10 Best Watercolor Pencils

The Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set offers a large and vibrant color range with 100 different shades, providing plenty of options for your artwork. These pencils have a 4mm core that delivers rich, highly pigmented colors, giving your drawings bright and intense results. A unique feature is that once the color dries, it becomes permanent, allowing you to layer colors without disturbing the paint underneath. This makes them distinct from regular watercolor pencils, which remain blendable.

These pencils dissolve well with water to create smooth, ink-like effects, making them great for artists who enjoy mixing drawing and painting techniques. The pencil hardness leans toward a fine point that holds up well for detailed work. Although the firmness means they won’t wear down too quickly, they might require more water to blend smoothly at times. Being water-soluble, they perform well when activated with water and pair nicely with Derwent water brushes and special watercolor paper for best results.

One downside is that because the color becomes permanent after drying, it is less forgiving if you want to rework or lift colors later. Additionally, the set is quite large and might be overwhelming for beginners who don’t need so many colors at once. This set suits serious hobbyists or artists looking for a professional-grade, versatile watercolor pencil collection that offers vibrant colors and the ability to create both detailed lines and painterly effects.

The Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils come in a set of 24 vibrant colors, offering a good variety for artists who want to explore rich, intense hues. These pencils stand out because their pigments are particularly strong and behave like ink once activated with water, meaning the colors dry permanently and won’t wash away. This makes them ideal for layering and creating bold effects. The pencil cores have a soft but firm texture, allowing for easy color application and good control, though the softness means the tips might wear down faster than harder pencils.

Blending is smooth and effective when water is applied, helping to create beautiful watercolor washes or painterly effects. Since the colors dry permanently, you don’t need to worry about smudging or colors running after they dry, which is great for projects that need to last. They’re also versatile enough to be used on fabric and in crafting, adding to their appeal beyond traditional drawing. The pencils come in a sturdy metal tin, making them easy to store and carry. One thing to keep in mind is that while the colors are water-soluble and blend well, they are not washable once dry, so mistakes can’t be easily corrected with water alone.

These pencils represent a solid choice for artists looking for highly pigmented, long-lasting watercolor pencil effects, especially if you enjoy working with bold, permanent colors and plan to use your work in mixed media or crafts.

Faber-Castell’s Albrecht Dürer set of 120 watercolor pencils offers an impressive color range, making it a great choice for artists who want many options for detailed and vibrant artwork. The pigments are high quality and acid-free, which means the colors stay bright and don’t fade easily over time. These pencils have a soft texture and thick 3.8mm leads, which helps when applying rich color smoothly. They blend very well with water, allowing you to create many new shades and watercolor effects without hassle. Thanks to a special bonding process, the leads are more resistant to breaking, so they hold up well during use. The pencil hardness is around HB, a good middle ground that gives enough strength for drawing but still smooth enough for blending.

Water solubility is excellent; the colors dissolve easily when water is added, perfect for watercolor painting techniques. One minor point is the weight and size of the full 120-pencil wooden case, which can be bulky if portability is a concern. Also, there’s no official warranty, so careful handling is recommended. This set is suitable for anyone from hobbyists and students to professional artists who want a versatile, long-lasting watercolor pencil collection.