9 best solvent for coloured pencils tested by artists

When I first started diving deep into colored pencil art, I quickly realized that getting those smooth blends, vibrant layers, and rich, burnished finishes wasn’t always as simple as just drawing. I often found myself wishing for that “magic touch” that would melt the pigments together. While traditional solvents like mineral spirits certainly have their place, I’ve discovered that “best solvent for coloured pencils” can mean a lot of different things – from dedicated blending agents to high-quality pencils themselves that offer incredible inherent blending capabilities. I’ve spent time experimenting with various tools and techniques, and in this guide, I’ll share my insights on nine options, helping you achieve professional, solvent-like effects in your artwork.

IMAGE	PRODUCT NAME	AMAZON LINK
	Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper |…	View on Amazon
	Speedball Art Products Finesse Artist Colored Pencil…	View on Amazon
	101 Textures in Colored Pencil: Practical step-by-step…	View on Amazon
	Dermatograph Colored Grease Pencils – Peel-Off China Makers…	View on Amazon
	KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists – Rich Pigment Soft…	View on Amazon
	Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft…	View on Amazon
	The Ultimate Guide To Colored Pencil: Over 35 step-by-step…	View on Amazon
	Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Drawing Pencil Set, 24 Assorted…	View on Amazon
	Art-n-Fly 48 Oil Pastel Pencils for Artistst – Oil Based…	View on Amazon

Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils with Zipper

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These Castle Art pencils truly shine when it comes to blendability, often giving you results that feel like you’ve already applied a blending solvent. With 120 colors, you get an enormous spectrum to play with, all neatly organized in a portable fabric case. Their formulation allows for a soft, buttery laydown, making effortless layering and blending a real joy. You can achieve smooth coverage and deep textures without needing aggressive solvents.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Unrivaled range of 120 named, numbered, and color-coded pencils.
  • Soft, buttery laydown that resists crumbling and holds its point.
  • Intensely pigmented for smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending, and burnishing.
  • Includes a unique fold-out tutorial to help refine your skills.

• Pros:

  • Vast color selection for comprehensive artistry.
  • Exceptional inherent blendability reduces the need for external solvents.
  • Durable cores despite their soft texture.
  • Convenient, protective zippered case.

• Cons:

  • The large set might be overwhelming for absolute beginners.

• Best for: Artists seeking an extensive range of colors with inherent solvent-like blending properties for smooth, rich finishes.

Expert Opinion: These pencils truly excel at delivering smooth, layered results that often feel like they’ve been treated with a blending solvent, all thanks to their exceptional core formulation.

Speedball Art Products Finesse Artist Colored Pencil Blender

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If you’re looking for a direct tool to achieve seamless blends with your wax-based colored pencils, the Speedball Finesse blender is a fantastic choice. This isn’t a traditional liquid solvent, but it acts as a colorless, acid-free agent that helps pigments meld together beautifully. Its double-tipped applicator (bold and fine) makes it versatile for both broad areas and detailed work, drying fast without bleeding through your paper.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Colorless blender pen specifically for wax-based colored pencils.
  • Double-tipped design for versatile application (bold and fine).
  • Acid-free, odor-free, and fast-drying formula.
  • Guarantees no bleed-through on paper.

• Pros:

  • Effectively blends colors for smooth transitions.
  • Mess-free and easy to use compared to liquid solvents.
  • Odorless and non-toxic.
  • Versatile tips for different blending needs.

• Cons:

  • Primarily designed for wax-based pencils, might not be as effective on oil-based.

• Best for: Artists looking for a direct, mess-free solvent alternative to effortlessly blend wax-based colored pencils.

Expert Opinion: This colorless blender pen acts as an internal solvent, allowing artists to achieve seamless transitions and deep color saturation without the need for traditional liquid solvents.

101 Textures in Colored Pencil: Practical step-by-step

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While not a physical solvent, this book is an incredible resource for learning how to achieve solvent-like smoothness and complex textures using just your colored pencils. It’s packed with practical, step-by-step guidance that helps you understand how layering, pressure, and various techniques can mimic the effects often sought with blending agents. It’s all about mastering the medium itself.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Practical step-by-step tutorials for creating diverse textures.
  • Focuses on colored pencil techniques without external solvents.
  • Helps artists understand pigment interaction and layering.

• Pros:

  • Invaluable for mastering advanced colored pencil techniques.
  • Empowers artists to achieve diverse effects naturally.
  • Boosts understanding of the medium’s capabilities.

• Cons:

  • Requires practice and dedication to master the techniques.

• Best for: Artists looking to master advanced blending and layering techniques that mimic solvent effects, building rich textures.

Expert Opinion: While not a physical solvent, this book is an invaluable guide to understanding how to achieve solvent-like smoothness and complex textures using various colored pencil methods.

Dermatograph Colored Grease Pencils – Peel-Off China Makers

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These Dermatograph grease pencils aren’t a traditional solvent, but their unique waxy composition offers a different kind of “solution” for specific art challenges. They’re excellent for adding opaque, long-lasting marks that can be layered over or even blended with existing colored pencil work, especially on tricky surfaces like glass or plastic. Their “grease” acts as a unique binder, creating a distinct, blendable layer that can help smooth areas or add highlights.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Versatile for use on a wide variety of porous and non-porous surfaces.
  • Non-sharpening peel-off design for convenience.
  • Bright, vibrant, and long-lasting colors (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Black, White).
  • Moisture-resistant and non-fading texture.

• Pros:

  • Works on almost any surface, expanding creative possibilities.
  • No sharpening needed, quick and easy to use.
  • Provides opaque, durable marks.
  • Offers unique layering and blending interactions with other media.

• Cons:

  • Limited color palette compared to standard colored pencils.

• Best for: Artists wanting to add opaque, long-lasting marks or unique blending layers that interact distinctly with other colored pencils, especially on diverse surfaces.

Expert Opinion: These grease pencils aren’t a traditional solvent, but their unique waxy composition allows for distinctive layering and opaque blending effects, offering a different kind of ‘solution’ for finishing details or working on challenging surfaces.

KALOUR 180 Colored Pencil for Artists – Rich Pigment Soft Core

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With a massive 180 colors, the KALOUR set provides an extensive palette with excellent blending capabilities, minimizing your need for external solvents. Their silky smooth, velvety soft cores lay down incredibly vivid color and are rich in pigments, making them perfect for effortless blending and layering. You can build up deep, saturated colors and achieve a solvent-like smoothness without any harsh chemicals.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Massive set of 180 unique, vivid, and vibrant colors.
  • Silky smooth, velvety soft core for rich pigment laydown.
  • Break-resistant cores, perfect for blending and layering.
  • Each pencil is numbered and named, made from high-quality basswood for easy sharpening.
  • Comes in a portable, protective tin box.

• Pros:

  • Huge color variety for endless creative options.
  • Excellent blendability and layering properties.
  • High pigment saturation for vibrant artwork.
  • Comes in a sturdy, portable case.

• Cons:

  • The sheer number of colors might be overwhelming for some users.

• Best for: Artists desiring an extensive color palette that offers exceptional blending and layering, reducing the reliance on external solvents for smooth finishes.

Expert Opinion: Kalour pencils provide such a buttery, blendable laydown that you’ll often achieve solvent-like smoothness and rich saturation directly with the pencil, making them a joy to work with.

Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set | 72 Premium Soft

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This 72-color set from Castle Art offers the same high-quality, solvent-like blending performance as their larger sets, but in a more manageable essential range. The soft, buttery laydown and intensely pigmented cores make layering, blending, and burnishing effortless, helping you achieve smooth, rich textures that might otherwise require a blending agent. It’s a fantastic set for exploring advanced techniques.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Essential range of 72 named, numbered, and color-coded pencils.
  • Soft, buttery laydown that defies crumbling.
  • Intensely pigmented for smooth coverage, layering, and blending.
  • Includes a unique fold-out tutorial.
  • Comes in a handsome presentation tin box.

• Pros:

  • Excellent balance of color range and quality.
  • Superior blendability and pigment saturation.
  • Durable cores maintain a good point.
  • Comes in a sturdy and attractive tin case.

• Cons:

  • Less variety than the 120-count set.

• Best for: Artists seeking a versatile, high-quality set with excellent inherent blending properties, minimizing the need for additional solvents for most projects.

Expert Opinion: This 72-set from Castle Art delivers the same outstanding blendability and smooth coverage as their larger sets, making it feel like you’re blending with a touch of magic, not harsh solvents.

The Ultimate Guide To Colored Pencil: Over 35 step-by-step

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Much like a blending solvent helps achieve certain effects, this comprehensive guide teaches you the techniques to get them directly from your pencils. With over 35 step-by-step demonstrations, it covers both traditional and watercolor pencils, showing you how to layer, burnish, and blend to achieve smooth transitions and rich textures that often mimic the results of external blending agents. It’s truly a masterclass in colored pencil artistry.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Over 35 step-by-step demonstrations.
  • Covers techniques for both traditional and watercolor pencils.
  • Comprehensive guide for various colored pencil effects.

• Pros:

  • Excellent for learning diverse colored pencil techniques.
  • Helps artists understand how to achieve desired textures and blends.
  • Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.

• Cons:

  • Requires hands-on practice to fully benefit.

• Best for: Beginners and experienced artists alike looking for a comprehensive resource on achieving various effects, including smooth, solvent-like blends, through technique.

Expert Opinion: This guide is a treasure trove for artists, teaching you how to manipulate colored pencils to achieve stunning, solvent-like finishes and intricate details purely through mastery of technique.

Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Drawing Pencil Set, 24 Assorted

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The Koh-I-Noor Polycolor pencils are professional-grade tools known for their unique formulation. Their 3.8mm leads contain special oils that help create water-resistant, dense, and even strokes without heavy pressure. These special oils are key to their beautiful layering and blending capabilities, allowing you to achieve solvent-like smoothness with no waxy buildup. They almost have a subtle internal blending agent.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Professional-grade pencils with a 3.8mm lead.
  • Lead contains special oils for water-resistant, dense, and even strokes.
  • Colors layer and blend beautifully without waxy buildup.
  • Made from fine Hardtmuth colors and encased in durable California cedar.

• Pros:

  • Superior blending and layering due to oil-based formulation.
  • Produces dense, even strokes with less pressure.
  • Resists wax bloom, leading to cleaner finishes.
  • High-quality construction and materials.

• Cons:

  • Smaller color range in this particular set.

• Best for: Professional artists valuing pencils with oil-based cores that facilitate exceptionally smooth, dense, and naturally blendable layers, akin to a subtle internal solvent effect.

Expert Opinion: The special oils in Koh-I-Noor Polycolor pencils give them a unique, almost ‘self-blending’ quality, allowing for incredibly smooth transitions and dense color application without the need for additional solvents.

Art-n-Fly 48 Oil Pastel Pencils for Artists – Oil Based

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Art-n-Fly’s oil-based colored pencils stand out with their innovative oil core, which provides a distinct advantage in achieving solvent-like blending and vibrant saturation. Unlike wax-based pencils, these are sturdier, more pigmented, and resist a waxy film, allowing for smooth layering that melts colors together beautifully. They offer a rich, lightfast finish that truly minimizes the need for external blending agents.

• Key features that stand out:

  • Superior high-quality drawing pencils with rich pigments.
  • Innovative oil-based core for sturdier points and no waxy film.
  • High lightfastness ensures colors won’t fade.
  • Soft, thick cores for smooth layering.
  • 48 vibrant colors, including white and skin tones.

• Pros:

  • Excellent blending and layering, comparable to solvent effects.
  • Resists wax bloom and holds a fine point well.
  • High lightfastness for lasting artwork.
  • Vibrant, rich pigmentation.

• Cons:

  • Oil-based pencils might feel different for those used to wax.

• Best for: Artists preferring oil-based colored pencils for superior blending, vibrant pigmentation, and a non-waxy, solvent-like finish without using external chemicals.

Expert Opinion: Art-n-Fly’s oil-based pencils offer a distinct advantage in blending, providing a naturally smooth, solvent-like finish that resists wax bloom and allows for exceptional layering.

Helpful Comparison Insights

When looking for the “best solvent for coloured pencils,” it’s clear that the answer isn’t always a liquid. The Speedball Finesse blender pen is your most direct, mess-free alternative to traditional solvents, offering precise control for wax-based pencils. For those who want the blending action built right into the pencil, the Castle Art Supplies (both 120 and 72 sets), KALOUR 180, Koh-I-Noor Polycolor, and Art-n-Fly 48 oil-based pencils all stand out. The oil-based pencils like Koh-I-Noor and Art-n-Fly naturally offer a smoother, less waxy finish, often negating the need for an additional blending agent. Meanwhile, resources like “101 Textures” and “The Ultimate Guide To Colored Pencil” teach you the techniques to achieve solvent-like effects purely through skilled application. The Dermatograph pencils offer a unique approach for adding opaque layers and distinctive blending on various surfaces, acting as a “solution” for specific mark-making needs.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the “best solvent for coloured pencils” isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For direct, chemical-free blending, the Speedball Finesse Blender Pen is an excellent choice. However, if you’re looking to minimize the need for external products, investing in high-quality pencils that boast exceptional inherent blendability – such as the Castle Art or KALOUR sets for their buttery laydown, or the oil-based Koh-I-Noor and Art-n-Fly pencils for their smooth, non-waxy finish – will dramatically improve your results. Don’t forget that knowledge from guides like “101 Textures” and “The Ultimate Guide” is also a powerful “solvent,” teaching you to achieve stunning effects purely through technique. Experiment with these options to find your perfect blending strategy and elevate your colored pencil artwork!

FAQ Section

Q1: What exactly is a “solvent” for colored pencils?
A: Traditionally, a solvent for colored pencils is a liquid (like mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol) that partially dissolves the binder in the pencil pigments, allowing them to spread and blend smoothly. However, in a broader sense, it can also refer to tools or inherent pencil qualities that achieve similar smooth, blended effects without harsh chemicals, such as colorless blender pens or exceptionally blendable pencil cores.

Q2: Are traditional solvents like mineral spirits safe to use with colored pencils?
A: Traditional solvents can be effective but require good ventilation and should be used with caution, as some can be toxic or irritate skin and respiratory systems. Always check product labels for safety instructions. The alternatives discussed in this article offer less hazardous ways to achieve similar blending effects.

Q3: How do oil-based colored pencils compare to wax-based pencils in terms of blending?
A: Oil-based colored pencils (like Koh-I-Noor Polycolor or Art-n-Fly) often feel smoother and less waxy, and are less prone to “wax bloom” (a hazy film). Their oil binder tends to facilitate very smooth layering and blending, often creating a naturally “solvent-like” finish that minimizes the need for external blending agents. Wax-based pencils, while excellent for layering, sometimes benefit more from a dedicated blender or light application of a solvent to achieve maximum smoothness.

Q4: Can a colorless blender pen act as a substitute for liquid solvents?
A: Yes, a colorless blender pen like the Speedball Finesse is an excellent substitute for liquid solvents, especially for wax-based colored pencils. It works by lubricating and mixing the pigments without dissolving them in the same way a chemical solvent would. It’s mess-free, odor-free, and great for precise blending.

Q5: What are the benefits of learning blending techniques from books versus using a physical solvent for coloured pencils?
A: Learning techniques from books empowers you to achieve diverse effects purely through skill, using various layering, pressure, and burnishing methods. This deepens your understanding of the medium and can create nuanced textures that might be harder to achieve with a solvent. While a physical solvent provides quick blending, mastering techniques offers more control and versatility, and can complement or even eliminate the need for solvents.

Q6: What does “solvent-like effect” mean when referring to colored pencils themselves?
A: When we talk about pencils having a “solvent-like effect,” it means their core formulation allows for exceptional inherent blending, smooth coverage, and effortless layering. This results in a seamless, burnished finish where colors melt into each other beautifully, much like what you’d typically achieve by applying a blending solvent, but directly from the pencil itself.

Q7: Do I need a different best solvent for coloured pencils for different brands?
A: Generally, colorless blender pens work well across most wax-based colored pencil brands. For oil-based pencils, their inherent blendability often means less need for external solvents. If you choose traditional liquid solvents, test them on an inconspicuous area first, as some may react differently with various binders or paper types. The quality and composition of the pencil, rather than just the brand, often dictates the best blending approach.