10 Best Watercolor Pencils 2020

Watercolor pencils are quite possibly the most versatile tools you can use to produce beautiful artwork. You can choose to use them dry, as you would standard coloring pencils, or with water, to achieve the effect of a watercolor painting. Either way, the results are eye catching, vibrant, and fade resistant.

Watercolor pencils are truly easy to use. The only complicating factor is figuring out which pencils are right for you. Luckily, we have put together a list of the best watercolor pencils on the market. Once you purchase a set, you’ll be ready to start producing new artwork right away.

Top 10 Best Watercolor Pencils Chart

PictureName# of Pencils/ SetPriceRating (1-5)
Picture
Name
# of Pencils/ Set
Price
Rating (1-5)
1. Derwent Colored Pencils, Drawing, Watercolor, Art, Inktense Ink Pencils, 36-Pack (2301842)36$$$$4.8
2. Colore Watercolor Pencils - Water Soluble Colored Pencils For Art Students & Professionals - Assorted Colors72$$$4.7
3. Prismacolor Water-Soluble Colored Pencils, 36-Count (Pack of 1) 36$$$$4.7
4. ColoritPRO Best Watercolor Colored Pencils, Great Color Selection & Named Drawings48$$4.6
5. Magicfly 72 Colored Pencils Set Premier Soft Core Watercolor Pencils with 2 Brushes and Metal Tin Case72$$$4.5
6. Artist's Choice 72 Pack Watercolor Pencils with Paintbrush 72$$$4.5
7. US Art Supply 36 Piece Watercolor Artist Grade Water Soluble Colored Pencil Set36$$4.4
8. LYV Arts 72 Premium Art Watercolors Colored Pencils Set For Sketch Artists72$$$$4.3
9. ArtLost Watercolor Pencils 48-Colors - Aquarelle - Water-Soluble - Set of 4848$$4.3
10. Arteza Watercolor Pencils 48-colored Water-soluble48$4.0

Which Kit Size Is Best?

  • More Than 50 Pencils. Some people thrive on variety. If you are the type of artist that prefers to work on subtly shaded illustrations or paintings with many minute changes in hues, you will appreciate a kit with various shades within the same color family.
  • Fewer Than 50 Pencils. Many people do not want or need a selection of pencils with similar tones – for example, some may find it overwhelming or unnecessary to have seven shades of blue from which to choose. Condensed kits with fewer than 50 pencils are ideal for people who want a simplified kit and don’t want to feel overwhelmed or cluttered.

3 Best Watercolor Pencils Reviews

1. Derwent Colored Inktense Ink Pencils

If you are a fan of vivid color, you will love the variety packs of Derwent Inktense Colored Pencils. These pencils offer the highest quality in terms of pigmentation and resilience.

These versatile pencils can be used either wet or dry. When you use these pencils dry, you will be able to create beautiful combinations of colors that are both bold and soft at the same time. You can add water to increase the vibrancy of each stroke of your pencil, while also lending a beautifully transparent effect to your artwork.

Do keep in mind that due to the bold nature of the hues in these pencils, once they have been mixed with water, the colors will dry down to a permanent finish, meaning the color will not run even if wet again a second time. This is great for people who want to use these pencils in conjunction with other pencils, paints, prints, etc. Just remember that if you want to change a pencil stroke, it will be difficult to do so once you wet it and let it dry down.

Each pencil in the Derwent Inktense packs features a 4mm wide core housed in a comfortable 8mm wide barrel. Each pencil has a unique colored tab at the top end to help you quickly find the color you want to work with. The pencil kit comes with a metal carrying case to organize and protect each pencil.

The most popular sized kit contains 36 pencils in a vast array of jewel tones. There are also more condensed kits containing 12 or 24 pencils, as well as a larger kit containing 72 pencils.

These pencils are so versatile that they can be used effectively for a wide variety of art styles, from comic book illustrations to traditional watercolor landscape and still life paintings.

2. Colore Water Soluble Watercolor Pencils

Colore Watercolor Pencils are some of the best watercolor pencils available in a set. This particular set contains an array of 72 unique colors designed to help you do your best artwork.

You can use these pencils either dry or wet. If you prefer to sketch, simply use a pencil to draw your desired design – and layer in other colors as you choose. If you prefer the translucent finish of watercolor art, simply wet the included brush pen and apply over your sketch, or use a damp sponge or a swatch of textile if you prefer.

The pencils are both precise and durable. Each pencil has a 3.4mm core, with a strong construction that will stand up to pressure as you sketch and shade. The pencils are pre-sharpened to a fine point so that you can place color exactly where you want to, without the frustration of dealing with color seeping where it shouldn’t go. The kit comes with a beautiful, sturdy metal carrying tin for ultimate portability.

This watercolor pencil kit is suitable for all types of artists, from children and teens who are just starting out, to professionals who need top of the line tools for their day-to-day projects. These pencils also make a terrific gift for any art enthusiast.

These pencils are protected by a lifetime guarantee, so there is no reason to hesitate in making your purchase. You’ll be able to enjoy these beautiful, high quality tools for years to come.

3. Prismacolor Water-Soluble Colored Pencils

Prismacolor is a well-known brand within the art world. The company has a fantastic reputation for manufacturing high quality, professional-grade products, and their set of Premier Water-Soluble Colored Pencils is no exception.

This kit contains 36 carefully selected watercolor pencils. Each pencil is filled with a high quality lead core. Each of the colors in the Prismacolor palette is lightfast and resistant to fading over time.

Prismacolor pencils contain rich, vibrant pigments that lay down wonderfully on any canvas. The pencils look great when applied in dry format, as their creamy consistency rivals even the best traditional colored pencils.

If you prefer the finish of a watercolor painting, simply pair these pencils with a damp brush. The water-soluble pencil will convert into a translucent, shimmering liquid. Depending on how much water you choose to apply, you can achieve a pastel, watery finish, or a bold, daring effect. The flexibility that these pencils offer is tremendous.

Here’s an insider tip – if your lead pencil happens to snap while you are working in dry format, simply place it into a cup or palette and mix it with water. You’ll be able to use this mixture to achieve gorgeous, vibrant watercolor strokes without wasting any of the lead whatsoever.

Whether you want to sketch in precise detail or create a glimmering watercolor landscape, you can do it all with this set of pencils. They are precise, durable, and versatile. You can’t go wrong with a product trusted by so many professionals within the art world.