Choosing good colored pencils is essential if you want smooth shading, seamless blending, and rich, vibrant artwork. Whether you’re a beginner, hobby artist, or professional illustrator, the right pencils can dramatically elevate your work. The best colored pencils for blending offer soft cores, strong pigmentation, and consistent layering ability — all key to mastering realistic shading and artistic depth.

In this guide, we explore the top pencil brands, how to choose the right type, shading and blending methods, and expert recommendations for achieving stunning results.

What Makes Good Colored Pencils for Shading?

To find good colored pencils for shading and blending, look for these qualities:

Soft Core

Soft leads allow smoother color laydown and effortless blending.

High Pigment Load

Good pigmentation means richer color and fewer layers required.

Layering Ability

Quality pencils can build 10–20 layers without wax bloom or scratchiness.

Blendability

The pencil should blend easily with solvents, burnishing, or pencil-only methods.

Durability

Leads should resist breakage during sharpening and pressure-heavy shading.

These traits separate student-grade pencils from professional-quality tools.

Wax-Based vs Oil-Based Colored Pencils

Understanding pencil types helps you choose the best option for your blending style.

Wax-Based Colored Pencils

Examples: Prismacolor Premier, Crayola Signature

Pros:

• Excellent blendability
• Softer, smoother laydown
• Rich color saturation

Cons:

• Can develop wax bloom
• Break faster if too soft

Oil-Based Colored Pencils

Examples: Faber-Castell Polychromos, Lyra Rembrandt

Pros:

• Crisp details
• Minimal bloom
• Harder core for precision

Cons:

• Slightly harder to blend
• Requires more layers

Best for Blending?

Wax-based pencils — especially Prismacolor — are considered the best for soft, creamy blends.

Best for Shading with Detail?

Oil-based pencils — like Polychromos — excel in precision and smooth gradient transitions.

Best Good Colored Pencils for Shading and Blending

Below are the top recommended pencil sets based on professional reviews, user testing, and blending performance.

1. Prismacolor Premier (Wax-Based) — Best Overall for Blending

Prismacolor Premier is widely considered the best set of good colored pencils for rich shading and buttery smooth blending.

Why Artists Love Them:

• Ultra-soft wax core
• Exceptional blending capability
• Affordable professional quality

Ideal For:

• Portraits
• Smooth gradients
• Soft color transitions

2. Faber-Castell Polychromos (Oil-Based) — Best for Precision Shading

Polychromos pencils are known for durability, sharpness, and superior control.

Why They Stand Out:

• Oil-based core resists breakage
• Lightfast and highly pigmented
• Excellent for detailed shading

Ideal For:

• Realism
• Botanical art
• Fine detailing with gradients

3. Caran d’Ache Luminance — Best for Premium Blending

These pencils offer luxury-level performance, ideal for artists seeking museum-quality results.

Key Features:

• Creamy, lightfast core
• Extremely smooth layering
• Superior color richness

Best For:

• Professional artists
• Archival artwork
• Deep, vivid blending

4. Derwent Coloursoft — Best for Beginners

A budget-friendly option that still delivers strong blending power.

Benefits:

• Soft core
• Easy blending
• Great entry-level choice

5. Arteza Professional — Best Budget-Friendly Set

Affordable yet surprisingly effective for both shading and blending.

Highlights:

• Soft wax core
• Vibrant colors
• Smooth application

Comparison Table: Best Good Colored Pencils for Shading

Techniques for Smooth Shading with Good Colored Pencils

1. Light Pressure Layering

Start with a gentle hand to build even color.

2. Circular Motion Technique

Avoid streaks by shading in small circles.

3. Gradual Color Build-Up

Use 3–10 layers for realistic transitions.

4. Using Multiple Shades

Blend light, mid, and dark tones to create depth.

5. Cross-Hatching

Adds texture and controlled shading for realism.

Blending Techniques (Beginner to Advanced)

1. Burnishing

• Use a colorless blender or white pencil
• Apply heavy pressure to melt layers together

2. Pencil-Only Blending

Layer colors without solvents or tools.

3. Solvent Blending

Use odorless mineral spirits (OMS) such as Gamsol to liquify pigment.

4. Tissue or Cotton Swab Blending

Softens gradients and smooths wax layers.

5. Blending Stumps

Great for pushing pigment into the tooth of the paper.

Best Paper for Shading & Blending

Good colored pencils deserve good paper.

Top Recommendations:

• Bristol Smooth (best for soft blending)
• Strathmore 400 Series
• Canson Mi-Teintes
• Fabriano Artistico Hot Press

Look for:

• Medium tooth
• Heavyweight (200gsm+)
• Acid-free for archival work

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using cheap, scratchy paper
• Skipping the layering process
• Applying too much pressure too early
• Over-sharpening soft-core pencils
• Using the wrong blending tools for the pencil type

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the best good colored pencils for blending?

Prismacolor Premier is the top choice for smooth, creamy blending.

2. Do oil-based pencils blend well?

Yes — especially Polychromos — but they require more layers than wax-based pencils.

3. What paper works best for blending?

Bristol Smooth, hot press watercolor paper, or any medium-tooth, high-quality paper.

4. How do I stop wax bloom?

Spray a workable fixative such as Krylon Workable Fixatif.

5. Which pencils are best for beginners?

Derwent Coloursoft or Arteza Professional offer great balance of price and performance.

Conclusion: Choosing Good Colored Pencils for Shading and Blending

Selecting good colored pencils is essential for achieving smooth shading, seamless blending, and vibrant artwork. Brands like Prismacolor Premier, Polychromos, and Luminance provide exceptional performance, while budget options like Arteza and Coloursoft still deliver solid results.

By understanding pencil types, choosing the right paper, and applying effective blending techniques, any artist — beginner or professional — can produce stunning, realistic, and richly blended illustrations.