Faber-Castell Watercolour Pencils Review: 48 vs 100 Colours — Which Set Is Right for You?
Jun 17, 2026
Faber-Castell is one of the oldest and most respected names in art materials — a German brand with over 260 years of history producing pencils of exceptional quality. Their watercolour pencil range is no exception. The Faber-Castell Watercolour Coloured Pencils — 48 Colors and 100 Colors sets represent two tiers of the same exceptional quality — the question is simply how much colour range your work demands.
Why Faber-Castell Stands Apart
In a market crowded with budget watercolour pencils, Faber-Castell occupies a distinct position: professional quality at a price that serious hobbyists and students can justify. The difference is immediately apparent in use — the pigment is richer, the laydown is smoother, the watercolour activation is more responsive, and the colours are more lightfast than budget alternatives. For UK artists who have outgrown entry-level pencils but aren't ready to invest in the most expensive professional sets, Faber-Castell is the natural next step.
48 Colours: The Serious Hobbyist's Set
The 48-colour set is the entry point into Faber-Castell's watercolour pencil range — and it's a comprehensive one. Forty-eight colours covers the full colour spectrum with enough variety for most watercolour pencil techniques, from detailed botanical illustration to expressive landscape work. The set is particularly well-suited to:
- UK art students who need a reliable, professional-quality set for coursework
- Serious hobbyists upgrading from budget pencils for the first time
- Artists who work primarily in one or two subject areas and don't need the full 100-colour range
- Travellers who want a comprehensive but not overwhelming palette
100 Colours: The Professional's Complete Palette
The 100-colour set is the definitive Faber-Castell watercolour pencil collection. One hundred colours provides a palette with no gaps — every colour family is represented with multiple shades, every nuance of tone and temperature is available, and the need to mix colours (which is more limited with pencils than with paint) is minimised. This set is for:
- Professional illustrators who use watercolour pencils as their primary medium
- Botanical artists who need precise colour matching for plant illustration
- Portrait artists who want the full range of skin tones and hair colours
- Collectors who want the complete Faber-Castell watercolour pencil experience
Watercolour Pencil Techniques: Getting the Most from Both Sets
Both sets support the full range of watercolour pencil techniques. Draw dry for precise, controlled marks; blend with a water brush for soft, painterly effects; wet the paper before drawing for immediate colour spread; or use the pencil tip directly on wet paper for intense, saturated colour. The Faber-Castell pigment responds beautifully to all of these approaches, producing results that genuinely rival traditional watercolour paint in expressiveness and beauty.
Browse our full Faber-Castell range at TTPEN UK.
Choose your level. Paint with precision. Shop the 48-Colour or 100-Colour Faber-Castell Watercolour Pencils today.
Free UK delivery on qualifying orders at www.ttpen.co.uk.
