Is the Pablo 120 worth it over a smaller set?

If you regularly blend and layer across many hues, the 120 set saves buying open-stock pencils one at a time. Casual users can start with a 40 or 80 set and add colors later.

How does Pablo compare to Caran d'Ache Luminance?

Luminance is a wax-oil pencil with high lightfastness and a harder feel; Pablo is softer and water-resistant but less lightfast. Choose Luminance for archival work and Pablo for smooth, fast coverage.

Are these watercolor pencils?

No. The lead is water-resistant, so it will not dissolve into a wash. Use them dry for illustration and hatching.

The set contains 120 colored pencils in a box. Check the listing for whether a sharpener or tray is included, since packaging varies by set size.

What surfaces do they work on?

They are recommended for paper, wood and photos. The soft lead can smudge on glossy photo paper, so fix or seal the work if needed.

When is the price lowest?

Large art-supply sets often drop during back-to-school and holiday sales. Track the price history and buy when it sits near the low end of its range.

Caran d’Ache Pablo 120

Last price we saw

$349.95at Walmart, last seen Nov 2

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Our take on the Caran d’Ache Pablo 120

The Caran d'Ache Pablo 120 is a large set of 120 soft, water-resistant colored pencils in a hexagonal FSC-certified wood body, made in Switzerland. The broad range covers illustration, hatching and fine detail work, and the dry lead blends well on paper, wood and photos. It is a professional-grade set rather than a starter box, so the price reflects the size and the Swiss build. The latest best price sits near the low end of its recent range, making it a reasonable moment to buy if you need the full 120 colors.

Best forIllustrators and designers who need a wide color rangeColored-pencil artists doing layered, detailed workTeachers and studios buying a shared classroom setBuyers who want water-resistant, dry-media pencils

Pros

120 colors give a wide range for blending and shading
Soft lead lays down color quickly and blends well
Water-resistant lead holds up to light moisture and smudging
Hexagonal FSC-certified wood body resists rolling
Swiss-made build with consistent lead quality

Cons

Soft lead wears down fast and needs frequent sharpening
Premium price for a full 120 set
Not watercolor pencils, so no wet-on-wet effects
Large box is bulky for travel

Caran d’Ache Pablo 120 prices at every store

WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Caran d’Ache Pablo 120 price history

Lowest price we've seen: $349.95 on Nov 2 at Walmart. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 2.

What reviewers say

Owners of the Pablo line generally praise the smooth, soft laydown and the wide color range, and many illustrators treat it as a professional workhorse. Complaints tend to focus on the price and on how quickly the soft lead is used up.

Pros

Smooth, soft application with good blending
Wide, well-chosen color range
Sturdy hexagonal barrels and consistent leads

Cons

High price for the full set
Soft lead sharpens away quickly
Not suitable for wet techniques

Specifications

Quantity: 18
Product Type: Colored Pencils
Included Items: Pencils
Packaging Type: Box
Recommended Surface: Wood, All media (paper, wood, photos)
Watercolor Effect: No
Special Use: Illustration, Hatching
Color Set: 18 Colours
Size: 17.5 cm x 8 cm
Lead Softness: Soft
Lead Highlights: Water-resistant
Material Highlights: Complies with all the Swiss Made quality requirements
Body Material: FSC certified wood, Beech wood, Birch wood
Age Range: Kid
Typical Users: Artists, Creative people, Designers, Illustrators, Teachers
Body Shape: Hexagonal

Questions and answers

Is the Pablo 120 worth it over a smaller set?: If you regularly blend and layer across many hues, the 120 set saves buying open-stock pencils one at a time. Casual users can start with a 40 or 80 set and add colors later.
How does Pablo compare to Caran d'Ache Luminance?: Luminance is a wax-oil pencil with high lightfastness and a harder feel; Pablo is softer and water-resistant but less lightfast. Choose Luminance for archival work and Pablo for smooth, fast coverage.
Are these watercolor pencils?: No. The lead is water-resistant, so it will not dissolve into a wash. Use them dry for illustration and hatching.
What is in the box?: The set contains 120 colored pencils in a box. Check the listing for whether a sharpener or tray is included, since packaging varies by set size.
What surfaces do they work on?: They are recommended for paper, wood and photos. The soft lead can smudge on glossy photo paper, so fix or seal the work if needed.
When is the price lowest?: Large art-supply sets often drop during back-to-school and holiday sales. Track the price history and buy when it sits near the low end of its range.