10 Best Colored Pencils For Artists 2025 in the United States

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils in the 150-count set are a solid choice for artists seeking vibrant, high-quality colors. Their biggest advantage is the wide range of 150 colors, offering excellent options for detailed and varied artwork. The soft, thick cores allow for smooth shading and blending, making them particularly suitable for techniques requiring rich gradients and shadows. The pigments are richly saturated and lightfast, meaning your artwork will stay bright and resist fading over time.

The pencils are well-built with durable leads that resist breaking, an important feature for both casual and serious artists who want reliable tools. However, the softness of the cores may wear down faster with heavy use, so frequent sharpening might be needed. Also, while they blend beautifully, beginners might find the softness a bit tricky compared to harder pencils that offer more control.

These pencils are versatile enough for adult coloring books, sketches, and more detailed art projects, making them ideal for hobbyists and professional artists alike. For those seeking a large, vibrant color palette with smooth application and durable construction, Prismacolor Premier is a dependable pick, though some users may prefer harder leads depending on their style.

The Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils set is a fantastic choice for artists at any skill level, thanks to its rich pigment quality and impressive lightfastness. With 72 assorted colors, these pencils offer a broad color range that allows for vibrant artwork. The soft, thick cores make shading and blending a breeze, providing an ultra-smooth application that produces even color laydown. Additionally, the durability of the leads minimizes the risk of cracking and chipping, which is a significant advantage for both beginners and experienced users alike.

These colored pencils are particularly well-suited for artists looking to create dynamic and detailed work with ease. They are especially beneficial for anyone who appreciates smooth blending and rich colors.

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are a popular choice for artists who enjoy sketching and coloring with rich, vibrant colors. These pencils have soft, thick cores that make shading and blending smooth and easy, which is great when you want to create gradients or shadows. The pigments are richly saturated and lightfast, meaning your artwork will hold its color well over time without fading. With 36 assorted colors, you get a good range to work with, though professional artists might find the selection somewhat limited compared to larger sets.

The pencil leads are designed to be thick and sturdy, so they’re less likely to break or chip—this durability is especially helpful if you’re coloring in detailed adult coloring books or use a lot of pressure while drawing. However, because the cores are soft, they sharpen faster and might need more frequent sharpening compared to harder pencils, which could be a minor inconvenience.

These pencils are best suited for beginners and hobbyists who want a lively color experience with easy blending, rather than for those needing extremely precise lines or very hard, fine points. If you want a dependable, smooth coloring experience with strong pigment and decent durability, Prismacolor Premier is a solid pick.