Faber-Castell Water Colour Pencils (Pack of 24) — Watercolour Pencils for Children with Brush Included
Product description
What it is
The Faber-Castell Water Colour Pencils come as a pack of 24 water-soluble pencils designed for children. The set includes a brush and focuses on break-resistance and an ergonomic grip, aiming to make colouring and light painting sessions smoother for young artists.
What matters most
On the paper, these pencils offer a water-soluble colour experience that you can blend with water to create washes and lighter tones. They sharpen with any quality sharpener, which helps keep the drawing going without frequent replacements. The inclusion of a brush makes it convenient for quick water blending, especially for beginners who are still mastering transitions between pencil and paint.
Practical use and real-world feel
If you prioritise simple, mess-friendly colour play for kids, these could be a suitable option. The water-soluble nature means you can achieve watercolour effects without a separate set of paints. Practically, it’s handy for classroom activities or at-home projects where space and setup are limited. However, it’s important to remember that the claim about fabrics is general—colours are water-soluble and may wash out of most fabrics, but outcomes can vary depending on fabric type and washing conditions.
Best and less convincing points
What stands out is the combination of break-resistance and ergonomic design, which can help younger hands hold the pencils more steadily and reduce breakage during enthusiastic colouring. The brush included adds flexibility—you can draw with the pencils and then blend with water without hunting for a brush elsewhere. On the flip side, the set is limited to 24 colours. For older kids or aspiring artists who want broader palettes or more saturated hues, this may feel restrictive. Also, while water-soluble pencils offer a convenient bridge between colouring and painting, the output can be less predictable than traditional watercolour tubes or pans, requiring some trial to achieve the exact effect you want.
Who it’s for
This pack seems well-suited for younger children exploring basic art techniques, parents seeking an all-in-one quick-start option, or classrooms looking for a compact, beginner-friendly set. If the goal is low-maintenance creative play with an easy route to watercolour effects, this is reasonable value.
Who it might not suit
If you’re after a professional-grade colour range with extensive lightfastness and a large palette, or if you prioritise precise, highly pigmented results for advanced drawing, this set may fall short. In addition, those who are particular about fabric dye-fastness may want to test a small fabric sample first, as outcomes can vary.
When it makes sense to buy
Consider this pack when you want a ready-made, kid-friendly entry into watercolour techniques, with a brush included and a simple sharpening setup. It’s a sensible choice for casual art sessions at home or school, where durability and ease of use matter more than a vast colour selection.
What to check before purchasing
Look for the ergonomics of the pencil grip and whether the break-resistance holds up to enthusiastic use. Confirm you are comfortable with a 24-colour palette and the need for a water blend to achieve certain tones. Consider your typical art projects, as larger colour collections can be more efficient for varied work.
How it compares to other approaches
If you’re weighing between colouring pencils and traditional watercolours, these pencils offer a neat hybrid: you can sketch with pencils and blend with water using the included brush. For quick kids’ art, this can be more convenient than carrying separate watercolour sets and brushes. If you need deeper saturation and broader tonal range, you might later expand to a larger palette or dedicated watercolours.
What’s included
In addition to the 24 water colour pencils, the pack includes a brush for blending, which reduces the need to source tools separately.
FAQ
- Are the colours lightfast and durable? The information available focuses on break-resistance and water-solubility, specific lightfast ratings aren’t provided here.
- Will the colours wash out of all fabrics? It’s stated that colours can be washed out of most fabrics, but real-life results can vary by fabric type and washing method.
- Can I sharpen these with any sharpener? Yes, they’re designed to be sharpened with any quality sharpener.
Final note
If you value a practical, beginner-friendly entry into watercolour colouring with an included brush and a robust pencil design, this pack offers a straightforward path. It might stay in the middle of the range for artists seeking more advanced palettes or tougher fabrics, but for casual family use, it’s a reasonable option to start with.
Should you buy it?
Is it worth it? It makes sense if you want a compact, easy-to-use set that combines pencils and water blending for light artistic play. It may not be the best fit if you require a larger colour range or professional-grade materials.