Coloured pencils are one of the most versatile drawing tools an artist can own. High-quality pigments, smooth laydown and blendability can turn everything from casual sketchbook doodles to detailed illustrations into artwork with real depth and personality. Whether you’re building a starter set or levelling up to professional pencils, the right materials will help your colours layer cleanly, blend effortlessly and stay vibrant over time.

At Art Shed, we stock a curated range of coloured pencils for beginners, students and professional artists. Explore buttery Prismacolor Premier pencils for rich saturation, Faber-Castell Polychromos for lightfast precision, Derwent Chromaflow for smooth everyday colouring, or Mont Marte Premium Colour Pencils for reliable value. You’ll also find favourites like Faber-Castell Goldfaber, Derwent Lightfast and Derwent Coloursoft so you can build a pencil set that genuinely matches your style, technique and goals.

 

Finding the Best Coloured Pencils for Your Art

 

Choosing the right coloured pencils will shape how easily you can blend, shade and build depth in your drawings. Pigment richness determines how bold your colours appear, while core softness affects how smoothly the pencil glides. Wax-based pencils like Prismacolor Premier and Derwent Coloursoft give you soft, creamy blends that are perfect for illustrations, journalling, portraits and expressive shading. Oil-based pencils such as Faber-Castell Polychromos, Derwent Lightfast and Derwent Studio offer firmer precision, razor-sharp detail, cleaner edges and excellent lightfastness for professional fine art.

If you’re new to coloured pencils, student ranges like Faber-Castell Goldfaber and Mont Marte Premium Colour Pencils deliver strong pigment and smooth laydown without the price tag of professional sets. Artists working on long-form or exhibition pieces may prefer the consistency, lightfastness and blend control of Polychromos or Lightfast pencils, especially for realism, wildlife illustration or technical drawing.

Think about your style, pressure, colour preferences and whether you prefer soft gradient blends or fine detail. Matching your pencil type to the way you naturally draw will give you noticeably better results.

 

How to Get the Best Results from Your Coloured Pencils

 

Coloured pencils deliver their best results when you treat them as a slow-build medium rather than something you press hard with from the first stroke. Start with light layers so the pigment can settle into the tooth of your paper, then gradually increase pressure to deepen colour, blend transitions and create glossy burnished highlights. Soft pencils like Prismacolor Premier or Derwent Coloursoft blend effortlessly with gentle strokes, while firmer pencils such as Faber-Castell Polychromos or Derwent Lightfast are ideal for crisp detailing, glazing and controlled linework.

Sharpening technique plays a huge role in both your precision and how long your pencils last. Instead of making a tiny, brittle needle point, aim for a long, tapered core that gives stability and smooth control. The Derwent Superpoint Mini Manual Pencil Sharpener is perfect for this style of sharpening, creating an extended point that holds up during detailed work. For even more control, artists often use a Nitram Sharpening Bloc to custom-shape their pencil tips. It allows you to refine the point between strokes, switch from fine edges to soft shading, and avoid wasting pigment through constant snapping.

Eraser choice also affects your results. Kneadable erasers are essential for coloured pencil work because they lift pigment without roughing up the fibres of the paper. They’re brilliant for correcting soft areas, lightening highlights or tapping away excess colour. Vinyl erasers offer firmer, cleaner corrections but should be used carefully to avoid flattening the paper texture you need for layering.

Your surface is just as important as your pencils. Medium-tooth and mixed media papers hold multiple layers of pigment, while smoother pages help you achieve clean lines and subtle gradients. Three stand-out options include the Fabriano Venezia Journal, which features a beautifully smooth 200 gsm surface ideal for detailed layering; the Canson Mixed Media Artist Art Book, offering a sturdy 300 gsm page that can handle heavy burnishing and mixed media accents; and the Talens Art Creation Black Sketchbook, perfect for bold colour-on-black work and dramatic highlights.

To preserve your finished pieces, a light mist of workable fixative prevents wax bloom, protects pigment and keeps colours looking rich and vibrant. With the right tools, surfaces and techniques, coloured pencils become an incredibly expressive, professional medium for artists at every level.

 

 

FAQs

 

What’s the difference between wax- and oil-based coloured pencils?
Wax-based pencils are softer and blend more easily, making them ideal for smooth gradients, portraits and expressive shading. Oil-based pencils are firmer, sharper and better for fine detail, crisp edges and long-lasting professional work.

 

Can I use coloured pencils with markers or watercolours?
Yes. Coloured pencils layer beautifully over alcohol markers and watercolour washes once dry. Many artists use markers for base colour and pencils for texture, shadows and finishing details.

 

Which coloured pencil brands are best for professional artists?
Faber-Castell Polychromos, Derwent Lightfast and Prismacolor Premier are the most popular professional ranges due to their pigmentation, blendability and lightfast performance.

 

How can I blend coloured pencils smoothly?
Blend gradually using soft layers, build colour slowly and avoid pressing hard too early. You can use a colourless blender pencil, a burnishing pencil or lightly layer similar colours to achieve seamless transitions.

 

 

Resources, Tutorials & More

Ready to keep levelling up your art? Explore our growing library of guides, tutorials and artist-led resources designed to support you at every stage of your creative journey.

How to choose the right Pencil Set for your art practice

 

 

Need personalised advice?

Our team is made up of real artists who genuinely care about helping you create your best work.

If you’re unsure which coloured pencils suit your style, need guidance choosing the right paper, or want help building a starter or professional set, Contact Us anytime for friendly, expert recommendations. We’re always here to help you find the tools that feel right in your hand and right for your art.