The Top Quality Pencil Brands For Writing And Drawing

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've experienced best pencils and well, not so good pencils. Pencils, those humble tools of creativity and precision, come in a variety of forms and compositions, each tailored to different needs and preferences.

Whether you're an artist striving for the finest details, a colored pencil enthusiast exploring vibrant hues, or a student seeking reliability during exams, choosing the right pencil can significantly impact your work.

Let's delve into the world of pencils and uncover some of the best options available.

What to Look For When Buying Pencils

In my experience, shopping for wooden pencils can be an overwhelming experience. I spent a long time at the art supply store and have tested out different grades, pencil sets and pencils with soft lead to discover the best quality pencils on the market.

Here's what I looked at when testing out the quality of my favorite pencils:

Lead grade - is the pencil's lead smooth? Dark? Fine tip?

Good eraser

Point retention

Wood casing

Smooth writing pencil

Lead glued to the casing

Strength of the lead/or graphite

Shedding/mess/smudging

Noise: shouldn't feel scratchy and should have a consistent stroke

Wood pencils vs plastic

Artist Pencils: Precision and Performance

For artists, pencils are not just tools but extensions of their creativity and technique. The best artist pencils are known for their consistent performance, smooth application, and ability to achieve intricate details.

When artists spend time on their drawings, these factors become very important! Here are a few standout choices:

Faber-Castell 9000 Series: Renowned for their quality and consistency, these graphite pencils come in various degrees of hardness, from 6B (softest) to 4H (hardest), catering to different shading and detailing needs.
Derwent Graphic Pencils: Loved for their strong cores and smooth laydown, Derwent Graphic pencils offer a range of tones and are favored by artists for both sketching and detailed drawing.
Caran d'Ache Grafwood Pencils: These premium pencils are prized for their lightfastness and rich, smooth graphite, making them ideal for professional artworks that require archival quality.
Blackwing: These are my favorite artist pencils because of their dark HB graphite and the smoothness on the paper

What Are the Best Artist-Grade Pencils?

The best overall artist pencils: Blackwing

Colored Pencils: Vibrancy and Versatility

Colored pencils bring drawings to life with their vivid pigments and versatility. Whether you're creating illustrations or adult coloring books, the best-colored pencils offer blend-ability, vibrant colors, and durability.

Here are some top picks:

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils: Known for their soft wax cores and rich pigments, Prismacolor pencils blend effortlessly and are highly favored by artists and illustrators for their vibrant color range.
However, these are the best options if you are not concerned about cost. These are more expensive, but they give a dark line, are made with high-quality wood, and are great to work with.
If these are at your price point, I highly recommend getting the highest quality. I have found that when I spend a little more on art supplies, they last longer and I take better care of them. These are my top picks for colored pencils.
Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils: These oil-based pencils are renowned for their lightfastness and durability. They offer precise control and intense colors, making them a top choice for professionals.
Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils: Considered one of the best in the market, these pencils feature high pigment concentration and lightfastness, providing excellent coverage and blending capabilities.
Lyra graduate aquarell watercolor pencils: These are colored pencils that become watercolor when activated with water. I ordered these for student use and I was extremely impressed by the quality and color.

What Are the Best Colored Pencils?

The best overall colored pencils: Prismacolor Premier.

Student Pencils: Reliability and Affordability

For students and everyday use, pencils need to be durable, affordable, and reliable for writing and sketching. Using a good quality pencil can make a world of difference; especially in elementary school where kids are first learning to write.

All of the pencils below are for school use but are also some of the best writing pencils for outside of school. As a teacher, I have tried out a lot of pencils and seen lots of frustration.

Here are some reliable options that strike a balance between quality and affordability:

Dixon Ticonderoga Pencils: A classic choice for students and professionals alike, known for their smooth writing experience and reliable erasability. These have been the go-to choice for teachers everywhere.
They are not the most expensive pencils, but they're more expensive than the dollar store "jot" pencils. Having high-quality pencils for writing and schoolwork should be a priority.
Paper Mate Sharp Writer Mechanical Pencils: These mechanical pencils are convenient and ideal for standardized tests and everyday writing tasks. They feature twistable tips for continuous writing without the need for sharpening. My kids always loved mechanical pencils and teachers love them because they don't need to have kids lined up at the pencil sharpener.
Staedtler Norica Pencils: Affordable yet dependable, Staedtler Norica pencils are robust and produce consistent lines, making them suitable for students and general use. Staedtler pencils were the recommended brand when I was learning in art class.
With the rising prices of high-end pencils, these are a good, quality choice for student grades. The pencil tip is soft but creates a darker line when used on paper.
Pentel twist erase mechanical pencil: I love the quality of these and they create a darker mark. However, the only downsides are the cost and how long they last. I do love the graphite leads and the quality, but they aren't the most affordable.

What Are the Best Pencils for Students?

Dixon Ticonderoga and the Paper Mate Sharp writers are the best student-grade pencils.

Conclusion

Whether it is your first time shopping for your very first pencil for artists or you're picking up some school supplies, it is good to have a grip on the market (see what I just did right there). Do your research and see what works best for you in your price range.

I am always trying out new pencil brands and will continue to update this post as I find new, exciting choices. For example, on my recent trip to Japan, I discovered metal pencils and thought they were super cool! Always be testing!

Whether you're an artist seeking precision, a colored pencil enthusiast exploring hues, or a student needing reliability, the right pencil can make all the difference in your creative or academic endeavors.

By choosing from the best pencils available for your specific needs, you can enhance your workflow, achieve better results, and enjoy the tactile pleasure of using a tool that fits your hand and your artistry perfectly.

What pencils have you tried? Email me and let me know if there's anything I should try out!

Looking for more art supply reviews? Check out my acrylic paint guide for artists!

The Top Quality Pencil Brands For Writing And Drawing