10 Best Art Colored Pencils 2026 in the United States

The Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set offers 100 vibrant, highly pigmented colored pencils designed for adult artists and students interested in watercolor effects. These pencils have a strong pigment quality, allowing bright and lasting colors that become permanent once dry, so your artwork won’t fade or smear after applying water. The 4mm core is firm enough to hold a fine point, making detailed drawing easy, yet soft enough for smooth blending and layering. You’ll find a wide color range in this set, covering many shades that enable rich, versatile artwork.

Because they are water-soluble, you can create ink-like washes by adding water, which enhances blendability significantly compared to regular colored pencils. The pencils require some care in sharpening due to their softer core, which may lead to occasional breakage if not handled gently. The wood casing feels sturdy, but the round barrel shape might not offer the best grip for long sessions. These pencils come in a solid tin case that keeps all 100 colors well organized and protected.

The set is a bit heavy and large to carry around, making it ideal for artists who want a permanent, professional-quality watercolor pencil collection to explore blending, layering, and mixed media techniques.

The Crayola Colored Pencils Set with 120 colors offers a vast color range, making it easy for kids and beginners to explore many vibrant shades. The pencils are pre-sharpened and have a smooth, creamy texture that allows for simple blending and layering, which is great for basic coloring and creative projects.

The HB core hardness is standard—neither too soft nor too hard—providing a reliable balance for general coloring. Durability is decent since the pencils are made from quality wood and designed to last through frequent use in classrooms or at home. These pencils are primarily made for kids and classroom use, so the pigment quality and lightfastness are not comparable to professional artist pencils.

They blend well for casual coloring, although more advanced artists might prefer richer and more permanent pigments. This set is a strong choice for children and hobbyists looking for an affordable, large collection of colored pencils that perform well for everyday coloring and creativity, while not being suitable for professional or archival-quality artwork.

Shuttle Art's 136 Colored Pencils set is an appealing option for both casual and serious artists, thanks to its impressive range of 136 vibrant colors, including 12 metallic shades. This extensive color palette allows for a diverse array of creative projects, such as coloring books, doodling, and drawing, making it a great fit for various age groups and skill levels.

The rich pigment quality and soft cores ensure smooth application, while their blendability welcomes experimentation in shading and layering techniques. Additionally, the pencils are designed to be break-resistant, which is a significant advantage, as it minimizes frustrations associated with frequent breakages during use and sharpening.

On the organizational side, the set comes with a numbered pencil system and a DIY color chart, which is particularly useful for artists who want to maintain a systematic approach to their coloring projects. The pre-sharpened pencils save time, allowing users to jump right into their artwork. Not to mention, the non-toxic and acid-free materials make them safe for users of all ages.