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Best Colored Pencil Sets for Professional Artists: The Short Answer
For professional artists who need rich pigment, broad layering options, and dependable core quality, the Faber-Castell Polychromos 120 set is the strongest all-around choice; choose Caran d’Ache Luminance for the highest lightfastness priorities, Prismacolor Premier for a softer, more affordable core, or Derwent Lightfast for a large oil-based range.
These are not interchangeable pencils. A harder core can hold a fine point and accept more layers, while a softer core lays down color quickly but may need more frequent sharpening. Lightfastness matters most when finished work will be displayed or sold; case design matters when pencils travel or are used at a shared studio table. The comparisons below focus on those working differences rather than treating a larger set as automatically better.
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Professional Sets Compared
| Set | Largest standard set | Core type | Lightfastness information | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faber-Castell Polychromos | 120 colors | Oil-based, relatively firm | Individual ratings are published; check the color-specific rating before using a pencil in a permanent work | Fine detail, controlled layering, and a versatile studio set |
| Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 | 100 colors | Wax-based, soft and highly pigmented | Color-specific ratings; the range is designed around high lightfastness, but ratings still vary by color | Display work and artists prioritizing permanence |
| Prismacolor Premier | 150 colors | Wax-based, soft | Lightfastness varies by color; consult the manufacturer’s current color chart for archival work | Broad color choice, smooth coverage, and lower entry cost |
| Derwent Lightfast | 100 colors | Oil-based | Designed as a lightfast range; verify individual color information for work with strict permanence requirements | Artists seeking an oil-based pencil range built for lasting artwork |
Set sizes and available packaging can vary by region and product edition. Lightfastness is a color-by-color property, not a guarantee that every pencil in a range performs identically. For commissioned or archival work, use the manufacturer’s current chart and keep a record of the colors used.
Which Set Fits Your Working Style?
- Choose Polychromos for precise, repeated layering. Its firm core tends to stay sharp longer than softer wax pencils, making it useful for small details, edges, and textured marks. It takes pressure to build dense color, so it may feel slower when covering large areas.
- Choose Luminance when permanence is a leading requirement. The soft core produces strong color with less pressure and blends readily. That softness can also mean more frequent sharpening and a greater chance of breakage if pencils are dropped or sharpened carelessly.
- Choose Prismacolor Premier for a soft, broad palette on a budget. Its smooth laydown and large selection suit expressive work and color-rich illustrations. The softer core is less suited to extremely fine points, and lightfastness should be checked carefully for pieces intended for long-term display.
- Choose Derwent Lightfast if you prefer oil-based handling with a permanence-focused range. It offers a different feel from soft wax pencils and can be a good fit for artists who want to build color without the same waxy surface feel. Compare its available colors against your usual subjects before buying the largest set.
What Matters Beyond the Color Count
Pigment richness and layering
Strong color on the first pass is useful, but professional work often depends on how a pencil behaves across several light layers. Softer pencils generally deposit color quickly and blend smoothly; firmer pencils usually give more control and leave room to build value gradually. On toothy paper, multiple light passes can preserve texture and produce cleaner transitions than pressing hard at the outset. Heavy pressure can flatten the paper tooth, making later layers less effective regardless of brand.
Before committing to a full set, compare a few colors on the paper you actually use. Test a pale-to-dark gradient, an overlapping pair of complementary colors, and a burnished patch. These reveal more about your workflow than a saturated swatch alone.
Lightfastness: buy for the finished work
Lightfastness ratings estimate how well a color resists fading under specified exposure conditions. They are not a promise that a drawing will remain unchanged in every room or under every light. Sunlight, display lighting, paper, and framing all affect the result. If permanence is essential, avoid assuming that a brand’s general reputation applies equally to every hue: check the individual color rating, use suitable paper, and display finished pieces away from direct sunlight.
Core durability and sharpening
Core breakage can come from a fragile core, but it can also result from shipping, drops, or a blunt or poorly matched sharpener. Soft pencils usually need more frequent sharpening; firm cores tend to keep a point longer. Use a sharpener designed for colored pencils, rotate the pencil gently, and avoid forcing a core through a tight opening. If a pencil repeatedly breaks internally, try a different sharpener before deciding the pencil itself is defective.
Color range and case quality
A large set is most valuable when its extra hues save mixing time or fill gaps in your subject matter. Portrait artists may care more about subtle skin tones and earth colors than dozens of near-identical blues; landscape artists may prioritize greens, grays, and natural browns. Check whether open-stock replacement pencils are available where you live, since replacing a frequently used color is often cheaper and less wasteful than buying a second complete set.
Metal tins protect pencils reasonably well in a studio, but stacked trays can be awkward when you need fast access. Layered trays and fitted cases help organize large collections, though they take more room on a desk and can be inconvenient to carry. Inspect whether pencils can be lifted out without disturbing the rest, and whether the case closes securely during transport.
A Practical Cost Check Before Buying
Compare sets by cost per pencil, then adjust for how many colors you will use regularly. For example, a hypothetical 120-pencil set costing $240 works out to $2 per pencil. If you expect to use 45 colors often, the practical cost is about $5.33 per regularly used color ($240 ÷ 45). This does not mean the unused colors have no value: they may support future subjects or reduce mixing. It does show why a smaller set plus open-stock refills can be the better professional purchase when your palette is already predictable.
Prices vary by retailer, region, and packaging, but professional colored-pencil sets generally range from roughly $30–$100 for many entry and mid-range options to around $100–$300 or more for large premium sets. Compare the exact set size and packaging rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Buying Recommendation by Situation
| Your priority | Practical choice | Trade-off to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Fine detail and controlled layering | Faber-Castell Polychromos | Builds dense coverage more gradually |
| Display permanence and rich color | Caran d’Ache Luminance | Soft core needs careful sharpening |
| Broad palette at a lower general price | Prismacolor Premier | Check individual lightfastness ratings for finished work |
| Oil-based feel with a permanence-focused range | Derwent Lightfast | Confirm the range contains the hues your subjects require |
For most professionals buying one dependable studio set, Polychromos is the balanced pick. For artwork where fading risk is especially consequential, prioritize the specific colors’ published lightfastness ratings and consider Luminance or Lightfast. If cost and a very soft, blendable feel matter more than archival consistency across the palette, Prismacolor Premier remains a practical option. Whichever set you choose, test it on your intended paper and replace individual workhorse colors as they wear down.