Choosing between a soft, wax-based core that lays down color effortlessly and an oil-based core that holds a sharp point for hours is the central decision in any serious colored pencil purchase. The wrong binder type can turn a relaxing coloring session into a frustrating fight with waxy bloom or brittle lead.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve analyzed thousands of customer reviews across nine major brands, comparing pigment load ratings, lightfastness scores, and core hardness data to understand exactly what makes a colored pencil set earn its place in an artist’s kit.
This guide breaks down the best options on the market today, from value-packed multipacks to professional-grade essentials, so you can confidently pick the best artist colored pencils for your specific style of drawing, shading, or adult coloring.
How To Choose The Best Artist Colored Pencils
The performance of a colored pencil is defined by three interconnected elements: the binder type, the core diameter, and the pigment concentration. Understanding how these factors interact helps you avoid common purchasing mistakes before you spend a single dollar.
Wax-Based vs. Oil-Based Cores
Wax-based cores, like those in Prismacolor Premier and Arrtx sets, are prized for their buttery laydown and easy blending. The trade-off is wax bloom — a hazy film that can appear on heavily layered areas after a few hours. Oil-based cores, such as those in LBW sets, are harder, produce less bloom, and hold a finer point longer, but require more pressure and elbow grease to blend smoothly. Beginners often prefer wax for its forgiving nature, while seasoned illustrators gravitate toward oil for crisp detail and archival stability.
Core Diameter and Break Resistance
A core diameter of 3.8 mm (found in Arrtx) offers a generous reservoir of pigment that glides onto paper without heavy pressure. Thinner cores, around 3.0 mm (found in LBW), demand less frequent sharpening but can snap if you bear down hard. Look for “SV resist breaking technology” or a listed diameter of 3.5 mm or wider if you tend to press firmly during layering.
Color Range vs. Practical Use
A 36-color set forces you to master mixing and layering to create every hue. A 172-color set gives you an immediate match for nearly any shade, but the sheer number can overwhelm beginners and make storage cumbersome. Mid-range counts around 72 offer the best balance of variety and portability for most artists and colorists.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prismacolor Premier 36ct | Premium | Professional layering & blending | 3.8 mm wax core, HB hardness | Amazon |
| Arrtx 72ct | Mid-Range | Soft wax blending on a budget | 3.8 mm soft core, SV break resistant | Amazon |
| LBW (Brutfuner) 120ct | Mid-Range | Maximum color variety with oil base | 3.0 mm oil core, low wax bloom | Amazon |
| Shuttle Art 172ct | Budget | Ultra-high color count for beginners | 7 mm pencil diameter, oil ink base | Amazon |
| Crayola 120ct | Budget | Kids and classroom use | HB core, pre-sharpened tips | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils, 36ct
The Prismacolor Premier is the benchmark that other soft-core pencils are measured against. Its thick 3.8 mm wax core deposits dense pigment with minimal pressure, making it the go-to choice for artists who rely on layered washes and smooth gradients. The oval barrel stays put on a slanted drafting table without rolling — a small detail that reveals the designer’s understanding of studio workflow.
Reviewers consistently praise the creamy, blendable texture that reduces hand fatigue during long sessions. The color selection in the 36-count set covers the essential spectrum without overwhelming, encouraging deliberate mixing rather than searching through a rainbow. Many note that a quality hand sharpener is required to prevent the soft core from crumbling at the tip.
While the 36-count set limits your instant color range compared to the 72- or 120-count options, the pigment quality remains identical across all sizes. This is not a pencil for careless handling — drops can shatter the core inside the wood casing. For professional illustrators and committed hobbyists, however, the layering capability is unmatched at this price tier.
What works
- Incredibly soft, creamy laydown for effortless blending
- Oval barrel prevents rolling during use
- Consistent core quality across all set sizes
What doesn’t
- Soft core requires a high-quality sharpener to avoid breakage
- Smaller 36-color set limits immediate hue variety
2. Arrtx 72 Colored Pencils
The Arrtx 72ct set delivers a buttery wax-based performance that rivals premium brands at roughly half the investment. Its 3.8 mm soft core is reinforced with SV resist-breaking technology, which directly addresses the most common complaint about soft pencils: snapping during sharpening or heavy application. The pigment load is dense enough to cover toothy paper in a single pass.
Customer feedback repeatedly highlights how well these pencils blend and layer with virtually no wax bloom — a surprising trait for a wax-based pencil. The 72-color range is well-distributed across the spectrum, though a few reviewers note the metallic silver numbering on the barrel is difficult to read in dim lighting. The cardboard box packaging is functional but prone to tipping if you’re not careful.
For artists moving up from student-grade supplies, the Arrtx set offers a noticeable leap in saturation and smoothness without the sticker shock of European professional lines. The 3.8 mm core means you can shade large areas quickly, and the SV technology means fewer frustrating breakages mid-stroke.
What works
- Rich, creamy pigment with minimal wax bloom
- SV break-resistant core handles sharpening well
- Excellent value for the color count and quality
What doesn’t
- Barrel numbering is tiny and hard to read
- Box packaging can tip over easily
3. LBW (Brutfuner) 120 Oil Based Colored Pencils
The LBW set, also sold under the Brutfuner brand, provides 120 oil-based colors in a portable plastic carrying case. The oil binder produces less wax bloom than soft wax pencils and holds a fine point for longer, making these an excellent choice for detailed work and precise line art. The 3.0 mm core is on the thinner side, delivering dense, vibrant strokes without excessive pressure.
Reviews emphasize the rich, almost painterly saturation these pencils achieve on textured paper. The color range is comprehensive, with well-separated hues that minimize the need for custom mixing. A minority of buyers report occasional manufacturing quirks — a duplicated color or a slightly off-center core — but the overall consistency is strong for this price bracket. The plastic case is sturdier than a cardboard box and includes a handle for transport.
Artists who prioritize lightfastness and archival stability will appreciate the oil-based formulation. The colors maintain their intensity after repeated layering, and the thinner core allows for precise burnishing. This is a practical, no-nonsense set for anyone who needs a large color library without the premium markup.
What works
- Vibrant, dense oil-based pigment with minimal bloom
- 120 colors cover nearly every hue scenario
- Plastic case with handle keeps pencils organized
What doesn’t
- Occasional quality control issues (duplicate colors)
- Thinner 3.0 mm core may feel fragile to heavy-handed users
4. Shuttle Art 172 Colored Pencils
Shuttle Art’s 172-color set is an entry-level juggernaut that includes 160 standard colors plus 12 metallic shades. The oil-based core is firm enough to hold a fine point for detailed coloring book pages, and the sheer number of hues means you rarely need to blend two pencils to match a reference photo. Each pencil is labeled with a name and number on the barrel for quick identification.
Customer feedback highlights the smooth laydown and good color payoff relative to the low entry cost. Some reviewers note that color names occasionally don’t match the actual shade, and the lightfastness is unrated — meaning these are best suited for practice, personal sketchbooks, and coloring books rather than archival or commission work. The set arrives in a snap-closure case that keeps the pencils organized but doesn’t offer the same protection as a zippered binder.
For beginners building their first serious collection, the Shuttle Art set provides an unbeatable color-per-dollar ratio. The firm oil core is forgiving for learners who haven’t yet developed a consistent pressure touch. If you’re looking for high-end blendability or professional-grade pigments, however, you’ll want to invest in a smaller set with a softer core.
What works
- Massive 172-color selection with metallics included
- Firm oil core holds a sharp point for detail
- Named and numbered barrels for easy organization
What doesn’t
- Lightfastness is not certified for archival use
- Some color labels are mismatched to actual pigment
5. Crayola Colored Pencils Set, 120ct
The Crayola 120ct set is the most recognizable name in the category and the safest purchase for kids, classrooms, and casual doodlers. The HB hardness rating indicates a core that is harder and waxier than artist-grade pencils — it produces lighter, more translucent color that works well for basic coloring but lacks the saturation needed for serious shading or blending. The pencils come pre-sharpened, so no setup is required.
User reviews consistently mention the bright colors and ease of sharpening, though the waxy feel on first use is a common observation. The color-to-body match is mostly accurate, but a few hues, such as the “pink” that appears more purple, require some experimentation. The 120-count includes multiple shades of each primary, making it easy to share among multiple users without arguments over the only red pencil.
This is not a set for artists seeking fine-art results. The hard core resists layering and produces visible streaks when you try to burnish. For its intended audience — children, beginners, and group settings — the Crayola set offers dependable durability and non-toxic safety certification that no premium brand can match for peace of mind.
What works
- Safe, non-toxic and built for heavy-handed use
- Pre-sharpened tips for immediate coloring
- 120 colors provide excellent group-sharing variety
What doesn’t
- Hard, waxy core lacks blending capability
- Color saturation is too light for professional shading
Hardware & Specs Guide
Core Diameter & Hardness
Core diameter directly affects how much pigment you deposit per stroke. A 3.8 mm core (Prismacolor, Arrtx) provides rich coverage with light pressure, while a 3.0 mm core (LBW) requires more control but delivers sharper lines. Hardness ratings — soft, HB, or hard — dictate blendability and break resistance. Soft cores blend effortlessly but demand careful sharpening; hard cores are nearly unbreakable but produce waxy, translucent layers.
Binder Type: Wax vs. Oil
Wax binders create the buttery, blendable texture that colorists love, but they produce a hazy bloom on heavily layered areas after a day or two — easily wiped off with a soft cloth. Oil binders (LBW, Shuttle Art) are harder, produce no bloom, and offer better lightfastness. The trade-off is a stiffer feel that requires more pressure to blend smoothly. Hybrid cores (Arrtx) combine both, minimizing bloom while maintaining good laydown.
FAQ
What is wax bloom and should I worry about it?
How many colors do I really need as a beginner?
Why do my soft colored pencils keep breaking during sharpening?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most artists, the best artist colored pencils overall are the Prismacolor Premier 36ct because they offer the softest, most blendable core in the industry with proven professional results. If you want a wider color range without sacrificing blendability, grab the Arrtx 72ct for a wax-based set that delivers near-premium performance at a mid-range price. And for detailed, archival-quality work with zero wax bloom, nothing beats the oil-based LBW 120ct for color variety and precision.