Looking for the best colored pencils for adult coloring books?
While there are many colored pencil brands, in my opinion, there are only a few that stand out because of their outstanding quality. These brands are known throughout the world for their quality pigments which color and blend exceptionally well. In addition, the colored pencil themselves are durable and made of high quality materials.
On the other hand, a low-end set of colored pencils can be frustrating, especially when trying to achieve certain results.
For example, the pigment may not blend as well as a set of good colored pencils, and the tips may be brittle and prone to breaking or crumbling while coloring.
I would look at a set of good colored pencils as an investment. It may cost you more money up front, but in the long run it will be kind to your pocketbook, allow for hundreds of hours of use, and help you achieve the results you want.
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A Closer Look at the Best Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
Let’s take a closer look at these four sets of colored pencils to see what you are getting.
Prismacolor Premier
Prismacolor is a very reputable brand and highly coveted among artists and colorists alike. In fact, they are one of the most popular brands of colored pencils in the world.
This specific Prismacolor colored pencil set comes in a protective tin case which contains a rainbow of 48 vibrant colors. These pencils contain exceptionally thick lead which makes them resistant to breaking. The pigment of these colored pencils can blend exceptionally well and are amazing for shading.
The only drawback with these colored pencils is the price. They tend to be a little expensive for some budgets. But, if you have the money, these are excellent colored pencils. If you have ever used Prismacolor Premier colored pencils, there should be no surprise that these are at the top of my list of Best Colored Pencils.
Faber-Castell Coloring Pencils
I go back and forth between Prismacolor and Faber-Castell colored pencils. Is there really a clear cut winner between the two brands? I tend to side with Prismacolor but without a good reason. Maybe I’m a sucker for their branding?
Faber-Castel colored pencils are just as deserving of the number one spot on my list of the top colored pencils. They have been around for seemingly forever and are a reputable brand among artists, colorists, and hobbyists alike.
Besides the vibrant color and hues, the pigment itself is bonded to prevent breakage. This is defiantly a plus which not only adds to the longevity of the colored pencils, but the control as well.
This particular Faber-Castell set comes with 48 colored pencils.
The only real drawback is that this set of colored pencils comes in cardboard packaging. This is not a deal breaker by any means, but if you want a nice storage tin, I would pay a little extra and buy the Prismacolors.
If you are interested in the Faber-Castell colored pencils but looking for something even better and would like a protective storage tin, I would check out the Faber-Castell Polychromos. These are higher-quality but what I would consider an ‘advanced colored pencil.’
Caran d’Ache Fancolor Color Pencils
Caran d’Ache is a well known brand out of Switzerland that has provided top notch art supplies to artists, colorists, and hobbyists for more than 80 years.
These colored pencils are unique because not only do they work just like a regular colored pencils, they also work with water, giving you a watercolor like effect. The pigments are strong and the quality is what you would want.
This particular set comes with 18 colored pencils in a protective tin.
Personally, if I am going to use a colored pencil as just a colored pencil, I am purchasing one of the above mentioned brands.
However, If I would like to achieve a water color effect as well, I would defiantly go with the Caran d’Ache. I would just expect the Prismacolor or Faber-Castel to work better as a “colored pencil only” solution.
Final thoughts on what makes good colored pencils
There are literally hundreds of colored pencil brands out there. If you are looking for a set based solely on a limited budget, by all means, grab a set. It’s better to have a set of colored pencils than no set at all.
However, if you don’t have a strict budget, I would defiantly choose one of the above mentioned colored pencil brands. In the long run they will save you money, time, and give you the best chance at achieving the artistic results that you desire.
A good colored pencil has thick and/or bonded lead to help prevent breakage, made of quality materials, and comes in an assortment of rich, bright, hues. A nice protective storage tin is an added bonus.