Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils vs Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12

Buy the Prismacolor Verithin set for fine detail, lettering and technical drawing. Its hard, thin cores hold a sharp point and resist breaking, which is why artists and reviewers rate it 4.7 out of 5. The Holbein Artists' Colored Pencils use softer, waxier leads that lay down rich color and blend well, so they suit shading and illustration. Holbein has a strong reputation among professionals, but this basic set is small and its soft cores dull faster on fine lines.

  • Choose the Prismacolor Verithin if you need crisp lines, small lettering or tight detail work and want a larger color range in one set.
  • Choose the Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil if you mostly shade, blend and build color and prefer a soft lead over a hard one.

Prices

  • Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils: $26.91 at Walmart (last seen Nov 8)
  • Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12: $43.13 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Difference: the Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils is $16.22 cheaper than the Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12 at the latest prices (Nov 8)
Prismacolor
Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils

4.7(1,000 ratings)
$26.91at WalmartObserved at 11:24 PM
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Hard cores hold a fine point for detail and lettering
  • Resist breaking, crumbling and cracking
  • 36 colors give a wide working range
  • Lightfast pigments and AP nontoxic certification
Cons
  • Hard leads are harder to blend and layer
  • Not watercolor
  • Fine points wear down on rough paper
Holbein
Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12 - Basic

Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12

Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12 - Basic

$43.13at eBayObserved at 11:25 PM
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Soft lead lays down rich color with little pressure
  • Blends and layers smoothly
  • Well regarded among professional illustrators
  • Compact basic set for starting out
Cons
  • Only 12 colors in this set
  • Soft cores dull quickly and need sharpening
  • No stated lightfastness or safety certification

What separates them

Prismacolor Verithin Colored PencilsHolbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12
Lead hardnessHard, thin core that sharpens to a fine pointSoft lead that lays down color easily
Best useDetailing, lettering, technical linesShading, blending, illustration
Point retentionHolds a sharp point and resists crumbling and crackingSoft lead dulls faster and needs frequent sharpening
Color range in the set36 assorted colors12 basic colors
LightfastnessLightfast pigments stated by the makerNot stated for this set
BlendingHard cores blend less easilySoft cores blend and layer smoothly
Safety certificationAP certified nontoxicNot stated
BuildWood body, hard coreWood body, soft core

Price history

$157.90$1.10
Nov 1Nov 9
  • Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils: lowest $1.10 on Nov 2 at Marker Supply; $15.99 on Nov 9.
  • Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12: lowest $43.13 on Nov 9 at eBay.

Prices at every store

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Blick Art MaterialsReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $26.91+ $5.99 shippingObserved at 11:24 PM
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • JetPensCheck price at JetPens
  • ZoroCheck price at Zoro
  • Texas Art SupplyCheck price at Texas Art Supply
Prices and history →

Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12

  • Blick Art MaterialsNew

    In stock

    $49.80+ $9.95 shippingObserved at 11:25 PM
    Visit Blick Art Materials
  • Plaza Artist MaterialsNew

    In stock

    $49.80+ $9.95 shippingObserved at 11:25 PM
    Visit Plaza Artist Materials
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by gengorostore

    $43.13Observed at 11:25 PM
    Visit eBay
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by gengorostore (99.8% positive, 1,500 ratings)Ships from Japan · duties may applyReturns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $44.09+ $12.00 shippingObserved at 11:24 PM
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 3 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecPrismacolor Verithin Colored PencilsHolbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12
Quantity24 piece50 piece
BrandPrismacolorHolbein
StandardsAP certified nontoxic—
colorAssorted—
size36 ct—
Product TypeColored Pencils—
Type HighlightsLightfast pigments—
Tip StyleFine point—
Included ItemsPencils—
Packaging TypeSet—
Lead HardnessHard—
Lead SoftnessSoft, Hard—
Show all 31 specsShow fewer specs
SpecPrismacolor Verithin Colored PencilsHolbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12
Lead HighlightsResist crumbling, Resist breakage, Resist crack…—
Point SizeFine—
Point StyleFine point—
Recommended SurfacePaper—
Watercolor EffectNo—
Special UseLettering, Detailing—
Color SetAssorted Colors—
Age RangeAdult—
Skill LevelArtist Quality—
Typical Users

What reviewers say

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils

  • 4.7 / 51,000 ratings

Buyers rate the set highly, at 4.7 out of 5 from about 1,000 ratings. Most praise the sharp, durable points for detail work and lettering. The common complaint is that the hard lead gives faint color and is slow for large fills.

What people mention
  • Point sharpnessPraisedOwners say the thin hard cores sharpen to a fine point and keep it for detailed line work.
  • BreakageMixedMost find the cores resist cracking, but some report tips snapping under heavy pressure.
  • Color payoffCriticisedReviewers note the hard lead lays down light color, so large areas need many layers.
  • LetteringPraisedBuyers use them for hand lettering and fine edges where a soft pencil would blunt too fast.

Holbein Artists' Colored Pencil Set of 12

Artists who use Holbein colored pencils praise the soft, creamy core and strong pigment, and many call them among the best for blending. The main complaints are the fast wear of the soft lead and the cost of building a full range from small sets.

What people mention
  • Lead softnessPraisedOwners say the soft core deposits color easily and blends without scratching the paper.
  • PigmentPraisedUsers report strong, opaque color that covers well in few passes.
  • WearCriticisedThe soft lead dulls quickly, so pencils need sharpening more often than harder brands.
  • ValueMixedBuyers like the quality but find the price high for a small set.

Questions and answers

Which is better for fine detail and lettering?
The Prismacolor Verithin. Its hard, thin cores sharpen to a precise point and resist crumbling, which suits small lettering and tight lines.
Which is better for blending and shading?
The Holbein. Its soft lead deposits color easily and blends smoothly, while hard Verithin cores are harder to smudge and layer.
Which lasts longer?
Verithin points hold up longer between sharpenings because the core is hard. Holbein soft leads wear down faster, so you sharpen more often.
Is the Holbein set worth stepping up to?
Only if you want soft, blendable leads. The basic set has just 12 colors, so you may need more sets to match the Verithin range.
Are these pencils safe for adults and teens?
The Verithin set is AP certified nontoxic. Holbein does not state a certification for this set, so check the packaging if that matters to you.
Can I use either for watercolor work?
No. Verithin is not watercolor, and Holbein's standard colored pencils are not water-soluble either. Look for a watercolor pencil line for washes.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

More comparisons

  • Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils vs Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencil
  • Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Sets vs Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils
  • Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set vs Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best artist-grade colored pencil sets under $50
Artists
—
Organization ThemeParty, Holiday—
MaterialHard Core (Pencils)—
Material HighlightsNon-toxic—
Core MaterialInsoluble pigments—
Body MaterialWood—
Product line—Coloured Pencils
Package size—4.33071 × 0.59055 × 7.87402 in
Made in—SKU HOLOP901
Soft Lead—Yes