10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2025 in the United States

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are an excellent choice for artists and coloring enthusiasts looking for high-quality colored pencils. With a soft core, these pencils excel in shading and blending, allowing for smooth transitions and vibrant color application. The lightfast pigments ensure that your artwork will resist fading over time, which is a significant advantage for those creating lasting pieces. With 150 colors in the set, users have a wide palette to work from, making it suitable for detailed and intricate designs.

One of the standout features is the durability of the pencils. The robust leads are designed to resist cracking and chipping, which is particularly beneficial for adult coloring books where heavy pressure may be applied. Users appreciate the ultra-smooth color laydown, making the drawing experience enjoyable and fulfilling.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The softness of the pencil cores, while great for blending, may make them less suitable for precise, fine details, which could be a drawback for some artists. Additionally, as a premium product, it comes at a higher price point compared to other colored pencils, which may not appeal to beginner users or casual hobbyists. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are ideal for serious artists or those engaged in adult coloring who prioritize quality and vibrancy in their work. They shine in terms of color range, blendability, and durability, though the softness may limit their use in more detailed applications.

The Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils Set of 100 is highly praised for its exceptional pigment quality. These pencils are 100% lightfast, meaning the colors will remain vibrant for up to 100 years under appropriate conditions, making them ideal for professional artists concerned with long-lasting art. The pigment quality meets international standards, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

The oil-based core is a standout feature, providing a creamy, buttery texture that allows for smooth color blending and layering techniques. This makes it easy to achieve detailed drawings and a paint-like effect when mixed with a brush on paper or canvas. The set offers a wide spectrum of 100 colors, giving artists a vast range to choose from, which is perfect for experimenting with different shades and effects.

The pencils are also designed with a strong, 4mm wide core, enhancing their durability and preventing frequent breakage, even under pressure. However, one potential drawback is that the pencils are oil-based, which might require additional tools for blending compared to wax-based pencils. Additionally, the premium quality and extensive color range come at a higher price point, which might not be suitable for beginners or those on a tight budget. Despite this, for those seeking professional-quality colored pencils with excellent lightfastness and blendability, the Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils are an excellent choice.

The Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set (50ct) offers a convenient and mess-free coloring experience, especially suited for kids aged 4 and up. One of the standout features is the twistable mechanism, which eliminates the need for sharpening and peeling, making it easy for children to use. The plastic barrel protects the color core, adding to the pencil's durability and making them suitable for on-the-go creativity.

The set boasts a wide color range, with 50 different shades, allowing for a variety of artistic expressions in coloring books, drawings, and crafts. The pigment quality may not meet the high standards required by professional artists, as these pencils are designed primarily for children. Lightfastness, which refers to how well the colors resist fading over time, is not specified and may be less critical for the intended young user base.

The core hardness is moderate, making blending and shading relatively easy for kids, although it might not offer the precision or intensity preferred by more serious artists. In terms of blendability, the pencils perform well enough for basic color mixing, but might not satisfy advanced blending techniques. As part of Crayola's adaptive tools, these pencils also cater to diverse needs, providing sensory and tactile benefits. The Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set is an excellent gift for children who enjoy creative activities, offering ease of use, vibrant colors, and robust design features, though they may not meet the exacting standards of professional art supplies.