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Art & craft suppliesHelping You Find the Best
  • 10 Best Coloured Pencils UK 2024 | Faber-Castell, Derwent and More 1
  • 10 Best Coloured Pencils UK 2024 | Faber-Castell, Derwent and More 2
  • 10 Best Coloured Pencils UK 2024 | Faber-Castell, Derwent and More 3
  • 10 Best Coloured Pencils UK 2024 | Faber-Castell, Derwent and More 4
  • 10 Best Coloured Pencils UK 2024 | Faber-Castell, Derwent and More 5

10 Best Coloured Pencils UK 2024 | Faber-Castell, Derwent and More

Coloured pencils are a fantastically easy to use and a versatile medium for artists of all ages, from beginners to the pros. Clean, transportable and ready to use when creativity strikes, there’s no need for priming or preparation. Whether you are a student, hobbyist or a pro we guarantee there's a set of top-quality colouring and drawing pencils out there, waiting to turn your ideas into amazing portraits.

In this article, we'll help you to determine the difference between oil, wax and water-based coloured pencils so you make the right choice when shopping online. Read on for our top 10 high-quality faves from famous art supplies brands such as Faber-Castell, Derwent and Prismacolor all available to buy on Amazon and eBay.


Last updated 22/03/2024

Quick List - Top Coloured Pencils

1

ARTEZA

Professional Watercolour Pencils
Professional Watercolour Pencils

Student-Grade Water-Based Pencils as Good as Any Professional Set

2

Faber-Castell

Polychromos Colour Pencils
Polychromos Colour Pencils

A Dependable Favourite for Artists and Students

3

Derwent

Studio Colouring Pencils
Studio Colouring Pencils

Top Notch for Colour Building and a Great Gift Idea Too

4

Faber-Castell

Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils
Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils

High-Pigment Watercolours to Expand Your Artistic Creativity

5

Staedtler

144 10NC24 Noris Club Aquarell Watercolour Pencils
144 10NC24 Noris Club Aquarell Watercolour Pencils

Sturdy, Good Quality Pencils for Kids to Use Wet or Dry

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Table of Contents

How to Choose Coloured Pencils in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Depending on the Type of Drawing, Select Between Oil, Wax, or Water-Soluble Cores
  2. Pick the Correct Pencil Grade for Your Experience Level and Drawing Needs
1

Choose Oil, Wax or Water-Soluble Cores Based on the Type of Drawing You Want to Do

Choose Oil, Wax or Water-Soluble Cores Based on the Type of Drawing You Want to Do

Go For Wax-Based Pencils If You Want Something Soft and Easy to Blend

The binder used in wax-based coloured pencils gives them a soft ‘buttery’ texture perfect for mixing, layering and blending. They provide heavier coverage on paper than other types of coloured pencil and produce vivid and vibrant hues. Wax-based coloured pencils also tend to be easier to erase if you make a mistake or wish to tone down the colour saturation.


While the softness of the pencil core has many benefits to artists, this unfortunately makes them prone to breaking. Sudden impact such as dropping is likely to shatter the core and ruin the pencil.


Wax-based coloured pencils are also prone to “wax bloom”, whereby over time a film develops on the surface of the drawing. This is caused by wax from the binder evaporating and rising to the surface. Luckily, this can be counteracted by wiping away any residue with a damp cloth.

These tie-dye kits can help you take your creativity even further.

Harder Oil-Based Cores Are Great for Fine Detailing Work

Oil-based colour pencils are significantly harder than wax-based, making them a sturdier choice. Good for fine detailing, the hardness of the oil-based core can be easily sharpened to a fine point. Like wax-based pencils, they can be layered, although the consistency-wise, it's chalkier, requiring a heavier application to reach the same colour intensity.


Oil-based coloured pencils are the least common type on the market as they are often only produced under premium Artist or Professional lines. This also puts them at a higher price point than most other coloured pencils.

Expand Your Creativity With Paint-Style Water-Based Pencils

Water-based or watercolour pencils technically aren’t coloured pencils if one adheres to the traditional definition. Unlike wax or oil pencils, the binder in watercolour pencils is water-soluble. When the pigment comes into contact with water, it bleeds into the paper and deposits in a similar manner to watercolour paint.


Although watercolour pencils can be used in the same manner as oil or wax-based the effect can be somewhat lacking. A fantastic bridge between drawing and painting, their true potential is only uncovered when teamed with a brush and water. These are a good choice for those looking to expand their creativity, require greater control of texture when blending or are new to watercolour painting.

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2

Make Sure to Pick the Right Grade of Pencil for Your Experience Level and Drawing Needs

Make Sure to Pick the Right Grade of Pencil for Your Experience Level and Drawing Needs

Affordable Student-Grade Coloured Pencils Are Best for Beginners

Student grade coloured pencils are favoured among school-age students and are ideal for beginners of all ages looking to experiment with coloured pencils as an art medium. They benefit from a low price point and are often available in multi-pencil sets with more than enough colours to get you started in your artistic endeavours.


Since student-grade coloured pencils have a lower pigment to binder ratio, they are less vibrant than artist grade and you aren’t likely to find ones that are lightfast (resistant to fading in the light). Student-grade coloured pencils also tend to have a limited colour range of around 24 to 36 colours on average.

Select an Artist-Grade Set if You Want the Highest Quality Pigment

Artist grade coloured pencils are designed for professional use and are recommended for more experienced artists. The concentration and quality of the pigment is much higher than that or student grade pencils.


They tend to be studier in construction and are formulated to prolong the longevity of your artwork. Some artist grade coloured pencils are water resistant and many will have their lightfastness rating measured and documented so you don’t have to worry about your masterpiece fading from exposure to sunlight.


Student grade coloured pencils are favoured among school-age students and are ideal for beginners of all ages looking to experiment with coloured pencils as an art medium. They benefit from a low price point and are often available in multi-pencil sets with more than enough colours to get you started in your artistic endeavours.

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10 Best Coloured Pencils in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

ARTEZA

Professional Watercolour Pencils

ARTEZA Professional Watercolour Pencils 1

Student-Grade Water-Based Pencils as Good as Any Professional Set

2

Faber-Castell

Polychromos Colour Pencils

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colour Pencils 1

A Dependable Favourite for Artists and Students

3

Derwent

Studio Colouring Pencils

Derwent Studio Colouring Pencils 1

Top Notch for Colour Building and a Great Gift Idea Too

4

Faber-Castell

Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils

Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils 1

High-Pigment Watercolours to Expand Your Artistic Creativity

5

Staedtler

144 10NC24 Noris Club Aquarell Watercolour Pencils

Staedtler 144 10NC24 Noris Club Aquarell Watercolour Pencils 1

Sturdy, Good Quality Pencils for Kids to Use Wet or Dry

6

Derwent

Lightfast Colouring Pencils

Derwent Lightfast Colouring Pencils 1

The Best Choice for Exhibition and Archival Works

7

Sanford

Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils Portrait

Sanford Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils Portrait 1

Artist Quality Pencils for Every Level of Expertise

8

Faber-Castell

Colour Grip Coloured Pencils

Faber-Castell Colour Grip Coloured Pencils 1

The Best Watercolour Set for Back to School

9

Caran D’Ache

Pablo Coloured Pencils

Caran D’Ache Pablo Coloured Pencils 1

Exceptionally Strong and Ideal for Fine Detailing Work

10

Sanford

Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils

Sanford Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils 1

Entry-Level Artist-Grade Pencils With an Ultra-Soft Core

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

ARTEZA
Professional Watercolour Pencils

Professional Watercolour Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£21.25
Mid
Reference price
£21.25
Mid

Student-Grade Water-Based Pencils as Good as Any Professional Set

Arteza coloured pencils are quickly gaining a cult following for their high-quality and low price. The brand offers an excellent range of vibrant colours that layer and mix remarkably well. The wax-based core is soft enough to lay down readily without being too delicate, helping to avoid crumbling while maintaining a sharper point.

These pencils deliver artist-grade quality at a fraction of the price making them a solid option for all ages and skill levels. Unfortunately, Arteza doesn't sell individual pencils which may be an issue for those who intend to use this set regularly. However, the quality of these pencils means they won’t look out of place when used alongside artist brands such as Faber-Castell and Derwent!
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No.2

Faber-Castell
Polychromos Colour Pencils

Polychromos Colour Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£159.43
High
Reference price
£159.43
High

A Dependable Favourite for Artists and Students

Faber-Castell Polychromos artists’ colour pencils are a tried and tested favourite among professional artists and students alike. The superior quality wax-based leads are waterproof, smudge-resistant and lightfast making them a fine choice if you are looking for a dependable coloured pencil.

This set contains all 120 colours in the Polychromos range and individual coloured pencils can be purchased separately making it easy to replace worn out favourites. Faber-Castell art supplies are not cheap so we recommend buying this set as an investment rather than a starter kit.
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No.3

Derwent
Studio Colouring Pencils

Studio Colouring Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£33.96
Mid
Reference price
£33.96
Mid

Top Notch for Colour Building and a Great Gift Idea Too

Derwent Studio coloured pencils have a narrow 4mm, round core. They are very versatile, with a soft strip for quick and dense application to achieve vibrant results. With enhanced formulation, these are designed to be highly blendable and layerable.

These colour pencils have the same high-density pigment found in Derwent’s other artist grade pencils, making them suitable to craft anything from bold landscapes to detailed illustrations. Presented in an elegant wooden box or tin, this set looks gorgeous and makes for an excellent gift, too.
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No.4

Faber-Castell
Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils

Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£28.00
Mid
Reference price
£28.00
Mid

High-Pigment Watercolours to Expand Your Artistic Creativity

Faber-Castell’s Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils bring together the best of coloured pencils and watercolour painting to give you full control of both mediums. The wide selection of gorgeous and easily blendable colours will help you to create superb artwork.

The water-soluble core has a high pigment density that lays down colour boldly and smoothly. When wetted, the pigment flows like watercolour paint without becoming dulled or washed out. The pigment dissolves completely into the water, rather than just the surface layer, eliminating leftover marks or lines from drawing!
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No.5

Staedtler
144 10NC24 Noris Club Aquarell Watercolour Pencils

144 10NC24 Noris Club Aquarell Watercolour Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£8.45
Low Mid
Reference price
£8.45
Low Mid

Sturdy, Good Quality Pencils for Kids to Use Wet or Dry

Staedtler’s Noris Club Aquarell watercolour pencils are a fantastic child-friendly set for young artists looking to have a go with watercolour pencils. Some of the sturdiest pencils on the list, a high-tensile core means these pencils won’t easily break. The hexagonal barrel shape aids with grip and prevents pencils from rolling away.

Suitable for ages 3 and over, this set includes 24 brilliant non-toxic water-soluble colours that can be blended and mixed evenly. Staedtler even throws in a paintbrush making the Noris Club Aquarell watercolour pencil set convenient to pick up and take with you on trips and days out.
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No.6

Derwent
Lightfast Colouring Pencils

Lightfast Colouring Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£54.91
High Mid
Reference price
£54.91
High Mid

The Best Choice for Exhibition and Archival Works

If you plan to display your artworks for years to come, these are the right choice for you. These pencils are designed to resist fading from UV radiation with a 100% lightfast rating. Derwent are so confident in the longevity of their pencils they guarantee artwork to last 100 years under museum conditions!

Derwent’s first oil-based coloured pencil, the pigment can be used with a painting medium to create a painterly effect. On the softer side of oil-based pencils, they have a surprisingly creamy texture that lends well to layering and blending. Try mixing shades together to create new colours, further extending creative possibilities.
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No.7

Sanford
Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils Portrait

Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils Portrait 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£29.98
Mid
Reference price
£29.98
Mid

Artist Quality Pencils for Every Level of Expertise

These colored pencils are artist-quality pencils for all skill levels. They're created with high-quality pigments for rich color saturation, and have soft, thick cores that create a smooth color lay-down for great blending and shadowing, as well as thick leads that resist breakage.

These pencils contain Prismacolour’s signature super soft and creamy wax-based cores, which help immensely with blending. On the downside, for the number of colours you get, it has quite a high price point.

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No.8

Faber-Castell
Colour Grip Coloured Pencils

Colour Grip Coloured Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£7.87
Low
Reference price
£7.87
Low

The Best Watercolour Set for Back to School

A great choice for older school-age kids and teenagers, Faber-Castell’s Colour Grip pencils’ ergonomic triangular shape gives proper grip with dotted markings to help with correct finger placement. The core is made from water-based eco paint that can be washed out of most fabrics so you won’t have to worry about stains.

While these pencils may not be as pigmented as Faber-Castell’s artist lines, they are without a doubt of superior quality when compared to other student-grade coloured pencils on the market. Use wet or dry for endless possibilities!
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No.9

Caran D’Ache
Pablo Coloured Pencils

Pablo Coloured Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£43.09
Mid
Reference price
£43.09
Mid

Exceptionally Strong and Ideal for Fine Detailing Work

Caran D’Ache Pablo oil-based coloured pencils are a good choice for artists who wish to mitigate the effects of wax bloom on their artwork. The tiny 3.8mm diameter core is exceptionally strong and can be sharpened without snapping. These pencils can be a bit challenging and require some prior experience to get the best from them.

While they have the overall high colour density one expects from artist-grade pencils, the dry core means it may take a few layers to achieve a bold effect. Further, although crumbling is not an issue with these pencils they are prone to producing fallout, especially with darker shades.
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No.10

Sanford
Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils

Wood Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils 1
Source：amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£149.00
High Mid
Reference price
£149.00
High Mid

Entry-Level Artist-Grade Pencils With an Ultra-Soft Core

Sanford's Prismacolor range offers a set of entry-level artist grade coloured pencils. Somewhat of a staple familiar to art students, they are good value for money when compared to other artist-grade pencils on the market, although still pricey.

Prismacolour pencils’ incredibly smooth and buttery core means they go on thick and blend with little resistance. However, this unfortunately also makes them very delicate and prone to shattering. With some reporting issues such as the core sliding out entirely, Prismacolour pencils have a somewhat mixed reputation that should be considered when making your choice.
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Written and researched by Wren Mann

Top 5 Coloured Pencils

No. 1: ARTEZA ｜Professional Watercolour Pencils

No. 2: Faber-Castell｜Polychromos Colour Pencils

No. 3: Derwent ｜Studio Colouring Pencils

No. 4: Faber-Castell ｜Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils

No. 5: Staedtler ｜144 10NC24 Noris Club Aquarell Watercolour Pencils

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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