The best colored pencils for fine art depend on whether you prioritize smooth shading, a broad color range, or an all-in-one supply set. Prismacolor Premier is best suited to artists focused on soft cores and smooth color laydown, while KALOUR’s 120-pencil set is better for buyers who want accessories included. The KALOUR 72-count set offers a smaller labeled selection, and two larger oil-based sets emphasize color variety and bundled supplies.
| Set | Best for | Standout listed feature |
|---|---|---|
| Prismacolor Premier, 24 Count | Smooth shading and saturated color | Soft thick cores and lightfast pigments |
| KALOUR, 120 Count | Artists seeking a complete kit | Case, sketchbook, blender, sharpeners, and color chart |
| KALOUR, 72 Count | Beginners and color identification | Numbered pencils with color names |
| 80-Count Oil-Based Set | Buyers wanting a larger selection | Oil-based soft-core pencils |
| 147-Piece Set with 120 Pencils | Coloring and sketching with extras | Sketchbook, coloring book, and tools |
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
Best for: Artists who prioritize smooth application, saturated color, and shading control in a compact set. This 24-count option is a focused choice for drawing studies, smaller palettes, or artists adding specific colors to an existing collection.
The listed features include soft, thick cores intended for shading and shadows, ultra-smooth and even color laydown, and richly saturated pigments described as lightfast. Those attributes make this set a strong match for fine-art techniques that build depth through layered color and gradual transitions.
Why it was selected: Among these options, it has the clearest feature information directly related to drawing performance: core softness, smooth application, pigment saturation, and lightfastness.
Consideration: The 24-count selection is smaller than the 72- and 120-pencil sets. Choose it for the stated core and pigment qualities, not for a maximum color range.
KALOUR 120-Pencil Art Supply Set
Best for: Artists who want a large pencil selection and several supplies in one purchase. The listed package includes 120 oil-based soft-core pencils, a carry case, sketchbook, blender, sharpeners, and color chart.
The 120-pencil count gives buyers a broader stated selection than the 24-, 72-, and 80-pencil sets in this roundup. The included color chart can help organize or identify colors, while the case keeps the pencils and listed tools together. A sketchbook and blender are also named in the product details.
Why it was selected: It combines a substantial color selection with accessories relevant to drawing and color work, so it is a practical option for artists assembling supplies.
Consideration: The product listing does not specify the sketchbook’s paper characteristics or the blender’s type. Artists who need particular paper texture or blending behavior should check those details before choosing.
KALOUR 72-Count Soft-Core Pencils
Best for: Beginners, adult colorists, and artists who want a mid-size color set with clear color identification. Each pencil is listed as having a unique number and color name, which can make it easier to find and return to a chosen color.
KALOUR describes the cores as soft and highly pigmented, with a smooth laydown intended for vivid color. The product information also highlights blending and layering, as well as break-resistant cores. The basswood pencil bodies are described as easy to sharpen.
Why it was selected: Its combination of a 72-count assortment, labeled pencils, and stated suitability for drawing, blending, and shading makes it a balanced choice for learning colored-pencil techniques without starting with the largest set.
Consideration: The listed features do not provide a lightfastness rating. If artwork will be displayed or preserved long-term, verify pigment permanence information for the specific colors.
80-Count Oil-Based Colored Pencils
Best for: Buyers looking for an 80-pencil set described as oil-based and soft core. The listing positions the pencils for adult coloring books and for artists, beginners, and adults, making this a broad-use option for drawing and coloring.
The product name identifies the set as oil-based and soft-core. Those details give buyers a useful starting point when comparing it with the other options, but the supplied features do not describe pigment lightfastness, pencil labeling, accessories, or specific blending performance.
Why it was selected: It offers a different set size and an oil-based core designation, providing an additional choice for artists comparing pencil formats and assortment size.
Consideration: Product details are limited in the provided listing information. Choose it if the stated 80-count and oil-based soft-core description meet your needs; seek more information if you require documented permanence or other technical specifications.
147-Piece Set With 120 Colored Pencils
Best for: Beginners and adults who want pencils plus several practice and drawing supplies. The listing describes 120 oil-based soft-core pencils within a 147-piece set, alongside a three-color sketchbook, coloring book, and tools.
This package is oriented toward getting started with colored-pencil drawing and coloring without sourcing each listed item separately. The 120-pencil assortment may suit projects that benefit from access to many colors, while the added books provide materials for practice or coloring activities.
Why it was selected: It combines a large pencil count with books and tools, making it a useful comparison for buyers who value a bundled set over pencils alone.
Consideration: The supplied details do not identify each tool or give the sketchbook’s paper specifications. Artists with specific paper requirements should confirm what is included and whether it suits their intended technique.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Colored Pencils for Fine Art
Should you choose soft-core or oil-based pencils?
Start with the techniques you expect to use. Soft cores are often selected for broad color application and shading; the Prismacolor listing specifically describes its soft, thick cores as suited to shading and shadows. Oil-based pencils are identified in the KALOUR 120-count set and the 80-count set, but the supplied product details do not give a direct performance comparison between oil-based and other core types. When possible, compare sample marks on your intended paper.
How many colors do you need?
A smaller set can be easier to organize and may be enough for focused studies or a compact palette. A larger assortment gives you more listed color choices in the box, which can reduce how often you need to mix colors through layering. The options here range from 24 to 120 pencils. Consider whether you prefer selecting a limited palette yourself or beginning with many colors available.
What matters for blending and layering?
Look for clear product information about core softness, color laydown, and blending. KALOUR describes the 72-count pencils as soft, highly pigmented, and suitable for blending and layering. Prismacolor describes smooth, even color and cores suited to shading. These statements can help guide a comparison, but paper, pressure, and layering technique also affect results.
Does lightfastness matter for your artwork?
Lightfastness matters when you want artwork to retain its color during display or storage. The Prismacolor feature list describes its pigments as lightfast, but the other supplied listings do not provide equivalent lightfastness information. If permanence is important, check for clear, color-specific lightfastness details rather than assuming all pencils in a set have the same rating.
Do you need a complete kit or pencils only?
Choose a bundle if its included supplies match your plans. The KALOUR 120-count package lists a carry case, sketchbook, blender, sharpeners, and color chart. The 147-piece set lists a sketchbook, coloring book, and tools. These extras can be convenient, but confirm the details of the paper and tools if you have particular requirements. A pencil-only set may make more sense if you already own those supplies.
How should you compare set value?
Compare the number of pencils, listed core type, stated drawing features, and included supplies rather than looking only at the total piece count. A 147-piece package includes more than pencils, while a 120-pencil set may have a different mix of extras. Also consider whether the pencils are labeled by number and color name, as with the KALOUR 72-count option, which can help with color organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colored pencils are best for fine-art shading?
Look for soft cores and product information describing smooth laydown or shading. The Prismacolor Premier set specifically lists soft, thick cores for shading and shadows, while KALOUR describes its 72-count pencils as suitable for blending and layering.
Are more colors always better for drawing?
No. A larger set offers more colors to choose from, but a smaller set can suit a limited palette or focused studies. Choose based on the range of colors your projects require and whether you want to mix or layer colors yourself.
Which set includes the most drawing accessories?
The KALOUR 120-pencil set lists a carry case, sketchbook, blender, sharpeners, and color chart. The 147-piece set lists a sketchbook, coloring book, and tools, but the supplied details do not itemize every tool.
Which listed pencils are described as lightfast?
The Prismacolor Premier feature list describes its pigments as lightfast. The other product details provided here do not state lightfastness, so check their specifications if artwork permanence is a priority.
Are oil-based colored pencils suitable for beginners?
The 80-count and KALOUR 120-count products are described as oil-based soft-core sets, and their listings include beginners among the intended users. Compare the stated features and included supplies, then choose based on your preferred set size and project needs.
What paper should I use with colored pencils?
The product information provided does not specify paper recommendations. Use paper intended for colored-pencil work, and test a small area to see how its surface handles your pressure and layering before beginning a finished piece.
