10 Best Watercolor Pencils 2025 in the United States

The Caran d'Ache Museum Watercolour Pencils set offers an impressive range of 76 vibrant colors, which is a strong point for artists who appreciate a wide color palette. Known for their exceptional pigment quality, these pencils ensure vivid and consistent colors, making them a favorite among serious artists. Their completely water-soluble nature allows for smooth blending and layering, and the absence of a white film when wet is a bonus for maintaining color clarity. The pencils also boast excellent lightfastness, which means your artwork will resist fading over time, whether you're working dry or wet.

The inclusion of two Technalo HB and 3B water-soluble graphite pencils adds versatility to the set, ideal for sketching or adding depth to your watercolor pieces. The pencil hardness, rated at HB, offers a balance between soft and hard, making them suitable for a range of artistic techniques. Caran d'Ache, being a well-regarded brand, brings reliability and quality assurance.

However, this premium set comes with a higher price tag, which may be a consideration for hobbyists or beginners on a budget. Additionally, although the wide color range is a strength, managing and organizing such a large set might be daunting for some users. The product's weight and size could also be a factor for those who prefer portability. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Caran d'Ache Museum Watercolour Pencils are particularly well-suited for professional artists or dedicated art enthusiasts seeking high-quality tools for their creative work.

The Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Artist Watercolor Pencils are a fantastic choice for artists looking to explore the versatility of watercolor effects. One of the standout features is their high pigment quality, which ensures vibrant hues that can easily be blended, whether used dry or with water. Lightfastness is another strong point; these pencils resist fading over time, making them suitable for works that will be displayed or sold. The range of colors in this set of 24 is impressive, providing a good variety to help artists achieve the desired shades for their projects.

The pencils are designed with an easy-to-hold round cedar wood barrel and feature a 3.7mm core that is break-resistant. This means they can withstand the rigors of regular use, and they sharpen cleanly, which is a bonus for maintaining point precision. Additionally, they are ACMI Certified non-toxic, which is an important consideration for users concerned about safety, especially if children are involved in the art-making process.

These watercolor pencils are particularly well-suited for adults and more experienced crafters aiming to create beautiful art with a range of techniques. They offer a strong blend of quality and versatility, making them a great addition to any artist's toolkit.

The Derwent WaterColour Colored Pencils set is a good choice for adults who are into drawing and painting. These pencils come in a sturdy wooden box with 72 different colors, making them great for artists who need a wide range of shades. The pencils are designed to be break-resistant and easy to sharpen, which is helpful for long drawing sessions. Each pencil has a hexagonal shape and a 3.4mm core, providing good control and precision for detailed work.

The pigments in these pencils are water soluble, so you can use them like regular colored pencils or mix them with water to create watercolor effects. This makes the pencils quite versatile, allowing you to blend and layer colors for different artistic effects. Since the pigment is not permanent, you can adjust the colors even after they dry, which might be a drawback if you prefer your artwork to stay unchanged over time.

Derwent is a reputable brand in the art supplies world, known for quality products. For best results, you can use these pencils with other Derwent products like brushes and watercolor paper. The set is relatively expensive and might not be the best choice for beginners. Also, while the color range is broad, some artists might find the colors less vivid compared to other high-end watercolor pencils.