Frankly they have difference as below:
Oil-based colored pencils are wax-based, with a texture like crayons or oil pastels. They offer rich, vibrant colors and are water-resistant. Their cores are harder, making them ideal for detailed lines and vivid coloring, such as in realistic-style colored pencil artworks.
Water-soluble colored pencils are carbon-based and water-soluble. When used dry, they same as oil-based pencils, but when dissolved in water, they produce watercolor blending effects. Their cores are softer, making them suitable for gradients and blended effects, such as in landscapes, skin tones, and sketches.
Oil-based colored pencils is for beginners due to their ease of use and resistance to smudging, making them ideal for learning and practicing basic drawing techniques.
Water-soluble colored pencils is better suited for artists with some experience, as they allow for water-blending to create rich layers and watercolor effects—due to this requires more skill.
Oil-based colored pencils is resistant to fading and water damage, making them easy to preserve long-term without warping.
Water-soluble colored pencils is prone to moisture damage and fading, requiring storage in a dry environment. In humid regions (e.g., southern China), finished artworks should be sprayed with fixative for preservation. Even the pencils themselves need moisture-proof storage, making them more high-maintenance than oil-based ones. Additionally, water-soluble techniques demand specialized paper (e.g., watercolor paper or paper designed for water-soluble pencils) to prevent wrinkling or uneven color distribution.
Oil-based colored pencils is best for dry applications, producing sharp lines and saturated colors, but less suitable for large-area blending or gradients.
Water-soluble colored pencils can be used dry or wet (by dipping in water) for watercolor-like transparency and blending. However, water application requires careful control to avoid blurring lines.
Oil-based colored pencils is perfect for detailed lines and bold colors, such as portraits and still-life drawings.
Water-soluble colored pencils is ideal for soft transitions and watercolor effects, such as landscapes and skin textures.
Oil colored pencil more easy to use but if you have high techniques i suggest you try watercolor pencil that with multi-function and can replace oil pencil when it’s dry to use. We Ningbo Phyno are colored pencil manufacturing vendor in China, can provide you both watercolor pencil and oil colored pencil. We accept OEM order for custom colors, size, printing on barrel and package. Welcome contact us then share with us your requirement then we will give you precise quote.
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