Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set vs Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencil
Buy the Faber-Castell Polychromos if you want artist-grade pencils that layer, blend and hold a fine point without breaking. Buy the Castle Art Supplies 72 set if you want the most colors for the money, especially for kids or casual coloring. The Polychromos 24-piece is $28.00 at its lowest since November 1, 2026, and the Castle 72 set is $30.00 at its lowest since November 1, 2026, so the Castle set costs about $2 more for 48 extra pencils.
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Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set
Choose the Castle Art Supplies 72 set if you want a wide color range on a budget and the pencils will be used for coloring books, doodles or kids' artwork.
Pros
- 72 colors for about $30
- Soft core blends and layers easily
- Comes in a display tin
- Fine for kids and adult coloring books
Cons
- Soft cores wear down fast and need frequent sharpening
- No stated lightfastness ratings
- Not an artist-grade pigment line
- Only 0.7mm point size, less control for fine detail
What separates them
| Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set | Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencil | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of pencils | 72 | 24 |
| Core type | Soft wax-based core, 0.7mm point | 3.8mm oil-based lead with artists' pigments |
| Break resistance | Soft core in a wood body; no break-resistance claim | Lead bonded to Californian cedar casing for high break resistance |
| Water behavior | Marketed with a watercolor effect | Water-resistant and smudge proof |
| Lightfastness grading | Not stated | Full 120-color range graded good, very good or maximum |
| Sharpening to a fine point | Pre-ground fine point | Sharpens to a very fine point for detail work |
| Packaging | Display tin | Sold as loose pencils or in sets, depending on the listing |
Price history
$39.99$28.00
- Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set: lowest $30.00 on Nov 2 at eBay.
- Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencil: lowest $28.00 on Nov 1 at Jackson's Art Supplies; $28.00 on Nov 2.
Prices at every store
Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Castle ArtsCheck price at Castle Arts
- eBayCheck price at eBay
Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencil
- Marker SupplyCheck price at Marker Supply
- Michaels StoresCheck price at Michaels Stores
- Paper and Ink ArtsCheck price at Paper and Ink Arts
Specs compared
| Spec | Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set | Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencil |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | 72 | 24 piece |
| Size | 1 count (Pack of 72) | — |
| Product Type | Colored Pencils | — |
| Type Highlights | Offers greater blending, shading and layering | — |
| Available Colors | Multicolor | — |
| Included Items | Pencils | — |
| Packaging Type | Set, Display Tin | — |
| Lead Hardness | Soft | — |
| Lead Softness | Soft | — |
| Lead Highlights | Strong lead core | — |
| Point Size |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for adult coloring books?
- The Castle 72 set gives you more colors for less money, which suits coloring books. The Polychromos pencils are better if you want smoother layering and finer detail.
- Are Polychromos worth the higher price per pencil?
- Yes, if you draw seriously. The oil-based lead, break-resistant casing and lightfastness grading are real upgrades over a budget wax set.
- Which lasts longer?
- Polychromos last longer per pencil. The 3.8mm oil-based lead is break-resistant and holds a point, while the Castle soft cores wear down and need more sharpening.
- Can kids use the Polychromos?
- They can, but the Castle set is the better fit for kids. It costs less per pencil and the soft cores are easier for young hands to lay down color.
- Do the Castle pencils work with water?
- The listing says they have a watercolor effect. The Polychromos are water-resistant and smudge proof, so the two behave differently with water.
- How many colors does each line offer?
- The Castle set has 72 colors in one tin. Polychromos spans 120 colors, but this listing is a 24-pencil set.
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