Oil-based colored pencils offer a fantastic middle ground for artists seeking rich, blendable color without the waxy buildup that can plague some wax-based sets. Their firm yet creamy cores are excellent for detailed work, layering, and achieving vibrant, professional-looking results. For artists on a budget, the good news is that you no longer need to sacrifice quality for affordability, as many brands now offer exceptional oil-based pencils at accessible price points.
Finding the right set can be overwhelming with so many options available. This roundup is designed to cut through the noise and highlight the best affordable oil colored pencils on the market. We’ve considered factors like color range, blendability, core durability, and overall value to help you find the perfect tools to bring your artistic visions to life in 2025.
Top Affordable Oil Colored Pencils for Your Artistry
- Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, 72 Colors
- MyArtscape Oil Based Colored Pencils Set, 72 pcs
- Ohuhu Colored Pencils: 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils
- Art-n-Fly 48 Oil Pastel Pencils for Artists
- KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists
- Arteza Oil Based Colored Pencils, Set of 48
- Faber-Castell Polychromos Color Pencil Set, 24 Count
- Caran d’Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set, 24 Colors
Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, 72 Colors
This comprehensive 72-color set is an excellent starting point for artists at any level. The pencils are designed for intricate blending, layering, and creating dramatic effects with ease, making them a versatile tool for sketching and detailed coloring book work. The vibrant and robust pigments ensure your artwork stands out with clarity and richness.
Convenience and protection are prioritized with the sturdy cylindrical case, which keeps your pencils organized and safe during transport or storage. This makes it a practical choice not only for use at home but also for artists who like to create on the go. It’s a well-rounded collection that provides great value and performance for a wide range of artistic projects.
MyArtscape Oil Based Colored Pencils Set, 72 pcs
The MyArtscape set brings bold and vibrant colors to the table with its break-resistant cores, ensuring a smooth application every time. The unique oil base is formulated to allow colors to layer with finesse, enabling you to craft seamless blends and beautiful gradients in your work. This characteristic makes them particularly well-suited for adult coloring books where smooth color transitions are key.
Presented in a handsome tin box, these 72 pencils are neatly organized for easy access and storage. Their versatility is a significant advantage, as they glide effortlessly on various surfaces including paper, canvas, and watercolor paper. This set is a reliable choice for artists looking for a broad color selection and dependable performance.
Ohuhu Colored Pencils: 72 Oil-based Drawing Pencils
Ohuhu’s Halawa Series features a user-friendly 4mm soft core that balances break resistance with a creamy color laydown. This durable lead provides a consistent flow of vibrant and rich color, allowing for effortless application and reducing the need for constant sharpening. The set includes 72 vivid shades, including two metallic options, to bring bold, lifelike colors to any project.
These pencils excel in seamless blending, shading, and layering without smudging or pigment separation. They are also compatible with other mediums, working exceptionally well with alcohol markers and watercolors to add stunning detail and depth. For artists who enjoy mixed-media projects, this set offers incredible versatility and reliable performance.
Art-n-Fly 48 Oil Pastel Pencils for Artists
Art-n-Fly offers a high-quality set that emphasizes rich pigment for vibrant, long-lasting artworks. The innovative oil-based core provides a sturdier alternative to wax-based pencils, allowing them to hold a finer point and avoid the dreaded waxy film on finished pieces. This professional-grade construction makes them a smart choice for serious artists and illustrators.
A key feature of these pencils is their high lightfastness, meaning the colors are resistant to fading when exposed to light over time. This ensures that your artwork maintains its original brilliance and vibrancy for years to come. For artists creating pieces intended for display or sale, this durability is an essential quality.
KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists
For artists who need an extensive color palette, the KALOUR set of 180 pencils is a standout option. With such a wide array of unique colors, you have the freedom to enrich your coloring books and drawings with precise hues and subtle variations. The silky smooth, velvety soft core lays down vivid color with ease, perfect for coloring, drawing, and sketching.
The break-resistant cores are rich in pigment and produce incredible tones, making them ideal for blending and layering multiple colors. Each pencil is made from high-quality basswood, which is easy to sharpen, and features a unique number and color name for simple identification. This set conforms to U.S. safety standards, making it a non-toxic and safe choice for all artists.
Arteza Oil Based Colored Pencils, Set of 48
Arteza is renowned for providing professional-grade art supplies at an accessible price, and their oil-based colored pencils are no exception. This set of 48 offers a well-curated selection of colors that are highly pigmented and blendable. The oil-based cores provide a smooth, buttery application that is a pleasure to work with for extended periods.
These pencils are versatile enough for a variety of techniques, from fine detailing to broad shading and everything in between. They are a fantastic option for both beginners building their skills and experienced artists looking for a reliable, affordable workhorse pencil for everyday projects and commissions.
Faber-Castell Polychromos Color Pencil Set, 24 Count
Faber-Castell’s Polychromos pencils are a premium choice in the world of oil-based pencils, known for their exceptional lightfastness and superior break resistance. Though they represent a higher investment per pencil, their performance and longevity offer great value. The pigments are intense and allow for excellent layering and blending capabilities.
These pencils maintain a sharp point for precise detail work and are water-resistant, making them suitable for use with other wet mediums. For artists seeking professional results and archival quality in their work, the Polychromos set is a trusted and highly recommended option that many professionals rely on.
Caran d’Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set, 24 Colors
Caran d’Ache Pablo pencils are another professional-grade option, celebrated for their brilliant pigmentation and smooth, creamy texture. These pencils offer exceptional coverage and blendability, allowing artists to achieve a wide range of effects from soft glazes to intense, saturated color. The color range is carefully selected to provide a harmonious and versatile palette.
The high concentration of pigment ensures vibrant results with minimal pressure, reducing hand fatigue during long drawing sessions. While this is a smaller set, the exceptional quality of each pencil makes it an excellent choice for artists who want to invest in top-tier materials without committing to a very large set immediately.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Your Affordable Oil Colored Pencils
When I’m looking for a new set of affordable oil colored pencils, my first stop is always the core itself. The difference between oil and wax-based cores is a big deal. Oil-based pencils generally feel harder and more durable. They can handle fine details and lay down color without feeling waxy or smudging as easily as their wax-based cousins. This makes them fantastic for technical work, layered effects, and mixed media. If you’ve ever been frustrated by a waxy buildup on your paper, known as wax bloom, you’ll appreciate that oil-based pencils are much less prone to this issue.
Pigment load is my next non-negotiable. A high pigment concentration means the color you see on the pencil is the vibrant color you get on the paper. With cheaper sets, you often have to press harder or layer more to achieve opacity, which can be tough on your hand and your paper. I look for pencils that offer good coverage with a medium amount of pressure. This is especially important for those of us who work in sketchbooks, as weak pigment can mean you’re constantly fighting to get a rich, solid color.
Let’s talk about the barrel and its connection to the core. A well-glued pencil is a happy pencil. I’ve had cheap sets where the core constantly falls out or breaks inside the wood casing, which is incredibly frustrating. A sturdy wood casing that sharpens to a fine point without constantly crumbling is a sign of good manufacturing. The finish on the barrel matters, too. Is the color name and number printed clearly? This might seem minor, but when you’re working from a large set, being able to quickly identify and reorder a specific shade is a huge time-saver.
Finally, I consider the set size and the color range. For beginners, a smaller set of 24 or 36 colors is a perfect starting point to learn blending and layering techniques without being overwhelmed. More advanced artists might look for larger sets that offer a wider spectrum, including useful earth tones and a good selection of grays. When evaluating the 8 best affordable oil colored pencils for artists in 2025, I paid close attention to which sets offer the best value—meaning a balance of quality core, sturdy construction, and a thoughtful color selection that won’t require you to break the bank to get professional-looking results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between oil and wax-based colored pencils?
The biggest difference is in the binder that holds the pigment together. Wax-based pencils use a wax binder, which gives them a softer feel but can lead to wax bloom—a hazy film that appears on the surface over time. Oil-based pencils use an oil binder, making the core harder, more resistant to breaking, and less prone to bloom. They are excellent for fine details and sharp lines.
Can I use oil pencils and wax pencils together in the same artwork?
Absolutely, you can! This is a technique many artists use to get the best of both worlds. A common approach is to use wax-based pencils for initial, soft layers and then use oil-based pencils for finer details and top layers on top. The harder oil core can glide over the wax layers without lifting them too much. I always recommend testing your specific brands on a scrap piece of paper first to see how they interact.
Do I need special paper for oil colored pencils?
You don’t necessarily need “special” paper, but the paper you choose will impact your results. A medium-toothed paper (not too smooth, not too rough) works very well as it grabs the pigment from the harder oil core. Heavyweight paper like mixed-media paper, bristol board, or even toned paper for sketching are all great choices. The key is to use paper that can handle some layering and blending without tearing.
How do I blend with oil-based colored pencils?
Blending with oil pencils is a bit different. Since they don’t have the self-blending properties of soft wax pencils, many artists use solvents. A colorless blender pencil made specifically for oil-based pencils is the safest and easiest method. You can also use a small amount of odorless mineral spirits (OMS) applied with a brush or a cotton swab to dissolve the binder and create beautiful, painterly blends. Always work in a well-ventilated area if using a solvent.
Are these affordable sets lightfast?
This varies greatly by brand. Lightfastness refers to a pigment’s resistance to fading when exposed to light. Student-grade and affordable sets often contain a mix of lightfast and fugitive (prone to fading) pigments. If you are creating artwork you intend to sell or display for many years, it’s crucial to check the lightfast rating for the specific pencils you are considering. The 8 best affordable oil colored pencils for artists in 2025 list includes options that offer better lightfastness for the price, but it’s always a good habit to research the individual colors you plan to use heavily.