The Best Colored Pencils For Adults
We love a fresh set of colored pencils. Whether you're a talented artist, casual doodler, or just love coloring books, colored pencils can help us relax and provide a much-needed artistic break in our otherwise digitally oversaturated lives. There's just something about the rhythmic motion of shading, the endless possibilities for mixing and textural technique that soothes the soul.
What to Look For
If you’re looking for a new set of top-tier pencils, look no further. We’ve compiled some of the best colored pencil sets on the market for your consideration. In these sets, you’ll find a variety of beautiful colors and well-crafted pencils that won’t break and write with ease. If you’re looking for maximum color selection, Prismacolor and Soucolor’s 72-piece sets ought to do nicely. If you’re drawing people, Black Widow sells a palette of all-inclusive skin colors that you’ll probably want to pick up. One of our favorite sets is the wraparound pencil case with 36 pencils from Covacure — it’s perfect for traveling and sketching new vistas. Your next set of fresh colors awaits. Simply read on to discover some stunning colored pencils.
Crayola Colored Pencils
More colors than the rainbow
Finding the right shade for elaborate art projects is a breeze with these colored pencils from Crayola. While this 50-pack of writing utensils is great for adults, it’s also a great choice for facilitating some parent-child bonding time. The palette includes plenty of basic primary hues as well as multiple skin shades for portraits. Aside from this pack’s superior color options, Crayola is our go-to choice because of its enduring reputation for making quality products that span generations and classrooms worldwide.
Pros:
- These have a wide range of shading possibilities. You have to press down for very rich saturation, but the trade-off is that it’s easy to shade light areas.
- These can be layered for artistic effects.
Cons:
- The pencil cores are a bit hard for artists looking for more saturation.
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
Draw without limits
For dedicated drawers that take pride in displaying their works of art, the Prismacolor Premier set is a force to be reckoned with. Unlike colored pencil sets geared more towards casual hobbyists, these Prismacolor pencils feature thick cores that won’t crack while shading at sharp angles or filing precise points. While this pack boasts 72 extraordinary hues, each pencil’s color will blend smoothly for beautiful impressionist pieces or luxurious landscapes. All in all, if you’re searching for artist-level quality that will stand up to cracks, spills, and the endless march of time, choose Prismacolor for a diverse and enduring shine.
Pros:
- These pencils use waterproof pigments. They glide smoothly on paper and are easy to control.
- Due to the soft core, you can achieve a rich saturation of color with ease.
Cons:
- The tips wear down fairly quickly.
Soucolor Adult Colored Pencils
Artistic value
Soucolor’s adult coloring pencils are a lovely option for beginners who want to utilize the whole rainbow on paper. Each of the 72 pencils is incredibly easy to sharpen without being so soft that it crumbles on contact. While this set won’t handle direct sunlight with as much grace as a professional palette, the pigment still offers a vibrant finish for high-quality sketching and final products alike. Best of all, Soucolor is environmentally conscious. By using reforested basswood in the exterior, these pencils deliver a strong grip while helping nature heal in a small way.
Pros:
- For the price, you’re getting durable, soft-core pencils that won’t chip or break easily and glide smoothly over paper.
- These pencils produce bright, vivid colors.
Cons:
- The softer wax core is harder to blend.
Black Widow Skin Colored Pencils
Produce precise pictures
While multi-purpose coloring sets are a smart pick for coloring books or more abstract art, if you plan on coloring faces, deliberately chosen skin tones are a must. Black Widow’s colored pencil set features everything you need to portray masterful representations of the human form. Each of the twelve colors included with the purchase features a much thicker wax core that offers the ability to shade quickly and confidently. And the pencils’ hexagonal shape is perfect for reducing finger strain when you’re working on complex creations.
Pros:
- Colors blend smoothly, and layering is a piece of cake with these pencils. They work well for any artistic subject in achieving more attractive, natural color blends.
- They come in a tin box, so you can stuff them in a backpack, and they won’t crack or chip.
Cons:
- This is somewhat expensive but well worth it.
Covacure Colored Pencils Set
Sketch on the go
The colored pencils set from Covacure is a glamorous gift for friends or for yourself when you want to take the show on the road. To start, we’re a huge fan of Covacure’s set because of its truly complete package, durability, and ease of use. Each set includes a beautiful reusable canvas carrying case and sharpener so that you’re never left with a dull point. We like that the actual pencils take quite a lot of use to warrant a sharpen, but this does have some drawbacks. The harder core means more difficult shading and a less saturated output, but if you enjoy dark shades or filling in fine details, Covacure is a worthy choice.
Pros:
- One slot per pencil makes keeping track of everything much easier. For those with kids who tend to lose art supplies, this is a godsend.
- The case features a slot to hold the included pencil sharpener. This makes it harder to be left coloring with dull pencils and no sharpener.
Cons:
- We would prefer more light color options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of colored pencils?
Writing utensils for coloring have been around for over two millennia, with evidence of their use as far back as the Golden Age of Greece in the form of early crayons. Colored pencils as we know them can be traced back to the Staedtler company in nineteenth-century Germany. While Johann Sebastian Staedtler is widely credited with the invention of the colored pastel pencil, mass production would follow decades later. The firms most responsible for the wide distribution of colored pencils are Faber-Castell, Caran d’Ache, and Berol.
What are the different types of colored pencils?
In general, the four most common colored pencil variations are pastel, watercolor, artist-grade, and student-grade. Pastel pencils can deliver fine, easy-to-control markings that can later be blended with or without water. Watercolor pencils, despite the name, can be used dry or damp as well. Using these utensils usually involves laying down a dry preliminary sketch and then applying water with a paintbrush. Student- and artist-grade colored pencils are the most common varieties for general use, with quality being their main difference. Artist-grade pencils use premium pigments, boast stronger water resistance, and resist fading due to sunlight more effectively than student versions.