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The Best Watercolor Pencils for Stunning Artwork

Art Life Review Team
Written By Art Life Review Team
Last updated: Mar 21, 2025, 08:01 AM
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Watercolor Pencils

Watercolor pencils are a great way to add a unique and vibrant touch to your artwork. If you’ve ever wanted to take your drawings to the next level, investing in watercolor pencils might be necessary. Watercolor pencils allow you to add texture, depth, and color to your drawings without the mess and hassle of traditional painting.

In this post, we’ve rounded up the finest watercolor pencils of 2025, so you can start creating your masterpieces. We’ve included pencils for every skill level, including professionals, so you can find the perfect set. We’ll also discuss the different qualities you should look for when choosing your watercolor pencils and answer some common questions to make sure you get the most out of your set.

View all Contents
  • Finding Your New Watercolor Pencils: A Buyer’s Guide
    • Quality of the Lead
    • Color Selection
    • Pigment Intensity and Lightfastness
    • Variety of Shapes
    • Cost and Availability
    • Sharpening
    • Water Solubility
    • Texture and Layering
    • Erasability
  • People Also Asked
  • Trusted Insights from Artists
  • Contributors
  • Related Reviews

Our Top Picks

  • ARTEZA Watercolor Pencil: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
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  • Artlicious Watercolor Pencil: Most Versatile (Shop Now) →
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  • U.S. Art Supply Watercolor Pencil: Budget Pick (Shop Now) →
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  • Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencil: Most Variety (Shop Now) →
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  • Faber-Castell Watercolor Pencil: Ideal for Mixed Media Work (Shop Now) →
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  • Derwent Watercolor Pencil: Suitable for Detail Drawing (Shop Now) →
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Comparing the Highest-rated Watercolor Pencil of 2025

ARTEZA Watercolor Pencil

Best Overall
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The ARTEZA Watercolor Colored Pencils are a good addition to any artist’s art supplies. With 72 soft and vibrant shades, these high-quality colored pencils are perfect for blending, layering, and creating unique effects to add drama and depth to your artwork. The professional watercolor pencils in this set have pigment-based cores that won’t fade over time, and the colors remain vibrant even when wet. The beautiful range of colors allows for limitless creative freedom and ensures that there is something for all tastes.

These colored pencils come in a sturdy tin, making them great for storage and travel. They make the perfect gift for any artist in your life and will help them create beautiful pieces of art. The wide color range, ergonomic shape, and packaging have made these watercolor pencils our top pick. 

Product Pros
  • Variety of vibrant and lightfast shades 
  • Break-resistant tips 
  • Good value for the money
  • Smooth and ergonomic design 
Product Cons
  • Can arrive with duplicate colors 

Artlicious Watercolor Pencil

Most Versatile
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The Artlicious Watercolor Pencils offer the perfect way to bring your artwork to life. With 50 vibrant colors to choose from, you will be able to create unique pieces of art that stand out from the crowd. The strong materials used to make these pencils feature thick and soft leads, so they won’t break even under pressure. You can draw as fine or as bold a line as you want with them, perfect for blending and mixing colors.

The versatility of this set of colored pencils makes them a great gift for any artist or hobbyist. Not only are they great for school projects, adult coloring books, and other sketch classes, but they are also suitable for any and all occasions. From birthdays and holidays to just because give the gift of creativity and calming relaxation with these colored pencils. With a complete set of vivid colors, strong materials, and smooth lines, these pencils are sure to take your art to the next level.

Product Pros
  • 50 colors to choose from
  • Draw fine or bold lines
  • Great for school projects
Product Cons
  • Hard to store the pencils

U.S. Art Supply Watercolor Pencil

Budget Pick
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This set includes 48 pencils that have been carefully crafted with high-quality pigments, providing precision and accuracy for all types of artwork. This U.S. Art Supply Watercolor Pencil Set is a great choice for any art enthusiast. The color-coordinated barrels make it easy to identify each color quickly, while the longer length allows for a comfortable grip.

The pencils can be used for a wide range of art techniques, including Japanese Manga, vibrant silk painting, traditional watercolors, and botanical illustrations. Their versatility makes them ideal for creating soft masterpieces or bold strokes. The pencils can be used wet or dry, allowing users to blend the colors for unique tones and shades. This set is an excellent choice for any artist looking for a complete range of colors and techniques. 

Product Pros
  • Wide range of available hues 
  • Easy to use and manipulate with water
  • Smooth application on paper
  • Durable and can withstand dropping
Product Cons
  •  Colors are weak compared to other products 

Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencil

Most Variety
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These pencils provide an easy and dependable way to draw vivid images. The Castle Art Supplies Watercolor Pencils Set is an ideal kit for anyone looking to get immersed in the world of watercolor pencil art. Featuring three tiers of color-coded and named pencils, this set comes in a convenient tin box that can be opened with ease.

What makes this product stand out is its ability to shift from dry pencils to watercolors with just the addition of a few drops of water and a paintbrush. While drawing with pencils alone, they offer a rich range of colors and hold their points to make precise marks. When activated, the leads melt, blend, and dissolve beautifully, turning your artwork into a painting.

Product Pros
  • Smooth and creamy to apply
  • Octagonal shape for easy grip
  • Vibrant colors with minimal pressure needed
  • Easy to layer and blend
Product Cons
  • Layered box can be difficult to store

Faber-Castell Watercolor Pencil

Ideal for Mixed Media Work
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The Faber-Castell Artist Watercolor Pencils are an exceptional collection of the colorful art equipment. This 24-piece assorted set of watercolor pencils provides a great array of colors that are ideal for sketching and drawing. The metal tin makes it convenient to store and transport the pencils, letting you take your art supplies wherever you need to go.

These pencils offer a smooth and even application of color, providing vibrant pigments that blend easily with other media and create a wide range of shades. They can be used for detailed sketching, coloring, and blending, with the lead breaking into small particles when wet for use as watercolors. The lead can also be layered and blended like conventional colored pencils. The selection of colors in this pack is sure to enable any artist to find the perfect shade for any project. It is perfect for animators, illustrators, painters, and cartoonists.

Product Pros
  • Bright and vibrant pigments
  • Mixable into neutrals and pastels
  • Handle like watercolors once wet
  • Fine point for detailed work
Product Cons
  • Some colors are suitable for replicating nature

Derwent Watercolor Pencil

Suitable for Detail Drawing
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If you are looking for new drawing utensils, these Derwent Colored Pencils are great for art projects of any level. The pencils are easy to sharpen and create crisp details. These colored pencils are also water-soluble. Using a wet pencil tip, you can create rich lines and use dampened paper to get vibrant colors with soft edges. The pigment is not permanent, making it possible to adjust and move the color even after it has dried. 

It is easy to blend and layer the softer formulation of these watercolor pencils. You can create a range of effects, including bold colors and gentle watercolors. There are 24 colors available that let you customize your coloring pallet to whatever artwork you’re creating. If you’re looking for art supplies with versatility and precision in mind, then this set of watercolor pencils is perfect for you.

Product Pros
  • Offers precise control over color placement 
  • Provides an intense color
  • Can be used as regular colored pencils
  • Lifting of pigment is possible
Product Cons
  • Barrel wood is brittle 

Finding Your New Watercolor Pencils: A Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to selecting the right watercolor pencils for your artwork, there are numerous factors to consider before investing in a set. Here is a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision.

Quality of the Lead

The lead quality of the pencils will play a role in the overall look and feel of your artwork. Look for high-quality, artist-grade pencils that offer a range of hardness and softness for maximum versatility. If you can, remember to try out different brands to find the one that works for your style.

Color Selection

Color selection plays a role increative expression. Make sure you find a set with a wide range of vivid colors to get the most out of your artwork. Many artists look for pencils that come in sets with around 25 colors.

Pigment Intensity and Lightfastness

Pigments that remain vibrant and opaque after exposure to light are essential. Look for watercolor pencils with strong pigments and good lightfastness ratings to ensure your artwork stands the test of time. 

Variety of Shapes

Different tips and shapes allow you to draw lines, blend colors, and create unique textures with your art. One of the most common options is the round tip, which is perfect for shading but may be difficult for fine details. Hexagonal or triangular tips are better suited for detailed work and are often available in many sizes. 

Cost and Availability

Cost is always a factor when selecting art supplies. Look for products that balance quality and cost, as well as offer refills or replacement colors at an affordable price. You should check availability by visiting local art stores before ordering online, as this can give you an idea of what pencils are available in your area. 

Sharpening

Pre-sharpened pencils tend to be more expensive, but they can save you time by not having to sharpen them yourself. Typical watercolor pencils may offer a smoother finish that many artists prefer. 

Water Solubility

Water solubility is critical when it comes to blending colors and creating texture with your watercolor pencils. Ensure that they can be used with wet brushes or watercolors. 

Texture and Layering

Texture layering is crucial when creating artwork with watercolor pencils. Check to see how well they lay down without becoming dull. You will also want to ensure that they allow for refining details. 

Erasability

Not all artwork requires the ability to erase, but some artists may want this feature when creating detailed pieces. Look for erasers that work well on watercolor paper and cleanly remove pencil marks from their surface without damaging them. 

People Also Asked

What are the ideal watercolor pencils for artwork?

The top watercolor pencils for artwork are those that produce vibrant colors and can be used to create different effects, such as blending, layering, and shading.

How can I achieve high-quality results with watercolor pencils?

To achieve quality results with watercolor pencils, begin by selecting the right pencils and drawing surfaces. Use high-quality watercolor paper or canvas when drawing with watercolors. To apply color, use light pressure when coloring to build up layers. When combining colors, try using a wet brush to blend them for a smoother look.

What are the differences between watercolor pencils and regular color pencils?

The main difference between watercolor pencils and regular color pencils is that watercolor pencils contain more binders in their pigments so that they can be used with water to create various effects. Watercolor pencils also feature softer cores, which allow the artist to blend and layer colors easily. Regular color pencils do not have these special binders in their pigments, meaning they cannot be used with water in the same way that watercolor pencils can be used. 

Are there any special techniques for using watercolor pencils?

Yes, there are several techniques you can use to get the most out of your watercolor pencils. Use light pressure when applying color and blend colors using a wet brush or other tools such as a stylus or white eraser. You can also add texture to your drawings by pressing hard on your paper with the side of a colored pencil tip while it is still damp from being watered down. You can create unique gradients by layering multiple colors on top of each other and then blending them with water for an even distribution of color.

Are watercolor pencils beginner-friendly?

Yes, watercolor pencils are very beginner-friendly due to their easy application and ability to create various effects with just a few basic strokes and techniques. Their blendable nature makes it easier for beginners to create unique shading effects quickly without having to worry about complex painting techniques, such as washes or glazes. 

How do I use watercolor pencils on different surfaces?

Watercolor pencils can be used on a variety of surfaces depending on the type of effect you wish to create. Use high-quality art paper or canvas materials designed specifically for use with watercolors to get better results with your drawings or paintings. You can also draw or paint directly onto the wood, fabric, or glass using lighter pressure so that the color will stick without causing any damage to the surface you’re working on. 

How long do watercolor pencils last?

Watercolor pencils usually last quite a while. Due to their blendable nature, they may need to be sharpened more often than other art materials, such as paintbrushes or markers. If you take care of your supplies and store them properly in hygienic conditions, your supplies should last for at least a year before needing replacing or refilling. 

Is it possible to erase watercolor pencil drawings?

While it is not recommended due to the potential smudging of the pigment, it is possible to erase some parts of your drawing using an eraser. The ability to erase depends on how much pressure you apply and how wet the paper is.

Trusted Insights from Artists

At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.

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Art Life Review Team
Art Life Review Team
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