15 best watercolor pencil sets

The Japanese manufacturer Pentel has been on the market for over 70 years, but the children's line of pencils has only recently appeared. Leads are no different from ordinary ones, but only at first glance. Pressed dense watercolor is hidden under the body. The material does not crumble during drawing, it feels like melted wax to the touch. The sets are made from soft wood, safe polymers and modern gluing components. Pencils do not crumble, do not break. Covered with non-toxic protective varnish.

Older children will be able to vary the brightness and saturation of the tone. In the largest set of 24 colors, very catchy colors are presented. There are no calm skin tones, ocher and turquoise. The boxes are compact and easy to take on trips. The pencils slide out along with the pocket. They are already sharpened and separated by cardboard partitions. The colors on the paper correspond to the shades printed on the case.

Staedtler produces quality pencils for all levels, Design Journey is designed specifically for children. A watercolor stylus is enclosed in a hexagonal case made of certified wood.The colors are vibrant both dry and wet. The material copes with any drawing techniques, does not strip, does not crumble. The box looks flimsy, but it is convenient to get pencils out. The color palette is rich in green hues and rare skin tones.

There are 36 colors in the largest set. Everyone draws brightly, lays down evenly, without graininess. Best results are obtained on smooth, inexpensive paper or professional watercolor sheets. Staedtler Design Journey is suitable for both children and young adults who decide to try out new materials. There is only one minus: because of the thick stylus, it will not be possible to draw small details. On the other hand, even sharpened pencils do not have sharp cuts, the child will not get hurt.

The desire to draw may appear in a child at the most inopportune moment, for example, on a trip. In order not to refuse the kid, the DJECO brand placed the pencils in a strong corrugated cardboard box. It reliably protects the stylus from falling and impact. Highly soft material allows you to leave a bright color on paper without much difficulty. When dipping a stylus or a finished drawing in water, a watercolor effect will appear. The manufacturer has both small boxes of 8 pieces and large sets with 72 pencils.

Pleasantly pleased with the choice of shades. Purple, lilac-blue, turquoise and ocher colors are rare for budget pencils. They lay down on paper cleanly, suitable for multi-layer application. However, the eraser is not erased, but smeared, it will not be possible to correct the error. The stylus behaves softly, smears a little on paper. There are traces on the hands, especially after sharpening. But it turns out a smooth continuous line.

Watercolor pencils are rarely cheap due to their unique properties. Kalyaka-Malyaka is a worthy exception. Leads allow you to draw on dry paper, and then blur with water. The process is simplified due to good pigmentation, no need to press hard on the paper. Despite the price, the pencils are made from the highest quality wood. They are easy to sharpen without burrs. The lead, while durable, remains soft enough to glide smoothly over paper. But it won't take a lot of pressure.

The sets meet all the requirements of children's materials. The pigment easily lays down on paper, leaves a stable color. All standard shades are presented, there are natural and bright pencils. Parents together with their children learn to plan a drawing, look at the spreading of watercolors. You just need to remember that the set is designed for the smallest, so you won’t be able to achieve complex effects.

STABILO Aquacolor sets became the leader among the best. Packs of 12, 18, 24 and 36 colors are presented. Despite the children's purpose, pencils give out bright saturated shades. The child can press hard on the paper, the stylus will not break. The thickness is just right for little fingers. Colors blend together to create a vibrant palette. You can paint without restrictions in dry and wet techniques, experiment with layering.

To obtain a watercolor effect, it is enough to blend the color with a damp brush. Or moisten the paper in advance if you do not want to give the child water.The stylus, despite its strength, has sufficient softness. A bright shade appears without strong pressure on the paper. It is easy to get an airy transparent effect. The set was loved by parents with kids: kids do not get into the paint, do not stain furniture while they are painting.

Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua is strikingly different from the other nominees of the rating. The set features metallic colors, including unique gold and silver hues. The slates are pigmented and lay down on light and dark paper. However, the best results are shown on a tinted surface. Materials are layered, mixed, do not strip. Pencils are comfortable to hold in your hand, sharpen to the desired sharpness. At the same time, the price remains below most professional brands.

Faber-Castell loves thicker leads, claiming it increases pencil life. It is convenient to paint over large planes with them, but it is more difficult to draw small details. The soft lead does not scratch the surface, allowing you to experiment with mixing. Even a small set allows you to create works full of colors. The pigment has high lightfastness, does not fade under artificial lighting and the sun's rays.

Lyra is a premium brand known for the best pigment quality. Materials are suitable for drawing on different surfaces, paper of any density.The lead gives a uniform bright line. Colors blend and new hues emerge without smudges. You can blur part of the picture, wet half of the paper. Simultaneously work in different techniques. The largest set includes 72 pencils, natural green, blue, nude shades are presented. The lead diameter is 4 mm.

The manufacturer indicated the purpose of watercolor materials: graphic and artistic works. Pencils are suitable for architects and designers, they allow you to quickly create vivid sketches. The washed out result is resistant to fading. However, the stylus is capricious, you will have to learn how to achieve the desired transparency. You need to sharpen it carefully. A nice bonus is the box: a metal case that protects the contents from falling.

Derwent, as befits professional watercolor pencils, allow you to simultaneously create clear lines and soft transparent transitions. The brand uses natural pigments that give color well. Shades are easily blurred and mixed, the material does not crumble, does not smear. The hexagonal body contains a 3.4 mm lead. This is just enough for drawing small objects.

Derwent is convenient to take with you, especially if you buy a brush with a water reservoir. Although you can blur the picture at any time. The brand offers both sets of up to 72 pieces and individual pencils. Professionals collect their own collections, rare and common shades are available. The pigment adheres equally well to dry and wet paper. Colors form new tones when mixed, do not give dirt.Blurred pattern dries quickly, does not stain the hand. Sets are combined with traditional pencils, easy to layer.

Faber-Castell occupies a niche of expensive professional pencils. Premium kits are made for artists willing to invest in the best quality. The lead is protected from crumbling, withstands any fall. In addition to worthy artistic qualities, watercolor material has a special gluing technology. When drawing, you do not have to worry about breakage. At the same time, the stylus remains soft, lays down on any paper.

With Faber-Castell, it's easy to achieve a 100% watercolor effect without much effort. The pigment is washed out completely, does not strip. After drying, the paint becomes permanent, no longer changes under the influence of water. Professionals create beautiful blackouts and glazes, apply layers. If you use quality paper, you can pour a lot of water. Pencils are easy to take with you, and the option in a faux leather case is great for a gift. The largest set consists of 120 pieces.

KOH-I-NOOR Mondeluz is popular among professionals for its best color saturation and high quality ground pigments. White clay of special purity and softness is added to the watercolor lead. It retains the pattern for many years, ensures the continuity of the line. To blur, you need very little water, the stylus is rubbed with a brush.Experienced artists love the technique of applying powder or small particles of scraped lead. Such a drawing is indistinguishable from watercolor.

Available as small sets in 6 colors, as well as large boxes with 72 pencils. Rare shades are developed, there are unique red and natural colors. The diameter of the stylus allows you to draw small details. Solid wood body ensures burr-free sharpening. Wax, unlike a simple watercolor lead, does not crumble. The components do not contain toxic materials. With all the pluses, the price remains affordable.

ErichKrause produces kits for artists of all levels, the ArtBerry line is designed to get acquainted with watercolor materials. Pencils are distinguished by a thickened body (10 mm) and a stylus (5 mm). They are easy to paint over large drawings, empty surfaces. The boxes have a euro hanger made of colored laminated cardboard. Pencils are soft, with rich colors. Ergonomic comfortable shape allows you to hold them without tension. The pigment fits perfectly on any paper. The lead does not crumble when drawing, does not break when dropped. Sharpens economically.

The brand is one of many who thought to add a brush to the set. It is protected by a transparent cap. The tip is thin, suitable for small parts. Pencils are not very soft, so they are sharpened to any sharpness. The colors are more natural, not flashy, there are no neon shades. Under the influence of water, the pigment is shaded instantly, there are no clear lines.

Bruno Visconti is suitable for adults and children. The manufacturer writes about the correct shape of the body (thin and ribbed), which ensures a perfect grip of the pencil. This is especially useful for artists who experience pain from long-term stress on the brush. The body is made of treated linden wood. It does not sharpen as well as more expensive materials, but does not leave burrs. Pencils are covered with a protective varnish, they do not slip. Leads have the softest texture. They give a bright color without hard pressing, but a little dusty.

Buyers note the trihedral shape of the pencils, confirming the words of the manufacturer. Even small children place their fingers correctly, this helps in the future use of the pen. One side of the case is flat, framed by vertical edges. When drawing, only 3 fingers are involved. The stylus turns out to draw both a thin and a thick line. However, it will not withstand a strong pressure or fall, it will break.

Nevskaya palitra is one of the few domestic manufacturers with decent quality watercolor pencils. The thickness of the stylus is 3.7 mm, when in contact with water, it changes properties. It turns out a transparent paint that dries quickly. The manufacturer recommends using watercolor paper that will withstand a lot of water. Otherwise, the pigment will not be washed out completely, strokes will remain. Sets of 12, 24 and 36 pieces are presented, there are no large boxes.

The reviews note the softness of the application and the purity of the color.The body of the pencil is made of cedar wood, it is easy to sharpen. The lead is very soft, crumbles a little, is consumed quickly. The most basic colors are presented, there are very few interesting shades. Buyers noted one feature: the sets vary greatly in price. A box with 12 pencils comes out on a budget, but 24 colors have the cost of professional materials.

Derwent Inktense is part of the personal collections of professional artists. The 4 mm lead is enclosed in a cylindrical body. The sets are sold in metal boxes, they look solid. A unique characteristic is the ink lead. It combines the advantages of watercolor materials with the durability of a traditional pencil. When the water dries, the pattern is fixed, it can no longer be blurred. Derwent Inktense withstand many layers, for which they receive a high place among the best.

The sets are well pigmented, the soft lead does not streak. It is convenient to work with pencils in a dry technique, and blur later. The texture of the stylus is much harder than similar sets, it resembles wax in characteristics. It is easy to sharpen it to any sharpness, to draw small details. Pencils do not crumble, do not smear, do not give dirt when mixed. They are used for painting fabrics, creating designer pillows and T-shirts.

GIOTTO Stilnovo are intended for children, but for their high quality and budget they are loved by novice artists. Sets of 12, 24 and 36 pieces are presented.The materials are packaged in a simple hexagonal box with silver plating along the edge. The body is made from certified safe wood. The lead is economically sharpened, does not crumble. The pigment is washed out completely, does not leave streaks. The color is bright, like professional materials.

The thickness of the lead is 3.3 mm. This is rarely seen with watercolor pencils, more often they are quite thick. But it is a small lead that allows you to draw any detail. There is a place left on the case for writing a name, which reminds of the children's purpose of the set. The largest box contains 50 colors, including rare gold and silver shades. The reviews note the brightness even with a slight pressure, the pigment is not rubbed. Particularly pleased with the rich natural yellow color.