I tried four colored pencil sets during my sketching journey. Some of them I used at home, and some during my travels. Each set gave me a different sketching experience. I learned how important softness is for colored pencils. I also learned that the number of colors matters a lot. Small sets can be useful, but they can feel limited fast. Bigger sets give more freedom for mixing and shading. Here is my review, from my first set to my current favorite.
Faber Castell Polychromos
Faber Castell Polychromos was my first colored pencil set. I used it at home and during my travels. I sketched buildings, boats, and small scenes with it. The pencils are not very soft, so coloring needed more effort. Filling big areas was difficult and not very smooth. The set of 24 colors also felt too small for me. I think colored pencils need more shades for better mixing. Because of this, I was not eager to use this set often.
Btw, those sketches are from San Diego sketch trip. More about it in my post.
Winsor & Newton Studio
This set was my first try with watercolor pencils. I expected them to feel softer, but they felt even harder. The set of 12 colors was too limited for my needs. Some colors did not work well for me, like peach and brown. I also did not need the white and black pencils. The landscape sketch was fun, but I felt limited while working. Now I think a larger Faber Castell Dürer set could be a better choice.
Koh-i-Noor Rainbow Pencils
Rainbow pencils I bought just for fun. These pencils are great for sketching, lining, and quick creative ideas. I love how the colors change without full control. This surprise makes the sketch feel alive and expressive. The Florence sketch and plant sketch show this playful energy well. Still, it is hard to create dimension with only one rainbow pencil. I like this set for experiments, not for serious realistic coloring.
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core
Prismacolor Premier is my favorite set now. The pencils are soft, rich, and easy to use. I can color big areas without hurting my hands. The colors are very pigmented, so the sketches look deeper. The set of 36 colors also gives me much more freedom. Now I understand that 36 colors is a better starting point. With fewer colors, it is harder to build variety and mood. For now, this set gives me the best sketching experience.
See my set here.
After trying these four sets, I learned what I really need. Soft pencils make sketching easier and more enjoyable. A bigger color range also gives more freedom while drawing. Small sets can be fun, but they can feel limited fast. My current favorite is Prismacolor Premier soft core set of 36. It helps me sketch longer, color faster, and enjoy the process more.
