We’ve compiled the best drawing pencils for artists below, based on performance, value and our personal experience.
Mastering the art of drawing is a fun and exciting journey. But to do this, you’re going to need the best tools, techniques, and an eye for detail.
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In search of pencils that fit every professional and hobbyist’s needs, we have compiled the best pencil sets that will come in handy for your drawing, watercoloring, and sketching needs.
If you are a beginner or occasional visitor to drawing, we’ve got you covered. Besides this, if you’re interested in other art equipment, you should check out our articles on the best artist desks and easels for artists.
7 Best Drawing Pencils for Artists, Illustrators & Designers in 2024
- Derwent Cumberland — The best set of drawing pencils overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Prismacolor — The best drawing pencil set for vibrant artwork
- Castle Art Supplies Pencil Art Set — The best drawing pencils for sketching
- Caran D’ache — The best drawing pencil set for quality
- Lyra Rembrandt Germany — The best drawing pencils for affordability
- Amazon Basics Premium Colored Pencils — The best drawing pencils for beginners
- Palomino Blackwing — The best high-end brand for drawing pencils
- iBayam Colored Pencils Set — The best budget drawing pencils pencils
- Drafting Pencil Set — The best mechanical pencils for drafting
- STAEDTLER Drawing Pencils — best high-quality drawing pencils for varied drawing applications
Also see our posts on the best drawing laptops and the best standalone drawing tablets.
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Best Drawing Pencils in 2024
When it comes to the best drawing pencils our top pick is the Derwent Cumberland drawing pencils. That said, we’ve also listed some popular alternatives below.
Top 4 Best-Selling Drawing Pencils on Amazon
These are the four most popular drawing pencils on Amazon right now:
How to Choose Drawing Pencils?
Drawing is a therapeutic, fun skill that can be monetized. Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate artist looking for the best tools possible, you need to know what to look for. Drawing pencils are divided into three main categories, namely; Black (B), Hard (H), and Fine (F).
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For an artist looking for the most suitable drawing pencils, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Some criteria to base your product choice on would be quality, variety, shade, and detail. Besides this, price and brand play a vital role, but in the grand scheme of things, they fall under the categories we’ll cover below.
Quality
The quality of the product is the most crucial aspect for an artist. Smearing on paper, blunt leads, and limited variety in colors will make your drawing basic and monotonous. The quality of your product depends on the quality of the lead sourced by the manufacturer, as well as, how it was treated in the production process.
Although there are several low-end and mid-range products that offer a large number of pencils at an affordable price, quite often these are underwhelming to use. When it comes to choice, we’d strongly recommend looking at high-quality brands that may even be expensive. Why? Because, in the long run, it saves you time, and money, and makes your art look professional.
Range
The variety of graphite pencils ranges from 9B to 9H. The 9B pencil is the softest pencil and the 9H pencil is considered the hardest pencil. And although it may seem to sound like Greek or Latin, it’s not something to feel overwhelmed about. To put it plainly, the variety of different pencils in your set is something you should keep in mind.
That said, for an artist just getting started, the range is not as important as working on fundamentals is. For artists looking to further their skill set, working with a variety of wide range of shades is pivotal.
Shade
Shades play a basic role in the drawing. You need to choose the right pencil before starting to draw. The hardest pencil contains the lightest shade and the softest pencil has the darkest shade. You will not require a whole range of pencils to draw every time.
A normal drawing requires HB, 2B, and 4B pencils. You can purchase these graphite pencils to draw if you are a beginner. But if you are a professional artist, you will obviously need to look at what you need and which drawing pencils will suit best for your art.
Detailing and Lightfast Qualified
Detailing a picture is a necessary aspect while drawing. For example, highlights can be one of the most essential elements in the drawing. For your drawing to be top-notch, your drawing needs to be highlighted. You can use white drawing pencils for better highlighting in your drawings to allude to shine or a surface being reflective.
Other than this, there are other elements to look at while drawing. However, before choosing your drawing pencils, picking an option that is lightfast qualified is also a great decision to make.
Top 7 Best Drawing Pencils for Artists 2024
1. Derwent Cumberland (Editor’s Choice)
The best set of drawing pencils overall
When it comes to drawing pencils, our top pick for artists is Derwent Colored Drawing Pencils. Quantity does not always mean quality and this set of only 24 colored drawing pencils proves just that.
In addition to being suitable for a wide range of GSM sketch paper, these pencils also show their amazing work on pastel paper and bristol boards, making them versatile and fun to use.
The Derwent Cumberland Pencil Company is one of the finest out there, with charcoal, graphite, pastel, and watercolor pencils which are some of the industry’s best.
This drawing pencil set comes with a color set that is a lot more subtle than your typical Prisma color pencils.
One thing we adore about Derwent Colored Drawing Pencils is that they have a waxy and smooth texture that leaves the color on your artwork pigmented perfectly.
Overall for artists willing to spend a little extra, this drawing pencil kit is likely the best drawing pencils for colored sketches.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ 100% Lightfast | ➖ Fragile, breakable |
| ➕ A water-soluble product | ➖ Quite expensive |
| ➕ Thick, light weighted, and oil-based colored pencils | |
| ➕ Variety of colors available |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- The perfect medium for sweeping landscapes to detailed nature studies
- 8mm diameter pencils have soft, creamy round 5mm leads
- Colors are quickly and easily laid down in wide to thin applications
- Drawing pencils produce a rich, velvety finish on paper
- Metal tin of 24 shades and choice of traditional sepia tones
2. Prismacolor
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The best drawing pencil set for vibrant artwork
The Prismacolor brand is considered a consumer favorite of all time. Why? Because of its high quality and variety of colors.
We love the Prismacolor brand for its mind-blowing number of 150 colors that blend well on paper.
When it comes to softcore pencils that ensure smooth shading, Prismacolor stands on top. We also found that Prismacolor is quite popular with artists on social media when creating hyper-realistic art.
We also see it as an artwork that aims for a more vibrant and detail-oriented look. These pencils are long-lasting which makes them more popular.
When it comes to vibrant color, this set from Prismacolor is the best drawing pencils to work with.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ High-quality | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Ensure smooth shading | |
| ➕ Long-lasting | |
| ➕ Richly saturated pigments |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Soft, thick cores are perfect for shading and shadows
- Lightfast, richly saturated pigments
- Ultra-smooth, even color laydown
- Thick, robust leads resist cracking and chipping making them perfect for adult coloring books
- 150 premium colored pencils
3. Castle Art Supplies Pencil Art Set
The best drawing pencils for sketching
Every drawing pencil can’t blend well when it comes to sketching, and if you are looking for an ideal option, castle art supplies are the one for you.
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When starting your art journey there can be a bit of a learning curve when using various shades. For users just getting started but not looking to compromise on quality, this Castle Art set is one of the best drawing pencil kits to work with.
This set is the whole package for newbies just starting out with sketching and for artists unwilling to overspend. Although there are many drawing pencil kits that come at a higher price this set is a great way to work on fundamentals.
With 12 graphite pencils, 3 sticks 1 soft graphite sketching pencil, and 3 charcoal sticks, this is the best drawing pencil kit with impressive value for price.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Outstanding quality | ➖ The case could look better |
| ➕ Great value for money | |
| ➕ A wide range of sketching tools |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- MADE TO MAKE IT EASY Drawing and sketching fundamentals in carry-anywhere, see-through clamshell case; displaying pencils, sticks and tools in compartments for instant easy choice.
- COMPACT BUT COMPLETE Curated by in-house experts for newcomer artists and more experienced sketchers - 12 graphite pencils, 3 sticks 1 soft graphite sketching pencil, 3 charcoal sticks plus tools....
- A JOY TO USE Balanced and shaped to hold and control; premium quality for smooth, application; reliable performance from non-splinter wood, break-defying leads.
- TUTORIAL TO BUILD YOUR SKILLS Simple learning aid unfolds in 5 stages the know-how needed to draw the cover image and apply the lessons to your own work.
- TESTED, TRUSTED AND GUARANTEED Tested by our studio experts to beat competitors. Trusted by the ultimate judges - 2.5 million customers worldwide. Backed by unique Money-back Plus guarantee.
4. Caran D’ache
The best drawing pencil set for quality
Finding the most suitable drawing pencils is hard, but luckily this Caran D’ache set of drawing pencils is suitable for most artists. One exciting feature of these pencils is that your artwork can be transformed to look more like watercolor art with the help of a little water.
Caran D’ache is an international brand that mainly focuses on producing the best quality pencils. The shades they produce differ based on the range of pencils from 9B to 9H.
This set of Caran D’ache contains around 40 colors, from bright to dark. And for those who associate this brand with their childhood, you’ll be surprised to know Caran D’ache is mostly used by professional artists.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Does not washout when being used like watercolor pencils | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Wax-based | ➖ Easily fades |
| ➕ Sharp and good for layered sketching |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Water-soluble coloured pencils for bright colours with a soft and durable lead
- The H lzer used for the Fancolor pencils come from sustainably managed materials and the paints are water-based
- Recommended for first artistic steps and colouring pages
- Water-soluble coloured pencils in hexagonal shape that fit perfectly in the hand
- Technics: Watercolours, hatching, shading, laving, infinite mixing possibilities, can be combined with the Neocolor wax pastels and Gouache
5. Lyra Rembrandt Germany
The best drawing pencils for affordability
For those looking to work with a wide assortment of colors, Lyra Rembrandt is a great set of drawing pencils to work with. One unique feature of this set of pencils is its lightweight design and ergonomic shape which makes working with them comfortable for the artist.
Other than this, Lyra Rembrandt is made with high-quality cedar wood casing ensuring that cores stay centered and don’t split. And while there are several cheaper alternatives, this German brand is a favorite among artists for a good reason.
Lyra Rembrandt is one of the more premium companies for creating pencils and is based out of Germany. Around 78 colors are produced by Lyra. These colored drawing pencils are purely oil-based. The texture of the color easily blends on paper, making it the perfect shade you want it to be.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Cheap and affordable | ➖ Lead is easily broken |
| ➕ Thick, oil-based, and smooth | ➖ Does not have enough variety of colors |
| ➕ 100% lightfast |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Beautifully Pigmented - The colored pencils in this set boast a vibrant, 4mm oil-based lead that provides smooth, effortless strokes of color. The bold lead in these colored art pencils are encased in...
- Surface Versatility - These colored pencils for artists are perfectly suited for use on a variety of surfaces including paper, cardboard, wood and other synthetic materials, offering durability and...
- Exceptionally Lightfast - Lyra's Polycolor artist colored pencils set is highly lightfast meaning you can enjoy your works of art for years to come without fading or discoloring over time
- Exceptional Color Range - With an excellent array of color choices found in sets of 12, 24, 36 and 72 pencils, you can easily create specific shades, tones gradients, designs, illustrations, portraits...
- Made in Germany - Since 1806, Lyra has been a product of talent, vision, creativity and performance, requiring the best tools for artists and professionals to enjoy for years to come
6. Amazon Basics Premium Colored Pencils
The best drawing pencils for beginners
While Amazon is not strictly known for producing drawing pencils, this range comes with a large variety at an affordable price. For children and newbies looking to work with a limited budget, Amazon Basics Premium Colored Pencils are a reasonable option to work with.
This pack comes with over 72 colors, which sharpen with minimal breakage and come with the right names to acquaint beginners with specific colors quite easily. These pencils color easily, however, tend to leave a bit of dust when being used.
That said, this set isn’t the most impressive and is most suitable for beginners and those with an extremely tight budget. So for those looking for the best drawing pencils for affordability, these premium colored pencils are a great choice.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Reasonable price | ➖ Not the best quality for deeper shades |
| ➕ Super handy, and great for beginners | |
| ➕ Blends well on paper |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 72 premium colored pencils for fine detail drawing, sketching, shading, and layering
- Artist-quality lead for soft and smooth application in a variety of rich, saturated pigments
- Pre-sharpened to save time; easy to resharpen as needed
- Thick cores resist breakage and provide longer-lasting use
- Includes a tin storage case with a detachable lid and a built-in tray to keep the pencils organized and protected
7. Palomino Blackwing
The best high-end brand for drawing pencils
While not strictly marketed as a drawing pencil, this impressive set of drawing pencils from Palomino Blackwing is a great option to work with. While these don’t come with a variety of shades, they are perfect for architects, designers, and painters who need to focus more primarily on outlines.
Palomino Blackwing is one of the classier brands of pencils, mostly used by architects for their outstanding neatness. That said, Palomino pencils are wax-based and don’t smear on paper. The pencil is hexagonal and contains a ferrule with a thin flat eraser on it making it easy to use.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ High quality | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Wax-based led ensures no smudging | |
| ➕ Long-lasting |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Premium Materials: Made with Genuine Incense-Cedar Wood and Premium Japanese Graphite for a Smooth Writing Experience
- Iconic Design: Features a Unique Rectangular Eraser and Hexagonal Body Shape for Comfortable Grip
- Quality Construction: Firm and Smooth Graphite Core Provides a Clear, Steady Line Without Excess Sharpening
- Heritage Brand: Part of the Cult Following of Blackwing Pencils Used by Famous Artists and Writers
- Give Back: A Portion of Sales Supports the Blackwing Foundation, Promoting Arts and Music Education
8. iBayam 123-Pack Colored Pencils Set
Bayam 123-Pack Colored Pencils Set. Image credit: Amazon
The best budget colored pencils
The iBayam Colored Pencils Set is a comprehensive art kit designed to unleash your character to all your artistic needs. Here are some key features and benefits of this colored pencil set.
This versatile set is a perfect fit for all, whether you’re an adult, a child, a professional artist, or a novice. Use it for drawing, sketching, shading, and blending on various surfaces like paper, canvas, and coloring books. The set comes with a zippered carrying case that keeps your pencils organized and easily portable. Take your artistic journey with you wherever you go, be it at home, school, or on the go.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Vibrant colors come in multiple shades | ➖ Slightly challenging to sharpen |
| ➕ Great value for money | |
| ➕ Sturdy travel case |
Latest Price on Amazon:
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9. Nicpro 6PCS Art Mechanical Pencils Set
Nicpro Color Pencil Pack Image Source: Amazon
The best mechanical pencils for drafting
The Drafting Pencil Set is a comprehensive collection of high-quality drafting and writing tools designed to meet various creative and professional needs. Here are the key features and components included in this set.
The set includes 6 drafting pencils with different lead sizes: 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.9 mm, and 2.0 mm. These drafting pencils are suitable for various tasks, from writing to detailed drawing. This set is suitable for artists, professionals, teachers, and students alike. It’s perfect for writing, drafting, drawing, and sketching, making it a versatile choice for various creative and professional projects.
The set also features a non-slip Comfort Grip that makes it easy and enjoyable to use, whether you’re a beginner, child, or adult. It ensures a comfortable and secure grip while writing or drawing.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Comfortable grip | ➖ Pencils only compatible with one size lead refills |
| ➕ Multiple lead refills | |
| ➕ Sturdy travel case |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- ❤Value Package :Come With 6 PCS mechanical drafting pencils ,including 0.5 mm & 0.7mm & 0.9mm and 2mm ,12 tubes of refill : 0.5mm & 0.7 mm & 0.9mm ,2.0 mm (2B HB 2H) , 3 PCS of erasers , 9PCS of cap...
- ❤4 Line Size & 3 Hardness: This awesome pencil set come with several size of lead refills for various line widths:0.5/0.7/0.9/2.0,the 2mm graphite pencil come with 3 hardness lead 2B HB and 2H to...
- ❤Ergonomic, Comfortable Design :The full-metal body provides ideal weight balance for fatigue-free writing and drawing or sketching, It brings you more effective and high quality tasks. The lead...
- ❤Two Type Anti-Slip Grips: Rhombus textured rubber grips and metal threaded anti-skidding, these pencils adopt different grip design base on pencil weight and applicable scene, only for better...
- ❤Perfect School Supplies :Ideals for teachers and students, artists, professionals,engineer alike. Perfect for writing, drafting, drawing, sketching or architectural working. Back to the basics! it...
10. STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph Art Drawing Pencils
The best high quality pencils for varied drawing applicaitons
The STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph Art Drawing Pencils is a high-quality collection of drawing pencils that offer exceptional performance and reliability for various artistic and professional applications.
Here are the key features and details of this set. Unlock your creative potential with these remarkable drawing pencils. They’re not just versatile; they’re your ultimate tool for crafting stories, sketching dreams, hatching masterpieces, and bringing your artistic visions to life, whether it’s on paper or matte drawing film.
This versatility makes them suitable for artists, illustrators, designers, and anyone who values precise and high-quality results.
Overall, this premium drawing pencil set is a reliable choice for artists and professionals who demand consistent and high-quality results in their work. With its range of degrees, break-resistant lead, and exceptional product quality, this set is a valuable addition to any artist’s toolkit.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Sturdy construction | ➖ No in-built eraser |
| ➕ Smooth writing |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Premium quality drawing pencil with unbelievably break-resistant lead!
- Particularly suitable for writing, drawing, sketching and hatching, as well as for professional graphic and artistic applications on paper and matte drawing film
- Design set of 12 finely graded consistent degrees in portable metal storage tin: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, 4H
- The super-bonded lead wears evenly and is easy to erase and sharpen
- First-class materials and manufacturing processes guarantee outstanding and unbeatable product quality
What are the Different Kinds of Drawing Pencils?
Drawing pencils are the main tools used by an artist. If you are a beginner or have trouble picking the right drawing pencils, you can take a glimpse of the brands listed for you and pick your favorite.
What are Black pencils?
Black pencils are made of graphite. The darkest pencil is the 9B. It is softer and thicker than other black pencils. These pencils are used for drawing and sketching.
What are Hard pencils?
Hard pencils are made with a mixture of graphite and clay. These pencils can be used for technical drawing. The hardest pencil is the 9H. They are also called fine pencils because they are at fine points.
What are Soft pencils?
Soft pencils are oilier and thicker. These pencils are made of a darker form of graphite. Soft pencils are used for sketching and shading. The 9B is the darkest and the softest pencil.
When it comes to drawing, there are several different types of pencils to work with depending on your art style. Some of them include
- Graphite pencils
- Solid Graphite pencils
- Grease pencils
- Liquid Graphite pencils
- Carbon pencils
- Color pencils
- Mechanical pencils
- Watercolor pencils
- Charcoal pencils
- Color crayons
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special tools for sharpening drawing pencils?
A regular pencil sharpener can be used to sharpen most drawing pencils. For softer pencils or charcoal pencils, a blade or craft knife may be preferable for achieving a fine point.
Can I erase pencil marks easily?
Yes, pencil marks are typically easy to erase. Harder pencils (higher H numbers) leave lighter marks that are easier to erase. Soft pencils (higher B numbers) may leave darker marks that can be more challenging to erase completely.
Is Palomino a good brand?
The Palomino Blackwing drawing pencils have unique colors and are high quality which puts them among some of the best drawing pencil brands out there.
What type of pencil is best for drawing?
When starting out HB, 2B, and 4B pencils are good drawing pencils for learning the fundamentals. Besides this, making use of white drawing pencils for highlighting adds to your artwork immensely.
Best Drawing Pencils — Summary: A Stroke of Genius
It may seem challenging with the sheer number of options available. Choosing the best pencil for you for the most part comes down to your art style and individual preferences.
Finding the best drawing pencils can be difficult, but when you keep in mind your art style and budget things get relatively easy. That said, at the end of it, it all comes down to which set of drawing pencils you feel most comfortable working with. So sharpen your pencils and get ready to draw out your creative juices!
