Best Water Soluble Pencils of 2026

Jordan Akhtar Avatar
Jordan Akhtar
Last Updated: 10 Feb 2026

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Water soluble pencils are a versatile and innovative tool for artists and creative individuals. These pencils are designed to produce vibrant and rich colours that can be easily blended and manipulated with water. The water soluble feature allows artists to create a range of effects, from subtle washes to intense and bold strokes. Whether you are a professional artist or a hobbyist, water soluble pencils offer a unique and exciting way to bring your artistic visions to life.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Faber-Castell 5 Piece Water-Soluble Graphite Pencils Cover #TOP 1
Faber-Castell 5 Piece Water-Soluble Graphite Pencils
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Surcotto 24 Watercolour Pencils Set Cover #TOP 2
Surcotto 24 Watercolour Pencils Set
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Derwent Watersoluble Sketching Pencils Set of 6 Cover #TOP 3
Derwent Watersoluble Sketching Pencils Set of 6
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 7 Water Soluble Pencils

#TOP 1

Faber-Castell 5 Piece Water-Soluble Graphite Pencils

117805
grey
5 Count (Pack of 1)
Faber-Castell 5 Piece Water-Soluble Graphite Pencils Cover
Faber-Castell 5 Piece Quality Water-Soluble Graphite Aquarelle Pencils in a Tin, Including HB, 2B, 4B, 6B and 8B, Grey

The Faber-Castell Graphite Pencils are quality water-soluble graphite pencils designed for various artistic applications. Ideal for sketches, watercolour drawings, and mixed media, these pencils allow you to blend and create unique effects with ease. With a lead diameter of 3.8mm, you can enjoy smooth and consistent lines in your work. The SV bonding technology reduces breakages, giving you peace of mind while you create. This set includes five degrees of hardness, from HB to 8B, ensuring you have the right pencil for every detail.

What We Like
Water-soluble for versatile use
Durable, break-resistant design
Includes multiple hardness options
Great for mixed media projects
#TOP 2

Surcotto 24 Watercolour Pencils Set

ST-004I-Q24
Multicolored
Surcotto 24 Watercolour Pencils Set Cover
Surcotto Watercolour Pencils - 24 Colouring Pencils Watercolour,Water-Soluble Coloured Pencils for School,Beginners, Students and Adults | Water-Based, Soft Colours,Wooden Barrel with Tin & Fine Brush

The Surcotto Watercolour Pencils are a versatile 24-colour set, perfect for your artistic endeavours. Each pencil is pre-sharpened, allowing you to start creating without delay. Made with high-quality water-soluble cores, these pencils enable easy blending with water, giving you stunning soft colour transitions. Their eco-friendly wooden barrels not only provide a comfortable grip but also ensure durability. Additionally, the included metal tin offers convenient storage, keeping your pencils safe and portable for any creative project.

What We Like
Rich range of colours
Easy blending with water
Comfortable triangular grip
Eco-friendly materials
Includes fine brush
#TOP 3

Derwent Watersoluble Sketching Pencils Set of 6

0700837
Black
1 count (Pack of 6)
Derwent Watersoluble Sketching Pencils Set of 6 Cover
Derwent 0700837 Watersoluble Sketching Pencils, Drawing & Writing, Set Of 6, Includes 3 Degrees (HB, 4B, 8B) & Pencil Sharpener, Ideal For Sketching, Professional Quality,Black

The Derwent Sketching Pencils offer professional quality for expressive sketching, making them suitable for artists of all skill levels. You can use them dry for intricate drawings or add water to transform your sketches into beautiful monotone watercolour paintings. This set includes six pencils in three degrees – HB, 4B, and 8B – allowing you to achieve various tonal effects, from light washes to very dark washes. The sleek silver tin provides easy access to your pencils, keeping your workspace tidy and organised.

What We Like
Professional quality for all skill levels
Versatile dry and watercolour use
Variety of tonal effects available
Convenient storage in a tin
#TOP 4

Faber-Castell 8B Water-Soluble Graphite Pencil

10104686
Black
1 count (Pack of 1)
Faber-Castell 8B Water-Soluble Graphite Pencil Cover
Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle Water-Soluble Single Pencil, 8B 1 Count (Pack of 1),F117808

The Faber-Castell Graphite Pencil is a quality water-soluble pencil, perfect for creating sketches and watercolour drawings. Its 3.8mm lead diameter allows for precise lines and shading, making it ideal for mixed media artwork. You will appreciate the SV bonding technology, which reduces breakages, ensuring that your creative flow remains uninterrupted. This pencil is versatile, allowing you to experiment with various techniques while enjoying the convenience of water-soluble graphite.

What We Like
High-quality water-soluble graphite
Perfect for sketches and drawings
Durable with reduced breakages
Versatile for mixed media use

Derwent Inktense Watercolour Pencils Set of 24

700929
More colors
24 Colours
Derwent Inktense Watercolour Pencils Set of 24 Cover
Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils, Set of 24 in a Tin, 4mm Premium Core, Water-Soluble, Ideal for Colouring, Painting and Crafting, Professional Quality (0700929),package may vary

The Derwent Inktense Pencils offer a professional quality experience with their set of 24 premium water-soluble pencils. Their innovative formulation acts like ink, providing you with intensely vibrant colours that dry permanently, ensuring your artwork remains as striking as the day you created it. You can enjoy exceptional layering, making it easy to achieve the depth and detail you desire. The specially formulated pigments intensify when activated with water, allowing for rich, light washes that are perfect for a variety of projects, including painting on fabric.

What We Like
Vibrant, permanent colours
Highly blendable and versatile
Ideal for various crafting projects
Works well with waterbrushes
Reusable tin for easy storage
#TOP 6

Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle Water-Soluble Pencil

10104682
gray
1 count (Pack of 1)
Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle Water-Soluble Pencil Cover
Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle Water-Soluble Single Pencil, HB

The Faber-Castell Aquarelle Pencil offers high-quality pigments that ensure unmatched light-fastness and brilliance, making your artwork vibrant and long-lasting. When you brush the pigments with water, they dissolve completely, allowing for seamless blending and beautiful washes. The pencil is designed to be break-resistant, thanks to a special bonding process, which means you can enjoy a smooth colour stroke without the worry of breakage. Available individually or in assorted sets, this pencil caters to various artistic needs.

What We Like
High quality pigments
Water-soluble for easy blending
Break-resistant design
Available in various sets
#TOP 7

Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils Set 12

700928
Multicolour
12 Colours
Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils Set 12 Cover
Derwent Inktense Permanent Watercolour Pencils, Set of 12 in a Tin, 4mm Premium Core, Water-Soluble, Ideal for Colouring, Painting and Crafting, Professional Quality (0700928)

The Derwent Inktense Pencils offer a set of 12 water-soluble coloured pencils with a 4mm premium core, ideal for artists who want vibrant and lasting colour. Their unique ink-like formulation delivers intensely bright colours that dry permanently, allowing you to layer without worrying about colours washing out. With advanced active colour technology, the pigments become richer when you add water, giving you flexibility to create light washes that also dry permanently. These pencils have a firm yet soft texture, making them perfect not only for painting but also for fabric work and various crafts.

What We Like
Permanent vibrant colours
Water-soluble and blendable
Firm and soft core texture
Suitable for fabric painting
Reusable tin packaging
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our water soluble pencil research, we found 165 water soluble pencil products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 130,711 customer reviews through our big data system to write the water soluble pencils list. We found that most customers choose water soluble pencils with an average price of £11.42.

The water soluble pencils are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of water soluble pencils, including Faber-Castell, Surcotto, Derwent.

Written by
Jordan Akhtar Avatar

Jordan Akthar owns one stationery store in Bradford, and another in Derby. He started with a corner bookshop, and now the rest is history. He is often found in his stores taking count of inventories of books and stationery. Jordan also likes to write, and this drove his passion for writing articles on stationery maintenance. He owns a blog, where in his free time, he would write DIY tips on how you can recycle and refine your stationeries.