10 Best Watercolor Pencils 2026 in the United States

The Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set offers 100 vibrant, water-soluble pencils with a 4mm core, making it a strong choice for artists who want a wide color range and premium pigment quality. These pencils are highly pigmented, allowing for rich, intense colors that blend smoothly when water is applied, creating effects similar to ink. Once dry, the colors become permanent, which is great for layering without disturbing underlying work, a feature valued by professionals and hobbyists alike. The pencil hardness is fine, offering good control for detailed drawing or coloring. Derwent is a well-respected brand, known for quality art supplies, adding to the appeal.

Because these pencils are permanent once dry, they may be less forgiving if you want to lift or rework colors later, which some watercolor artists might find limiting. Additionally, they perform best when used with compatible accessories like Derwent water brushes and Inktense watercolor paper, so beginners may want to consider these extras for optimal results.

This set is suited for adult artists and students seeking a professional-grade watercolor pencil collection with excellent color payoff and durability.

The Arteza Watercolor Colored Pencils set offers a wide range of 120 vibrant shades, making it an excellent choice for artists who want plenty of color options for blending, layering, and watercolor techniques. The pencils have soft cores with strong pigmentation, which means colors come out bright and rich. These cores are also lightfast, so your artwork should resist fading over time. The pencil hardness is classified as F (firm), which balances smooth coloring with good control. Users appreciate that the pencils glide easily but still allow precise details.

Solubility is good, allowing the colors to dissolve well with water to create beautiful watercolor effects, ideal for both beginners and more experienced artists. The pencils are durable, with break-resistant leads and come pre-sharpened, which is convenient for immediate use. The brand Arteza has a solid reputation for quality art supplies, and the set is well-reviewed by many users, highlighting its reliability. One downside is that, due to the large number of pencils, the set can feel a bit bulky and heavy to carry around, even though it comes in a sturdy metal tin for storage and portability.

Some advanced artists might find the pigment quality slightly less intense compared to professional-grade watercolor pencils, but for most hobbyists and adult coloring enthusiasts, the color performance is satisfying. This set suits anyone wanting a comprehensive, versatile, and affordable watercolor pencil collection, especially if you enjoy experimenting with many colors and techniques.

The Caran d'Ache Museum Watercolour Pencils set offers an impressive range of 76 vibrant colors, which is a strong point for artists who appreciate a wide color palette. Known for their exceptional pigment quality, these pencils ensure vivid and consistent colors, making them a favorite among serious artists. Their completely water-soluble nature allows for smooth blending and layering, and the absence of a white film when wet is a bonus for maintaining color clarity. The pencils also boast excellent lightfastness, which means your artwork will resist fading over time, whether you're working dry or wet.

The inclusion of two Technalo HB and 3B water-soluble graphite pencils adds versatility to the set, ideal for sketching or adding depth to your watercolor pieces. The pencil hardness, rated at HB, offers a balance between soft and hard, making them suitable for a range of artistic techniques. Caran d'Ache, being a well-regarded brand, brings reliability and quality assurance.

However, this premium set comes with a higher price tag, which may be a consideration for hobbyists or beginners on a budget. Additionally, although the wide color range is a strength, managing and organizing such a large set might be daunting for some users. The product's weight and size could also be a factor for those who prefer portability. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Caran d'Ache Museum Watercolour Pencils are particularly well-suited for professional artists or dedicated art enthusiasts seeking high-quality tools for their creative work.