Top Recommendations for Coloured Pencils in the UK

Navigating the world of art supplies can be a colourful but confusing journey. Whether you're buying a first pencil set for a child's school project, indulging in a new hobby with colouring pencils for adults or sourcing artist quality pencils for your next masterpiece, the choices are vast. From lead hardness to colour vibrancy, finding the right tool for the job is key.

This guide is designed to help you understand the different types of coloured pencils available. We'll break down the essential features to look for and present a selection of our top recommendations to help you make a confident choice for your creative needs.

A Practical Guide to Choosing Your Coloured Pencils

Before diving into specific products, let's cover a few key considerations. Keeping these points in mind will help you narrow down the options and find the perfect pencils for your projects.

1. Understanding the Core: Watercolour, Wax and Oil

The "lead" of a coloured pencil, known as the core, is typically made from a mixture of pigment and a binder. The type of binder dramatically affects how the pencil performs.

• Wax-Based Cores: Often found in soft core pencils, these are very common and known for their smooth application and excellent blending capabilities. They can lay down rich, vibrant colour quickly but may be more prone to breakage if handled roughly.
• Oil-Based Cores: These pencils tend to have a harder core, making them more durable and less prone to breaking. They hold a sharp point for longer, which is ideal for detailed drawing pencils. They can be layered beautifully, often without the waxy build-up that can occur with wax-based pencils.
• Water-Soluble Cores (Watercolour Pencils): These versatile pencils can be used dry, just like a standard coloured pencil. However, when you add water with a brush, the pigment dissolves, creating a watercolour paint effect. This allows for beautiful washes, gradients and mixed-media techniques.

2. Durability and Build Quality

There's nothing more frustrating than a pencil that constantly breaks. Look for features that indicate durability. Many brands use a special bonding process to secure the lead to the wooden casing, creating break-resistant pencils. The shape of the barrel—be it hexagonal or triangular—can also affect grip and comfort during long drawing sessions.

3. The Size of the Set

Coloured pencil sets can range from a basic 12-pack to collections with over 100 unique shades. For children or beginners, a set of 12 to 24 colours is often sufficient. For adult colouring enthusiasts and artists, a larger pencil set of 36, 48 or more provides a much wider palette for shading, blending and achieving nuanced tones.

Top Coloured Pencil Recommendations

Here are four carefully selected options that cater to a range of needs, from budding artists to seasoned creators.

Faber-Castell Classic Colour Watercolour Pencils, Wallet of 24

• Why It Stands Out: These pencils offer two creative mediums in one. The fully water-soluble lead allows you to transform a standard drawing into a watercolour painting with the simple application of a wet brush, which is conveniently included in the set.
• Pros:
  • Versatile for both dry drawing and wet painting techniques.
  • Features special SV bonding to make the lead more break-resistant.
  • Made from wood sourced from sustainable forestry.
  • Washes out of most fabrics, making them a practical choice for younger artists.
• Who is it for?: Artists, students and hobbyists who want the flexibility to explore watercolour effects without investing in a full set of paints. They are an excellent entry point into the world of watercolour pencils.

M&G Coloured Pencils, 48 Pack Soft Core

• Why It Stands Out: This pencil set provides an impressive range of 48 distinct colours, offering fantastic creative coverage for detailed work. The soft core pencils are designed for smooth, even application and good layering performance.
• Pros:
  • Extensive colour palette for shading and blending.
  • Hexagonal wooden barrel provides a stable grip and prevents rolling.
  • Pre-sharpened and ready for immediate use.
  • Crafted from natural wood for easier sharpening.
• Who is it for?: Adult colouring enthusiasts, beginners and students who need a wide variety of colours for their projects without a significant initial investment.

Faber-Castell Black Edition Colour Pencils, Tin of 12

• Why It Stands Out: The SuperSoft lead in these pencils delivers exceptionally vibrant colours, and their high pigmentation makes them particularly effective on light, coloured and even dark paper—a feature not all coloured pencils share.
• Pros:
  • Ergonomic triangular shape promotes a comfortable grip for long sessions.
  • Stylish black wood casing and durable tin for storage.
  • Highly pigmented for brilliant colour on various paper types.
  • Features SV bonding for break-resistance.
• Who is it for?: Artists and hobbyists who enjoy experimenting with different paper colours and prioritise comfort and vibrant results. The performance on dark paper makes this a unique and valuable tool.

Faber-Castell Classic Colour Pencils, Tin of 24

• Why It Stands Out: This is a quintessential set of high-quality drawing pencils. It combines vivid colour with exceptional durability, thanks to the brand's secural bonding process (SV), making it a reliable workhorse for all kinds of creative tasks.
• Pros:
  • Highest break-resistance due to the special bonding process.
  • Vivid and brilliant colours for vibrant artwork.
  • Classic hexagonal shape for a comfortable, familiar grip.
  • Comes in a durable tin for easy and protective storage.
• Who is it for?: This is an excellent all-rounder. It's a dependable choice for students, families and anyone needing a high-quality, long-lasting set of coloured pencils for general drawing and art projects.

Looking for More Options?

The world of pencils is vast and varied. If you haven't found the perfect match here or want to explore other set sizes and types, there are many more to discover.

Explore Our Full Range of Pencils

Frequently Asked Questions About Coloured Pencils

1. What is the difference between wax-based and oil-based coloured pencils? Wax-based pencils, often described as soft core pencils, are generally softer, creamier and great for blending large areas of colour. Oil-based pencils are typically harder, hold a point longer for fine details and are less prone to a waxy build-up, allowing for more layers.

2. How can I stop my coloured pencils from breaking when I sharpen them? To minimise breakage, use a sharp, high-quality pencil sharpener. Avoid dropping your pencils, as impacts can fracture the core internally even if the wood remains intact. Choosing pencils with bonded leads, often advertised as break-resistant pencils, also significantly improves durability.

3. Can you use watercolour pencils without water? Yes, absolutely. Watercolour pencils function just like regular coloured pencils when used dry. You can draw, shade and layer with them as you normally would. The option to add water is an additional feature that allows you to create washes and painterly effects.