The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Colored Pencil

When choosing colored pencils, understanding the types available can help you find the best option for your needs, whether for professional artwork or casual coloring. Here’s a breakdown of the main kinds:

Wax-Based Colored Pencils:
These are the most common type and ideal for layering and blending. Their smooth texture allows colors to be laid down easily, making them popular among beginners and professionals alike. Prismacolor Premier and Caran d'Ache Luminance are popular choices, known for their rich pigmentation. However, they may produce a “wax bloom” over time, a hazy effect from oxidation, which can be fixed with a dry cloth or fixative spray to prevent recurrence.

Oil-Based Colored Pencils:

These pencils, like Faber-Castell Polychromos and Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor, offer a firmer core that is resistant to breakage and allows for precision. Though slightly harder than wax-based pencils, oil-based pencils offer durability and are less prone to wax bloom. They’re well-suited for detailed work and blending but can be a bit pricier due to their high-quality pigments.

Watercolor Pencils:
Combining features of both colored pencils and watercolors, watercolor pencils can be used dry or activated with water to create watercolor effects. Brands like Derwent Inktense and Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer provide excellent options, allowing artists to create gradients and washes in addition to regular pencil strokes, offering flexibility for mixed-media projects.

Pastel Pencils:
For those who enjoy the texture of pastels but need more control, pastel pencils like Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel are an excellent choice. They create a velvety, vibrant color that is ideal for blending, making them popular in portraiture and soft gradients. The pencils work well for creating both detailed and broad strokes, making them versatile for many styles.

Wax-Based Colored Pencils:
These are the most common type and ideal for layering and blending. Their smooth texture allows colors to be laid down easily, making them popular among beginners and professionals alike. Prismacolor Premier and Caran d'Ache Luminance are popular choices, known for their rich pigmentation. However, they may produce a “wax bloom” over time, a hazy effect from oxidation, which can be fixed with a dry cloth or fixative spray to prevent recurrence.

Oil-Based Colored Pencils:

These pencils, like Faber-Castell Polychromos and Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor, offer a firmer core that is resistant to breakage and allows for precision. Though slightly harder than wax-based pencils, oil-based pencils offer durability and are less prone to wax bloom. They’re well-suited for detailed work and blending but can be a bit pricier due to their high-quality pigments.

Watercolor Pencils:
Combining features of both colored pencils and watercolors, watercolor pencils can be used dry or activated with water to create watercolor effects. Brands like Derwent Inktense and Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer provide excellent options, allowing artists to create gradients and washes in addition to regular pencil strokes, offering flexibility for mixed-media projects.

Pastel Pencils:
For those who enjoy the texture of pastels but need more control, pastel pencils like Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel are an excellent choice. They create a velvety, vibrant color that is ideal for blending, making them popular in portraiture and soft gradients. The pencils work well for creating both detailed and broad strokes, making them versatile for many styles.