Best Watercolor Colored Pencils for Artists Reviewed
Watercolor colored pencils are a powerful hybrid tool that bridges the gap between drawing and painting. They offer the precision of a pencil with the fluid expressiveness of watercolor, making them a favorite among illustrators, fine artists, and hobbyists alike. But with so many brands on the market, choosing the right set can be overwhelming. In this guide, we review the best watercolor colored pencils for artists, examining performance, pigment quality, blendability, and real-world usability—so you can make an informed investment in your art supplies.
What Are Watercolor Colored Pencils?
Watercolor pencils are colored pencils made with water-soluble pigments. They can be used dry like traditional colored pencils or activated with water to create a watercolor effect. This dual capability makes them incredibly versatile: sketch with them dry, then add water with a brush to blend or paint. They’re ideal for travel, mixed media work, and artists who want the control of drawing with the beauty of watercolor.
Why Artists Choose Watercolor Pencils
For many artists, watercolor pencils offer the best of both worlds. You can layer colors dry, then activate only the areas you want to blend. This level of control is difficult to achieve with traditional watercolor paints. They’re also less messy, more portable, and require fewer tools—just a brush and water. According to Nicki Traikos’s blog, watercolor pencils are especially helpful for beginners learning color theory and brush techniques, thanks to their simplicity and compactness.
Top Watercolor Colored Pencils for Artists
Let’s dive into the most recommended brands, based on expert reviews and artist feedback. These pencils are praised not only for their pigment strength but also for their professional-grade performance.
| Brand | Best For | Key Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer | Professional Artists | Highly pigmented, excellent blendability, lightfast | High ($$-$$$) |
| Derwent Inktense | Bold Color Work | Ink-like finish, intense color, permanent when dry | Mid-High ($$) |
| Prismacolor Water-Soluble | Soft Blending | Rich color, creamy texture, smooth layering | Mid ($$) |
| Caran d’Ache Supracolor | Mixed Media | Exceptional quality, soft core, excellent layering | Premium ($$$) |
| Staedtler Karat Aquarell | Students & Hobbyists | Good value, decent pigmentation, easy to use | Budget ($) |
1. Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer: The Gold Standard
Widely considered the benchmark in watercolor pencils, Faber-Castell’s Albrecht Dürer line is a favorite among professional artists. These pencils are made with high-quality pigments and offer outstanding lightfastness—critical for artwork intended to last. What sets them apart is their ability to dissolve completely in water, leaving no pencil marks behind once activated.
According to The Art Gear Guide, Albrecht Dürer pencils are praised for their smooth application and blendability. The color payoff is rich and consistent, and the pencils work well on both dry and wet paper. Whether you’re creating fine details or large washes, they respond beautifully to brushwork.
These pencils are a bit of an investment, but their performance justifies the cost for serious artists.
2. Derwent Inktense: For Bold, Permanent Color
Derwent Inktense pencils are unique in the watercolor pencil world. Once activated with water and dried, the color becomes permanent—more like ink than watercolor. This allows for layering without reactivating previous layers, a feature many mixed media artists love.
On a Reddit thread in r/ArtistLounge, artists consistently praise Inktense for its vibrant hues and ability to hold up on textured watercolor paper. The colors explode with vibrancy when wet and maintain their intensity after drying. However, because of their permanence, they require a bit more planning during the creative process.
These are ideal for artists who want bold, expressive work with a unique finish—not your typical watercolor softness.
3. Prismacolor Water-Soluble: Soft and Blendable
Prismacolor is known for its buttery smooth colored pencils, and their watercolor line maintains that reputation. These pencils are softer than most, which makes them excellent for blending and layering. They dissolve well in water, though not as completely as Faber-Castell’s.
They’re a solid choice for artists who prioritize color richness and ease of use over archival quality. While not as lightfast as some premium brands, they’re perfect for sketchbooks, practice work, or digital scanning.
Artists who enjoy Prismacolor’s Premier line will feel right at home with these water-soluble versions, especially for portraiture and soft gradients.
4. Caran d’Ache Supracolor: Premium Performance
If budget is no concern and you want the best of the best, Caran d’Ache Supracolor pencils deliver. These Swiss-made pencils are renowned for their creamy cores, exceptional pigment load, and seamless solubility. They glide effortlessly on paper and dissolve into rich washes with minimal effort.
They’re also highly lightfast and ideal for professional work. Many illustrators and fine artists use Supracolor pencils for both standalone watercolor work and mixed media projects. The pencils also pair well with Caran d’Ache’s Museum Aquarelle line, offering a flexible system for layered, detailed work.
These are luxury tools, but for many artists, they’re worth every penny.
5. Staedtler Karat Aquarell: Budget-Friendly and Reliable
For those just starting out or looking for a cost-effective option, Staedtler’s Karat Aquarell pencils are a dependable choice. While they don’t match the pigment intensity or blendability of higher-end brands, they perform admirably for sketching, practice, and light washes.
They’re also easy to sharpen and less prone to breakage—valuable traits for students or artists on the go. While the color range is more limited, the pencils behave predictably and offer a solid introduction to watercolor techniques.
Choosing the Right Watercolor Pencil
When selecting watercolor colored pencils for artists, consider the following:
- Pigment Quality: Higher pigment content means more vibrant, long-lasting color.
- Solubility: Some pencils dissolve completely; others leave a trace of the original line.
- Lightfastness: Important for artwork that will be displayed or sold.
- Core Hardness: Softer cores are easier to blend; harder cores are better for detail.
- Price vs. Purpose: Invest in premium brands for professional work; budget brands are great for practice.
Tips for Using Watercolor Pencils Like a Pro
To get the most out of your watercolor pencils, keep these techniques in mind:
- Use hot press watercolor paper for smoother blending; cold press for texture.
- Layer dry colors first, then activate with a damp brush for controlled blending.
- Try lifting pigment with a wet brush directly from the pencil tip for painting-like effects.
- Use masking fluid to preserve highlights before applying water.
- Experiment with mixed media—combine pencils with ink, graphite, or traditional watercolors.
Manufacturing Insight: What Makes a Great Watercolor Pencil?
Behind every quality watercolor pencil is a precise manufacturing process. Premium pencils use finely milled pigments suspended in a water-soluble binder, typically gum arabic or modified cellulose compounds. The core is encased in cedarwood for durability and easy sharpening.
OEM manufacturers for top brands often rely on strict quality control for pigment dispersion, binder consistency, and wood casing alignment. Brands like Faber-Castell and Caran d’Ache maintain in-house production in Germany and Switzerland, respectively, ensuring high standards and ethical sourcing of materials.
Mass-market pencils may use synthetic binders or lower-grade pigments, which affects solubility and color payoff. Understanding this helps artists choose tools that align with their creative goals and sustainability values.
Final Thoughts: Investing in Your Artistic Journey
Whether you’re a seasoned illustrator or a curious beginner, watercolor pencils offer a flexible, expressive medium that adapts to your style. From the professional-grade Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer to the bold Derwent Inktense and the soft Prismacolor line, there’s a perfect pencil for every artist.
Consider your artistic needs, budget, and workflow when choosing a set. And don’t be afraid to mix brands—many artists use different pencils for different effects.
For more detailed reviews and artist insights, explore The Art Gear Guide and the r/ArtistLounge discussion on watercolor pencils. These resources offer real-world feedback and in-depth comparisons to help you make the best choice for your creative toolkit.