10 Best Colored Pencils in the Philippines 2025 | Prismacolor, Polychromos, Faber Castell, and More
Colored pencils have evolved from the basic set to sets of different types and consistencies. All of these can be very confusing, especially for beginner colorists. To help you navigate this wonderful world of colors, we have prepared a buying guide and a list of the top 10 recommended items. We'll also share some tips to keep in mind when you use your pencils.
Quick List - Top Colored Pencils
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
- Why You Can Trust Us
- 10 Best Colored Pencils to Buy Online
- No. 1Prismacolor | Premier Soft Core Colored Pencil ｜Set of 72
- No. 2Faber Castell | Polychromos｜Set of 24
- No. 3Derwent | Inktense Pencils｜Set of 24
- No. 4Caran d'Ache | Supracolor Soft Colored Pencils ｜Set of 30
- No. 5Faber Castell | Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils｜Set of 24
- 5 more products
- Want to Explore Your Creative Side?
Why You Can Trust Us
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
How to Choose Colored Pencils – Buying Guide
Here's a discussion of the different types of colored pencils and how to know which one is best for you to get you started. We hope this guide will help you narrow down your options and make a really great purchase that fits you.
Choose the Type that Best Fits Your Needs
There are three types of colored pencils: wax-based, oil-based, and watercolor. Each type has its own characteristics, so choose one depending on your needs.
Wax-Based: A Low-Cost and Versatile Option
Wax-based colored pencils have wax as the binder for their pigments. They are the most common type of colored pencils in the market due to their cost and versatility, making them the perfect choice for beginners. They can cover a wide range of grades, from the kinds used by children to the more sophisticated versions used in art schools.
Wax-based pencils make lighter marks on paper compared to the other types. They are also prone to wax bloom, a natural oxidation process that occurs in wax-based materials. This results in a hazy white film developing over the surface of the drawing.
Oil-Based: Vibrant Color and Great for Blending
Oil-based colored pencils have oil as the binder for their pigments. They are much more specialized than wax-based pencils and require some skill to use effectively because they smear easily. They are highly-pigmented, and each stroke you make will lay down a vibrant mark.
The smooth blending that comes with an oil-based colored pencil makes it a joy to use and will make your work look more sophisticated. They are also softer than watercolor pencils, which makes for easier color layering. They are very versatile and can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
However, the high pigmentation and the better finish it gives makes it a more expensive choice than wax-based pencils. And you must be careful not to make mistakes, too – oil-based pencil marks are not easy to erase, and you will need a special blur tool to do so.
Watercolor: Drawing and Painting Medium in One
The best feature of watercolor pencils is that it is water-soluble, making it easier to blend. It doesn’t require a blurring tool like the oil-based ones – all you need is a wet watercolor brush, and you can make gradations with it. The lead is usually hard, making it easier to draw details and fine lines like eyelashes or cat’s fur.
The beauty of watercolor pencils lies in their dual purpose. It’s a drawing medium and a painting medium in one. You can choose to color a drawing and leave it as it is, and because it has no wax in it, you won’t have to worry about waxy films on your drawing. Alternatively, you can activate the color with a brush and turn it into a soft, watercolor look.
The downside is that they have lower pigmentation than oil-based pencils and can be trickier for beginners to use. It requires more patience since you have to add more layers to make the colors more vibrant.
Start With a Simple Set and Add Colors as You Level Up
Colored pencils come in sets of 12, 24, 36, with some sets reaching up to 100 colors or more. It is best to check your needs and level before committing to a purchase. For a child’s coloring book, a 12-color set might be good enough, but for adults’ coloring books, a 36-color set might be better in order to express subtle and delicate shades.
Sets of more than 36 colors are bigger and harder to bring along. For beginners and for those who plan to sketch outside, it will be best to choose a 36-color set. If you find yourself looking for more colors, then perhaps that is the time to make a bigger purchase.
Try Single Pencils First to Test Color and Softness
Colored pencil cores can be hard, medium, and soft. The hard ones have less pigmentation but are good for drawing fine lines, so we recommend these for detailed coloring/sketching. Soft-core pencils are more vibrant and are great for coloring a wide area, though they tend to shed pigment powder.
You need to keep in mind, though, that these factors will be dependent on your pen pressure or coloring style, so the lead softness is just your guide.
Having said that, it is best to test them out first before purchasing them, but it is rare to find colored pencils that may be tested. If there are products sold separately, try buying just one and test them out before purchasing a set to make sure it matches your style.
Look for Products With Open Stocks
One problem with colored pencil sets is that some will be used more often and become shorter more quickly than the others. The solution to this is to choose brands that sell pencils separately so you can just buy the colors that you need instead of purchasing another whole set.
You can choose single pencils from other brands too, but for those who find the small differences in pigmentation and lead softness uncomfortable, we suggest buying a set from a brand that sells single colored pencils.
10 Best Colored Pencils to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencil ｜Set of 72 | | Very Vibrant and Smooth Application | |
2 | Faber Castell Polychromos｜Set of 24 | | Vibrant Oil-Based Colors With Durable Quality | |
3 | Derwent Inktense Pencils｜Set of 24 | | Versatile Water-Soluble Pencil | |
4 | Caran d'Ache Supracolor Soft Colored Pencils ｜Set of 30 | | Soft and Vivid Colors | |
5 | Faber Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils｜Set of 24 | | Oil-Based and Watercolor in One Pencil | |
6 | Staedtler Karat Aquarell 125 Watercolor Pencils｜Set of 12 | | Explore Watercolor Effects With Ease | |
7 | Brutfuner Professional Oil Colored Pencils｜Set of 72 | | Designed for Vibrant Coloring and Easy Blending | |
8 | Staedtler Luna Colored Pencils｜Set of 24 | | A Solid and Sturdy Choice for Beginners | |
9 | Faber-Castell Classic Colour Pencils ｜Set of 48 | | Classic Colors, Smooth Application, Break-Resistant Design | |
10 | Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils｜Set of 30 | | Colored Pencils That Need No Sharpening! |
PrismacolorPremier Soft Core Colored Pencil ｜ Set of 72
Very Vibrant and Smooth Application
This is the most beloved brand of colored pencils by illustrators and artists worldwide. Its high-grade pigments can give you a professional-grade color that is very vibrant and creamy, making your work look polished, even if you’re actually just a beginner.
Prismacolor is wax-based and has soft cores. This makes it easy to glide across the paper, and it is perfect for blending, shading, and layering. And yet, it is durable and not prone to breaking.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said about Prismacolor is that it has achieved the perfect balance between being soft enough for layering and blending and hard enough to use for making details.
Faber CastellPolychromos ｜ Set of 24
Vibrant Oil-Based Colors With Durable Quality
- Oil-based cores with resin to prevent breaking, ensuring long-lasting use
- High pigment saturation for vivid, consistent color application
- Excellent lightfastness keeps colors bright and fade-resistant over time
- Comes in a 24-color set housed in a sturdy metal case for easy storage and portability
Reviews mention:
Users appreciate the vibrant and highly pigmented colors that blend smoothly and maintain their brilliance. The durability of the pencil cores and the ease of sharpening are often highlighted positively. Some users note the premium price but agree that the quality justifies the cost for professional or serious hobbyist use.
Versatile Water-Soluble Pencil
This product is an all-time favorite of art school students, illustrators, and designers. Its name speaks for itself – the most striking thing about this product is its color intensity. Whether used dry or activated with water, the colors produced by the Derwent Inktense are vivid and permanent.
Just make sure to use it with thick paper, as thin papers can curl up and wrinkle when soaked in water. We recommend this for those who want to make pieces that are vibrant and intense.
Caran d'AcheSupracolor Soft Colored Pencils ｜ Set of 30
Soft and Vivid Colors
True to its name, the Supracolor Soft has the unique combination of being soft yet packed with color. The hues are vivid even when water is applied to it. It's ideal for covering large areas or drawings more quickly.
Blending is very easy because of its soft core, and there are no issues with graininess. Being an artist-grade pencil, it has high lightfastness like the other expensive brands, but users say that the lightfastness may be reduced when it is used as a watercolor.
Faber CastellAlbrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils ｜ Set of 24
Oil-Based and Watercolor in One Pencil
This product is Faber Castell's premium offering in the way of watercolor pencils. But what makes it unique is that it has a strong, oil-based core that can turn into watercolor when water or a solvent is applied.
The colors are vivid and intense, so a little amount goes a long way. The pencils come in tins, wooden boxes, or heavy cardboard boxes to ensure good protection if you want to take them along on outdoor trips.
It is a bit pricey, though, but it is well worth the price. Not only is it long-lasting because of its color intensity and lightfastness, but it's also break-resistant due to a special bonding process.
StaedtlerKarat Aquarell 125 Watercolor Pencils ｜ Set of 12
Explore Watercolor Effects With Ease
- High-quality, break-resistant lead delivers rich pigment for vibrant color application
- Classic hexagonal shape offers a comfortable grip and precise control
- Dual use for dry drawing and wet watercolor effects with excellent blending capacity
- Wood sourced from FSC-certified, sustainably managed forests ensures eco-friendliness
Reviews mention:
Users consistently highlight the smooth color laydown and strong pigmentation of these pencils, appreciating their versatility in both dry and water-blended techniques. Many commend the durable construction and break-resistant lead, making them reliable for professional use. Some note that while the colors blend beautifully when wet, the pencils perform well as dry media too, meeting diverse artistic needs.
Designed for Vibrant Coloring and Easy Blending
- Oil-based pigment cores provide smooth, vibrant colors for rich artwork
- Wide color range options from 48 to 520 pencils to suit various artistic needs
- Durable, easy-to-sharpen pencils strong enough to resist breakage during use
- Suitable for sketching, coloring books, drawing, and layering techniques
Reviews mention:
Users appreciate the pencils for their smooth application, vibrant colors, and good blendability, making them great for beginners and experienced artists. Some note a slight waxy feel on certain pencil types but generally find the quality impressive for the price. Customers also like the variety of colors available, though a few wished for clearer color labeling or more consistent packaging. Overall, the pencils are seen as affordable, good quality art supplies for creative projects.
A Solid and Sturdy Choice for Beginners
Staedtler Luna is a good starter colored pencil for beginners. It is a wax-based pencil with a hard enough core to be used as a regular pencil, but at the same time, it is soft enough to be blended easily with other colors.
The pencils come in a hexagonal shape and are comfortable to hold. Some users claim that the tips are too narrow, though, so it can be difficult to cover large areas on the paper quickly. We recommend this for coloring smaller spaces or for drawing fine details.
Classic Colors, Smooth Application, Break-Resistant Design
- 48 vibrant and rich colors provide a wide variety for creative projects
- 3.3 mm thick, non-toxic color leads ensure smooth and safe coloring experience
- SV bonding technology reduces lead breakage for durability during use
- Hexagonal shape offers a comfortable grip for better control in drawing or coloring
Reviews mention:
Users appreciate the vibrant pigmentation and smooth application of the color pencils, noting that they produce rich and bright colors. Many find the pencils comfortable to hold due to the hexagonal shape, which helps in prolonged use without discomfort. Some reviews mention occasional lead breakage but overall they view the product as good value for school and art use.
CrayolaTwistable Colored Pencils ｜ Set of 30
Colored Pencils That Need No Sharpening!
Crayola is a household name and needs no further introduction. With this innovative set of colored pencils, they are able to put a twist on your coloring experience. There’s no need to sharpen them – just twist, and you’re ready to go.
It’s perfect for parents who are tired of sharpening their children’s colored pencils whenever they break. And no sharpening means no mess to clean up, too. This is a must-have for parents who enjoy coloring with their kids.
Want to Explore Your Creative Side?
There is so much you can do with your free time. If you want to get really artsy and get into drawing and painting, here are some articles we’re sure you’ll love.
Top 5 Colored Pencils
No. 1: Prismacolor｜Premier Soft Core Colored Pencil ｜Set of 72
No. 2: Faber Castell｜Polychromos｜Set of 24
No. 3: Derwent｜Inktense Pencils｜Set of 24
No. 4: Caran d'Ache｜Supracolor Soft Colored Pencils ｜Set of 30
No. 5: Faber Castell｜Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils｜Set of 24
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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