Watercolor pencils buyer’s guide: Best watercolor pencil sets and all you need to know

Watercolor pencils are fantastic additions to your craft table, whether you’re an avid watercolorist longing to experiment with new techniques or completely new to the craft.

No matter your painting style or skill level, watercolor pencils make incorporating detail, vibrancy, and blending easy to learn and fun to do.

Check out our favorite watercolor pencils in this buyer’s guide to find your next set!

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Best watercolor pencils

You’ve come to the right place if you want to know more about the best watercolor pencils and sets.

Here are our top picks for each category!

Best overall: Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Artist Watercolor Pencils | Set of 24

Faber-Castell is iconic in its own right and my favorite brand when looking for artsy excellence. And this watercolor pencils set is another of its greatest hits!

This set includes a beautiful array of lightfast pigments with sublime blending potential. Items come in sets that range from 12 to 120 colors, but the magic number for most people will be 24.

These watercolor pencils boast resistant 3.8mm lead, can be used wet or dry, and lay down color permanently. This set comes in beautiful tin packaging featuring convenient, sturdy trays for storage. Plus, you’ll get a watercolor brush!

Although this isn’t a cheap watercolor pencil set, it’s definitely worth the buy, no matter your skill level — especially if you’re aiming to craft with high-quality materials from the get-go.

Because this is a very popular set, you’ll have no problem finding it in most art supply stores. That said, peruse the options below to find the best prices and deals for you!

Best large set: Caran D’Ache Prismalo Aquarelle Coloured Water-soluble Pencils | Set of 80

If you’re already familiar with watercoloring and are looking to invest in a more comprehensive set, this product by Caran D’Ache is a great choice.

While not as popular or top-of-the-line as the brand’s Supracolor or Museum Aquarelle watercolor pencils, this Prismalo set offers the ideal combination of versatility, price, and quality for student-grade painters.

In fact, Prismalo pencils tend to lay down color just as well as or more intensely than those found in the Supracolor set — a solid pick if you’re looking for vibrant results. I also love that this pack contains metallic colors since most brands tend to sell these separately!

These watercolor pencils feature sturdy 3mm lead and provide excellent lightfastness. Besides this 80-watercolor pencil set, you can also purchase Prismalo packs of 12.

Best student-grade: Lyra Graduate Aquarell Colored Pencil Set | Set of 36

This Lyra student-grade set is an excellent pick if you’re a watercolor beginner or simply winging it at first!

These sets include 36 stunning, pre-sharpened watercolor pencils and a watercoloring brush to ensure you have all you need to get started.

If you’re already familiar with Lyra, it’s only natural to compare this product to its premium Rembrandt edition. However, keep in mind that this is a student-grade set and will do more than the trick as long as you temper your expectations.

Similar to Derwent watercolor pencils, these are especially effective in achieving lighter colors vs. darker hues, as pigments tend to take longer to dissolve.

That said, this is an option worth considering if you’re looking for an extensive color range to work with on a beginner’s budget.

Best for small projects: Staedtler Karat Aquarell Premium Watercolor Pencils | Set of 24

Staedtler is one of the most famous names in the colored pencil world and sells this amazing 24-watercolor pencil set.

Also available in sets of 36 and 48, this compact 24-watercolor pencil set offers smoothness and effortless blending and is perfect for the everyday artist — including those experienced with traditional watercolor paint sets.

Packed in a thin tin box with a range of lively colors, these high-pigmented 3mm lead pencils are edged and, therefore, easy to grip. Good news: these won’t be rolling off your craft table or park bench as you work!

Best for small-scale projects or quick improvisational creations, you’ll love this set’s diverse, bright colors. While not the cheapest nor the most feature-packed, this is a great pick if you’re looking for convenience to draw or paint wherever you please.

Best for intense colors: Derwent Inktense Ink Pencils | Set of 24

If you’re looking to give your watercolor paintings a punch of color, these Derwent Inktense pencils are precisely what you need.

Offering an array of vivid colors, this 4mm lead set is perfect for packing on paint permanently and features quick-drying properties, allowing you to apply multiple layers with little to no drying time.

Besides paper, I love that these watercolor pencils can be used on a wide range of fabrics, too, from cotton and mini canvases to silk — the results on quilting projects are remarkable!

These watercolor pencils can be used wet or dry, are fantastic for drawing bold details, and are available in sets ranging from 6 to 72 pencils. Price and packaging will vary depending on the size of your set.

Although the 24-piece set is my recommendation for hobbyists, this gorgeous 48-count wooden box edition is worth a look if you’re a serious watercolorist willing to spend a little more!

Best budget-friendly: Arteza Watercolor Pencils | Set of 48

Looking for a cheap watercolor pencil set? This compact 48-watercolor pencil set by Arteza is a great pick if you’re after reliable products on a budget.

For just a little over $20, this artist-grade set includes highly pigmented, pre-sharpened pencils that bring out beautiful colors with just a few drops of water. This makes them ideal for Mandala-painting projects and stationery creative hobbies.

Items are ultra-light and very resistant to breaking — great news for clumsy artists or younger painters! In addition, I appreciate how these watercolor pencils have been carved with edges to ensure they won’t be rolling off the table!

Much like the Staedtler Karat Aquarell Premium set, this product is very compact, making it a great match if you’re all about carrying your artwork or painting in places other than your craft station. 

Although materials aren’t as high in quality, this is a handy, easy-to-transport option to enjoy small-scale watercoloring projects on a budget.

Best money for value: Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Artist Pencils | Set of 24

This Winsor & Newton watercolor pencil set features stunning packaging and boasts top performance every demanding artist will relish.

As one of my personal favorites, these beautifully packaged 3.8mm lead pencils guarantee bold, vibrant pigments and excellent lightfastness. Believe me, this is something you want if you plan on displaying and preserving your watercolor work over time!

The 24-item pack will be more than enough if you’re a beginner and is one of the best products currently available regarding quality, brand, and price.

I know that brand loyalty and personal preference come into play when buying art supplies (especially if you’re an experienced artist). However, I strongly encourage giving this set a shot no matter where you stand in your watercoloring journey.

Best for kids: Faber-Castell Do Art Watercolor Pencils | Set of 10

The best thing about creative hobbies is that there are tons of pastimes every age can enjoy — and watercoloring is no exception.

If you’re looking for a fun watercolor pencil set for children, this Faber-Castell pack is a fantastic pick and only under $20.

Besides ten high-quality eco pencils, this pack includes a 24-sheet paper pad, sharpener, brush, zippered pouch, and a 20-page booklet with step-by-step instructions on different watercoloring techniques for beginners.

This makes for an excellent gift for children that’s both budget-friendly and fun and a great option to encourage them to engage in creative activities instead of more screen time!

Best for coloring books: Prismacolor Premier Color Pencils | Set of 36

Prismacolor is one of the most popular brands for colored pencils and offers a unique catalog that suits all kinds of projects.

The Premier set contains 36 pencils featuring high-quality pigments, all ensuring smooth color laydown. These watercolor pencils are available in packs of 12, 24, and 36.

Because colors are rich and require minimal layering for intensity, this set is perfect if you or your child enjoy coloring books, Mandala painting, and mosaic watercoloring projects.

They’re also perfect if you’re testing out watercolor techniques for beginners or taking your first watercolor classes.

These watercolor pencils work exceptionally well when used as standard colored pencils too, making this set a versatile pick for experimenting with painting, drawing, and mixed medium techniques.

For example, I especially like this pack for botanical illustration, fashion illustration, and children’s book illustration!

Best for gifts: Koh-I-Noor Mondeluz Aquarelle Watercolor Pencil Set | Set of 36

Last up is the popular Koh-I-Noor Mondeluz Aquarelle Watercolor Pencil Set, the perfect gift for watercoloring enthusiasts and beginners alike.

The watercolor pencils in this 36-item set lay down color really well and boast superb lightfastness. I also must say that this set is very reasonably priced, considering its quality and variety.

In addition, these pencils work beautifully, whether dry or wet, making them the perfect creative gift for any art-loving friend who enjoys sketching, watercoloring, or mixed-medium projects.

This type of versatility is right up my alley!

Be sure to check out all of the price options and deals below to make sure you get the most bang for your buck!

How do watercolor pencils work?

Using watercolor pencils may seem uber-simple at first. But while they aren’t the most challenging of art supplies, knowing how to use them correctly does make a difference.

You’ll need to activate pigment with water to transform your pencil into paint — just as you would with a watercolor pan. You can do this in two ways:

The first is to draw directly onto your dry watercolor paper as if you were sketching with a regular colored pencil. Next, use a wet paintbrush to activate the pigments, allowing them to expand.

Water brush pens are an excellent alternative for this method!

The other way you can use your watercolor pencils is by dipping their tips directly into your water (as you would with a paintbrush) to activate pigments and paint onto your dry surface.

If you’re working with larger areas, this might not be the best method, but it’s ideal if you’re trying to achieve details, intensity, and/or precision since pencil tips are sharper/harder vs. brushes.

Watercolor pencils vs. colored pencils

The main difference between watercolor pencils and colored pencils is the properties that bind these items.

Watercolor pencils contain water-soluble binders, which allow pigments to activate and expand when in contact with water. On the other hand, colored pencils have wax and oil-based binders, which resist water.

Know that watercolor pencils can usually be used both wet and dry. While you might get less vibrant results when using these dry on paper, many brands do excel in developing quality pigments for both purposes.

I mentioned a few in the list above!

On the other hand, colored pencils will not work for watercoloring, so make sure you always stick to these solely for sketching, illustrating, and coloring on paper.

How to choose the best watercolor pencils

Before you purchase your next watercolor pencil set, we advise going over the following:

• Lightfastness — this will define how likely pigment will resist fading when exposed to light. The better the lightfastness, the longer your colors will remain intact on paper/fabric.
• Color variety — As a beginner, getting an extensive color palette is very enticing, but keep in mind that watercoloring is all about blending colors and creating new ones. So, if you’re on a budget or want something more compact to carry, remember that a smaller set will provide lots of variety.
• Pigments and hues — Keeping a swatch journal is a great way to compare different pigments, especially if you’re looking to upgrade your set or try a new brand. For example, while some sets are best for lighter colors, others may be ideal for intense, permanent hues. Having a visual diary will help guide you when starting a new project.
• Surfaces — If you want to apply watercolor pencils to fabric, double-check if the set you want is compatible with this material — this is not a standard feature all watercolor pencils share.
• Availability — Because these are popular products, be sure to check out several sellers, such as Blick and Jackson’s, to compare prices and shipping details to get the best deals.
• Dry application — If you want to use these pencils for watercoloring and sketching, choose a set that ensures this versatility (dry/wet).

FAQs

What paper works best with watercolor pencils?

Stick to watercolor paper when working with this type of pencil to see optimal results. Using other surfaces will lead to soggy paper, uneven pigment spreading, or very visible pencil marks.

Check out our guides on the best watercolor blocks and watercolor sketchbooks to find great suggestions!

Are watercolor pencils better than standard watercolor sets?

They are different, but some pros to using watercolor pencils instead are: 

• Easier to transport
• Less messy
• Best for precision, lines, detail
• You could draw and paint with a single tool
• Mixing color palettes is unnecessary
• More controlled painting/drawing

Is it difficult to paint with watercolor pencils?

Using watercolor pencils will require learning a few techniques, but this doesn’t mean it will be overwhelmingly difficult. Ultimately, it comes down to practice and skill!

A great way to learn is by painting coloring books and paper Mandala designs before getting into more freeform work.

Taking a few lessons is also a great way to get started — these are our favorite online watercolor classes!

What techniques can I apply with watercolor pencils?

There are lots of different techniques you can experiment with watercolor pencils. Here are just a few: 

• Dry pencil on wet paper
• Wet pencil on dry paper
• Dry pencil on dry paper
• Two-pencil gradient
• Layering

Check out this Udemy course or this Skillshare class to put these skills to the test! 

Are watercolor pencils expensive?

Overall, watercolor pencil sets are more expensive than colored pencils. However, as a newbie, a cheaper or smaller student-grade kit will serve you just fine.

If you’re experienced and looking for high-quality materials, you can expect to pay as much as $100+ for a more premium set.

Where can I find the best watercolor pencils?

Besides your local craft or hobby store, the online world is your oyster when buying art supplies. We especially recommend specialized art stores and suppliers such as Blick and Jackson’s.

However, Amazon is also a convenient, quick-delivery option that might benefit you more depending on where you are on the globe.

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That’s all for this watercolor pencils buyer’s guide! Which set will you be getting to start your watercoloring journey? Let everyone know in the comments below!