Types of Colored Pencils for Beginners
Table of Contents
At some point in coloring, questions about why certain pencils blend better, layer differently or feel smoother than others naturally come up. Β
This article breaks down the different types of colored pencils and how they work, so you can understand what each one actually does while coloring.
What Are Colored Pencils?Β
Colored pencils are one of the most familiar tools for coloring. Inside each pencil is a soft core made from pigment mixed with wax or oil, protected by a wooden casing.
Below, weβll walk through the different types of colored pencils and how each one works on coloring book paper, shaping how to use colored pencils in practice.
Wax-Based Colored Pencils
What Are Wax-Based Colored Pencils?Β
Wax-based colored pencils use wax as the primary binder, creating a soft, creamy core. On a coloring page, this results in smooth, buttery color application, with colors blending between layers and vibrant color buildup with softer edges.Β
Pros for Coloring BooksΒ
- Easy blending for beginners, colors mix smoothly without much pressure.Β
- Works well on standard coloring paper, including thin or medium-weight pages.Β
- Allows 2β4 light layers before 'wax buildup' occurs.Β
Cons Beginners Should KnowΒ
- Wax bloom can appear after heavy layering, leaving a cloudy film on dark areas.Β
- Too many layers can dull colors, especially if pressure is too strong early on.Β
- Can feel overly soft on textured paper, making clean edges harder to keep.Β
- The soft core can break easily if dropped or sharpened aggressively.Β
Best Uses in Coloring PagesΒ
Wax-based colored pencils are well suited for areas where soft transitions and gradual color buildup are important, such as skin, hair and gentle clothing shading.Β
Oil-Based Colored Pencils
What are Oil-Based Colored Pencils?Β
Oil-based colored pencils use an oil-based binder that creates a firmer core. When used on a coloring page, this keeps lines more defined and prevents heavy wax buildup, so colors appear more defined and structured as layers are added.Β
Pros for Coloring BooksΒ
- Produce clean, crisp edges ideal for detailed line art.Β
- Offer excellent control for smooth, even shading.Β
- Handle heavy layering well (5β7+ layers) without muddying colors.Β
Cons Beginners Should KnowΒ
- Hard cores can dent or score thin coloring paper if too much pressure is used.Β
- The firmer, less creamy texture makes blending more challenging for beginners.Β
Best Uses in Coloring PagesΒ
Oil-based colored pencils are best for small, detailed areas like eyes, lashes, gems, mandalas, and intricate floral or anime designs. Their firm cores support this level of precision without softening fine details.
Watercolor Pencils
What are Watercolor Pencils?
Watercolor pencils have a water-soluble core, meaning the pigment dissolves once water is added. When activated with water on a coloring page, this causes pencil strokes to soften and spread, shifting the look from visible lines to a more fluid, painted surface.Β
Pros for Coloring BooksΒ
- Excellent for creating soft backgrounds and large color areas.Β
- Create smooth gradients that wax/oil pencils struggle with.Β
- Allow both dry and wet techniques, offering creative flexibility in one tool.Β
Cons Beginners Should KnowΒ
- Require careful water control to avoid paper damage.Β
- Not suitable for ultra-thin coloring book paper unless used dry only.Β
- Heavy pressure during dry application can leave visible stroke marks that won't fully dissolve with water.Β
- Thin coloring book paper can warp or buckle if too much water is applied.Β
Best Uses in Coloring PagesΒ
Watercolor colored pencils are especially useful when a page benefits from fluid color transitions, such as sky gradients, soft pastel backgrounds, or lighting effects. They are also commonly used for underpainting, creating a smooth base layer before adding details with regular colored pencils.Β
Pastel Colored Pencils
What are Pastel Colored Pencils?Β
Pastel colored pencils have a soft, powdery core with less binder than regular colored pencils. When used on a coloring page, this creates a matte, velvety look with diffused edges, rather than crisp lines or dense layers.Β
Pros for Coloring BooksΒ
- Extremely fast coverage, perfect for backgrounds.Β
- Create a soft, textured, painterly look that is ideal for clouds, fog, glowing scenes, and dreamy effects.Β
- Easy to blend, even for beginners with no layering experience.Β
Cons Beginners Should KnowΒ
- Create powdery dust that can get messy and spread onto nearby areas.Β
- Smudge easily and can transfer to facing pages if not sealed.Β
- Not ideal for fine details or intricate linework.Β
- Need to be sealed with a fixative to prevent smudging.Β
Best Uses in Coloring PagesΒ
Pastel colored pencils are especially suited for pages that rely on mood and atmosphere, such as full-page backgrounds, soft portrait shading, or fantasy scenes like auroras and glowing effects.
They work well when the overall feel matters more than sharp lines or detailed layering.
To wrap things up, the table below gives a quick comparison to help you figure out the best type of colored pencils for your coloring pages:
| Type of Colored Pencil | ProsΒ | ConsΒ |
| Wax-Based Colored Pencils | β’ Easy to blend with light pressure β’ Smooth color laydown on thinβmedium paper β’ Comfortable for long coloring sessions |
β’ Wax bloom after heavy layering β’ Colors can dull if over-layered β’ Soft core breaks easily |
| Oil-Based Colored Pencils | β’ Sharp, clean edges for detail work β’ Excellent control and even shading β’ Handles 5β7+ layers without muddying |
β’ Can dent thin paper β’ Harder to blend for beginners β’ Requires more pressure |
| Watercolor Colored Pencils | β’ Great for backgrounds and gradients β’ Create watercolor-style effects β’ Can be used both dry and wet |
β’ Risk of warping thin paper β’ Requires water control β’ Mistakes harder to fix once activated |
| Pastel Colored Pencils | β’ Very fast coverage β’ Soft, velvety, atmospheric look β’ Easy blending with fingers or tools |
β’ Dusty and messy β’ Smudges easily β’ Needs fixative, poor for fine detail |
FAQs
What is the difference between wax-based and oil-based colored pencils?
Wax-based pencils are softer, blend easily, and work well on standard coloring book paper but can cause wax bloom. Oil-based pencils are firmer, hold sharp points longer, layer better, and create cleaner details, but require more pressure and control.
Are watercolor pencils good for beginners?
When used dry, watercolor pencils can work for beginners, but theyβre not always the best colored pencils for beginners if you want easy blending and low risk on standard coloring book paper.
What makes a colored pencil good for blending?
Good colored pencils for blending usually have softer cores, strong pigment payoff, and work best on smooth paper. Light pressure and gradual layering matter more than brand or price when it comes to achieving smooth blends.
What is the best colored pencils for adults coloring books?
There is no single βbestβ option, as it depends on the paper and coloring style. Wax-based pencils are commonly used for general coloring; oil-based pencils suit detailed work, and watercolor or pastel pencils are better for specific effects rather than everyday coloring.
Do colored pencils dry out?
No, they don't dry out like markers. However, very old pencils might feel slightly firmer over time due to the binder aging.
Why do my colored pencils keep breaking?
Breakage is usually caused by internal core fractures from dropping pencils or sharpening too aggressively. Using a sharp, gentle sharpener and avoiding excess pressure helps prevent this.
Can colored pencils fade over time and how can I protect finished pages?
Yes, non-lightfast pencils can fade with UV exposure. Store finished pages away from direct sunlight and consider using UV-protective sleeves or fixative sprays.
Can I mix oil and wax colored pencils?
Yes. Both types can be layered on the same page, with oil-based pencils commonly used earlier for building base layers or clean details, while wax-based pencils are added later to soften transitions and deepen color.
Do beginners need more than colored pencils to start coloring?
Not necessarily. Many beginners start with just colored pencils and add other coloring tools later, depending on the paper they use, the effects they want, or how their coloring style develops over time.
