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Choosing the right drawing pencils is a foundational decision for any artist. The quality of your materials not only influences the final result but also the creative process itself. Faber-Castell offers a wide range of artist pencils tailored to various techniques and requirements. However, distinguishing between product lines like Polychromos, Albrecht Dürer, and Pitt Pastel can be a challenge.
This article serves as an objective guide. It introduces the essential features of the core Faber-Castell artist pencil series and provides factual information to help you make an informed decision for your artistic work.
To find the right product, it's helpful to consider a few basic criteria. Your preferred technique and material requirements are crucial here.
Faber-Castell has developed its product lines for specific applications. The composition of the lead is the primary factor determining which drawing and painting techniques a pencil is suited for.
Two key quality indicators for professional coloured pencils are pigment concentration and lightfastness. High pigmentation ensures an intense and vibrant colour laydown. Lightfastness indicates how resistant the colours are to the effects of light. Faber-Castell often marks the lightfastness of its artist products with a star system directly on the pencil, allowing for an objective assessment of an artwork's longevity.
An artist's coloured pencil set is available in various sizes. Smaller sets with 12 or 24 colours offer a solid foundation for getting to know a series or for specific projects. Larger sets with up to 120 colours open up a broader colour spectrum and more creative possibilities. A sturdy Faber-Castell metal tin protects the delicate leads from breaking and ensures organised storage, both in the studio and on the go.
Based on different artistic needs, we present three representative sets from the Faber-Castell range.
Why It Stands Out: This set combines the precision of a drawing pencil with the properties of watercolour paints. The 3.8 mm thick lead is fully water-soluble, allowing for both fine lines and broad washes. According to the manufacturer, the high pigment density ensures brilliant colour that remains vibrant even after blending with water.
Pros:
Who It's For: This set is an excellent choice for artists, illustrators, and hobbyists who enjoy working with watercolour techniques but appreciate the control and detail of a pencil.
Why It Stands Out: Polychromos colour pencils are renowned for their oil-based, waterproof lead. This quality allows for layering many colours without disturbing the underlying layers. In addition to the coloured pencils, the set includes graphite pencils in various grades (2B, 8B, HB) and an eraser, making it a versatile starter kit of drawing pencils for artists.
Pros:
Who It's For: Ideal for graphic designers, illustrators, and artists who focus on detailed, realistic drawings and layering techniques. It is also well-suited for free artistic work and colourful designs.
Why It Stands Out: These pastel pencils offer the benefits of pastel sticks without their drawbacks. The lead is grease- and oil-free, enabling fine, detailed work. The colour laydown is intense but can be easily blended into soft gradients. With a lead diameter of 4.3 mm, the pencils are robust and long-lasting.
Pros:
Who It's For: This set is aimed at artists who specialise in pastel painting, particularly for portraits, still lifes, and landscapes. It is a great choice for anyone needing the precision of a pencil for detail work in their pastel pictures.
If the sets presented here don't exactly meet your needs or if you wish to explore a broader range of drawing materials, you can find a larger selection in our category. There, you will find various set sizes and other specialised products for your creative pursuits.
Discover our entire range of Art Drawing Sets.
The main difference lies in the lead composition and water solubility. Polychromos colour pencils have a waterproof, oil-based lead, which is ideal for layering colours. Albrecht Dürer artist's watercolour pencils have a water-soluble lead, allowing you to create watercolour effects with water.
Yes, ambitious beginners can also benefit from the high quality. Using high-grade materials from the start can support the learning process, as the pencils offer better colour laydown and blendability than simple school-grade pencils. Starting with a smaller artist's coloured pencil set can be a sensible option.
Due to the thicker and softer lead of the Pitt Pastel pencils, sharpening with a sharp knife or a special sharpener for thick leads (e.g., a rotary sharpener with a suitable opening) is recommended. This prevents the lead from breaking and exposes it optimally for colour application.