10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2025 in the United States

The Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils set is a fantastic choice for artists at any skill level, thanks to its rich pigment quality and impressive lightfastness. With 72 assorted colors, these pencils offer a broad color range that allows for vibrant artwork. The soft, thick cores make shading and blending a breeze, providing an ultra-smooth application that produces even color laydown. Additionally, the durability of the leads minimizes the risk of cracking and chipping, which is a significant advantage for both beginners and experienced users alike.

These colored pencils are particularly well-suited for artists looking to create dynamic and detailed work with ease. They are especially beneficial for anyone who appreciates smooth blending and rich colors.

The Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils Zipper-Case Set is an excellent choice for adult artists, professionals, and colorists who appreciate a broad range of vibrant colors and convenient organization. With 120 pencils arranged in color families, finding the right shade is effortless.

The soft core leads provide a smooth, creamy laydown that makes blending and layering enjoyable, while the durable design prevents crumbling and maintains a sharp point. These features are beneficial for various surfaces like paper, eggshell, canvas, and wood, enhancing the versatility of the set.

The included zip-around case adds portability and keeps the pencils well-protected, which is ideal for artists on the go. Additionally, the set offers a unique fold-out tutorial to help users improve their skills by recreating the cover illustration, making it a joy for both beginners and experienced artists to learn and grow. The Castle Art Supplies set is a solid investment for anyone looking for reliable, high-quality colored pencils with a wide array of colors.

The Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils set, featuring 100 pencils, is an excellent choice for artists seeking high-quality colored pencils. One of its standout features is its 100% lightfast formula, ensuring that the colors will remain vibrant and unchanged for up to 100 years under museum conditions. This level of durability makes these pencils particularly appealing for professional artists who create works intended to last.

The oil-based, creamy texture allows for smooth application and exceptional blendability, enabling artists to mix colors with ease and even achieve a paint-like effect when used with a brush. This versatility is beneficial for detailed drawing and layering techniques, as darker colors can easily overlay lighter shades, enabling precise outlining and depth in artwork. The broad color range ensures that artists will have plenty of options to express their creativity.

While the quality and performance are impressive, the price point could be a consideration for hobbyists or beginners, as this set might be seen as an investment. Additionally, the weight of the tin (over 2.4 pounds) and size may not be ideal for artists who prefer portable supplies for on-the-go work. Despite these factors, this set is highly regarded among professionals, making it a great fit for serious artists looking for durability and quality in their colored pencils.