At Derwent, we sell so many different types of pencils, all with their own unique qualities, that it can become confusing about which is the best suited to your artwork requirements. 

We have put together a handy guide to explain each pencil we sell, so you can find the pencil for you.

Coloured/Colouring

Artists 

Ideal for a wide range of drawing styles; from bold landscapes to more detailed illustrations.

Firm point and extensive colour range for detailed light layering

• Wax-based, firm, highly pigmented core for smooth and rich colour laydown.
• Create broad, expressive strokes but also layer and blend.
• 126 colours in the range.
• 79% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

Some products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Winter Trees Project idea or the Colour Chart.

To view our Artists range, click here.

Coloursoft 

Ideal for a wide range of drawing styles; from bold landscapes to more detailed illustrations, portraiture and fashion design.

Bold, ultra soft colour for smooth coverage

• Wax-based, soft, velvety texture with rich, vibrant colour laydown. 
• Create sharp detail or blend the colours together. 
• 72 colours in the range.
• 88% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

All products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Coloursoft range, click here. 

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Colour Collection tin. Buy here.

Drawing 

Ideal for landscape and sceneries due to the earthy colour palette.

Unique velvety finish and natural colour range - ideal for nature drawings

• Wax-based, creamy texture for a soft velvety finish. 
• Versatile with high pigmentation and dense colour application. 
• Use dry or with water-soluble mediums.
• 24 colours in the range. 
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions). 

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Coastal View Project idea or the Colour Chart.

To view our Drawing range, click here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Sketching Collection 12 tin. Buy here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Sketching Collection 24 tin. Buy here.

Lightfast 

Ideal for detailed and colourful drawings that want to stand the test of time.

100% lightfast for up to 100 years, oil based for exceptional layering and colour mixing

• Oil-based, creamy core for a smooth velvety texture.
• Can be mixed and layered on the page to give paint-like effects.
• Versatile with high pigmentation and vibrant colour application.  
• Control the pressure and create different levels of pigmentation. 
• 100 colours in the range.
• 100% Lightfast - according to the ASTM  6901 standard, rated LFI or II. (Lightfast = colours remain the same for 100 years, under museum conditions). 

All products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Lightfast leaflet, our Lightfast FAQs page, Lightfast video or the Colour Chart.  

To view our Lightfast range, click here.

Procolour 

Ideal for detailed drawing and colouring.

The smooth pencil with exceptional fine detail, intense bright colour

• Wax-based core with a smooth colour laydown. 
• Covering power of a wax yet glides like an oil.
• Richly pigmented and smudge free.
• Sharp point with minimal chipping and dusting.
• 72 colours in the range.  
• 72% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).  

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Procolour video or the Colour Chart.  

To view our Procolour range, click here.

Studio 

Ideal for detailed colour work, particularly illustrations.

Hexagonal pencil with a firm point for control and detail

• Hexagonal barrel for good grip and a small core size, ideal for finer details.
• Wax-based core with a firm texture.  
• 72 colours in the range.   
  
• 66% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).   

Some products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Studio range, click here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Colour Collection tin. Buy here.

Metallic 

Ideal for a wide range of fine art and craft projects.

Shimmering metallic colour, outstanding on dark paper

• Shimmering, highly metallic pencils with an intense formulation, that pops off the page.
• Blend and layer beautifully together. 
• Great on white, black and coloured paper. 
• 20 colours in the range.    

To view our Metallics range, click here.

Tinted Charcoal 

Ideal for detailed landscapes with muted tones.

Unique blend of charcoal with colour

• Charcoal with a hint of colour in pencil form.
• Smudged and blended easily.
• Control, precision and less mess of a pencil.
• 21 colours in the range.  
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Tinted Charcoal range, click here. 

Drawing/Sketching

Graphic 

Ideal for expressive sketches and portraiture or detailed illustrations.

High quality traditional graphite pencils, from 9B to 9H

• Finest wax-based graphite to create smooth and graduated lines.
• Strong core.
• Soft laydown that can be blended and erased.
• Largest choice of graphite shades on the market.
• 20 degrees in the range.
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).
• B, HB, F and H-9H products are vegan friendly.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Graphic range, click here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Sketching Collection 12 tin. Buy here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Sketching Collection 24 tin. Buy here.

Precision Mechanical 

Ideal for technical sketching and drawing.

Ultra fine sketching with a high quality metal barrel 

• Smooth texture, blendable, erasable and suitable for layering.
  
• Retractable pocket-safe nib.
• Concealed push button eraser. 
• 2 core sizes (0.5/0.7mm).
• 2 degrees in the range.

To view our Precision Mechanical Pencil range, click here.

Charcoal 

Ideal for life studies and portraiture.

Fine grade charcoal in a pencil - clean to hold and use

• Chalky, powder-based charcoal encased in wood. 
• Traditional charcoal effects and techniques but with less mess.
• Suitable for blending, layering and erasing.
• 3 degrees in the range.
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

All products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Charcoal range, click here.

Onyx 

Ideal for building depth in life studies, portraiture and landscapes.

Dramatically dark graphite, even darker than a 9B

• Wax-based, smooth graphite pencil. 
• Made from the blackest graphite (darker than 9B).
• Easy to blend, erase and layer.
• Add dense shape and tone.
• Build up darker shades by increasing pressure.
• Apply fine detail with a hard sharp point.
• 2 degrees in the range.
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page or the Colour Chart.

To view our Onyx range, click here.

Sketching 

Ideal for quick sketches or adding important finer details to drawings and sketches.

Essential graphite shades for sketching

• Smooth, wax-based core with a wide strip. 
• Sharpen to a fine point for adding detail.
• Blendable, erasable and easy to layer. 
  
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Landscape Project idea or the Colour Chart.

To view our Sketching range, click here. 

Water-Soluble

Water-Soluble Sketching 

Ideal for delicate graphite washes.

Delicate graphite washes, easy to blend and layer

• Smooth, wax-based graphite that is water-soluble. 
• Add water and use line and wash techniques for further versatility of this product.
• Suitable for blending, layering and erasing.
• Strong point for detailed work.
• 3 degrees in the range.
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Coastal project or the Colour Chart.

To view our Water-Soluble Sketching range, click here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Sketching Collection 12 tin. Buy here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Sketching Collection 24 tin. Buy here.

Pastel 

Ideal for colourful portraiture and life studies.

The beauty of fine grade pastel within a pencil

• Chalky, powder-based, water-soluble pastel core.   
• Add water to create light washes.
• Suitable for blending, layering and erasing.
• Create fine detail with minimal dusting.
• 72 degrees in the range.
• 87% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

All products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Pastel range, click here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Pastel Collection tin. Buy here.

Graphitint 

Ideal for landscapes, animal studies and portraits.

Unique blend of graphite with colour

• Smooth, wax-based, water-soluble graphite core.   
• Use dry for a hint of colour.
• Add water and the graphite transforms into rich vibrant shades.
• Suitable for blending, layering and erasing.
• 24 colours in the range. 
  
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

All products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart.

To view our Graphitint range, click here.

Graphitone 

Ideal for quick coverage in sketches.

Pure compressed graphite sticks for quick coverage

• Smooth, wax-based, water-soluble graphite stick. 
• No wood casing, just pure graphite.
• Use like a pencil, a block or break it into chunks for different effects.
• Add water to create washes.
• 4 degrees in the range.
• 100% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

All products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Woodland project or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Graphitone range, click here.

Inktense 

Ideal for vibrant, permanent artwork on a variety of paper, fabrics and materials.

Permanent when dry - doesn't wash away like watercolour. Intense vibrant colour. Suitable for use on fabric and other surfaces

• Wax-based, firm, highly pigmented core for vivid ink-like colour. 
• Use with water to create ink-like washes, but once dry, Inktense is permanent and can be worked over without affecting previous layers.
• Use on paper and fabrics for a wide range of fine art and craft projects.
• Can be blended and layered.
• 72 colours in the range.
• 87% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

All products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our video, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Inktense range, click here. 

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Watercolour Collection 12 tin. Buy here.

Watercolour 

Ideal for subtle landscape paintings.

The beauty of watercolour within a pencil

• Soft, wax-based, water-soluble core. 
• Use dry for soft colour laydown or use wet for interesting colour flows.
• Hexagonal barrel.
• Suitable for blending and layering if used dry, but colours will move around when wet.
• 72 colours in the range.
• 80% Lightfast (Lightfast, colours remain the same for 100 years under museum conditions).

Some products are vegan friendly. View the Colour Chart for more information.

For more information on this range of pencils, view our Ten Top Tips page, our Get Creative page or the Colour Chart. 

To view our Watercolour range, click here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Watercolour Collection 12 tin. Buy here.

Want to try out this product with a few others from our ranges? Then try our Watercolour Collection 24 tin. Buy here.

Useful Information

Product Catalogue

Product Matrix

If you are unsure how to sharpen any of our products, please view our

Sharpening Guide

For any questions you have that have not been answered here, please visit our

FAQs Page