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There is something so inspiring about trying a new art supply for the very first time. Who doesn’t love opening a new box of untouched pencils all lined up neatly in perfect little rows? I have to admit. There is a subtle curiosity of wondering how those same pencils will feel in my hands and whether they will be come something I reach for daily or something that quietly sits on the shelf.

Recently, I finally purchased the 120 set of Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils after hearing artists rave about them for years—and now that I’ve spent some time creating with them, I understand why they are so beloved.

And honestly? They are every bit as beautiful as people say they are.

As someone who works primarily with watercolor, I wasn’t sure how much colored pencils would truly become part of my creative rhythm. But lately, I’ve been leaning more into mixed media, especially after taking a few illustration-style classes that combined watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil together in such a whimsical and approachable way.

These pencils have quickly become one of my favorite tools for adding detail, softness, texture, and depth to my artwork.

And while I’m still exploring the full set, I wanted to share a few first impressions for anyone who has been curious about them too.

What Makes the Polychromos So Special?

The first thing I noticed was how incredibly smooth they feel.

There’s no scratchiness or resistance when layering the pencils over watercolor or gouache. They seem to glide effortlessly across the paper, especially on smoother surfaces like hot press watercolor paper.

The pigmentation is absolutely gorgeous. The colors feel rich without being harsh or waxy, which I personally love. They build slowly and softly, making it easier to create depth and subtle color transitions.

Instead of fighting against the paint, they complement it. I’ve been using them to:

add small details, shadows, and textures to landscapes, sketches, illustrations
sketch whimsical elements and soften edges in paintings

They feel less like a separate medium and more like an extension of my watercolor and mixed media illustrations.

Another reason Polychromos stand out is because they are oil-based rather than wax-based.

Without getting overly technical, what I’ve personally noticed is:

they layer beautifully
the tips stay sharper longer
details feel easier to achieve
and the colors remain clean and crisp

As someone who enjoys occasionally adding delicate line work and subtle details, this has been a huge plus for me. Especially when creating illustrations or adding finishing touches to watercolor pieces that bring them to life.