If you have decided to use oil-based colored pencils for your artwork, you still need to decide which brand would be best, as there is a wide range of options out there, and all are slightly different from each other.
Which are the best oil-based colored pencils? The best oil-based colored pencils to use would be pencils that you find easy to work with, have rich color saturation, allow you to blend the colors together on your medium, and will give long-lasting color to your artwork.
Oil based v Waxed based Pencils
There are quite a few differences between the two, so understanding the differences will help you make a better choice.
1. Binder
The binder used in oil-based and wax-based colored pencils is different. As the name suggests, oil-based colored pencils use an oil binder, while waxed-based colored pencils use a wax binder. This has a huge effect on the results the colored pencils give.
2. Prevalence
You are far more likely to find wax-based pencils at your local art store compared to oil-based pencils. Oil-based colored pencils are considered more premium and therefore come with a higher price tag.
3. Hard/Soft
Wax-based colored pencils are usually softer, and oil-based colored pencils are usually harder. This means that wax-based pencils can be layered and erased easily, and create a buttery surface that allows for blending and layering. However, the softness of wax-based colored pencils means that the core breaks easily.
Oil-based colored pencils are harder, which means the core is not as susceptible to breaking, and the tip stays sharper for longer. You can achieve beautiful blending and layering with oil-based colored pencils.
4. Wax Bloom
Over time, wax-based colored pencils used on paper can develop a wax bloom, which is a light waxy film that develops over the surface of the drawing. This can be wiped away with a damp cloth but is not ideal if you do not want to interfere with your framed artwork.
Oil-based colored pencils will not develop this waxy bloom.
How To Choose The Best Oil-Based Colored Pencils
There are a few things to consider before heading out and buying a new set of oil-based colored pencils. Keeping the below factors in mind when taking a look at different options will help you choose the best option for you and your artwork.
1. Quality Of The Pencils
Colored pencils come in ‘student grade’ or ‘artist grade’, and the differences are huge.
The artist-grade colored pencils are the highest quality and should definitely be your choice if your budget allows for it. They are superior to student-grade pencils in every way and contain a higher pigment content, which gives a richer and bolder color finish.
These artist-grade pencils are also lightfast and easier to blend and use. However, if these are out of your budget, student-grade oil-based colored pencils will also get the job done!
2. Color Range
As an artist, you want a wide color range at your disposal, but it is also important to remember that you can blend and layer oil-based colored pencils, so you don’t have to go overboard and buy every color under the rainbow.
You could start off with a standard set of pencils if you are unsure and then go from there. There is also the option with many brands to buy individual pencils as you go, but there is also no reason you can’t buy them in on go in a large set if your budget allows for it. The more colors, the more options you have!
3. Lightfastness
Colored pencil artwork can break down over time, due to light and humidity. These elements break down the bonds of the colors on the artwork. Pencils that are able to resist this process are known to have ‘lightfastness’. Most artist-grade oil-based colored pencils will have lightfastness, but it is worth checking if it is something that you are looking for.
4. Storage
This might seem a bit insignificant for some, but it is worth considering if the oil-based colored pencils come in a storage tin or container, rather than a cardboard box that might break. As these oil-based pencils are likely premium-grade, you want to keep them protected from damage.
The XX Best Oil-Based Colored Pencils
Below are our top picks of the best oil-based colored pencils on the market, all of which will give you beautifully rich saturation of color and hopefully a gorgeous finished piece overall!
- 120 COLORS IN METAL TIN - Includes all colors from the Polychromos Artist Pencil line. Polychromos Artists' Pencils are valued globally by professionals and semi-professionals for unsurpassed quality
- UNSURPASSED LIGHTFASTNESS - Each Polychromos pencils contains the highest quality pigments for permanent color and unsurpassed lightfastness (resistance to fading)
- EASY TO BLEND - Buttery smooth color laydown, Polychromos Pencils feature oil based leads that can be easily blended for layered effects, highlights and transitions without the concern of waxy bloom that results with wax-based pencils
- BREAK RESISTANT LEADS - Polychromos Pencils feature thick 3.8 mm leads that are break and water resistant. Leads are SV-bonded the entire length of the barrel resulting in easy sharpening and longer lasting art materials
- Polychromes Colored Pencil Set In Metal Tin 60pc
- Acid free. Imported
- Color pencils can be laid down with delicate or strong strokes to unfold their vibrant colors
- PROFESSIONAL 120 PCS ART PENCILS KIT FOR DRAWING AND SKETCHING ：Set of super bright colored pencil contain 120 different vivid colors can meet any color you needed when you draw, rich colors provide smooth coloring, easy blending, shading, and layering
- COLORS NAMED & NUMBERED COLORED PENCILS：Oil-based, soft core, Soft and thick, Presharpened, That writes smoothly and lays down different shades easily，Each art pencil is labeled & numbered for easy color identification
- HIGH QUALITY & RICH PIGMENT: The bold colored pencils made of high-quality wood (basswood), and the cores made of the lightfast pigment that won't fade over time and break-resistant, Top quality materials can meet the requirements of painting color standard, smoothness, hardness and covering power, Upgrade your artwork to the level of artist grade
- TRAVEL ZIPPER BAG: The nylon bag feels comfortable in the hand, all pencils have their own individual slots, compact arrangement, easy access, perfect protection for your pencils. It takes up little space and can be carried with you, so you can drawing anytime, anywhere
- PERFECT DRAWING TOOLS: Designed for professional artists and art students our pre-sharpened art pencils kit is the best drawing tools for adults, artists, teens, women, men, kids, boys, girls, on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthday, Graduation, New Year, Valentine's and Easter Day
- 72 RICHLY SATURATED PIGMENTS: for adult crafts, kids coloring books. SF 72 colored pencils have soft, break-resistant 3.3mm core that gives you even color lay down
- ARTIST QUALITY COLORED PENCILS: soft color pencil set cores are perfect for shading and shadows, artist quality colored pencil set provides you professional quality, high pigment and value for your money. Each pencil has name & number for easy color identification
- QUALITY PENCIL COLOR SET IN A BEAUTIFUL TIN BOX: SF coloring pencils are made of durable wood with a strong core. The 72 super vivid colors pencil set is arranged in 3 strong trays.
- PRE-SHARPENED OIL BASED PENCILS: Artist color pencils set with great blending, layering and shading . You'll be amazed by their rich, deep coverage.
- NON-TOXIC, SAFE & THE BEST VALUE - Money back guaranteed within 30 days: renowned artists and their young friends agree, there's no point in overpaying when you can simply buy SCHPIRERR FARBEN. So go ahead, click add to cart now. You''ll agree these are superior to the best colored pencils set or expect a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.
- MADE TO EXCEED Our flagship professional colored pencils set, ultimate 120 color choice, named, numbered in color families for picking the perfect shade: just flip between the layers of the protective, go-anywhere, padded fabric zip-around case.
- TIP-TOP PERFORMANCE Colored drawing pencils formulated with oil for greater hardness, the vibrantly pigmented core encased in fine-grain basswood can be sharpened to a finer, longer-lasting point with greater resistance to breakage even if dropped.
- CREATIVE FULFILMENT Superior control over color layering, unique blending capability, better for highly detailed areas, exceptional color coverage, burnish for richer, deeper tones, longer lasting with more coloring time between sharpening.
- SKILL BUILDING GUIDES Expert, easy-to-follow 36-page handbook crammed with tips and demos to refine your prowess with pencils. PLUS fascinating 10 part tutorial to create “Gold Frieze’ images PLUS tester sheet and selection of sketchpads.
- TESTED, TRUSTED AND GUARANTEED Tested and developed by our studio experts to surpass our competitors. Trusted by ultimate judges – our 2.5 million customers worldwide; backed by unique money-back-PLUS guarantee. So buy now!
- Derwent Lightfast pencils are formulated to be 100% lightfast, meaning that the core is resistant to colour change and will not change for up to 100 years under museum conditions
- All colours comply with internationally recognized lightfast testing standard ASTM D6901 as well as Blue Wool Scale ISO 105
- Revolutionary oil-based core creates a buttery, velvety texture allowing complete integration of colours. Mix with a paint brush directly on paper or canvas surface to create a paint-like effect.
- Strong point for detailed drawing and layering techniques. Dark colours will sit will over lighter shades for effective outlining and defining negative spaces. Ideal for use on coloured papers as well due to their opacity.
- Derwent Lightfast offers the broadest colour spectrum 100% lightfast pencils and are a uniquely formulated oil-based range
- Specification: Size: 18x0.7cm/7.09x0.28 inch; Color:White; Material: Wood; Packing List:12 Pcs White Colored Pencils
- Advantage: The Colored Pencils are made of wood, high color fastness, easy to peel and roll. Adopt anti-breakage refill, shock-resistant and drop-resistant.
- Instruction: The oil color pencils have high mineral , fine color, smooth color stacking, and a variety of colors to choose from.
- Application: Coloring Drawing Pencil can be used for drawing, painting, craft, artists, art, writing, and other works that require painting and graffiti.
- Note: Use a pencil sharpener to sharpen the pen tip with uneven concave and convex points to draw interesting lines. As the angle changes and turns, you may even draw unexpected lines.
