What makes a colored pencil good for drawing
Colored pencils vary more than most beginners expect. Differences that matter in practice are the core (wax or oil binder), the pigment quality, how well the colors blend and layer, how durable the core is, and the lightfastness, which describes how well a color resists fading over time. Barrel shape, sharpening behavior and the range of colors also matter.
If you are choosing between sets, think about your goal first. Quick sketching and coloring, detailed realism and mixed-media work each lean toward different pencils. If you mostly draw with graphite and only add color occasionally, our guide to drawing pencils covers the graphite side.
Wax-based vs oil-based
Wax-based pencils are typically soft and creamy. They lay down rich color quickly and blend smoothly. The downside is that they can break more easily, and with heavy layering a waxy film called wax bloom can appear on the surface. Bloom can usually be wiped off gently.
Oil-based pencils tend to have a firmer core. They hold a sharp point longer, suit fine detail, and are less prone to bloom. They can feel less buttery, and building very heavy color may take more layers.
Neither type is simply better. Many artists use both, depending on the effect they want.
Artist-grade vs student-grade
Artist-grade pencils generally contain more pigment and less filler, which tends to give stronger color and, in many lines, better lightfastness and more even layering. Student-grade pencils cost less and are fine for practice, sketchbooks and casual coloring, but colors can look paler and blend less smoothly. For a beginner, a modest student set is a reasonable way to find out whether you enjoy the medium. If you start doing finished work, upgrading to an artist-grade set, or a few individual artist-grade pencils, is a natural next step.
Brands worth knowing
These are widely used names; availability varies by region, and ranges change over time.
- Prismacolor Premier: a soft, wax-based line known for vivid color and smooth blending. Some users report that softer cores break more often.
- Faber-Castell Polychromos: an oil-based line popular for detail work and for holding a point.
- Caran d’Ache Luminance: a high-end artist line with a strong reputation, generally at a higher price.
- Derwent: makes several lines, such as Coloursoft and Drawing, with different feels.
- Castle Art Supplies and similar budget sets: appear often in value-focused listings. They can be a low-cost way to start, but quality differs between sets, so reading recent reviews is sensible.
Crayola vs Prismacolor
Crayola pencils are made for children and casual coloring. They are affordable and fine for play and practice, but the pigment load and layering ability are generally lower. Prismacolor Premier is aimed at artists, with softer cores and more saturated color. For serious drawing, Prismacolor is the more suitable of the two. For a child or a first experiment, Crayola is perfectly reasonable.
Blending, layering and durability
Good pencils let you build color in thin layers instead of pressing hard. Start light, add layers gradually, and keep a sharp point for detail. Blending can be done with a colorless blender pencil, a light pressure pass with a lighter color, or a blending stump. Independent testers often compare brands on blending, layering and how often the core breaks when dropped, and results vary by line. A softer core usually blends easily but breaks more readily, so durability and softness trade off against each other.
Lightfastness
If you plan to sell or display your work, check whether a manufacturer publishes lightfastness ratings for the colors in a line. Some colors in many ranges fade faster than others. Keeping finished work out of direct sunlight helps whichever pencils you use, and the advice in how to frame and protect a pastel drawing carries over to colored pencil work.
Choosing a first set
- Pick a set size you can manage; 24 to 48 colors is plenty for learning, and you can mix to fill gaps.
- Choose wax-based for soft blending, oil-based for sharp detail.
- Buy open-stock pencils when you want to replace a favorite color.
- Add a good sharpener, a white or colorless blender and smooth, heavier paper.
Care tips
Store pencils flat in a tin or tray, avoid dropping them since inner cores can fracture, and sharpen with a sharp blade or quality sharpener. Many artists also use a hand-held sharpener so they can control the point.
FAQ
What pencil do most artists use? Many artists use graphite for sketching and colored pencils for color work. There is no single standard.
Which is better, Crayola or Prismacolor? For artwork, Prismacolor is generally the stronger choice. Crayola suits children and casual use.
What is the difference in colored pencils? Mainly the core, wax or oil, and the quality grade, student or artist. These affect color richness, blending, durability and lightfastness.
What are people saying about Castle Art Supplies pencils? Opinions are mixed and depend on the set, so check recent reviews. They are often seen as an economical starting point.