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Choosing colored pencils for high school art class feels overwhelming when you’re staring at walls of options at your local art store. But here’s what most Canadian students don’t realize: the right pencils can transform struggling work into portfolio-ready pieces, while the wrong ones lead to frustration and abandoned projects.
I’ve worked with high school art students across Canada for years, watching portfolios come together with proper tools. The difference between student-grade and professional grade art pencils for students isn’t just price—it’s about pigment quality, lightfast colored pencils that won’t fade, and cores that won’t snap during crucial assignments.
According to Wikipedia, colored pencils contain varying proportions of pigments, additives, and binding agents, with artist-grade pencils featuring higher concentrations of high-quality pigments and documented lightfastness ratings compared to student-grade options.
This guide cuts through marketing noise to show exactly what works for Canadian high school students—from budget options on Amazon.ca to professional sets. We’ll explore the Prismacolor vs Faber-Castell colored pencils debate, decode wax-based vs oil-based pencils, and explain why art portfolio storage for students matters just as much as the pencils themselves.
Quick Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Count | Best For | Price (CAD) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prismacolor Premier 72 | Wax-based | 72 | Blending & layering | $80-$120 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Faber-Castell Polychromos 60 | Oil-based | 60 | Fine details | $140-$180 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Castle Art Supplies 72 | Wax-based | 72 | Budget choice | $45-$70 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Staedtler Ergosoft 72 | Wax-based | 72 | Comfortable grip | $50-$75 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Caran d’Ache Luminance 40 | Wax/oil | 40 | Portfolios | $200-$280 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Derwent Lightfast 36 | Oil-based | 36 | Archival quality | $120-$160 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Prismacolor Scholar 60 | Wax-based | 60 | Entry-level | $35-$55 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
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Top 7 Colored Pencils for High School Art Class: Expert Analysis
1. Prismacolor Premier Soft Core 72-Count Set
The Prismacolor Premier 72-pack represents the sweet spot between professional quality and reasonable investment for most Canadian high school art students.
Key Specifications:
- 72 highly-pigmented colours with soft cores
- Wax-based for superior blending
- Lightfast pigments
- Metal tin storage
Price: $80-$120 CAD on Amazon.ca
The soft, creamy core creates that buttery laydown artists love. For layering and burnishing techniques—essential in high school art—these pencils respond beautifully. Canadian customers on Amazon.ca consistently praise the pigment quality, with one reviewer noting, “Prismacolor Premier are expensive pencils, but colouring with them is always such a marvelous experience.”
✅ Pros: Exceptional blending • Wide colour range • Industry standard
❌ Cons: Softer cores break easily • Can develop wax bloom
2. Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Colour Set
The Polychromos line represents the oil-based alternative that serious students explore when comparing Prismacolor vs Faber-Castell colored pencils.
Key Specifications:
- 60 oil-based pencils with 3.8mm cores
- Superior lightfastness ratings
- Break-resistant SV-bonded leads
Price: $140-$180 CAD on Amazon.ca
Faber-Castell began producing artist-quality pencils in 1908. The oil-based composition means these hold sharper points longer—critical for botanical illustrations or architectural drawings. Unlike wax-based pencils, Polychromos won’t develop wax bloom, and their harder cores resist breakage during transport.
✅ Pros: Exceptional lightfastness • Hold fine points • No wax bloom
❌ Cons: Higher price • May feel scratchy • Require more layers for saturation
3. Castle Art Supplies 72-Piece Soft Core Set
Castle Art Supplies offers remarkable value as professional grade art pencils for students without the premium price.
Key Specifications:
- 72 soft-core wax-based pencils
- Presentation tin with organizational slots
- Quality pigments at accessible pricing
Price: $45-$70 CAD on Amazon.ca
With over 23,000 ratings on Amazon.ca, these pencils punch above their weight class. While not quite matching Prismacolor’s application, Castle Art provides the colour range and blending capability high school projects demand. The soft cores make them excellent for learning without the financial stress of wasting premium pencils.
✅ Pros: Excellent value • Large colour selection • Soft cores blend smoothly
❌ Cons: Less pigment saturation • More prone to breaking
4. Staedtler Ergosoft 72-Count Triangular Barrel Set
The Staedtler Ergosoft line addresses hand fatigue during extended drawing sessions with ergonomic design.
Key Specifications:
- 72 vibrant colours with 4mm cores
- Triangular barrel for comfortable grip
- Break-resistant cores
Price: $50-$75 CAD on Amazon.ca
The triangular shape prevents hand cramping during 90-minute art blocks common in Canadian high schools. Canadian Amazon.ca reviews specifically mention the comfortable grip and how the shape prevents pencils from rolling off desks. The 4mm core provides smooth colour laydown while resisting breakage.
✅ Pros: Reduces hand fatigue • Break-resistant • Sustainable wood
❌ Cons: Shape takes adjustment • Slightly harder cores
5. Caran d’Ache Luminance 40-Colour Set
For Canadian students preparing serious art school portfolios, the Caran d’Ache Luminance represents investment-grade supplies.
Key Specifications:
- 40 pencils with wax/oil blend
- Highest lightfastness ratings
- Wooden presentation box
Price: $200-$280 CAD on Amazon.ca
Caran d’Ache began producing pencils in 1924. The Luminance line delivers museum-quality lightfastness—critical for portfolio pieces reviewed months later. Canadian customers note these layer effortlessly and maintain colour integrity under studio lighting. One reviewer called them “super high end” with “great texture, soft, blendable”.
✅ Pros: Unmatched lightfastness • Exceptional blending • Professional results
❌ Cons: Premium pricing • 40 colours may need supplementing
6. Derwent Lightfast 36-Colour Set
The Lightfast line quickly became essential for Canadian students prioritizing archival quality.
Key Specifications:
- 36 oil-based pencils with 100% lightfast ratings
- Soft, creamy cores
- Available as individual pencils
Price: $120-$160 CAD on Amazon.ca
According to Derwent, Lightfast pencils feature a unique blend of oils and waxes, creating smooth colour laydown while maintaining oil-based durability. Canadian students find them excellent for detailed work that must withstand UV exposure—important for displayed portfolio pieces.
✅ Pros: 100% lightfast • Softer than typical oil-based • Mix with oil mediums
❌ Cons: 36-colour range may feel limiting • Higher price
7. Prismacolor Scholar 60-Count Set
The Prismacolor Scholar line offers entry-level practice tools that teach artist-grade student supplies techniques without premium costs.
Key Specifications:
- 60 hardened core pencils
- More break-resistant than Premier
- Quality pigments at student pricing
Price: $35-$55 CAD on Amazon.ca
These feature harder cores specifically designed for student use. Art educators use Prismacolor Scholar for teaching colour theory to grades 10-12, finding them durable for classroom wear while offering legitimate blending capabilities.
✅ Pros: Affordable introduction • Hardened cores resist breakage
❌ Cons: Limited colour range • Less vibrant pigmentation
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Understanding Wax-Based vs Oil-Based Pencils
All colored pencils use combinations of wax and oil as binders, but the ratio dramatically affects performance. Understanding wax-based vs oil-based pencils helps Canadian students choose appropriately.
Wax-Based Characteristics:
- Softer cores that blend effortlessly
- “Buttery” application feel
- Build thick colour quickly
- Prone to wax bloom (easily remedied)
Oil-Based Characteristics:
- Harder cores maintaining sharp points
- Superior lightfastness ratings
- Minimal wax bloom
- More controlled, precise application
Canadian art classrooms benefit from both types. Art experts note that wax-based pencils are generally softer than oil-based pencils and go onto paper more smoothly, while oil-based pencils don’t generally produce wax bloom because they contain less wax.
For high school students:
Use wax-based (Prismacolor, Castle Art) for: portraits requiring smooth skin tones, still life with rich colours, abstract compositions, projects with tight deadlines.
Use oil-based (Polychromos, Lightfast) for: botanical illustrations, architectural drawings, work displayed in sunny classrooms, long-term portfolio pieces.
How to Choose Colored Pencils for High School Art Class in Canada
Step 1: Assess Your Program Requirements
Review your school’s art curriculum outline. Some Canadian high schools specify brands or minimum colour counts. Contact your art teacher to understand whether Prismacolor vs Faber-Castell colored pencils better suits upcoming assignments.
Step 2: Determine Your Skill Level
Beginners (Grades 9-10): Start with 60-72 count sets like Prismacolor Scholar or Castle Art. Budget: $35-$70 CAD.
Intermediate (Grades 10-11): Upgrade to blendable colored pencils sets like Prismacolor Premier. Budget: $80-$120 CAD.
Advanced/Portfolio Prep (Grades 11-12): Invest in lightfast colored pencils like Polychromos or Lightfast. Budget: $120-$280 CAD.
Step 3: Consider Subject Matter
Portrait Artists: Wax-based pencils (Prismacolor Premier) excel at smooth skin tones.
Landscape/Botanical: Oil-based pencils (Polychromos) hold fine points for detailed foliage.
Abstract/Experimental: Budget-friendly sets (Castle Art, Staedtler) let students experiment freely.
Step 4: Evaluate Lightfastness
For portfolio pieces displayed during open houses or submitted to competitions, lightfastness matters significantly. Canadian classrooms often feature large windows—great for natural light but harsh on artwork. Invest in pencils rated ASTM I or II for work displayed near windows.
Step 5: Budget for Art Portfolio Storage for Students
Canadian climate extremes—winter cold, summer humidity—affect pencil cores. Quality art portfolio storage for students includes:
- Pencil rolls or cases: $15-$50 CAD
- Portfolio cases (20″×26″): $35-$75 CAD
- Spray fixatives: $15-$25 CAD
- Quality sharpeners: $8-$18 CAD
Step 6: Check Amazon.ca Availability
Shopping on Amazon.ca provides Canadian students advantages:
- Transparent pricing in CAD
- Customer reviews from Canadian students
- Prime shipping across provinces
- Easy returns
Essential Accessories
Portfolio Cases for Finished Work
Budget Choice: Arteza 20″×26″ Portfolio Case ($35-$50 CAD) – Waterproof construction, protects against Canadian weather.
Premium Choice: Nicpro Portfolio Bag 20″×26″ ($55-$75 CAD) – Leather corners, shoulder strap for commuting.
Canadian high schools typically use 18″×24″ paper, making 20″×26″ cases ideal.
Sharpener Investment
Quality colored pencils demand quality sharpeners. Invest in:
Hand-Held: Prismacolor Premier Sharpener ($12-$18 CAD), designed for soft cores.
Electric: X-ACTO SchoolPro ($30-$45 CAD), auto-stop prevents over-sharpening.
Mastering Layering and Burnishing Techniques
Art educators emphasize building up light layers of colour using any type of mark-making until paper is covered and the surface appears waxy and smooth.
Progressive Layering Method
Step 1: Establish light values with 20% pressure, mapping entire composition.
Step 2: Build middle values at 40-50% pressure, developing form.
Step 3: Develop dark values with 70-80% pressure in shadow areas only.
Step 4: Refine and adjust colour relationships.
Burnishing Fundamentals
Method 1: Light-Over-Dark – Apply darkest colours first, then burnish with light colour using heavy pressure.
Method 2: Colourless Blender – Build colour, then apply colourless blender with firm pressure.
Method 3: Same-Colour – Build gradually with increasing pressure, finishing with maximum pressure.
FAQ: Colored Pencils for High School Art Class in Canada
❓ What is the best brand of colored pencils for high school art students in Canada?
❓ How many colored pencils does a high school art student need in Canada?
❓ Are Prismacolor pencils better than Faber-Castell for Canadian students?
❓ Where can I buy quality colored pencils in Canada at the best prices?
❓ Do colored pencils expire or go bad over time in Canadian climates?
Conclusion
Choosing colored pencils for high school art class represents more than buying supplies—it’s investing in creative development and portfolio building. Whether you’re a Grade 9 student exploring art or a Grade 12 senior finalizing university applications, the right tools accelerate progress.
For most Canadian high school students, the Prismacolor Premier 72-count set ($80-$120 CAD on Amazon.ca) offers the ideal starting point—professional quality without premium pricing, widely available, and compatible with techniques taught across provincial curricula. Students prioritizing detail work should consider the Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-count set ($140-$180 CAD), while budget-conscious families can achieve surprising results with Castle Art Supplies 72-count sets ($45-$70 CAD).
Remember that art portfolio storage for students protects investments from Canadian weather extremes. Budget $30-$80 CAD for quality portfolio cases and sharpeners.
Canadian art education increasingly values portfolio development and technical proficiency. Quality colored pencils enable both while teaching skills applicable across media. Whether your path leads to Emily Carr University, OCAD University, or enriching high school experiences through creative expression, proper tools set you up for success.
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Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.ca. If you purchase products through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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