Best colored pencils

For effective drawing, you need to choose only the best colored pencils, which can be watercolors or pastels. In this rating, we analyzed the merits and demerits of the most popular tools on the market. Having studied them, you can choose the best quality, good and suitable option for you. TOP is based on real customer reviews.

Which company is better to choose colored pencils

There are hundreds of companies on the market offering stationery and school products. Among them, Czech, Austrian, German, and British manufacturers hold the first places. It is they who offer the highest quality products, but mostly they are talking about premium tools.

Here are the products of which brands were included in the rating:

• Faber-castell Is a German company that produces pencils, pens and other office supplies. She also has quality products for professional artists. Its products have a durable lead, protected from breakage using a special technology, are environmentally friendly and safe, and also stand out favorably against the background of competitors with a convenient shape. The items do not roll off the table, which is very important, as this distracts the child's attention and prevents him from concentrating properly.
• Derwent Is an English company for the production of stationery, which began its work back in 1832. Her products are created for both professional artists and amateurs, including children. Pencils are sold in cardboard, wood and metal packaging, so they are often bought as a gift. They are easy to find in the store and the reviews about them are mostly positive. The products of this company are chosen for both students of ordinary and art schools.
• Koh i noor - Czech manufacturer of stationery and products for schoolchildren. The company was founded in 1790. His soft colored pencils are considered good because they are of high quality, are environmentally friendly and are suitable for both hobbyists and professional artists. They are made on the basis of natural rubber. Products are distinguished by the hardness of the rod, which excludes its breakage even under pressure. They are relevant for drawing both thin and thick lines, depending on the chosen model.
• Lyra - pencils of this company are distinguished by ease of use due to the fact that they do not roll off the table, they are easily sharpened and their rods slowly lose their sharpness. The company's products are premium class and have bright colors that can be easily mixed with each other. He has quality colored pencils available at a good price. They serve for a long time, almost never break even with careless handling and are easy to use.
• Cretacolor Is an Austrian company that produces quality pencils from environmentally friendly materials. She cares about the environment, creating products that are safe for her and for humans. There is a product for both artists and amateurs, including schoolchildren. Its tools give a beautiful effect on paper and are easy to use, even for non-professionals. They are sold in many stores and exhibit excellent pungency.
• Crayola - brand colored pencils have a hard lead, which increases their service life. It is convenient to draw with them due to their practical shape and non-slippery body. They are made from environmentally friendly materials.The brand has both sets and piece sales, which allows you to choose the most necessary colors. It is very convenient that these shades on paper can be easily combined if necessary.

This ranking includes both good inexpensive soft colored pencils and premium tools that professional artists often choose.

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Rating of colored pencils

To compile this TOP, we took into account many criteria, but first of all we took customer reviews as a basis. Here are the parameters we paid attention to:

• Value for money;
• Affordable cost;
• Availability in stores;
• Sold by the piece or in a set;
• Number of pencils included;
• Color depth;
• Ease of use;
• The possibility of shading;
• What kind of paper to use;
• Type - pastel or watercolor;
• Ease of sharpening;
• Blunting speed;
• Lead thickness;
• Suitable for both amateurs and professionals.

A special parameter for the selection of suitable nominees for inclusion in this rating of the best colored pencils was the ratio of their price and quality, since the high cost does not always guarantee impeccability.

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Best Colored Watercolor Pencils

These pencils also have the advantages of watercolors. Most often they are bought for professional or novice artists. If there is an opportunity to purchase such a product that is not cheap, then this will be an excellent option for children who are far from this type of creativity.

Faber-castell

These pencils are considered one of the best among the colored pencils, because they draw brightly, richly and efficiently. They are convenient to use, do not rub your fingers, and are consumed slowly. This stationery is versatile, as it allows you to blur the color, creating beautiful effects. They are easy to erase from paper, so even if a child draws wallpaper, nothing too bad will happen.

Advantages

• Sharp;
• Neat shape;
• Affordability;
• Clear strokes;
• The presence of a brush;
• Easy to erase.

disadvantages

• Not a large selection of colors.

Derwent Coloursoft

Manufactured in the UK, these colored pencils are sold in a set of 48 colors. Their wide range helps to paint in a varied and effective manner, from still lifes to landscapes. Numerous shades allow for soft transitions. These pencils are considered one of the best among the colored pencils due to the fact that they fit comfortably in the hand, which does not get tired of holding them even for a long time. They are sold in a metal box that protects them from mechanical damage.

Advantages

• Draw softly;
• Are not smeared;
• Easy to undermine;
• High quality;
• Long;
• Are slowly consumed.

disadvantages

• High price.

Derwent Coloursoft colored pencils do not stain your hands, they can be used to draw both thin lines and thicker ones.

Koh i noor mondeluz

This option is suitable for both adults and children over 5 years old. Such watercolor pencils can be safely bought in kindergarten for both girls and boys. It is also a great choice for art school students. Their body is cedar, pleasant to the touch, not slippery and resistant to mechanical stress. The lead has a diameter of 3.8 mm, so it allows you to make lines thin and neat. They are good not only to draw, but also to decorate. They work great on paper and cardboard.

Advantages

• Convenient cardboard packaging with a handle;
• Sharp;
• Czech production;
• 36 pencils in a set;
• Saturated colors;
• Create a unique watercolor effect.

disadvantages

• Not cheap.

According to reviews, these colored pencils are great because they can be used effectively for drawing a wide variety of subjects, from portraits to landscapes.

Best pastel colored pencils

The peculiarity of such pencils is to sell them both individually, in 1 piece, and in a set. On average, it includes 12 pieces.Usually products are made of cedar, so they are safe for humans, including a child. This ranking presents the three best sets of pastel pencils.

Lyra rembrandt polycolor

Pencils from the famous Lyra brand are made from eco-friendly materials based on cedar. They fit easily on paper, as they are oil-based, suitable for both children and adults. They are characterized by a high degree of lightfastness and different colors here mix well within the same set. By the way, the shades here are deep and rich. According to customer reviews, it is convenient that they can be purchased separately. In total, the collection has 72 colors, both dark and light with medium.

Advantages

• Rich color palette;
• Convenient to use;
• They resemble soft pastel crayons;
• Do not smear on paper;
• Thick, hard lead;
• Non-slippery surface.

disadvantages

• Not suitable for fine lines.

Cretacolor Fine Art Pastel

This is a set of professional colored pencils for drawing portraits, still lifes and landscapes. It includes 24 shades that give a soft, pastel, velvety touch. This option is perfect for long-term drawing of small details due to the high-quality lead and convenient round shape. The coating can be easily smudged with water for a vivid artistic effect.

Advantages

• Large set;
• Bright and saturated colors;
• The diameter of the color bar is 3.8mm;
• Easily mix with each other, which gives room for imagination;
• Good density;
• Easy to use, no pressure needed.

disadvantages

• Requires the use of textured paper to hold pastels;
• Must be combined with fixative varnishes.

Crayola

These are the best colored pencils in the rating of the inexpensive ones, and despite this, the quality is quite high. They are chosen for use in both ordinary and art schools, although, of course, this is not at all professional level. They are sold in a set of 12. and made from environmentally friendly materials. Brush strokes are easy to blend, making them smooth and beautiful. They do not contain toxic substances, which makes the use of such products safe.

Advantages

• Availability in stores;
• Not thick;
• Draw softly;
• Grind off slowly;
• Easy to sharpen;
• Do not crumble;
• Solid foundation.

disadvantages

• Not a large selection of colors.

Pencils from the Crayola brand allow for detailed and competent drawing of faces, plants and other objects. As a result, they turn out to be "lively", rich and bright.

Which colored pencils are better to buy

For children under 3 years old, it is best to choose pencils with three edges, since a child at this age does not yet know how to place fingers correctly. Such models are convenient due to the fact that they do not roll off the work surface. For those over 3 years old, you can buy hexagonal products, but it is advisable that they have a thickened lead, since it can break as a result of strong pressure. It is more convenient for a child to draw with pencils marked "M", which means their softness.

Here's what is best to choose from colored pencils, depending on the situation:

• Pencils from Faber-Castell are ideal for portraits.
• Fine lines and details are best drawn with Derwent tools.
• Experienced artists find it easier and better to work with the Koh i Noor product
• The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor set is ideal for landscapes.
• If you need to paint a still life, you should pay attention to the Cretacolor Fine Art Pastel model.
• You can safely take Crayola goods with you to kindergarten and regular school for drawing lessons.

This video provides some good tips for choosing colored pencils:

When choosing the best crayons, attention should be paid to both their quality and their effectiveness. That is, the drawing as a result should be beautiful, bright, with deep colors.