Are you an anime artist? If yes, you know how the quality of the drawing materials influences the anime art quality.
Of all the supplies, one tool that makes a remarkable difference is the pencil. Fortunately for you, we scouted through the web, reviewed 100s of pencils, and prepared this list of best pencils for drawing anime.
We studied their utility, pros & cons, and price before making a selection. Let us get started and discuss these one by one.
8 Best Colored Pencils for Anime Drawing
- Castle Art Supplies Graphite Drawing Pencils and Sketch
- Prismacolor 1774800 Premier Colored Pencils
- Norberg & Linden XL Drawing Set – Sketching, Graphite and Charcoal Pencils
- Castle Art Supplies 26 Piece Drawing and Sketching Pencil Art Set
- 172 Colored Pencils, Shuttle Art Soft Core Colored Pencil Set for Adult Coloring Books
- Faber-Castell Creative Studio Art On-The-Go Graphite Sketch Set
- Derwent Graphic Pencils, Metal Tin
- Prismacolor Scholar Manga Drawing Set
8 Best Drawing Pencils For Anime – Make Your Pick!
1. Castle Art Supplies Graphite Drawing Pencils and Sketch Set (40-Piece Kit), Complete Artist Kit Includes Charcoals, Pastels and Zippered Carry Case, Includes Rare Pop-Up Stand
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Specification | 40-piece kit |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
It is one of the best combo sets for anime artists. You get these drawing pencils for anime with sketch pens in a beautiful, sturdy zipper case for neat organization and easy portability. It is ideal for newbies and seasoned sketches.
You get pastel, charcoal, and graphite pencils, tools, blenders, and graphite and charcoal sticks that help push your creative boundaries. Crafted by in-house designers and artists, it is easy to control and ergonomic to hold and guarantees a premium, smooth application.
2. Prismacolor 1774800 Premier Colored Pencils, Manga Colors, 23-Count
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Specification | 23-piece kit |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
The second best colored pencils for anime on our list has twenty-three pencils in variable colors, suitable for drawing comics and Manga. These pencils can help you achieve crisp and neat details.
The pencils have top-quality light fast leads with pigments that do not break easily. Having these pencils can help achieve visually appealing artworks and applications. It is a kit for both beginner and experienced artists. You can add finesse to your illustration or art project with these pencils.
3. Norberg & Linden XL Drawing Set
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Specification |
|
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
It is another one of the best color pencils for drawing anime. The kit works well for novice to professionals. It is a comprehensive drawing set, completed with art pencils, sketch pads, kneaded eraser, pencil sharpeners, and more.
The kit has sketching pencils, which go from the thickest 8B to the finest to help you achieve precise drawing lines. You can use them for shading and drawing as you work with them and build your technical skills. Both adults and kids will find it beneficial.
4. Castle Art Supplies 26 Piece Drawing and Sketching Pencil Art Set: Perfect for Beginners, Kids or Any Aspiring Artist – Includes Graphite Pencils and Sticks, Charcoal Pencils, Erasers and Sharpeners
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Specification | 26-piece set |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
It is the best pencil for drawing anime and sketching. The kit comes with clamshell cash. You can see through it to instantly select from the available tools. It also makes carrying it easier. Curated by in-house experts, experienced sketchers and beginner-level artists can use this compact kit. Educators can also use this kit for teaching.
For simple control and holding, pencils are nicely balanced and curved. It is a kit of exceptional quality, promising dependable performance and easy application.
5. 172 Colored Pencils, Shuttle Art Soft Core Colored Pencil Set for Adult Coloring Books Artist Drawing Sketching Crafting
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Specification | 172-pencil set |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
These are one of the best colored pencils for drawing anime. They have hardened and resist cracking cores, making them suitable for adult coloring books. In addition, their smooth and thick leads are ideal for shadows and shading.
All the pencils come in four individual trays, packaged in a cardboard box, which assures decent space for color selection and storage. It comes with several unique colors that give more details to the artists.
6. Faber-Castell Creative Studio Art On-The-Go Graphite Sketch Set – 15 Sketching Pencils and Accessories
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Specification | 15-set kit |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
It is one of the most versatile and pencils for drawing anime. In this set, you get a versatile and diverse group of pencils, available in eight degrees of hardness – two each of 6B, 4B, 2B, and HB, and one each of 4H, 2H, H, and B, making it suitable for shading, graphic design, and sketching.
It is the perfect on-the-go set, and the pencils are dust-free. The lead is break-resistant. So, you can enjoy a limitless drawing experience. Pencils have a break-resistant lead composed of clay and finely ground graphite for a balanced and smooth laydown.
7. Derwent Graphic Pencils, Metal Tin, 24 Count (34202)
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Specification | 24 kit |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
Its hexagonal barrel guarantees top-notch precision for drawings. Black soft degrees employ a 3.5 mm core for smooth lines, and hard degrees come with a 2.2 mm core for sharp lines. Derwent comes with a comprehensive range of 20 degrees to draw what you imagine.
You can pick from the smudgy and soft 9B pencil, the crisp and fine 9H pencil, and the popular HB pencil. The pencils have a strong core, giving a long-lasting, fine point to emphasize small details.
8. Prismacolor Scholar Manga Drawing Set, 10 Piece Kit (1822417)
 |
Check Price |
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Specification | 10-piece set – Erasable colored pencils (crimson red & non-photo blue), 1 black pencil, 4 graphite pencils (2H, 2B, 4B & 6B), 2 black markers (brush & fine tip), 1 eraser and a how-to guide |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
It is a top-quality kit perfect for beginner artists and crafters interested in Manga, and you can beautifully produce lifelike drawings with the available best coloring pencils for anime. The fine and brush tip markers help add depth to the Manga art.
Related: Best Anime Sites Online | Top Anime Apps
Buying Guide For Anime Pencil
When you speak to amateurs, they tell you any pencil can do the trick for you, but it is incorrect. Of course, you get better at anime as you practice more and more.
But, the choice of a pencil can make a significant difference. Hence, choose meticulously. Here are some tips to help you pick the best colored pencils for anime drawing.
Quality
Let us understand with an example – you are deep into your anime drawing, and your pencil keeps breaking down. How will you feel? Frustrated, right? Hence, pick the best pencil for drawing anime that is sturdy and top quality and does not crack or break anytime you apply a little extra pressure.
The quality of wood can also make a significant difference. A superior quality wood uniformly sharpens and does not splinter. Ideally, the cedar pencils are of the best quality.
Basswood can be an ideal pick too. Also, if you wish for your anime pencils to last you years, invest in a superior sharpener.
Smooth
Some pencils tend to screech onto the paper. Resistance makes it impossible to draw neatly. It can cause broken, heavy, and wavy lines on the paper but both Manga and anime demand using clean lines. Hence, the best colored pencils for anime glide smoothly and cast even lines.
Shade and color range
Merely investing in one pencil will not suffice for you. You should buy several best colored pencils for drawing anime to create different shades and effects. Hence, you will always buy a set and not a single pencil.
When investing in the kit, ensure that your picked variety has a good variety of deep and soft tones for outlining, shading, and sketching. If you have just started drawing, HB can be a top choice for you.
Alternatively, you can also select shades between 2B and 2H. The best way to choose is by experimenting with different shades.
H and all Shades below H have light intensity. They are rigid and yield clean lines. So, if you are into light sketching, these are suitable. They are also the best colored pencils for anime drawing for someone who tends to make several errors.
Because of their light imprint, you can fix them easily. On the contrary, shades between 6B and 9B are very intense. It may be difficult to erase them.
Charcoal Vs. Graphite
You can find two categories in the best pencil for drawing anime – charcoal and graphite. The latter is more prevalent and lighter than charcoal pencils. This helps produce a clean look.
But, if you are an experienced anime creator, you may like the charcoal pencils better. They can help with specific techniques like shading and smudging to create more depth or tones.
Comfort
If you are not comfortable while drawing, it will reflect the quality of your drawing. So, opt for ergonomic pencils, which do not cause discomfort as you hold them. There are three shapes for the pencil’s shaft – triangular, round, and hexagon.
Thick triangular pencils are the most comfortable and the best colored pencils for anime drawing. You can find pencil grips individually for a neat anime in the market.
Pencil type
There is a humongous variety of the best coloring pencils for anime – mechanical, woodless, and traditional wood pencils. In all honesty, the pencil you choose would not influence your anime drawing, but your choice depends on personal preference, budget, and durability.
For instance, some artists like mechanical pencils as they assure a consistent thickness and tip weight and are one of the best drawing pencils for anime. Such pencils are also very convenient.
Since you do not have to sharpen them, they have a longer life than conventional wooden pencils. But, naturally, the mechanical ones are costlier than the traditional pencils. Hence, investing in three or four shades will cost you a lot of money.
At times, their mechanics might not sit right too. Thus, it is always a good idea to go with the traditional ones.
To Sum Up…
That is all about the best colored pencils for anime. Employment of the right drawing supplies can significantly elevate your drawing quality and cut the hours of frustration wasted in erasing and redoing things just because you could not get it right the first time. Given the humongous variety of drawing materials, it feels overwhelming to pick the best ones.
You can go with Castle Art Supplies Graphite Drawing Pencils and Sketch Set, Prismacolor, or choose any other with the help of our buying guide mentioned above!
