For adult coloring books, soft-core pencils like Prismacolor Premier are best for blending, firm oil-based pencils like Faber-Castell Polychromos for fine detail and layering, and many colorists keep one of each.
Colored pencils are the one supply that works in almost every adult coloring book: double-sided pages, tiny details, thin paper. They're also the supply people most often outgrow. The pencils that came free with a gift set feel scratchy the moment you try to blend a sunset.
This guide compares seven colored pencil sets by the thing that matters most, the core: soft and creamy for blending, or firmer for fine detail. Each comes with an honest note on who it isn't for. It's the companion to our guide to the best coloring books for adults and our guide to markers.
Affiliate disclosure. Some links below go to Amazon, and Meowelo may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon does not sponsor or endorse Meowelo. We list supplies that suit these books, and say what each one is not good for too. Full disclosure.
Our Favorite Colored Pencils at a Glance
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core, 72
by Prismacolor
Soft, thick, lightfast cores made for shading and smooth blending.
Polychromos Artists' Pencils, 24
by Faber-Castell
Break-resistant, smudge-proof oil-based leads that hold a point.
Colored Pencils for Adults, 72
by Castle Art Supplies
Soft cores in color families, numbered and color-coded.
Colored Pencils for Adults, 50
by Crayola
50 colors with fine points, made to pair with adult coloring books.
Compare the 7 Sets
Core descriptions come from each maker. "Best for" and the notes are our editorial read.
| Pencil set | Best for | Core | Strength | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prismacolor Premier 72 | Blending | Soft, thick, lightfast | Smooth, rich layers | Soft points wear fast |
| Faber-Castell Polychromos 24 | Fine detail | Oil-based, break-resistant | Holds a sharp point | Premium price per pencil |
| Caran d'Ache Luminance 20 | Premium work | High lightfastness | Blends and layers smoothly | The most expensive here |
| Derwent Coloursoft 24 | Bold, velvety color | Soft, 4mm | Builds color quickly | Limited stock when checked |
| Castle Art Supplies 72 | Value | Soft, buttery | Organized by color family | Not an artist-brand pedigree |
| Crayola for Adults 50 | Beginners | Fine point | Easy, affordable start | Less creamy for blending |
| Prismacolor Scholar 48 | Budget step-up | Smooth, strong | Minimizes breakage | Less buttery than Premier |
How We Selected These Pencils
We haven't tested every pencil in every set, and we won't pretend we have. We chose these seven from the makers' own descriptions, their reputation among adult colorists, and the details Amazon lists, and checked in October 2026 that each set was available on Amazon.com. We wanted a clear spread: two soft-core favorites, two firm or premium options, a value set, a beginner set and a budget step-up. All the claims about cores, lightfastness and breakage below are the makers' own.
The 7 Best Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
1. Prismacolor Premier Soft Core — Best overall for blending
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 72 Count
by Prismacolor
If you've seen a smooth, glowing gradient in an adult coloring book, there's a good chance it was done with soft pencils like these. Prismacolor describes its Premier cores as soft and thick, made for shading and shadows, with lightfast pigments and an ultra-smooth laydown.
Who will enjoy it: anyone who loves blending petals, skies and water. Pairs well with: medium-detail books such as World of Flowers or Secret Garden.
- Good: creamy layers that blend easily; a big range of colors in one tin.
- Keep in mind: soft points wear down quickly; keep a sharpener close for tiny spaces.
2. Faber-Castell Polychromos — Best for fine detail and layering
Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists' Color Pencils, Tin of 24
by Faber-Castell
Polychromos are the artist pencils many experienced colorists move to when soft pencils feel too waxy. Faber-Castell describes a thick, oil-based lead that's smudge-proof, water-resistant and break-resistant. In practice that means a point that stays sharp longer, which is exactly what intricate books need.
Who will enjoy it: detail lovers working in books like Mythomorphia or Secrets of the Sea. Start with the 24 tin and add single colors later.
- Good: crisp detail, controlled layering, durable leads.
- Keep in mind: premium price; firmer than Premier, so blending takes more layers.
3. Caran d'Ache Luminance — Best premium pencils
Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils, Set of 20
by Caran d'Ache
Luminance pencils are a treat rather than a necessity. Caran d'Ache describes high lightfastness and pigments chosen for purity and resistance to UV. If you frame your finished pages, that matters: colors are meant to resist fading.
Who will enjoy it: experienced colorists who frame their work, or someone choosing a special gift. A set of 20 is a sensible way to try them.
- Good: smooth, rich color made to last on display.
- Keep in mind: the most expensive set here by a distance; not where a beginner needs to start.
4. Derwent Coloursoft — Best for bold, velvety color
Derwent Colorsoft Pencils, 4mm Core, 24 Count
by Derwent
Derwent's Coloursoft range is built around a soft, velvety 4mm core that lays down strong color fast. It suits bold, open designs and quick coverage, while the maker says the break-resistant core still sharpens to a fine point.
Who will enjoy it: colorists who like rich, saturated pages without lots of layering. Note: it showed limited stock when we checked.
- Good: fast, bold coverage; soft feel.
- Keep in mind: soft cores wear quickly, like Premier.
5. Castle Art Supplies 72 — Best value soft-core set
Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils for Adults
by Castle Art Supplies
Castle made its name with adult colorists who wanted a big soft set without an artist-brand price. The maker describes soft cores that hold their point and resist crumbling, and the tin sorts 72 colors into families, which saves real time when you're hunting for the right green.
Who will enjoy it: anyone who wants a large palette to experiment with, or a generous gift.
- Good: a big, organized palette at a friendly price.
- Keep in mind: if you later want specific single colors to restock, artist brands sell open stock more widely.
6. Crayola Colored Pencils for Adults — Best for beginners
Crayola Colored Pencils, 50 Count
More color choice and better control for characters, lanterns, gardens and smaller details.
- Good detail control
- Wide color range
- Easy everyday choice
Worth knowing: Needs a sharpener
$13.99 on Amazon.com
Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Opens Amazon, where the price at checkout and delivery are confirmed.
Crayola made this 50-color set specifically to pair with adult coloring books, with fine points for detail. It's an easy, affordable way to find out how much you enjoy coloring before you spend on artist pencils. We review it in more detail on its own page.
- Good: lots of colors, affordable, easy to find.
- Keep in mind: firmer and less creamy than soft-core sets, so smooth blending takes more work.
7. Prismacolor Scholar — Best budget step-up
Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencils, 48 Count
by Prismacolor
Scholar is Prismacolor's student line: smooth cores, built to minimize breakage, and aimed at people exploring blending and shading. It's a sensible middle step between a beginner set and Premier.
Who will enjoy it: colorists who want a recognizable brand and stronger points without the Premier price.
- Good: durable points, good value.
- Keep in mind: not as buttery as Premier for big blends.
How to Choose Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring
Soft or firm cores
Soft cores (Premier, Coloursoft, Castle) put down rich color quickly and blend easily, but wear down fast. Firmer cores (Polychromos, Scholar) hold a sharp point for tiny spaces and layer in a more controlled way. Detailed books reward a firm pencil; bold books feel lovely with soft ones.
Wax-based or oil-based
Most pencils use a wax binder; some, like Polychromos, are oil-based. In everyday coloring the difference shows mostly in how the point wears and how layers build. Both blend; neither is "right".
Lightfastness
Lightfast pigments resist fading in light. It matters if you frame finished pages; it matters much less if they live in the book.
How many colors you need
A 24 to 48 set is plenty to start; blending two colors creates many more. Bigger sets save mixing time and make lovely gifts.
Match pencils to your coloring book
Pencils are the safe choice for double-sided books, because nothing soaks through. Thick paper (like The Time Garden's craft paper) takes more layers. See the paper notes for each title in our adult coloring book guide.
Three Techniques That Make Any Pencil Look Better
- Layer lightly: several light layers blend better than one heavy one.
- Go light to dark: start with the lightest color and add darker ones where the shadows fall. Our piece on warm, cool and opposite colors explains the color wheel simply.
- Burnish at the end: a final firm layer (or a pale pencil over the top) smooths the texture of the paper.
Keep a sharpener that doesn't chew soft leads, and a sheet of paper under your hand so you don't smudge the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions parents ask
What colored pencils are best for adult coloring books?
Are expensive colored pencils worth it?
Soft or hard colored pencils for coloring books?
How many colored pencils do I need?
Do colored pencils work on double-sided coloring books?
Which Pencils Should You Choose?
Choose Prismacolor Premier if you love blending, Polychromos if you love detail, Castle if you want a big palette on a budget, and the Crayola adult set if you're just starting out. Whatever you pick, sharpen often, layer lightly and let the paper do some of the work.
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