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Wax vs. Oil-Based Pencils:
Which One is Right for You?

You've just spent two hours carefully layering colours for what should be a realistic rose petal, but it looks muddy and streaky instead of smooth and vibrant. Or you're trying to capture the fine details of an eye, but your pencil point keeps wearing down after just a few strokes, leaving you frustrated and questioning your abilities.

I've been there. We all have.

Here's what I wish someone had told me years ago: often, the frustration isn't your technique—it's choosing the wrong type of pencil for what you're trying to achieve.

Some pencils glide like butter across the paper, perfect for soft blending but hopeless for crisp details. Others hold a razor-sharp point for intricate work but require patience to build up rich colour. A few seem to develop that mysterious cloudy film no matter how careful you are with your layers.

The difference? It all comes down to what's inside—specifically, whether you're using wax-based or oil-based pencils.

In this guide, I'll share the behind-the-scenes secrets I've learned from pencil manufacturers like Caran d'Ache, help you match the right pencil type to your artistic goals, and show you how this one choice can transform your coloured pencil experience from frustrating struggle to confident creation.

Whether you're dreaming of smooth portrait backgrounds or trying to capture every whisker on a pet's face, understanding this fundamental difference will help you choose pencils that work with you, not against you.

But before we explore which pencil suits your style, let's take a peek inside the pencil itself. 

Once you understand what goes into a coloured pencil, it's much easier to see why they behave the way they do. And more importantly, you can use this knowledge to choose the right pencil for exactly what you're trying to achieve.

So let's get practical...

The Making of a Coloured Pencil

So, what’s actually inside a coloured pencil?

At first glance, they all look much the same—wood, colour, maybe a fancy label. But crack one open (preferably not your favourite), and you’ll find a carefully balanced recipe of pigments, binders, and fillers—all of which shape how that pencil behaves in your hand.

Pigments are the stars of the show, giving each pencil its rich colour. Then come the binders—usually wax, oil, or a mix of both—which hold the pigment together and help it glide onto the page. And finally, there are fillers like clay or chalk, which adjust things like softness, strength, and durability.

Too soft, and your pencil might crumble in the sharpener. Too hard, and you’ll be there all day trying to build up colour. The trick is in the blend.

To show how this plays out in the real world, Caran d’Ache kindly shared how they make two of their most popular coloured pencils—Pablo and Luminance.

The process is what we call the non direct process. Leads are made of powders (pigments, of course, talcum and clay) and binders (always 2 kind of binders - gums). The leads are first extruded, dried for 8 hours and then soaked in molten waxes for 24 hours (like chips).

This is the non direct way to impregnate the leads with wax. In this case, the content of waxes is less than 10% of the total weight of the lead.

This results in a pencil with a medium hardness and—according to the company—a lower risk of wax bloom:

The low level of wax in the final pencil means that there will be a medium hardness in the 'touch' as the pencil is applied to the paper. A further benefit is that this will be unlikely to produce a wax bloom in the final artwork.

Luminance pencils, by contrast, are made using a more direct method:

LUMINANCE is a mainly oil based and direct pencil. Leads are made of powders, waxes, and hydrogenated oil (solid, not liquid), and natural organic binder (gum). The leads are first extruded, then dried during 8 hours and then stay in stock during 2 months before being used to make the pencils.

Direct, in this case, mean that the waxes (and oil) are directly incorporate in the recipe. Leads are not soaked. In this case, the content of waxes is less than 30% of the total weight of the lead.

This gives the pencils a smoother feel and even more resistance to wax bloom:

The higher percentage of waxes and oils gives the softer feel to the pencils, the higher oil content gives the protection against blooming.

So even within the same manufacturer, you can get very different experiences depending on how the pencil is made—and that’s before we even start comparing across brands.

With all these variables, how do you actually choose what's right for your art? Let me break it down.

Which Pencil Type Will Help You Achieve Your Art Goals?

Now that you understand what goes into making these pencils, let's get practical. I know you're probably thinking: "This is all fascinating, but which type should I actually be using?"

Here's the framework I use with my students to match pencil type to artistic goals:

Choose Wax-Based Pencils When You Want To:

  • Create soft, dreamy effects - Think gentle portrait backgrounds, sunset skies, or flower petals with subtle colour transitions
  • Create soft, dreamy effects - Think gentle portrait backgrounds, sunset skies, or flower petals with subtle colour transitions
  • Work relatively quickly - The rich pigment payoff means you can build up colour faster
  • Focus on overall mood rather than fine details - Ideal for expressive, painterly approaches to realism

Perfect for subjects like: Soft skin tones in portraits, atmospheric landscapes, flowers with delicate petals, any scene where you want a gentle, harmonious feel.

Choose Oil-Based Pencils When You Want To:

  • Capture intricate details - Those individual whiskers on a cat's face, the delicate veins in a leaf, or the fine texture of fabric
  • Layer many colours without muddiness - Oil-based pencils resist that "muddy" look that can plague heavy layering
  • Maintain sharp points for precision work - Essential when accuracy and crisp edges matter
  • Build up colour gradually with full control - Perfect when you want to work methodically, layer by layer

Perfect for subjects like: Realistic animal portraits with detailed fur, botanical illustrations, architectural subjects, any drawing where precision and clarity are key.

But Here's What I've Learned Over the Years:

You don't have to choose just one type.

Many of my most successful pieces combine both. I might start with oil-based pencils for the detailed focal points—say, the sharp eyes and whiskers of a pet portrait—then switch to wax-based pencils for the soft, blended background that makes the subject pop.

The key is understanding what each type does best, then using that knowledge strategically.

Still Not Sure? Try This Simple Test:

Think about the last drawing that frustrated you. Was it because:

  • Colours wouldn't blend smoothly? → Try wax-based pencils
  • You couldn't get fine details sharp enough? → Try oil-based pencils
  • Everything turned muddy when you layered? → Definitely try oil-based pencils
  • The pencil point kept wearing down too quickly? → Oil-based pencils will serve you better

Your frustrations often point directly to the solution.

Key Pencil Ingredients (and Why They Matter)

Tip: Cheaper pencils often contain more filler and less pigment. If a pencil looks bright in the box but dull on paper, that’s likely why.

Pigments:
Look for pencils with high-quality, lightfast pigments. These keep their colour over time—important if your work will be on display or for sale.

Binders (Wax or Oil):
Wax gives smooth coverage and soft blending. Oil allows for sharper detail and more layering. Some pencils use a mix of both.

Additives and Fillers:
Fillers like chalk or clay adjust texture and strength. Too much filler, though, can mute colour and make a pencil feel dry or scratchy.

Navigating Pencil Brands: A UK Artist's Practical Guide

Now that you understand the difference between wax and oil-based pencils, let's talk about the brands you'll actually encounter in UK art shops—and what to expect from each.

I'll be honest with you: there's a lot of marketing noise around pencil brands.

Some artists swear by expensive imports, others achieve stunning results with high-street options. What matters most is understanding what you're getting for your money and how it matches your current skill level and goals.

For a more comprehensive comparison of these brands plus detailed reviews of many others available in the UK, see our complete Coloured Pencil Brand Guide.

Wax-Based Options You'll Find in the UK:

Derwent Coloursoft

  • Where to find them: Most UK art shops, Hobbycraft, Amazon UK
  • Price range: Around £2-3 per pencil
  • My honest take: These are my go-to recommendation for UK beginners wanting that smooth, blendable wax experience. They're made right here in the Lake District, so no import markup, and the quality punches well above the price point.
  • Best for: Soft portrait work, gentle colour transitions, anyone wanting to master blending without the Prismacolor price tag.

Prismacolor Premier

  • Where to find them: Jackson's Art Supplies, Cult Pens, some specialist retailers
  • Price range: £3-4 per pencil (higher due to US import costs)
  • My honest take: The gold standard for buttery-smooth application, but they can be frustratingly brittle. Worth trying if you're serious about soft, blended effects, but start with just a few colours to see if you like the feel.
  • Best for: When you absolutely need that "melts like butter" application for smooth backgrounds

Oil-Based Options Popular with UK Artists:

Faber-Castell Polychromos

  • Where to find them: Widely available—Hobbycraft, independent art shops, online retailers
  • Price range: £2.50-3.50 per pencil
  • My honest take: These are workhorses. Consistent, reliable, excellent lightfastness, and they hold a point beautifully. I've used them for years and rarely had a dud pencil. Great value for money.
  • Best for: Detailed work, realistic animal fur, botanical illustrations, anything requiring precision

Caran d'Ache Luminance

  • Where to find them: Jackson's Art Supplies, Pegasus Art, specialist dealer
  • Price range: £4-6 per pencil (premium pricing)
  • My honest take: The Rolls Royce of coloured pencils. Incredible pigment quality and the smoothest oil-based feel you'll find. But they're an investment—make sure you've mastered the fundamentals before splashing out.
  • Best for: Professional work, pieces intended for exhibition or sale, when you want the absolute best

Derwent Lightfast

  • Where to find them: Most UK art stockists
  • Price range: £3-4 per pencil
  • My honest take: Relatively new to the market but impressive quality. It's nice to support a British brand that's genuinely competing with the premium imports. The lightfastness ratings are excellent.
  • Best for: UK artists wanting premium oil-based quality without import premiums

The Budget Reality Check:

Here's something most articles won't tell you: you can absolutely create impressive, realistic art with mid-range pencils. I've seen students produce museum-quality pet portraits with Derwent Coloursoft and basic Faber-Castell pencils.

The expensive pencils will make certain techniques easier and give you richer colours. But they won't fix fundamental issues like poor proportions, muddy colour mixing, or lack of value contrast.

My Starter Recommendation for UK Artists:

If you're just beginning your realistic drawing journey, I'd suggest this approach:

This combination gives you experience with both types, costs less than one premium set, and both brands are readily available for replacements.

When Should You Consider Premium Pencils?

You'll know you're ready to upgrade when:

  • You can consistently achieve smooth blends with your current pencils
  • You understand colour layering and rarely get muddy results
  • You're tackling complex subjects that demand the finest colour gradations
  • Your current pencils genuinely can't achieve the effects you're envisioning

Remember: the goal isn't to own the most expensive pencils. It's to create art that fills you with genuine pride.

Will Better Pencils Transform My Art Overnight?

I get this question constantly, and I think you deserve a straight answer.

The truth? Upgrading from student-grade to artist-grade pencils will make a noticeable difference. Your colours will be more vibrant, your blending smoother, and you'll have fewer frustrations with breakage or scratchiness.

But here's what won't change: The fundamental skills that create realistic, impressive drawings.

Last month, I had a student show me her latest purchase—a beautiful set of Luminance pencils worth over £200. "I'm finally going to create the art I've been dreaming of," she said excitedly. Three weeks later, she was disappointed and questioning whether she had any artistic ability at all.

The expensive pencils hadn't magically fixed her proportional issues, her muddy colour mixing, or her struggle with value relationships. If anything, the rich pigments made her colour problems more obvious.

Here's What I've Learned After Years of Teaching:

A skilled artist can create stunning work with budget pencils, while premium pencils won't rescue poor technique. I've seen incredible pet portraits done entirely with £2 Derwent pencils, and I've seen expensive Luminance sets produce flat, lifeless drawings.

The pencils amplify your skill level—they don't create it.

My Approach With New Students

  1. Start with decent mid-range pencils (like the UK options I mentioned above)
  2. Focus on mastering fundamental techniques - layering, blending, colour mixing, value control
  3. Upgrade strategically when your skills have developed enough that your current pencils are actually holding you back

How You'll Know You're Ready for Premium Pencils:

It's not about time spent drawing or money in your budget. You're ready when you can honestly say:

  • "I can create smooth blends, but I need even more control for subtle skin tones"
  • "I understand colour mixing, but I need richer pigments for deeper shadows"
  • "I can layer effectively, but I need pencils that won't break down the paper tooth as quickly"

Notice these are specific, technical needs—not vague hopes that better tools will solve fundamental problems.

The Real Investment That Matters Most:

Your time spent learning proper technique will pay dividends far beyond any pencil purchase. Master pressure control, understand colour relationships, learn to see values accurately—these skills will serve you whether you're using £2 pencils or £6 ones.

Remember: The goal isn't to own the best pencils. It's to develop the skills that let you create art you're genuinely proud of, regardless of which tools you're holding.

Wax Bloom & Colour Separation: What's Going On Here?

You’ve finished a piece, stood back to admire it… and noticed a strange, cloudy film dulling your colours. It almost looks like the drawing’s been sneaking snacks from the butter dish. This is wax bloom, and it’s one of the quirks of using soft, wax-rich pencils.

So what causes it?

Caran d’Ache, who know a thing or two about pencils, put it like this:

Blooming appears when you put down heavy layers or the artwork is sensitive to humidity, but it can also be a problem of "bad" formulation. If you mix vinegar and oil, you know what happens ? They can separate.

Archaeologists have found roman coins... and when you analyse these coins, you find that the metals are now separate. The heart is pure silver and external part is pure bronze.

That image of Roman coins slowly separating over centuries might sound dramatic—but it’s a useful analogy. If incompatible waxes are mixed together, they can migrate over time, rising to the surface and creating that cloudy bloom.

As for oil-based pencils?

They’re not entirely immune, but the risk is much lower. Why? Because they typically use hydrogenated oils—a solid, wax-like form of oil that’s more stable:

There is a chemical process which produces a reaction between hydrogen and oil and you get what we call hydrogenated oil, which is solid and looks like a wax. It is this product we also use in LUMINANCE, and the reason why I say that it an oil based pencil.

In short:

  • Wax-based pencils + heavy layers + moisture or heat = higher risk of bloom
  • Oil-based pencils = more stable over time, especially in humid conditions

Can you fix wax bloom?

Yes! A soft cloth or tissue can gently buff it away. You can also spray a fixative to help prevent it, especially if you’re using lots of layers.

Your Next Steps: From Understanding to Creating

At the end of the day, the "best" pencil isn't about wax vs. oil, or even brand vs. brand—it's about understanding what works for your artistic goals and developing the skills to use whichever type you choose effectively.

Your subject matter, your artistic style, your current skill level—these all influence how different pencils will serve you. Some artists swear by the buttery blending of wax-based pencils. Others won't touch anything but oil-based precision. Many of us (myself included) use both types strategically within the same drawing.

Put This Knowledge Into Practice:

Here's what I recommend doing this week:

Try the comparison test: Pick up one wax-based and one oil-based pencil (borrow them if you need to). Draw the same simple subject twice—perhaps an apple or a single leaf. Pay attention to:

  • How quickly colour builds up with each type
  • Which feels more natural for your drawing style
  • Where each type excels and where it struggles
  • Which result you prefer and why

This five-minute exercise will teach you more than hours of reading about pencil specifications.

Ready to Master Whichever Pencils You Choose?

Understanding pencil types is just the foundation. The real magic happens when you learn to use them effectively for realistic drawing. Here's what I'd tackle next:

One Last Thought:

Whether your pencils are filled with wax, oil, or a mixture of both, remember this: the real transformation doesn't come from what's inside the pencil. It comes from the skills you develop, the confidence you build, and the joy you find in the process of creating.

What's your biggest coloured pencil challenge right now? Drop me a line—I read every email and often turn common questions into helpful tutorials that benefit the whole community.

Still unsure which specific brands to try? Download our free guide: "6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Coloured Pencils" to clarify your priorities before shopping.

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