For those unfamiliar, watercolor pencils might seem like just another type of colored pencil, and honestly, it is up to some point. You can lay it down like any coloring pencil, layer it up, blend it, etc.; however, their true magic starts when you add water to them.
Watercolor pencils have the ability to combine the best of both worlds: the control of pencil drawing and the fluidity of watercolor painting. Whether you’re sketching on the go, adding depth and texture to a detailed piece, or just experimenting with new techniques, watercolor pencils promise a world of creative possibilities.
In this article, we’ll learn more about watercolor pencils, exploring their benefits, understanding how to choose the best ones, and even offering some tips and techniques to get the most out of them.
What Are Watercolor Pencils?
Watercolor pencils are one of the most interesting and fun art mediums ever, as their name indicates, they are pencils with leads that contain pigment with a water-based binder, which makes them water-soluble, just like watercolors. These pencils can be used as normal coloring pencils but when the pigment comes in contact with water they’ll behave as watercolors.
In contrast to traditional watercolors, they offer much more control due to their sharp tips and highly pigmented cores while also being great for more spontaneous techniques. They are much more beginner friendly than watercolors and easier to use, but those who are more experienced and used to watercolors, might find them a tad challenging.
Watercolor pencils are compact and mess free, which makes them perfect for artists on the go.
Whether you’re traveling, sketching outdoors, or simply don’t want the hassle of setting up a full watercolor palette, these pencils are a boon, plus since they mix just like watercolor paints, all you need is a small set and you’re set to go.
What to Consider when Buying Watercolor Pencils
Grade and Lightfastness
Just like with any other artistic medium, watercolor pencils can be classified in both student and artist grade. Student grade pencils will always have lower quality pigment, be less saturated, and be less permanent, some might even present a significant color shift when used with water or when exposed to light for longer periods of time. On the bright side, these pencils are much more affordable and easy to find than professional ones, which makes them great to test the medium, experiment and sketchbook work.
(Source: Pencil Topics UK)
Artist or professional grade watercolor pencils will always be made of high quality pigment,they also tend to be more permanent and have a high lightfastness rating, as well as a premium price tag. Despite being on the expensive side of the price spectrum, this is considered a worthwhile investment especially for those who plan on exposing or selling their work.
Pigmentation
The amount of pigment any medium holds can vary from brand to brand and watercolor pencils are not an exception. You might find highly pigmented pencils with bad permanence or that change color in contact with water and colors with less pigment on them that have higher permanence or that stay the same color when mixed with water.
Since you won’t be able to tell how pigmented a set is from the product description section, we recommend you read or watch reviews in order to find out which set is up to your standards.
Color Range
The color range of a watercolor pencil set extends beyond the mere count of how many pencils a set has, although a diverse range of colors ensures versatility a good pencil set must be cohesive and offer enough color variations so that when mixed together the end result doesn’t end up all muddy. Some sets even venture into specialty colors, introducing unique hues like metallics, neons, or pastels that can impart a distinctive touch to creations.
Price
Price is another important thing to think about. Sometimes more expensive pencils are of better quality and last longer, but that doesn’t mean all cheap pencils are bad. It’s a good idea to look at the price of each pencil in a set, not just the total cost. Also remember that there are some top brands that let you buy single units, so you can replace just one color instead of buying a whole new set. This can save you lots of money over time.
The 6 Best Watercolor Pencils in 2024
- Best Watercolor Pencils Overall — Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils
- Best Watercolor Pencils for Professionals — Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils
- Best Watercolor Pencils for Beginners — Faber-Castell Goldfaber Watercolor Pencils
- Best Value Watercolor Pencils — ARTEZA Watercolor Pencil
- Best Budget Watercolor Pencils — Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencil
- Best Watercolor Pencils Gift Set — Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Magnus Watercolour Pencils
1. Best Watercolor Pencils Overall — Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils
Selection Criteria
- Grade: Artist and Professional.
- Our Score: 10/10
- Lightfastness: Very high lightfast.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Pigmentation: Highly Pigmented.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Color Range: 120 colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $32.60
- Our Score: 9/10
About the Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils.
At the top of our list are the Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils from Faber Castell and not without good reason. Honestly speaking, these pencils are a game-changer. Their vibrant, pigmented colors ensure your artwork pops, while their blendability allows for smooth transitions and gradient effects with just a touch of water. Durability is a given, thanks to their 3.8 mm lead break-resistant nature, ensuring longevity and value for money.
These pencils are the go-to option for professional artists and hobbyists, they’re not only highly pigmented and resistant but also very lightfast and have some of the broadest color range in the market. Plus, Faber-Castell has a special commitment to sustainability that’s why these pencils are crafted from reforested wood, making them an eco-friendly choice for the environmentally conscious artist.
Pros
- Vibrant, pigmented colors.
- Very high quality.
- Eco-friendly.
Cons
- Pricier than some alternatives.
- Might not be suitable for very wet techniques.
2. Best Watercolor Pencils for Professionals — Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils
Selection Criteria
- Grade: Professional.
- Our Score: 10/10
- Lightfastness: extremely lightfast.
- Our Score: 10/10
- Pigmentation: Permanent pigmentation.
- Our Score: 10/10
- Color Range: 100 colors.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $120.00
- Our Score: 9/10
About the Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils.
Derwent’s Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils offer a unique twist in the world of watercolor pencils, their standout feature is the intensity of color they bring which is supposed to resemble ink when water is added (hence the name). This intensity can be both a bliss for those seeking vibrancy and a challenge for those aiming for subtler shades that resemble traditional watercolor the most.
Once dry, the color becomes permanent, which is great for layering but can be less forgiving for corrections, since these pencils can also be used on fabric, they’re a great addition to any crafter set.
Pros
- Intense color output.
- Permanent when dry.
- Professional-grade.
Cons
- Not easily erasable.
- On the expensive side.
3. Best Watercolor Pencils for Beginners — Faber-Castell Goldfaber Watercolor Pencils
Selection Criteria
- Grade: Student and hobby Artist.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Lightfastness: Non Specified
- Our Score: 9/10
- Pigmentation: Highly Pigmented.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Color Range: 48 colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $38.82
- Our Score: 9/10
About the Faber-Castell Goldfaber Watercolor Pencils.
As a more affordable starting point, Faber Castell presents their Goldfaber line which is a re-introduction to their older student-grade line. Although limited to graphite and coloring pencils, this line has proven to be much higher quality than any previous version. The goldfaber Aqua are the perfect starting set for any beginner, the color range of the line is limited to 48 colors, however they are very pigmented, accurate colors. Due to them being part of the mre affordable student-grade line, the lightfastness of this set has not been specified, however we can say that the quality is much higher than what the price suggests.
If you happen to upgrade to the professional Albretch Durer line in the future you can rest assured there won’t be any confusion since the pigments are numbered and named the same.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly.
- Affordable quality.
- Consistent color application.
Cons
- Less pigment intensity.
- Shorter lifespan.
4. Best Value Watercolor Pencils — ARTEZA Watercolor Pencil.
Selection Criteria
- Grade: Professional.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Lightfastness: Very light fast.w
- Our Score: 9/10
- Pigmentation: Highly Pigmented.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Color Range: 120 colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $40.00
- Our Score: 8/10
About the ARTEZA Watercolor Pencil.
Arteza has been building a name for themselves for the last few years, with their big variety in art products you’d expect some of them to be low quality or to not meet the standard, however year after year Arteza has proven to be a reliable brand for both professionals and students.
Offering sometimes unparalleled prices, Arteza brings two lines to the artistic table, their student and Expert line.
These Arteza Watercolor pencils belong to the latter, with a slightly higher price tag, these watercolor pencils are a dream to use. They lay down easily, have great pigmentation and blend beautifully, especially when water is added. There is some slight color changin which can be overlooked considering the price. The lightfastness is not specified, however after testing we can ensure they have good permanence with some colors presenting a slight color shift after time.
Pros
- Great value for money.
- Wide color variety.
- Smooth application.
Cons
- Not as durable.
- Inconsistent pigment labeling.
5. Best Budget Watercolor Pencils — Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencil
Selection Criteria
- Grade: Professional.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Lightfastness: Not specified.
- Our Score: –/–
- Pigmentation: Highly Pigmented.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Color Range: 120 colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $29.99
- Our Score: 9/10
About the Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencil.
Castle Art watercolor pencils are often praised for their cost-effectiveness and satisfactory quality, making them suitable for beginners and hobbyists. They offer a diverse color range and are quite soft, which allows artists to use them in their dry form or blend them with water.
While they may not match the caliber of some high-end brands, their quality is more than decent given their price point.
Pros
- Budget-friendly.
- Suitable for casual use.
- Decent color range.
Cons
- Less vibrant colors.
- Shorter pigment longevity.
- Limited blending quality.
6. Best Watercolor Pencils to Gift — Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Magnus Watercolour Pencils
Selection Criteria
- Grade: Professional.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Lightfastness: Very high lightfast.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Pigmentation: Highly Pigmented
- Our Score: 9/10
- Color Range: 120 colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $59.00
- Our Score: 8/10
About the Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Magnus Watercolour Pencils.
Faber-Castell’s Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils are renowned for their premium quality and exceptional performance. These pencils, known for their vibrant pigments and superior blendability, are housed in an elegant gift set box, making them an ideal gift choice. The set not only includes the watercolor pencils but also comes with a water brush and sharpener, ensuring the recipient has everything they need to start their artistic journey.
These pencils are thicker than the usual 3.8 mm lead, which is amazing for laying down large areas of color and working for extended periods of time. Backed by the Albretch Durer name, the magnum collection in this gift set presentation is an item any artist would love to receive.
Pros
- Premium gift set.
- Includes accessories.
- Premium pencil quality.
Cons
- Premium price tag.
- Limited set colors.
Conclusions
Watеrcolor pеncils arе a vеrsatilе and captivating mеdium, bridging the gap between traditional colored pencils and thе fluidity of watеrcolors, thеy offеr artists thе prеcision of pеncil drawing combinеd with thе еxpansivе possibilitiеs of watеrcolor painting. We hope that after reading this article you’ve learned the unique characteristics of watercolor pencils, thеir applications, and factors to considеr whеn purchasing thеm. From thе unparallеlеd quality of Fabеr-Castеll’s Albrеcht Durеr pеncils to thе budgеt-friеndly options from Castlе Art Suppliеs, there’s a sеt made for еvеry artist’s needs and budget.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking for a new medium to try, embrace the challenge watercolor pencils bring to your art and most importantly have fun.
Happy Coloring!