Colours: Of course, the range of colours in a set of pencils is an important consideration. However, you don’t want to go overboard if it’s your first set – start with 24 or fewer and work your way up. You can often buy individual pencils from the leading brands to add further range to a small set.

Top Model Colouring Pencils - Basic Colours x 24 - The Pencil Top Model Colouring Pencils - Basic Colours x 24 - The Pencil

Sometimes you just want a reliable set of pencils that will always be there when you need them. These Shuttle Art pencils are durable workhorses that will suit any beginner down to the ground.

Whether you love Prismacolors or Faber-Castells, we’ve got a selection of the best colouring pencils at a range of prices

They are pricey, but for the breadth of colour choice whilst still delivering professional-grade quality, there is nothing better. This set would make an incredible gift for any budding artist that will be cherished for a long time to come. Of the three most revered pencil brands – the others being Caran d’Ache and Derwent – Faber-Castell has the widest range. The company’s biggest set of pencils is this Polychromos set. An oil-based set, these pencils are quite hard with a sharp lead point – in fact, it’s incredibly resistant to going blunt, which is perfect for drawing all that fine detail, from wispy hairs to intricate leaves. Quality: When it comes to quality, you’re generally looking for pencils with higher proportions of pigment, which should result in richer colours coming off the pencil. Trusted brands are always a good choice in this regard, but don’t be put off if you haven’t heard of a manufacturer before – it might just be better value. Finding the best colouring pencils, the ones that feel just right in your hand, ultimately boils down to personal choice. But that’s not to say we can’t nudge you in the right direction with our guide to the leading brands for artists. You’re probably like 95% of the population believing that the red bit is for pencil and the blue bit is for pen. We have all tried in vain to rub out biro with the blue end, and ended up just destroying the paper.

Top Model – Stationery Archives - The Pencil Case Top Model – Stationery Archives - The Pencil Case

The buying decision can also hinge on how you plan to use them. From everyday workhorses that can be used again and again, to beautifully crafted models that might be saved for special works, coloured pencils vary enormously in quality. In terms of colour, the Arteza pencils have excellent pigmentation, offering a wonderful range of colours in the 72-piece set, from warm and cool to earthy and dark. Lightfastness is pretty solid too, with only a dozen of the 72 pencils not being recommended for professional work. Considering the price, the Arteza pencils are an exceptional choice should those expensive top-tier brands fall out of reach.

The best colouring pencils you can buy in 2023

Before it became known as the stapler, this multi-talented device was called the Hotchkiss after the company E.H. Hotchkiss who manufactured them (but did not invent them) in large quantities. The lower price tag on a whopping 172 different pencil shades is something that should appeal to beginners who can’t wait to put pencil on paper.