journey with colored pencils, it's essential to find a set that combines affordability, versatility, and ease of use. Many high-quality colored pencil brands offer student-grade or beginner-friendly options that allow newcomers to explore and develop their skills without breaking the bank.

Some top contenders for the best colored pencils for beginners include Crayola Colored Pencils, Faber-Castell polygon Color Builder Colored Pencils, and Prang Watercolor Colored Pencils. Each of these options offers a wide range of colors, user-friendly cores, and affordable pricing, making them excellent choices for artists of all ages and skill levels.

Crayola Colored Pencils

Crayola Colored Pencils have been a staple in classrooms and arts & crafts supplies for decades, providing a reliable and user-friendly option for artists of all ages. These wax-based colored pencils feature a robust core that resists breakage and offers consistent color laydown, making them perfect for both beginners and everyday use.

Crayola Colored Pencils are available in a variety of sets, ranging from 24 to 144 colors, and are consistently praised for their vibrant, true-to-life hues. Whether you're creating vibrant, colorful artwork or exploring detailed, layered effects, Crayola Colored Pencils provide an excellent starting point for your artistic journey.

Faber-Castell polygonal Color Builder Colored Pencils

Faber-Castell polygonal Color Builder Colored Pencils offer an affordable, student-grade alternative to their premium Polychromos line, making them an excellent choice for beginners seeking high-quality colors at an accessible price point. These wax-based colored pencils feature vibrant, well-saturated hues and a creamy core that facilitates smooth laydown and layering.

The triangular barrel design of Faber-Castell polygonal Color Builder Colored Pencils provides superior grip and reduces hand fatigue during prolonged use. This, combined with their consistent color laydown and ease of use, makes them a popular choice among both young and adult artists.

Ultimately, the best colored pencils for your needs will depend on various factors, including your preferred artistic style, budget, and the level of detail and vibrancy you desire in your artwork. By exploring the diverse range of colored pencils available and considering the key features highlighted in this guide, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect set for your creative pursuits.