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Top 10 Art Colored Pencils Deals Right Now

#1Value for Money
Prismacolo

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Count - Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors

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#1Value for Money

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 150 Count - Ultra-Smooth, Durable, Vibrant Colors

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,220
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range

Most important from
60095 reviews

Pigment Quality
The colors are highly saturated and blend smoothly, providing a fun and versatile coloring experience.
Core Hardness
Investing in a specific sharpener for soft leads can solve the common issue of lead breakage.
Color Range
The 150-color set offers a wide range of shades, which is perfect for detailed and intricate designs.
Blendability
These pencils color and blend very well, making them worth the cost for serious artists.
Pencil Durability
The right sharpener makes a significant difference in preventing breakage and maintaining the pencils' quality.

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are an excellent choice for artists and coloring enthusiasts looking for high-quality colored pencils. With a soft core, these pencils excel in shading and blending, allowing for smooth transitions and vibrant color application. The lightfast pigments ensure that your artwork will resist fading over time, which is a significant advantage for those creating lasting pieces. With 150 colors in the set, users have a wide palette to work from, making it suitable for detailed and intricate designs.

One of the standout features is the durability of the pencils. The robust leads are designed to resist cracking and chipping, which is particularly beneficial for adult coloring books where heavy pressure may be applied. Users appreciate the ultra-smooth color laydown, making the drawing experience enjoyable and fulfilling.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The softness of the pencil cores, while great for blending, may make them less suitable for precise, fine details, which could be a drawback for some artists. Additionally, as a premium product, it comes at a higher price point compared to other colored pencils, which may not appeal to beginner users or casual hobbyists. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are ideal for serious artists or those engaged in adult coloring who prioritize quality and vibrancy in their work. They shine in terms of color range, blendability, and durability, though the softness may limit their use in more detailed applications.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,220
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range

Most important from
60095 reviews

Pigment Quality
The colors are highly saturated and blend smoothly, providing a fun and versatile coloring experience.
Core Hardness
Investing in a specific sharpener for soft leads can solve the common issue of lead breakage.
Color Range
The 150-color set offers a wide range of shades, which is perfect for detailed and intricate designs.
Blendability
These pencils color and blend very well, making them worth the cost for serious artists.
Pencil Durability
The right sharpener makes a significant difference in preventing breakage and maintaining the pencils' quality.
#2

Great Choice

Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft Core Colored Leads for Adult Artists | Organized in Presentation Tin Case

Rating
7.6
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range

Most important from
23796 reviews

Pigment Quality
The leads are very soft and creamy, laying down vibrant colors well, though some yellows may be less intense.
Core Hardness
The soft core leads are a dream to work with, laying down color smoothly and evenly without the need to press hard.
Color Range
The range of 72 colors is truly impressive, providing rich and vivid hues for endless creative possibilities.
Blendability
These pencils blend really well together and with other decent wax-based pencils on both smooth and textured paper.
Pencil Durability
Despite the soft cores, the pencils are surprisingly durable, with no breakage issues even with frequent use and sharpening.

The Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set is a solid choice for adult artists, professionals, and hobbyists alike. One of its standout features is the soft core, which allows for a smooth and creamy application, making blending and layering of colors easy. The intense pigmentation ensures that colors are vibrant and rich, which can enhance any art project. The pencils are well organized in a stylish presentation tin, featuring color-coded arrangements that make selecting the right pencil effortless.

In terms of durability, these pencils have a design that minimizes crumbling, providing a reliable experience during use. The unique fold-out tutorial is a thoughtful addition, as it helps users build their skills through practice, making this set not just for experienced artists but also perfect for those looking to improve.

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. While the soft core provides great color application, some users may find the pencils need sharpening more frequently, which could be a nuisance during longer projects. Although the color range is extensive, some artists might desire even more unique shades for specific effects. Additionally, the presentation tin, while visually appealing, adds some weight, which might not be ideal for artists who frequently travel with their supplies.

For those looking for a comprehensive and quality set of colored pencils, the Castle Art Supplies set is a great investment, particularly for those who enjoy vibrant colors and smooth blendability. However, if you're seeking ultra-hard pencils for more precise detailing, you might want to explore other options.

Rating
7.6
Pigment Quality
Core Hardness
Color Range

Most important from
23796 reviews

Pigment Quality
The leads are very soft and creamy, laying down vibrant colors well, though some yellows may be less intense.
Core Hardness
The soft core leads are a dream to work with, laying down color smoothly and evenly without the need to press hard.
Color Range
The range of 72 colors is truly impressive, providing rich and vivid hues for endless creative possibilities.
Blendability
These pencils blend really well together and with other decent wax-based pencils on both smooth and textured paper.
Pencil Durability
Despite the soft cores, the pencils are surprisingly durable, with no breakage issues even with frequent use and sharpening.
#3

Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils 100 Tin, Set of 100, 4mm Wide Core, 100% Lightfast, No Fade for 100 Yrs, Oil-based, Premium Core, Creamy, Ideal for Drawing, Coloring, Professional Quality (2306017)

Rating
7.6
Lightfastness
Core Hardness
Color Range

Most important from
1500 reviews

Lightfastness
The pencils are oil-based, lightfast, and hold a point well, making them perfect for detailed work.
Core Hardness
These pencils are softer than Polychromos and offer a unique, creamy texture.
Color Range
The color range is stunning and carefully curated, offering beautiful, natural shades.
Blendability
They have a smooth application, enhancing the ease of blending and layering colors.
Pencil Durability
The pencils come pre-sharpened and none were broken upon arrival, ensuring they are ready to use right out of the box.

The Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils Set of 100 is highly praised for its exceptional pigment quality. These pencils are 100% lightfast, meaning the colors will remain vibrant for up to 100 years under appropriate conditions, making them ideal for professional artists concerned with long-lasting art. The pigment quality meets international standards, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

The oil-based core is a standout feature, providing a creamy, buttery texture that allows for smooth color blending and layering techniques. This makes it easy to achieve detailed drawings and a paint-like effect when mixed with a brush on paper or canvas. The set offers a wide spectrum of 100 colors, giving artists a vast range to choose from, which is perfect for experimenting with different shades and effects.

The pencils are also designed with a strong, 4mm wide core, enhancing their durability and preventing frequent breakage, even under pressure. However, one potential drawback is that the pencils are oil-based, which might require additional tools for blending compared to wax-based pencils. Additionally, the premium quality and extensive color range come at a higher price point, which might not be suitable for beginners or those on a tight budget. Despite this, for those seeking professional-quality colored pencils with excellent lightfastness and blendability, the Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils are an excellent choice.

Rating
7.6
Lightfastness
Core Hardness
Color Range

Most important from
1500 reviews

Lightfastness
The pencils are oil-based, lightfast, and hold a point well, making them perfect for detailed work.
Core Hardness
These pencils are softer than Polychromos and offer a unique, creamy texture.
Color Range
The color range is stunning and carefully curated, offering beautiful, natural shades.
Blendability
They have a smooth application, enhancing the ease of blending and layering colors.
Pencil Durability
The pencils come pre-sharpened and none were broken upon arrival, ensuring they are ready to use right out of the box.

Buying Guide for the Best Art Colored Pencils

Choosing the right art-colored pencils can significantly impact the quality of your artwork. Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, understanding the key specifications of colored pencils will help you make an informed decision. The right set of colored pencils can enhance your creativity, provide better control, and ensure your artwork stands the test of time. Here are the key specifications to consider when selecting art-colored pencils.
Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the richness and vibrancy of the colors in the pencils. High-quality pigments provide more vivid and intense colors, which are essential for creating striking and detailed artwork. Pigment quality can be divided into student-grade and artist-grade. Student-grade pencils have lower pigment concentration and are suitable for beginners or casual use. Artist-grade pencils have higher pigment concentration, offering superior color payoff and blending capabilities, making them ideal for professional artists or serious hobbyists. Choose based on your level of expertise and the type of artwork you plan to create.
LightfastnessLightfastness is the resistance of the pencil colors to fading when exposed to light over time. This is important if you want your artwork to remain vibrant and unchanged for years. Lightfastness ratings are usually indicated on the pencil or packaging, with higher ratings signifying better resistance to fading. For artwork intended for display or sale, opt for pencils with high lightfastness ratings. For practice or temporary projects, lightfastness may be less critical.
Core HardnessCore hardness determines how soft or hard the pencil lead is. Softer cores provide richer color application and are easier to blend, making them suitable for shading and layering. Harder cores are more durable and produce finer lines, which are ideal for detailed work and precision. Soft cores are great for expressive, painterly techniques, while hard cores are better for technical drawings and intricate details. Consider your drawing style and the type of effects you want to achieve when choosing the core hardness.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the variety of colors available in a set of colored pencils. A wider color range offers more options for creating detailed and nuanced artwork. Sets can range from basic 12-color packs to extensive 150-color collections. Beginners might start with a smaller set to learn basic techniques, while more advanced artists may prefer larger sets to have a broader palette at their disposal. Think about the complexity of your projects and whether you need a wide array of colors or just the essentials.
BlendabilityBlendability is the ability of the colored pencils to mix and blend with each other to create smooth transitions and new colors. This is crucial for achieving realistic shading and gradients in your artwork. Pencils with good blendability allow for seamless color mixing and layering. Wax-based pencils generally offer better blendability compared to oil-based pencils, which are more suited for detailed work. If your artwork involves a lot of blending and layering, prioritize pencils known for their blendability.
Pencil DurabilityPencil durability refers to the strength of the pencil core and the casing. Durable pencils are less likely to break during use or sharpening, which is important for maintaining a consistent drawing experience. Durability can be influenced by the quality of the wood casing and the bonding of the core. High-quality pencils are less prone to breakage and can withstand more pressure. If you tend to apply heavy pressure while drawing or need pencils that can endure frequent sharpening, look for those with high durability.

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