Prismacolor Premier Soft Core, 150 count
Best for easy blending: creamy cores, smooth laydown, and the broadest Prismacolor color range.
View on Amazon →The Best Colored Pencils for Blending
Researched by Johnny Alto · Updated October 12, 2026
Evidence-based research: We checked manufacturer core and color-range specifications, replacement availability, and owner-reported blending and breakage tradeoffs. See the sources →
Short answer: Prismacolor Premier Soft Core pencils are the easiest recommendation for smooth blending and a broad color range. Their creamy cores layer and burnish with little pressure, while the 150-count set minimizes the need to mix every intermediate hue.
Best for: portraits, coloring, and artists who prioritize soft blending. Skip it if: you need a firm point for tiny detail, maximum lightfast documentation, or a core that tolerates rough handling.
Top pickPrismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils (150 Count)View offer →
Top pick
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils (150 Count)
Prismacolor's wax-based soft core is the default blending recommendation: the pigment is heavily loaded and the core is soft enough that colors physically mush and burnish into each other.
Wax vs oilSoftness is a trade-offSet size
View on Amazon
Product image.
People searching for the best colored pencils for blending almost always want that smooth, no-visible-strokes gradient look for adult coloring, portraits, or realism, and the single biggest factor is wax-based (blends by burnishing) versus oil-based (blends by layering). This is for hobbyists and aspiring realism artists deciding between the buttery feel and the sharper, more controlled approach. Here is the blend-friendly pick, an oil-based alternative, and how to choose.
Top picks at a glance
Faber-Castell Polychromos, 120 count
A firmer core that holds a sharper point and layers cleanly, but takes more work to blend.
View on Amazon →Prismacolor Premier Soft Core, 72 count
The same blendable core at a lower price, with enough range for most hobby projects.
View on Amazon →Prismacolor Premier Soft Core, 48 count
The least expensive practical set for learning the brand's soft blending feel.
View on Amazon →What should you look for in colored pencils for blending?
A few things separate a good colored pencils for blending from a frustrating one: wax vs oil, softness is a trade-off, set size, and blending aids. Weigh these before you buy.
- Wax vs oil: wax-based (Prismacolor) blend fast and vividly but can bloom and break; oil-based (Polychromos) are firmer, hold points, resist bloom, and blend by layering.
- Softness is a trade-off: softer blends easier but wears fast, dulls, and breaks; harder gives detail and control but needs more layers to blend.
- Set size: more colors means less hand-mixing, but any set can blend.
- Blending aids: a colorless blender pencil, odorless mineral spirits (great with oil-based), or a paper stump extend either brand's range.
Wax bloom, and how to stop it
If you burnish wax-based pencils heavily, a cloudy white haze can rise to the surface days later; that is wax bloom, the binder migrating up. It is harmless and easy to handle: gently wipe the finished piece with a soft cloth, then seal it with a workable fixative to lock the colors and prevent the haze from returning. Oil-based pencils like Polychromos do not bloom at all, which is one reason detail artists prefer them, but they take more layers to reach the same smooth blend that Prismacolor gives in two.
What are the best alternatives?
Best for detail, no bloom
Faber-Castell Polychromos (120 Count)
A firm oil-based lead that holds a needle-sharp point, layers cleanly, is highly lightfast, and never blooms. It blends by layering rather than buttery mushing, so smooth blends take more passes and patience.
View on Amazon
Best mid-size set
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core (72 Count)
The same blendable core at lower cost with a still-generous range. You will miss some of the subtle mid-tones that make blending effortless in the 150 set.
View on Amazon
Best small starter
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core (48 Count)
The cheapest way to try the brand's blending feel. Forty-eight colors forces a lot of manual layering to hit specific tones.
View on AmazonBottom line: Prismacolor Soft Core is the buttery, beginner-friendly blender; go Polychromos if you want sharp detail and no wax bloom. Softer blends easier but breaks more, that is the whole trade. Pair it with our alcohol marker and watercolor guides.
Our top pickPrismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils (150 Count)
View on Amazon
Sources checked
- Prismacolor Premier Soft Core product details
- Faber-Castell Polychromos product details
- UsedItFirst research methodology
Frequently asked questions
What are the best colored pencils for blending?
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils (150 Count). Prismacolor's wax-based soft core is the default blending recommendation: the pigment is heavily loaded and the core is soft enough that colors physically mush and burnish into each other, giving smooth gradients in just a couple of layers, often without a blender at all.
What should you look for in colored pencils for blending?
Focus on wax vs oil, softness is a trade-off, set size, and blending aids.
What is a good alternative to the Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils (150 Count)?
The Faber-Castell Polychromos (120 Count). A firm oil-based lead that holds a needle-sharp point, layers cleanly, is highly lightfast, and never blooms. It blends by layering rather than buttery mushing, so smooth blends take more passes and patience.
Related buying guides
This is a research-based buying guide, not a personal hands-on review. Product details, prices, and availability can change; confirm the current listing on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
← More Guides: A–F · All guides · How we research · About · Affiliate Disclosure · Privacy Policy · Contact