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10 Best Watercolor Pencils 2025 in the UK

Caran dAche Museum Watercolour Pencils (Pack of 76)

Color Range: 76 colors
Pigment Quality: high-quality
Ease of Blending: seamless with water
Pencil Hardness: HB
Water Solubility: Water Soluble
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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Faber-Castell Art & Graphic Albrecht Dürer Watercolour Pencil, Multicoloured, Tin Of 36, For Art, Craft, Drawing, Sketching, Home, School, University, Colouring

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,474
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Ease of Blending
Color Range
The colors are vibrant and show up well on both dark and light paper.
Pigment Quality
These pencils are rich in pigment and blend effortlessly, providing a professional finish.
Ease of Blending
These pencils are rich in pigment and blend effortlessly, providing a professional finish.

The Faber-Castell Art & Graphic Albrecht Dürer Watercolour Pencils offer a strong performance in the watercolor pencil category. With a set of 36 colors, these pencils provide a decent range for creating varied artistic effects, though more extensive sets are available if needed. Known for their high-quality, acid-free pigments, these pencils deliver vibrant colors that are long-lasting due to their unsurpassed lightfastness, meaning they resist fading over time, a significant advantage for lasting artwork.

Ease of blending is a standout feature, as these pencils can be effortlessly mixed with water to create a multitude of new hues, making them versatile for various artistic projects. The pencils have a 3.8mm diameter lead, which is relatively thick and allows for smooth color laydown. Additionally, the pencil hardness is rated at 6B, providing a softer lead that enhances blending and water solubility, making transitions between shades more fluid.

However, while the soft lead aids in blending, it might not be suitable for detailed work or intricate drawings, as finer points are harder to maintain. The thick leads, coupled with the high break resistance from the secural bonding process, ensure durability, reducing the frustration of frequent breakage. These watercolor pencils are ideal for use across multiple settings, including home, school, and professional environments, and cater to a wide age range. They are particularly beneficial for artists involved in pet portraits, landscapes, and cityscape drawings.

The tin packaging provides a convenient way to store and transport the pencils, although it may add some weight to carry around. With an excellent customer rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, these pencils are well-received and rank highly among colored pencils for adults. They are a reliable choice for anyone looking to explore the vibrant world of watercolor art.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,474
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Ease of Blending
Color Range
The colors are vibrant and show up well on both dark and light paper.
Pigment Quality
These pencils are rich in pigment and blend effortlessly, providing a professional finish.
Ease of Blending
These pencils are rich in pigment and blend effortlessly, providing a professional finish.
#2

Faber-Castell Creative Studio Goldfaber Aqua Watercolour Pencil, Multicoloured (Multicoloured) Tin Of 24 Pencils, For Art, Craft, Drawing, Sketching, Home, School, University, Colouring

Rating
9.6
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Ease of Blending
Color Range
These pencils are soft, blend well, and offer a professional finish with a wide variety of colors that show up beautifully on both dark and light paper.
Pigment Quality
The quality of these pencils is outstanding; they are rich in pigment and soft enough to blend easily, making them a great value.
Ease of Blending
These pencils are soft, blend well, and offer a professional finish with a wide variety of colors that show up beautifully on both dark and light paper.

The Faber-Castell Creative Studio Goldfaber Aqua Watercolour Pencils offer a lot to love for artists of all levels. These pencils come in a set of 24 vibrant colors, making them suitable for a variety of artistic needs. The pigment quality is top-notch, providing rich and vivid hues that can enhance any artwork. The pencils are designed to be easily blendable, whether used dry or with a wet paintbrush, which is great for creating smooth transitions and dynamic effects in watercolor techniques. This versatility makes them ideal for both sketching and detailed coloring projects.

The leads are break-resistant and have excellent lightfastness, ensuring that your creations will last without fading over time. The 3.3mm leads are fine and can be sharpened with standard pencil sharpeners, adding convenience to their use. The lightweight tin packaging is handy for portability, making it easy to carry around for use at home, school, or university.

These watercolor pencils are a solid choice for both beginners and seasoned artists looking for quality, durability, and flexibility in their art supplies.

Rating
9.6
Color Range
Pigment Quality
Ease of Blending
Color Range
These pencils are soft, blend well, and offer a professional finish with a wide variety of colors that show up beautifully on both dark and light paper.
Pigment Quality
The quality of these pencils is outstanding; they are rich in pigment and soft enough to blend easily, making them a great value.
Ease of Blending
These pencils are soft, blend well, and offer a professional finish with a wide variety of colors that show up beautifully on both dark and light paper.

Buying Guide for the Best Watercolor Pencils

Watercolor pencils are a versatile art tool that combines the precision of colored pencils with the fluidity of watercolors. They are perfect for artists who want to create detailed drawings with the option to add watercolor effects. When choosing watercolor pencils, it's important to consider factors such as color range, pigment quality, and ease of blending. Understanding these key specifications will help you select the best watercolor pencils for your artistic needs.
Color RangeThe color range refers to the number of different colors available in a set of watercolor pencils. This is important because a wider color range allows for more creativity and flexibility in your artwork. Sets can range from a basic 12 colors to over 100. If you're a beginner or working on simple projects, a smaller set might suffice. However, if you enjoy experimenting with colors or working on complex pieces, a larger set with a broader spectrum of colors would be beneficial.
Pigment QualityPigment quality determines the vibrancy and longevity of the colors. High-quality pigments result in more vibrant and long-lasting colors, which is crucial for creating impactful artwork. Pigment quality can vary significantly between brands. If you are a professional artist or someone who values high-quality results, look for pencils that are labeled as artist-grade. For casual use or practice, student-grade pencils might be adequate.
Ease of BlendingEase of blending refers to how well the colors mix with water and with each other. This is important for achieving smooth transitions and gradients in your artwork. Some pencils blend more easily than others, which can affect the final look of your piece. If you plan to use your watercolor pencils primarily for blending and creating watercolor effects, look for pencils that are known for their excellent blending capabilities. If blending is not a priority, this may be less of a concern.
Pencil HardnessPencil hardness affects how the pencil feels when drawing and how easily it can be sharpened. Softer pencils lay down more pigment and are easier to blend, but they may wear down faster. Harder pencils are more durable and better for detailed work. If you prefer detailed, precise lines, opt for harder pencils. For more expressive, painterly effects, softer pencils might be more suitable.
Water SolubilityWater solubility refers to how easily the pencil marks dissolve in water to create a watercolor effect. This is crucial for achieving the desired watercolor look. Some pencils dissolve completely, leaving no trace of the original pencil line, while others retain some of the pencil texture. If you want a true watercolor effect, choose pencils with high water solubility. If you prefer to maintain some of the pencil's texture, look for pencils with moderate solubility.