Metallic colored pencils add shimmer, depth, and a touch of magic to drawings, illustrations, and coloring pages. This guide highlights five top picks that balance pigment quality, soft cores, and durable wood, catering to beginners and seasoned artists alike. From professional-grade sets to gift-ready tins, these options cover a range of budgets and project needs. Below you’ll find quick at-a-glance details, plus a Buying Guide to help compare color ranges, packaging, and performance. Click through to the Amazon links for each product to view current colors, test a shade, and assess value.
| Product | Brand | Pencils | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Art Supplies Metallic Pencils Set | Castle Art Supplies | 48 | Gift tin, numbered & color-coded |
| Prismacolor Metallic Pencils Set | Prismacolor | 12 | Soft, highly pigmented metallics |
| Shuttle Art Metallic Pencils Set | Shuttle Art | 60 | DIY color chart, built-in tin & tray |
| KALOUR 72 Metallic Pencils | KALOUR | 72 | Colorless blender pencil, DIY chart, gift tin |
| LBW 72 Metallic Pencils | LBW | 72 | Three-layer tray, numbered |
Castle Art Supplies Metallic Pencils Set
Castle Art Supplies’ Metallic Colored Pencil Set delivers 48 shimmering shades with a smooth, wax-based core designed for adult and beginner use alike. The kit is ready to go with named, numbered, and color-coded pencils, arranged in layered trays inside a gift-worthy tin box for easy storage or gifting. The iridescent finish adds bright highlights that stand out on both dark and light papers, making it a versatile choice for illustrations, lettering, and decorative artwork. The packaging supports organization and quick color matching during sessions.
Beyond the color lineup, the set includes a colorless blender pencil and a sketch pencil, plus a DIY coloring chart to test tones before committing to a project. The 48 shades are easy to sharpen on basswood, delivering clean points that hold while blending and layering. While affordable, the set offers professional-style performance—artists can add shimmer and depth to drawings, illustrations, and coloring books without sacrificing reliability or control. It is a solid option for hobbyists seeking a broad metallic palette in a compact kit.
Prismacolor Metallic Pencils Set
Prismacolor Junior Metallic Colored Pencils offer a concise set of 12 metallic colors with a smooth, highly pigmented lead. The 4.0 mm cores are designed for clean lines and easy blending, making them suitable for drawing and coloring on a range of surfaces from light to dark stock. The Prismacolor reputation supports reliable color payoff and consistent performance, delivering a bold metallic sheen that enhances highlights and reflective details in a variety of subjects, including portraits, fashion sketches, and decorative designs.
These pencils are ideal for artists seeking dependable color payoff in a compact kit. The soft core helps with blending and shading, and the cores tolerate regular use when sharpened to a fine point. Whether working on intricate patterns, openings in coloring books, or mixed-media pieces, Prismacolor Metallic Pencils provide smooth laydown and a bright, even metallic finish that blends well with non-metallic pencils for layered effects.
Shuttle Art Metallic Pencils Set
Shuttle Art’s 60 Metallic Colored Pencils cover a broad spectrum of shimmering hues with a soft, break-resistant core that glides smoothly across paper. The set includes a DIY color chart and a giftable tin, keeping all 60 pencils organized in a built-in tray for easy access. Each pencil is named and numbered to match the chart, simplifying shade selection during complex projects. The soft lead is well-suited for coloring, drawing, shading, layering, and blending, delivering vibrant pigment with a touch of metallic sheen.
Pre-sharpened and ready to use, these pencils are designed for daily use by beginners and seasoned colorists alike. The organized packaging helps maintain a tidy workspace, while the extensive color range supports layering and metallic effects on darker surfaces. With an emphasis on bright shimmer and dependable performance, Shuttle Art offers an approachable option for those exploring metallic shading and decorative illustration.
KALOUR 72 Metallic Pencils Set
KALOUR’s 72 Piece Metallic Colored Pencils bring a wide range of vibrant metallics, along with practical extras like a colorless blender pencil, a sketch pencil, a DIY coloring chart, and a gift tin box. The set emphasizes a distinctive metallic shine that adds shimmer and depth to projects. Each pencil body carries a unique number and color name for quick identification, and the basswood cores sharpen easily for precise lines. The abundance of shades supports detailed artwork, from metallic accents to full-page glow effects on diverse surfaces.
With 72 shades, this kit supports diverse shading, layering, and luminous highlights on light and dark papers. The included extras facilitate experimentation and presentation, making it a versatile option for adult coloring, illustration, and hobby drawing. The combination of color variety, ease of sharpening, and sturdy packaging makes KALOUR a solid choice for artists seeking a comprehensive metallic palette and reliable performance.
LBW 72 Metallic Pencils
LBW’s 72 Metallic Colored Pencils deliver a bold shimmer across a broad color range designed for vibrant metallic tones and easy color mixing. The set uses high-grade wood with a soft core that resists breakage, and pencils arrive organized in a carton with three layered plastic trays for quick access and protection. Each pencil is numbered to simplify shade selection, helping artists quickly locate the right shade. The pencils meet safety standards (CE, EN71, AP) and use pre-sharpened, oil-based leads that balance durability with smooth performance for blending on multiple surfaces.
These pencils are well-suited for artists who value organization and repeatable results. The sturdy packaging and reliable color payoff support layering, shading, and metallic highlights on dark or light backgrounds. While excellent for a broad range of projects—from fantasy illustrations to intricate coloring pages—this set stands out for its combination of value, color variety, and practical design, making it a good choice for students and professionals alike.
Buying Guide
When choosing metallic colored pencils, consider the following factors to match your workflow and project types.
- Lead Core and Texture: Soft-core leads give smoother blends and richer metallics but may wear faster; harder cores hold a sharp point longer and are better for fine detail.
- Color Range and Color-Naming: A wide range with clear numbering or naming helps you identify shades quickly and build cohesive palettes.
- Finish and Sheen: Some sets lean brighter and warmer, while others emphasize subtler metallic tints; test a few shades on dark paper to judge the sheen.
- Packaging and Extras: Gift tins, color charts, blenders, and extra tools add value and aid organization for long sessions.
- Durability and Sharpening: Wood quality and lead bonding influence point retention and break resistance during sharpening and use.
- Usage Scenario: Beginners often benefit from organized palettes and charts, while professionals may prioritize color accuracy, a larger range, and consistent performance.
Across these selections, your choice should align with your typical projects: hobby coloring, illustration, or professional work. A larger color range with added tools offers flexibility for complex pieces, while a smaller, well-sharpened set can excel in precise line work and highlights. Consider your preferred surfaces—dark or light paper—and your approach to layering and blending to determine the best metallic pencil kit for your creative needs.