Best Drawing Pencils: How to Choose the Right Ones

The best drawing pencils are the set that suits your technique and desired result. Before choosing, decide whether you want to create monochrome sketches, colour illustrations, or water-soluble effects. Then assess the type of core, hardness or number of colours, barrel comfort, and compatibility with your paper.

For a beginner, a large set is not always the best starting point. A few carefully selected pencils are often more useful for learning to control line, tone, and layers. A varied palette makes sense when you frequently create colour artwork and need a broad choice of ready-made shades.

Best drawing pencils: key selection criteria

The first criterion is the type of pencil. Graphite pencils are used for sketching, outlines, tonal transitions, and studying light and shadow. Coloured pencils are suitable for working in dry layers, while watercolour pencils can be used either dry or for water-soluble techniques.

When choosing graphite pencils, pay attention to their grade. H indicates a relatively hard core and a light line, B indicates a soft core and a dark mark, while HB is an intermediate option. A hard pencil is convenient for detailed outlines and light guidelines, while a soft pencil is more practical for shadows and expressive tones.

With coloured and watercolour pencils, the palette becomes important. Check whether the set includes the basic, bright, dark, and neutral tones you need. Do not rely on quantity alone: if you regularly use the same colours, a carefully selected small palette can also be effective.

• Purpose: quick sketches, detailed drawings, colouring, or watercolour effects.
• Tonal range: how light or dark your lines need to be.
• Layering: whether you plan to blend colours and build their intensity gradually.
• Comfort: how long you draw and how you hold the pencil.
• Portability: whether you work at home, at school, or while travelling.

Set size, materials, and intended use

The size of the set should reflect how you will actually use it. A small set is easy to manage, takes up less space, and helps you learn to mix colours. A more varied set is useful for illustration, nature sketches, or other work where you need to choose quickly between similar shades.

Pay attention to the pencil barrel as well. Round, hexagonal, and triangular barrels feel different in the hand, so there is no universally best shape. For long sessions, choose a pencil you can control without gripping it too tightly. If you often carry your pencils with you, also consider how they will be stored and how their tips will be protected from damage.

Pencil and paper work as one system. A smooth surface makes it easier to produce clean details and fine lines, while marks may appear more grainy on textured paper. When using water with watercolour pencils, choose paper intended for wet techniques in advance so that the surface can handle the water more effectively.

How to compare options step by step

1. Write down one main goal

Do not start with a brand or the largest set. Write down a specific task, such as: “I want to make daily black-and-white sketches,” “I need to create colour illustrations,” or “I want to combine dry lines with water effects.” This single sentence will quickly eliminate unnecessary options.

2. Determine the essential range

For graphite, select several grades that cover light lines, mid-tones, and dark shadows. For a coloured set, list the essential colour families. If you are interested in watercolour techniques, consider whether you only want to wet individual accents or apply water across the entire artwork.

3. Compare purpose, not just quantity

When comparing two sets, assign a function to each colour or pencil grade. If the additional pencils are merely very similar shades that you will rarely use, a large set is not essential. If you frequently need several shades for skies, skin, plants, or shadows, a broad palette will save time during the colour-mixing stage.

4. Consider additional requirements

Your experience with pencils is also affected by the sharpener, eraser, paper, brush, and water container. Watercolour pencils can be used dry, but working with water requires a separate space and suitable paper. Include these items when assessing your final budget.

Which watercolour set may suit you

If you have chosen water-soluble pencils, first decide how broad a palette you need. The 12-colour Mont Marte watercolour pencil set may be worth considering if you want to start with basic colours and practise blending. It is a 12-colour set of watercolour pencils.

If direct access to a wider variety of shades is more important, another option to compare is the 24-colour Mont Marte watercolour pencil set. Its main distinguishing feature for comparison is its 24 colours. In either case, make your choice not on the principle that “more is always better,” but according to whether you will use the expanded palette.

To browse other types and sets in one place, you can open the pencil collection. Use the criteria you established in advance when comparing them, so that attractive packaging or a large number of colours does not overshadow your actual needs.

Common mistakes when choosing

Automatically choosing the largest set is a common mistake. Unused colours do not add value, while a smaller, thoughtfully selected palette is often more helpful for learning colour mixing and control.

Assessing all drawing pencils in the same way is also a mistake. Graphite, standard coloured, and watercolour pencils serve different purposes. Always check the type in the product name and description so that the expected result matches its actual use.

Ignoring the paper can limit the capabilities of even a good pencil. This is especially important when using water. It is best to test a new set on a small sample first: draw lines with light and heavy pressure, add several layers, and, if needed, create a section dissolved with water.

Pressing too hard with the pencil from the beginning limits your ability to work in layers. Start with light pressure and gradually darken the tone. This makes transitions easier to control and leaves more room for correcting mistakes.

Practical recommendations for use

Create a test sheet on the first day you use your new pencils. With each pencil, record the dry colour, marks made with light and heavy pressure, and overlapping layers. For watercolour pencils, add a water-activated sample as well. This personal colour chart will make choosing colours easier while you draw.

• Lightly outline the main shapes first, and only then darken the contour.
• Build colour with several thin layers rather than one application of heavy pressure.
• Test a new combination on a piece of the same paper before using it in the final artwork.
• When wetting watercolour pencils, start with a small amount of water.
• Store pencils so that their tips are protected from impact.

If you are choosing pencils as a gift, consider the recipient’s experience and interests. For a beginner, a set with a clear purpose is often more useful than one containing many specialised shades. For an experienced artist, a specific technique, preferred colour range, or the need to expand an existing set may be important.

Conclusion: choose according to technique

The best choice begins not with the number of pencils, but with a clear goal. Define the technique, select the necessary grades or colours, consider the barrel, paper, and additional items, and then compare the options using the same criteria.

If you are just getting started, choose a manageable set and create a test colour chart. If you already know that you will work on varied colour or watercolour pieces, a broader palette may be practical. The right pencil is one whose capabilities you will actually use.