The 26 best art set brands
Royal & Langnickel, Faber-Castell and Prismacolor lead our ranking of 26 art set brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Art Set brands, ranked
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1
Royal & Langnickel
Beginner sets built around a real wood box, aimed at family sketching and classroom starter kits.
Website: art.royalbrush.com |Brands like Royal & Langnickel
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Faber-Castell
Graphite drawing pencils in metal tins, plus India ink brush pens, from a pencil maker dating to 1761.
Website: fabercastell.com |Brands like Faber-Castell
Popularity 9.8/10
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3
Prismacolor
Soft-core coloured pencils with rich pigment, sold in many open-stock colours and classic Art Stix crayons.
Top products: Art Stix
Website: prismacolor.com |Brands like Prismacolor
Popularity 9.3/10
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4
Crayola
Affordable colouring tools for children, with broad school and home sets of pencils, crayons and markers.
Top products: Colored Pencil Set
Website: shop.crayola.com |Brands like Crayola
Popularity 7.9/10
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5
Derwent
English maker with pencils dating to 1832, its artist-grade coloured pencils have a lightfast pigment core and a sturdy wood casing.
Website: derwentart.com |Brands like Derwent
Popularity 7.3/10
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6
Koh-I-Noor
Czech pencil maker with Progresso woodless pencils and Mondeluz watercolour sets for drawing and painting.
Website: kohinoorusa.com |Brands like Koh-I-Noor
Popularity 6.1/10
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7
Staedtler
German drawing and watercolour pencils with Lumograph graphite and Aquarell sets for artists.
Top products: Mars Lumograph Colour Aquarell
Website: staedtler.com |Brands like Staedtler
Popularity 4.9/10
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8
Pentel
Japanese brush pens and gel pens, with the Pocket Brush range popular for lettering and sketching.
Website: pentel.com |Brands like Pentel
Popularity 4.2/10
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9
Caran d'Ache
Swiss premium pencils and watercolours in pricey tins, with Pablo coloured pencils favoured by serious artists.
Website: carandache.com |Brands like Caran d'Ache
Popularity 3.7/10
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10
ArtSkills
Poster-making is not everyone's cup of tea. The cause for that may be lack of creativity, unavailability of proper supplies, lack of time, or just unwillingness to do it. But no matter! All stores are available on Artskills. Once you...
Website: artskills.com |Brands like ArtSkills
Popularity 3.7/10
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11
Cretacolor
Charcoal-based art pencils and pastel sticks priced moderately for sketching students.
Website: cretacolor.com |Brands like Cretacolor
Popularity 3.3/10
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12
Arteza
Budget-friendly all-in-one art kits with sketch pads, acrylic paints and easels sold online.
Popularity 3.0/10
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13
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi has an industrial arm that builds servo motors and shafts for machinery. Its products span servo motors, shafts, car parts and diesel fuel system components.
Website: mitsubishielectric.com |Brands like Mitsubishi
Popularity 3.0/10
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14
Marco
Marco is a brand dedicated to bringing you the most up-to-date products on 3D printing, additive fabrication, and lighting, generally known as digital manufacturing. Marco covers everything from design methods to industrial applications to consumer trends in this fast-growing area....
Popularity 3.0/10
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15
Prang
American maker of non-toxic children's crayons and paints, founded on Louis Prang's art education ideas.
Website: prang.com |Brands like Prang
Popularity 2.9/10
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16
Daler-Rowney
As a company with more than 240 years of history, Daler-Rowney's vision is to spark inspiration in people with its collection of art supplies. The company has been consistently delivering high-quality products for artists worldwide. Daler-Rowney ensures all its products...
Website: daler-rowney.com |Brands like Daler-Rowney
Popularity 2.6/10
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17
Art Alternatives
Art Alternatives designs art supplies for home and studio, with sketchbooks, journals, pens, markers, portfolios, canvases and painting accessories. The brand is a small, emerging creative group that also offers original artworks and wall designs for the home. Its products...
Popularity 2.6/10
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18
Sargent Art
The one-stop-shop for all kinds of art supplies, essentials, and classroom essentials, Sargent Art is the answer. In both educational and retail markets, they are thoroughly known and proclaimed, all thanks to their excellent quality of products. From packaging to...
Popularity 2.6/10
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19
Tombow
Established in Japan in 1913, Tombow is an art & craft dedicated brand that manufactures and sells various craft materials. Markers, pens, dual brush pens, mono drawing pens, mono twin, twin tone, adhesives, glues, pencils, erasers, planner essentials, school and...
Website: tombowusa.com |Brands like Tombow
Popularity 2.0/10
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20
Sakura
Fineliner pens, brush pens and paint markers from Sakura use pigment inks suited to waterproof, fine line work. Sakura Color Products is a Japanese manufacturer headquartered in Osaka, and its Pigma Micron, Gelly Roll and Koi brush pens are sold...
Popularity 1.7/10
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21
Sanford
Sanford supplies cleaning and janitorial products, office products, and food service supplies, along with skincare products. Sanford is also the maker of Prismacolor, and its art range includes pencils and markers. The company also sells shipping labels to businesses and...
Website: catalog.sanfordcompany.com |Brands like Sanford
Popularity 1.6/10
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22
Winsor & Newton
Winsor and Newton was formed by a chemist and an artist back in 1832. The mixture of science and creativity gave birth to a very popular artist brand of the era. The company sells all kinds of good that an...
Website: winsornewton.com |Brands like Winsor & Newton
Popularity 1.3/10
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23
Jakar
Jakar International has been supplying Artist materials and a range of stationery and craft products throughout the UK and Ireland for more than 70 years. It continues to create an ever-increasing range of innovative and high-quality Art and Craft products...
Website: jakar.co.uk |Brands like Jakar
Popularity 1.3/10
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24
Spectrum Noir
Spectrum Noir produces alcohol-based brush pens, watercolour pencils and art sets for colouring and illustration. Its markers come in wide colour ranges with dual-tip designs for detailed and broad strokes. The art supplies are popular with hobbyists and professional illustrators...
Website: spectrumnoir.com |Brands like Spectrum Noir
Popularity 1.2/10
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25
Conté
Cont, founded in 1997 in Grodno, produces hosiery and knitwear for ladies, men, and children. Tights for schoolgirls and little fashionistas, corrective, fancy, and toasty tights, fantastic stockings, cotton socks and golf, and tights for women and men are their...
Website: contebyoksana.com |Brands like Conté
Popularity 1.2/10
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26
Eberhard Faber
Eberhard Faber is a household name when it comes to art supplies. Its wide range and quality have made it the favorite brand for artistic kids and adults. Their products are thoroughly tested and proven to be safe for kids....
Website: eberhardfaber.com |Brands like Eberhard Faber
Popularity 1.2/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal & Langnickel | art.royalbrush.com | /royalbrushart | royalbrushart | @royalbrushart | – |
| Faber-Castell | fabercastell.com | /FaberCastellUSA | fabercastellusa | @FaberCastellUSA | FaberCastellUSA |
| Prismacolor | prismacolor.com | /prismacolor | prismacolor | – | – |
| Crayola | shop.crayola.com | /Crayola | – | @crayola | CrayolaLLC |
| Derwent | derwentart.com | /derwentartofficial | derwentartofficial | @derwentart | – |
| Koh-I-Noor | kohinoorusa.com | /KohINoorUSA | kohinoorusa | – | UClfMY66jglM9gB-DSdXPc1Q |
| Staedtler | staedtler.com | /STAEDTLER | p | @STAEMars | STAEDTLERpencils |
| Pentel | pentel.com | – | pentelofamerica | – | – |
| Caran d'Ache | carandache.com | /carandache.of.switzerland | carandache | – | CARANDACHEcom |
| ArtSkills | artskills.com | /ArtSkills | – | @ArtSkills | – |
Art Sets Buying Guide
Art is an expression that everyone can relate to, and it is a source of inspiration for many people. Whether it is a hobby or a passion, art requires basic equipment, which can be bought in the form of an art set. As a beginner, it can be overwhelming to choose the best art set, and it can become confusing with all the options available in the market. To help you navigate the process of buying an art set, here is a buying guide that will help you choose the best art set that is perfect for you.
Types of Art Sets
Art sets come in a range of sizes, materials, and prices which can make it complicated to choose the right one. There’s a combination of types of art sets available in the market, and the right one for you depends on your skillset, level of experience, and interests.
Drawing Art Sets
Drawing art sets are perfect for artists who want to create artworks with pencils, charcoal, and pastels. These sets typically include a range of pencils, erasers, sharpeners, charcoal, and sometimes, pastels. Drawing art sets come in a range of sizes, and they can be portable or kept at home. Before buying a drawing art set, consider the quality of the pencils, paper, and other materials to ensure that they will last long and produce high-quality work.
Painting Art Sets
Painting art sets are perfect for painters who want to create artwork with paint. These sets typically include a range of paintbrushes, paint tubes, and other painting materials. Painting art sets come in a range of sizes, and the type of paint they include will depend on whether they are oil, watercolor, or acrylic painting sets. Before buying a painting art set, consider the quality of the brushes, paints, and other materials that they offer to ensure that they will last long and produce high-quality work.
Calligraphy Art Sets
Calligraphy art sets are perfect for artists who want to master the art of calligraphy. These sets typically include nibs, ink, and instructional guides. Calligraphy art sets come in a range of sizes, and the type of nib they include will depend on the type of calligraphy you want to practice. Before buying a calligraphy art set, consider the quality of the nibs and ink to ensure that they will last long and produce high-quality work.
Sketching Art Sets
Sketching art sets are perfect for artists who want to create quick sketches on the go. These sets typically include a range of pencils, sketching pads, and erasers. Sketching art sets come in a range of sizes, and they can also include additional materials such as drawing pens and markers. Before buying a sketching art set, consider the quality of the pencils, paper, and other materials to ensure that they will last long and produce high-quality work.
Materials
The materials that the art sets come with are essential to consider when choosing an art set. High-quality materials will ensure that your artwork lasts longer, and it also gives it a professional appearance. Here are some of the materials that you should look for in an art set.
Pencils
Pencils are one of the most important materials in an art set. Look for a set of pencils that include a range of lead hardness, from 2H to 8B. A set that includes both hard and soft leads will allow you to create artwork with varied tones, shadows, and highlights.
Paper
Paper quality is essential in any art set. The paper used for artwork should be acid-free to last longer and prevent yellowing or fading. Look for a set of paper that includes different weights, textures, and sizes to match your desired effects.
Paints
If the art set includes paints, the quality of the paint should be considered. Generally, the quality of the paint determines the quality of the artwork. Look for premium quality paints as they are usually more pigmented and have more color depth. Acrylics are more versatile, easier to work with, and dry faster, while oil paints take longer to dry and have a longer lifespan.
Brushes
The quality of brushes is essential to creating crisp, clean lines and smooth strokes. Different types of brushes are used for different effects, so look for a set of brushes that include a range of sizes and shapes to match your desired effects. Synthetic brushes have become popular in recent years because they can mimic natural bristles and are easier to maintain.
Inks and Nibs
If the art set includes calligraphy materials, look for high-quality synthetic nibs and ink. The nibs should be durable and flexible, allowing you to create a range of calligraphy styles, while the ink should be waterproof and smudge-proof to prevent your artwork from getting smudged.
Price
Art sets come in different price ranges, and the quality of the set will depend on the price. If you are a beginner or are on a budget, consider a mid-range art set that offers high-quality materials but is affordable. High-end art sets are usually more expensive and offer the highest quality materials, but they might not be necessary for beginners. When considering the cost, think about the number of materials and the quality of the materials. A higher-priced art set should have more materials and better quality, but that’s not always the case.
Where to Buy
Art sets can be bought online or in-store. Buying art sets online offers more options, and you can compare prices and materials from different vendors. However, when buying online, there’s no physical interaction with the materials, so you might not get a clear sense of what you are buying. Buying the art set in-store allows you to feel the materials and confirm that the set is perfect for you. Additionally, you can ask the store attendant about the sets so that you can have professional advice on choosing the best set for you.
Conclusion
Choosing an art set can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the range of art sets available, one can choose the perfect set that matches their interests, skillset, and level of experience. Consider the materials, price, and type of art set that suits you best. Additionally, it is crucial to check the reviews and comments on different art sets to ensure that you choose the best set that gives you your desired results. Happy shopping!
