Pencils vary enormously too, in the hardness of the lead, how they feel in the hand and in the variety and depth of pigment. These are crude categorisations though – in reality, no pencil is purely wax or oil and both are often present in the same pencils, alongside other ingredients. Lightfastness is pretty solid too, with only a dozen of the 72 pencils not being recommended for professional work.

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From everyday workhorses that can be used again and again, to beautifully crafted models that might be saved for special works, coloured pencils vary enormously in quality. Type: To start with, you’ll want to decide whether you want oil-core, wax-core or watercolour pencils.They were part of the very first ASTM tests for lightfastness in coloured pencils and are now the standard that other pencils are judged against, so you can be sure your drawings will last for a very long time. As the name implies, these pencils imitate the look of watercolour paint since the coloured pigment is held by a water-soluble binding agent rather than wax or oil.

Top Model Colouring Pencils - Basic Colours x 24 - The Pencil Top Model Colouring Pencils - Basic Colours x 24 - The Pencil

Of the three most revered pencil brands – the others being Caran d’Ache and Derwent – Faber-Castell has the widest range. Quality: When it comes to quality, you’re generally looking for pencils with higher proportions of pigment, which should result in richer colours coming off the pencil. But that’s not to say we can’t nudge you in the right direction with our guide to the leading brands for artists. Harder pencils tend to have more pigment in them and less wax, hence they are better for drawing detail and outlining, rather than covering large areas. This set would make an incredible gift for any budding artist that will be cherished for a long time to come.In terms of colour, the Arteza pencils have excellent pigmentation, offering a wonderful range of colours in the 72-piece set, from warm and cool to earthy and dark. That means, once you’ve shaded something, rubbing water over it using a paint brush will produce a watercolour painting-like aesthetic. Trusted brands are always a good choice in this regard, but don’t be put off if you haven’t heard of a manufacturer before – it might just be better value. Generally, the greater the range of colours in a set, and the greater the pigmentation of those coloured pencils, the more the set will cost. We recommend keeping the tip fairly short to avoid breakages mid-draw, but the velvety softness delivers that high-quality look that artists crave.

Best colouring pencils 2023: Draw like a professional artist

For those with a preference for drawing on darker paper, the Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 set is just about perfect.Finding the best colouring pencils, the ones that feel just right in your hand, ultimately boils down to personal choice. Then there are the less well-known manufacturers that might offer better value, especially if you are just starting out. They aren’t quite as soft as those more expensive brands, which should have the benefit of making them more durable, while still providing a creamy touch on paper. The Van Gogh Royal Talens colouring pencil sets – as the name suggests – offer quality that the artist would be proud of.

Top Model 006710 Pencils, Pack of 24, Multi-Colour

Obviously paper wouldn’t be your first choice of writing surface, but it may last long enough to prove the point. On the other hand, softer pencils will provide a more opaque stroke that smudges faster, making it useful for blending colours and shading. Not all manufacturers use this standard, with some making their own scales of lightfastness – for instance, Prismacolour use I – Excellent, II – Very Good, III – Good, IV – Fair, V – Poor.An oil-based set, these pencils are quite hard with a sharp lead point – in fact, it’s incredibly resistant to going blunt, which is perfect for drawing all that fine detail, from wispy hairs to intricate leaves. Their superior luminance means they perform well on darker materials, but they can be used on lighter paper too.