Best Watercolour Pencils: A Practical Buying Guide

The best watercolour pencils are the set that suits your drawing style and actual needs. When choosing, first consider the number of colours, whether you intend to work dry or wet, how much colour control you need, and how often you plan to use the set.

For beginners, more colours do not always mean a better choice. A small set may be enough for learning basic techniques, colour mixing, and water control. A more varied palette is useful when you regularly draw different subjects and want a wider selection of ready-made shades.

Quick answer — what to consider

A watercolour pencil gives you control over lines and details much like a regular coloured pencil, while adding water changes the appearance of the drawing. A set should therefore not be judged solely by the number of colours. What matters is the result you want: a defined outline, a soft transition, layered work, or a combination of several techniques.

• Purpose: Learning, sketching, illustration, colouring, or finished artwork.
• Palette: How many ready-made colours you need and how willing you are to mix new shades.
• Control: Whether you prefer precise lines or free-flowing transitions created with water.
• Frequency of use: Whether you are choosing a set for a one-off project or regular practice.
• Additional materials: Whether you have suitable paper, a brush, a water container, and a test sheet.

Before making a choice, you can browse the watercolour pencil collection in one place. Compare not only the size of each set, but also which colours and working format you will actually need.

Best watercolour pencils: key selection criteria

Number of colours and use of the palette

A limited number of colours helps you learn to mix them: you try combining several colours to create a particular shade and become better at noticing how the result changes when water is added. A larger set reduces the need to mix every intermediate shade by hand and gives you more ready-made options.

Consider not only the quantity but also your favourite subjects. Plants, landscapes, characters, and decorative illustrations may require different palettes. Write down five colours you use often and check how easily you can obtain them from the chosen set, either directly or through mixing.

Dry lines and working with water

Watercolour pencils can be used dry, after which selected areas can be worked over with a damp brush. Another approach is to apply the colour to a separate surface and pick it up from there with a brush. Before choosing, decide whether precise pencil work or a soft effect created with water matters more to you.

If you have an opportunity to test an option, make a small sample: draw one light and one firm line, leave one section dry, and work over the other with water. Observe how comfortably you can control the colour. This comparison is more useful than choosing based on the packaging.

Comfort and control

The pencil should feel natural in your hand, and controlling the point should not be difficult. If you create detailed illustrations, consider the need for sharpening and precise lines. If you work on broad areas of colour, plan how you will fill the space without leaving excessively deep marks.

Set size, materials, and intended use

Match the size of the set directly to the type of work. A 12-colour set is a practical starting point for basic colours, simple studies, and colour-mixing exercises. In this category, you can consider the MM Watercolour Pencils 12pc set as a 12-colour option from Mont Marte.

A 24-colour set is worth considering if you want more ready-made shades, frequently change subjects, or want to show colour differences with less mixing. For comparison, the MM Watercolour Pencils 24pc set, a 24-colour set from Mont Marte, is available.

Along with the pencils, pay attention to the paper and brush. When water is used, the behaviour of the paper affects the working process, so make a small test with the same materials before creating the final artwork. Add water gradually: removing an excessive amount is more difficult than building up the effect step by step.

For a portable set, a smaller selection is often easier to manage, while a broader palette may be more convenient when working on varied projects at home. Make your choice not according to the principle that more is better, but according to whether you will use the additional colours.

How to compare options step by step

Step one: Define one specific scenario. For example, “I want to draw botanical sketches” is a more useful requirement than simply “I want good pencils.” The scenario will show whether you need more natural shades, precise detail, or a simple learning palette.

Step two: Determine your experience level and learning goal. If you want to master colour mixing, a smaller palette encourages deliberate practice. If you already know which shades you prefer and want to save time, more ready-made colours may be more practical.

Step three: Compare options using the same criteria. Note the number of colours, the intended use of the set, portability needs, and the budget remaining for accompanying materials separately. One strong requirement should not overshadow the other important conditions.

Step four: After making your choice, create a colour chart. Test each colour dry, with a small amount of water, and with a more saturated application. This chart will quickly show you how to use each colour in future and which shades you will need to mix.

Common mistakes when choosing

• Relying only on the number of colours: A large set may be unnecessary if you mainly use only a few shades.
• Overlooking the intended use: Detailed illustration and a loose watercolour sketch do not have the same requirements.
• Ignoring the paper: The pencil alone does not determine the experience of working with water; prepare a test sheet in advance.
• Adding all the water at once: Start with a slightly damp brush and build up the effect gradually.
• Not creating a test chart: The colour shown on the packaging does not reveal the dry and wet results on your paper.
• Trying every technique at once: Master one simple method first, then add layers and mixed approaches.

Practical recommendations for first use

Start with a small-format exercise. Draw three simple shapes, apply colour to each using different pressure, and move the water from the light area towards the dark one. This will show you how pencil pressure, the amount of pigment, and brush moisture relate to one another.

Observe the result between layers and add the next layer only when necessary. You can restore small details at the end with a dry pencil. If you combine defined and soft areas in one piece, decide in advance which parts will remain linear and which will be worked with water.

Keep the set organised and leave the pencil surfaces clean after use. Before starting, prepare two water containers if that is convenient for you: one for cleaning the brush and another for clean water. Keep test paper nearby so that you can check a colour before applying it to the main drawing.

Conclusion — how to make the final decision

Reduce the final choice to four questions: What am I drawing? How many ready-made colours do I need? Do I want to actively learn colour mixing? Where will I use the set? If you are just becoming familiar with the technique or want a compact palette, 12 colours may be a sensible starting point. If you need a broader tonal selection, compare the 24-colour option.

The best result comes not from the largest package, but from a thoughtful choice and consistent practice. Choose a set whose colours you will actually use, make a colour chart on the first day, and begin working with water through small exercises.