When choosing the best colored pencil brands for your artistic endeavors, it’s essential to consider factors like pigmentation, lightfastness, and blendability. Below are some of the top brands that artists often prefer for their superior quality and performance.
Prismacolor Premier colored pencils are renowned for their vibrant and opaque colors, making them a popular choice among artists, especially for fan art. These pencils are in-house lightfast tested, with 59 colors out of the 150-color range being lightfast. Their softcore leads allow for smooth blending and shading, making them versatile in various artistic applications.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lightfast Colors | 59/150 |
| Core Type | Soft |
| Ideal For | Blending, Shading |
| Price Range | Moderate |
For more on softcore colored pencils, check out our guide on softcore colored pencils.
Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils are highly pigmented and utilize a firm-point oil-based core, which offers excellent durability and precision. These pencils are favored for their ability to outline and layer effectively without breaking easily. They are known for their affordability and are preferred by many professional artists.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pigmentation | High |
| Core Type | Oil-based |
| Ideal For | Outlining, Layering |
| Price Range | Affordable |
Explore more about oil-based colored pencils in our detailed article.
Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils are considered the pinnacle of colored pencils due to their exceptional pigmentation, lightfastness, and smooth application. These pencils deliver dense color that doesn’t fade over time, making them ideal for professional artwork. While they are the most expensive option, their creamy texture and versatility justify the cost.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lightfastness | Superior |
| Core Type | Wax-based |
| Ideal For | Professional Art |
| Price Range | Expensive |
Learn more about the best options in professional color pencils on our site.
Derwent Coloursoft pencils are wax-based and known for their ease of blending and vibrant colors. They are comparable to Prismacolor Premier pencils but offer a slightly different texture that’s smoother and easier to layer. These pencils are ideal for artists looking for a flexible and reliable option.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Blendability | High |
| Core Type | Wax-based |
| Ideal For | Blending, Layering |
| Price Range | Moderate |
If you’re interested in exploring more vibrant options, check out our guide on neon colored pencils.
Choosing the right colored pencil brand can make a significant difference in your artwork, whether you’re a beginner or a professional. Each of these brands offers unique characteristics that cater to different artistic needs. For more tips on selecting the best pencils for your projects, visit our article on colored pencils for shading.
When selecting the best colored pencil brands, several key factors should be considered to ensure you achieve the desired results in your artwork. These factors include lightfastness and durability, color vibrancy and blending, and price and variety.
Lightfastness refers to how well a color resists fading when exposed to light over time. Durability is essential for artists who want their work to remain vibrant and intact for years. Different brands offer varying levels of lightfastness and durability, which can significantly impact the longevity of your artwork.
Color vibrancy and blending capabilities are crucial for achieving the depth and richness in your artwork. The ability to blend seamlessly and create vibrant hues can elevate the quality of your drawings.
The price and variety of Best Colored Pencil Brands available in a colored pencil set can also influence your decision. While premium brands may offer superior quality, they often come at a higher cost. Balancing quality and affordability is key.
| Brand | Lightfastness | Pigment Quality | Price Range | Color Variety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prismacolor Premier | 59/150 colors | Vibrant, Opaque | $$ | Wide |
| Caran d’Ache Luminance | 100% lightfast | Highly Pigmented, Creamy | $$$$ | Good |
| Faber-Castell Polychromos | Extremely Lightfast | Highly Pigmented, Firm-Point | $$$ | Huge |
| Derwent Coloursoft | Comparably Lightfast | Vibrant, Easy to Blend | $$$ | Wide |
When choosing the best colored pencils for artists, it’s essential to consider these factors to find the perfect match for your artistic needs. For those interested in exploring different types of pencils, our guides on oil-based colored pencils, metallic colored pencils, and pastel colored pencils provide additional insights.
Choosing the right paper is critical for achieving the best results with colored pencils. The texture, weight, and quality of the paper can significantly impact the final artwork. Here are some top recommendations for colored pencil papers.
Strathmore 300 Bristol paper is highly recommended for beginners. It is affordable, acid-free, and has a smooth surface ideal for colored pencil work. The paper is available in single sheets or pads of 20, making it convenient for practice and experimentation.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Surface | Smooth |
| Availability | Single sheets or pads of 20 |
| Acid-Free | Yes |
| Ideal For | Beginners |
For artists seeking fully archival, 100% cotton paper, Fabriano Artistico Extra White Watercolor Paper with a hot press texture is a fantastic option. This paper is excellent for colored pencils due to its smooth, yet absorbent surface, allowing for rich, vibrant colors and fine detail.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% Cotton |
| Texture | Hot Press (Smooth) |
| Archival Quality | Yes |
| Ideal For | Professional artists |
Legion Stonehenge Paper, with its vellum (medium) texture, is popular among colored pencil artists. The medium texture provides a good balance between smoothness and tooth, allowing for excellent color layering and blending.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Texture | Vellum (Medium) |
| Popularity | High among colored pencil artists |
| Ideal For | Intermediate to advanced artists |
For those who prefer a smooth texture and require an archival-quality option, Strathmore 500 Bristol Board is an excellent choice. It is considered the archival counterpart to the beginner-friendly Strathmore 300 Bristol paper, offering a high-quality surface for professional work.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Surface | Smooth |
| Archival Quality | Yes |
| Ideal For | Professional artists |
Selecting the right paper enhances the experience of using professional color pencils, and contributes to the overall quality of the artwork. For more specialized options, such as metallic colored pencils or softcore colored pencils, choosing a compatible paper can make a significant difference in the outcome. Explore further to find the best combination for your artistic needs.
When selecting the best colored pencil brands, it’s crucial to understand the differences between student and artist grade pencils. These distinctions can significantly impact your artwork’s quality and longevity.
Texture is a critical factor that sets student and artist grade pencils apart. Cheap pencils, often used by students, may contain fillers that make them less blendable and challenging to create an even color patch without visible lines. In contrast, professional-grade pencils are often soft, creamy, and blend almost effortlessly.
| Pencil Grade | Texture | Blendability |
|---|---|---|
| Student Grade | Rough | Low |
| Artist Grade | Soft, Creamy | High |
For more on achieving smooth blends, check out colored pencils for shading and softcore colored pencils.
The pigment content is another significant difference between student and professional-grade colored pencils. High-end pencils contain a high pigment content, resulting in vibrant, rich colors when applied to paper. In contrast, cheaper pencils are mostly made of fillers, producing dull and insipid colors.
| Pencil Grade | Pigment Content | Color Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| Student Grade | Low | Dull |
| Artist Grade | High | Vibrant |
Brands like Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 and Faber-Castell Polychromos are renowned for their rich pigments and color intensity, making them popular choices among professional artists. Explore more about best color pencils for artists.
Lightfastness is a crucial factor, especially for artwork intended to last. Student-grade pencils are generally not lightfast, meaning the colors may fade over time when exposed to light. In contrast, artist-grade pencils are tested for lightfastness, ensuring that the colors remain vibrant for years.
| Pencil Grade | Lightfastness | Longevity |
|---|---|---|
| Student Grade | Low | Short-term |
| Artist Grade | High | Long-term |
For example, Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 pencils are 100% lightfast, while Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils are also extremely lightfast. These characteristics make them ideal for professional work. Learn more about professional color pencils and their durability.
Understanding these distinctions can help you make an informed choice, whether you’re a student practicing your skills or a professional aiming for exceptional results.
