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 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 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.