10 Best Watercolor Pencils 2025 in the United States

The Faber Castell Albrecht Durer 120 Watercolor Pencil Set is a strong choice for adults looking for professional-quality watercolor pencils. These pencils stand out due to their highly pigmented leads that dissolve completely when water is applied, allowing smooth and vibrant color blending. The 3.3mm leads are SV-bonded, which means they are less likely to break, making them durable and reliable. With 120 colors available, the set offers an extensive range that suits detailed and colorful artwork. The pencil hardness is rated as 'F' (firm), providing a good balance between softness for color laying and firmness for precision. Faber-Castell is a well-known and respected brand in art supplies, adding confidence to the product's quality.

Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Watercolour Pencils come in a large set of 48 vibrant colors, making them great for artists who want a wide palette to explore. These pencils use a wax-based core, which helps in smooth color application and coverage whether you use them dry or add water to create watercolor effects. Their solubility is a strong point, allowing easy blending and transformations when water is applied. The cores are designed to resist breakage, so they can handle pressure and occasional drops better than many other pencils.

The Derwent Inktense Pencils set of 24 offers vibrant, highly pigmented colors that stand out, making it great for anyone wanting bold and expressive artwork. These watercolor pencils are unique because their colors are water soluble but become permanent once dry, which means you can layer colors without worrying about them bleeding together. This feature also allows using them on different surfaces like paper or fabric, offering versatility beyond typical watercolor pencils. The 4mm soft lead core is smooth and easy to apply, though softer leads may wear down faster with heavy use.