Faber-Castell Polychromos: Reviews and photos of coloring pages created with these colored pencils!

Quick facts

• Brand: Faber-Castell
• Range: Polychromos
• Binder type: Oil-based (important, see below)
• Core hardness: Medium to hard
• Number of colors: 120 in the full range
• Single pencil purchase: Yes
• Number on pencil: Yes, engraved on the body
• Lightfastness: Excellent (most colors rated very high)

What really sets them apart: the oil base

The most important technical point to know about Polychromos is that they are oil-based, unlike many colored pencils which use a wax binder (like Prismacolor). In practice, this makes a real difference.

Wax-based pencils tend to produce what is called wax bloom: a whitish haze that appears on the colored surface after a few days, especially when many layers have been built up. With Polychromos, this problem simply does not exist. You can layer as much as you want and the colors stay clean and do not age poorly.

The core is slightly firmer than Prismacolor, which gives a more precise line. This is a real advantage for the small detailed areas in mystery coloring books, where control matters. The trade-off is that finger blending is less dramatic than with a very soft wax pencil, but gradients still look beautiful when you build up layers gradually.

How do they perform in coloring books?

I use them mainly on coloring book pages, both regular and mystery coloring. Coloring book paper is usually standard weight, not thick watercolor paper, and Polychromos handle it very well. The firmer core means you do not need to press hard to avoid damaging the page, which is especially useful when filling in the small sections of a mystery coloring book.

For gradients on book paper, I work in light layers and the result is clean and vibrant. Colors are well pigmented without needing pressure, which I really appreciate for long coloring sessions (your hand stays relaxed).

Buying single pencils: a real advantage for swatches

One of the best things about Polychromos is that you can buy each pencil individually. No need to replace a whole set when one pencil runs out or when you need a specific color. For mystery coloring in particular, where you follow color numbers, this is genuinely useful: you can build your collection gradually, one color at a time.

The number is engraved on the pencil body (not just printed), which is essential for a reliable swatch chart. Even after sharpening many times, the number stays readable.

What I like

• Oil base: no wax bloom, unlimited layering
• Rich pigmentation, vibrant colors
• Firm and precise core, great for small areas
• Number engraved on the pencil, perfect for swatch charts
• Can be purchased individually
• 120 colors in the range
• Excellent lightfastness
• Solid cores, rarely break when sharpening
• Long-lasting

What to keep in mind

• High price (around 3 euros per pencil when bought individually)
• Firmer core: finger blending is less easy than with Prismacolor
• Less suited to beginners looking for a very soft, easy-to-blend pencil

Quick comparison with my other pencils

Vs Caran d'Ache (my number 1): Caran d'Ache pencils are even softer and more pigmented, but more expensive and with a smaller range. Polychromos are an excellent quality-to-accessibility balance.

Vs Prismacolor (my number 3): Prismacolor pencils are softer and easier to blend, but the cores break often and wax bloom can be frustrating. For regular, long-term use, I prefer Polychromos.

My final verdict

Faber-Castell Polychromos are serious pencils built to last. If you color regularly and want to invest in quality supplies without paying Caran d'Ache prices, these are probably where you should look. They have been in my pencil case since 2024 and they are not leaving any time soon.

The only real barrier is the price. But since you can buy single pencils, you can build a great collection gradually without spending everything at once.