10 Best Watercolor Pencils 2025 in the United States

Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Watercolour Pencils come in a large set of 48 vibrant colors, making them great for artists who want a wide palette to explore. These pencils use a wax-based core, which helps in smooth color application and coverage whether you use them dry or add water to create watercolor effects. Their solubility is a strong point, allowing easy blending and transformations when water is applied. The cores are designed to resist breakage, so they can handle pressure and occasional drops better than many other pencils.

When it comes to pigment quality and lightfastness, these pencils are generally reliable, offering bright and lasting colors, though they are more suited for practice, learning, and casual artwork rather than professional archival pieces. Pencil hardness is moderate, balancing between softness for vibrant color and firmness for control. Winsor & Newton is a respected brand in art supplies, which adds confidence in the product’s quality. One thing to keep in mind is that being wax-based, they might not blend as seamlessly as some water-soluble oil or pure watercolor pencils, but they are excellent for layering and mixing.

This set is ideal for beginners, students, and hobbyists looking for a comprehensive and durable watercolor pencil collection with good color variety and dependable performance.

The Faber Castell Albrecht Durer 120 Watercolor Pencil Set is a strong choice for adults looking for professional-quality watercolor pencils. These pencils stand out due to their highly pigmented leads that dissolve completely when water is applied, allowing smooth and vibrant color blending. The 3.3mm leads are SV-bonded, which means they are less likely to break, making them durable and reliable. With 120 colors available, the set offers an extensive range that suits detailed and colorful artwork. The pencil hardness is rated as 'F' (firm), providing a good balance between softness for color laying and firmness for precision. Faber-Castell is a well-known and respected brand in art supplies, adding confidence to the product's quality.

The set is quite large and might be overwhelming for beginners or those who don’t need such a broad color range. Packed in a sturdy tin, the pencils are easy to store and transport.

This set is ideal for serious hobbyists and professional artists who want a wide selection of reliable, richly pigmented watercolor pencils, though casual users might find the quantity more than necessary.

The Derwent Inktense Pencils set of 24 offers vibrant, highly pigmented colors that stand out, making it great for anyone wanting bold and expressive artwork. These watercolor pencils are unique because their colors are water soluble but become permanent once dry, which means you can layer colors without worrying about them bleeding together. This feature also allows using them on different surfaces like paper or fabric, offering versatility beyond typical watercolor pencils. The 4mm soft lead core is smooth and easy to apply, though softer leads may wear down faster with heavy use.

The set includes a broad color range of 24 shades, giving plenty of options for mixing and creating custom colors. Derwent is a well-regarded brand known for quality art supplies, adding confidence to the purchase. While the colors dry permanently, which is great for lasting artwork, this means you won’t get the same reactivatable effects typical watercolor pencils provide after drying. Also, although the pencils have strong pigment and color retention (lightfastness), they may not be as subtle or translucent as traditional watercolor pencils.

These pencils are ideal for artists who want bright, intense colors and the ability to work on various surfaces, including fabric, making them a versatile and creative choice for both beginners and experienced users.