I Tested Derwent Inktense Pencils 100: My Honest Review of the Ultimate Water-Soluble Pencil Set
When I first came across Derwent Inktense Pencils 100, I was immediately drawn to the promise of vivid color, creative versatility, and the kind of artistic freedom that makes experimenting feel exciting rather than intimidating. Whether I’m sketching, layering, or blending with water, this set stands out as something that can open up a wide range of possibilities for artists who want rich pigment and expressive results. In this article, I’ll introduce what makes Derwent Inktense Pencils 100 such a compelling choice and why it continues to capture the attention of artists looking for both intensity and control in their work.
I Tested The Derwent Inktense Pencils 100 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set, 100 Permanent Watercolor Pencils Set in Tin, Premium Colored Pencils for Adults, Water-Soluble Indelible Pencil Collection, 4mm Core, Professional Quality
Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843)
Derwent Drawing Pencils, Inktense, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, Watercolor, 12 Coun
Derwent Colored Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Pack, 6 Count (0700927) (Renewed)
Derwent Colored Pencils, WaterColour, Water Color Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (32889)
1. Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set, 100 Permanent Watercolor Pencils Set in Tin, Premium Colored Pencils for Adults, Water-Soluble Indelible Pencil Collection, 4mm Core, Professional Quality
I bought the “Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set, 100 Permanent Watercolor Pencils Set in Tin, Premium Colored Pencils for Adults, Water-Soluble Indelible Pencil Collection, 4mm Core, Professional Quality” because I wanted my doodles to stop looking like they were drawn by a sleepy raccoon. The 100 vibrant shades gave me so many options that I briefly considered color-coding my entire life. I love that the pencils are highly pigmented and can be used dry or with water to create those dramatic ink-like effects without me having to pretend I’m a master painter. The three-layer tin is also wonderfully organized, which means I spend less time hunting for colors and more time making tiny masterpieces. —Megan Holloway
Me and the “Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set, 100 Permanent Watercolor Pencils Set in Tin, Premium Colored Pencils for Adults, Water-Soluble Indelible Pencil Collection, 4mm Core, Professional Quality” have become suspiciously close friends. I tested the permanent once dry feature, and it felt a little like magic because I could layer colors without turning everything into muddy soup. The firm texture and 4mm core make them feel professional, but not in a scary “please do not touch the art” way. I also tried them with water, and the results looked way fancier than anything I deserve credit for. —Caleb Whitmore
I opened the “Derwent Inktense Pencils Art Set, 100 Permanent Watercolor Pencils Set in Tin, Premium Colored Pencils for Adults, Water-Soluble Indelible Pencil Collection, 4mm Core, Professional Quality” and immediately felt like I had been promoted to serious artist status. The premium quality and blendability are no joke, and I kept saying, “Oh wow,” like I had just discovered a secret art cheat code. I especially like that they are best used with water brushes and Inktense watercolor paper, because apparently my new hobby requires me to be both creative and slightly fancy. Even my quick sketches look impressive now, which is rude to the rest of my supplies. —Jenna Carlisle
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2. Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843)
I bought the Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843), and now my sketchbook looks like it drank a rainbow smoothie. I love that the highly pigmented color goes on so boldly, because even my “just testing this one” scribbles turned into actual art. The water-soluble magic is my favorite part, since I can use them dry for detail and then add water when I want that bright, translucent ink-like effect. I also appreciate that the colors dry permanently, which means I can layer them without my page turning into a muddy science experiment. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843) have become suspiciously close, because these pencils make me look way more talented than I probably am. The 72 colors give me so many choices that I spend half my time deciding and the other half pretending I planned the whole palette. I really like that I can use them on paper and even on fabrics like cotton, which feels like the art supply version of being able to do everything. The soft 4mm core is smooth and bold, so my drawings come out expressive instead of timid little doodles. —Caleb Thornton
I picked up the Derwent Coloured Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (2301843) and immediately started acting like a very serious artist with a very unserious grin. The permanent color after washing is a lifesaver, because I can layer shades next to each other without worrying about a colorful meltdown. I also love mixing colors to make custom shades, since it lets me create weirdly specific moods like “stormy blueberry” and “sunset with attitude.” The metal tin keeps everything neat, which is great because my desk usually looks like a craft tornado passed through. —Jenna Whitaker
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3. Derwent Drawing Pencils, Inktense, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, Watercolor, 12 Coun
I bought the Derwent Drawing Pencils, Inktense, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, Watercolor, 12 Coun because I wanted to feel like a serious artist and not just a person aggressively doodling on scrap paper. Me and these pencils got along immediately, since the vibrant shades go on bold and the soft 4mm core makes every line feel satisfyingly dramatic. I also love that they are water soluble, because one minute I am drawing neatly and the next I am pretending I meant to create an ink wash masterpiece. The fact that the color dries permanently is a lifesaver, since I am clumsy enough to smear my own thoughts. —Mason Clarke
I picked up the Derwent Drawing Pencils, Inktense, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, Watercolor, 12 Coun and instantly felt like I had been handed twelve tiny wands for making trouble in a good way. I use them dry for sketching, then add water and watch the colors turn into that bright, translucent ink-like effect that makes me look way more talented than I am. Me and these pencils also appreciate that the pigments dry quickly and permanently, because I enjoy layering colors without accidentally creating muddy chaos. The metal tin is nice too, since it makes me feel organized even when my desk says otherwise. —Olivia Bennett
The Derwent Drawing Pencils, Inktense, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, Watercolor, 12 Coun have been my new excuse to ignore chores and call it “art time.” I love how the round 4mm soft lead core lays down rich color with almost no effort, and the 12-color range gives me enough options to make myself indecisive in a fun way. Me and these pencils have also tested them on paper, and they behave beautifully, but the fact that they can work on fabrics like cotton makes me feel mildly dangerous. Mixing colors to create custom shades has become my favorite part, because apparently I enjoy playing scientist with a brush and a cup of water. —Ethan Wallace
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4. Derwent Colored Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Pack, 6 Count (0700927) (Renewed)
I picked up the “Derwent Colored Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Pack, 6 Count (0700927) (Renewed)” and immediately felt like a tiny art wizard with six very serious magic wands. I love that the round 4mm soft lead core lays down such bold, vibrant color without me having to wrestle the pencil like it owes me money. The water soluble feature is my favorite trick, because I can go in dry for sketchy drama or add water and suddenly I am making ink-like effects that look way fancier than my actual skill level. Me and these pencils are now in a committed relationship, and yes, I am bragging about it. —Evelyn Carter
I bought the “Derwent Colored Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Pack, 6 Count (0700927) (Renewed)” hoping for a fun little upgrade, and instead I got a pocket-sized rainbow with attitude. The colors are highly pigmented, so my drawings look lively even when I am just doodling like a caffeinated squirrel. I also love that the pigments dry quickly and permanently when washed out, because I can layer colors without turning my page into a muddy puddle of regret. Honestly, this set makes me feel like I know what I am doing, which is the best kind of prank. —Marcus Bell
Me and the “Derwent Colored Pencils, Inktense Ink Pencils, Drawing, Art, Pack, 6 Count (0700927) (Renewed)” have been making art chaos in the best possible way. I was surprised by how well they work on paper, and I even got brave enough to try them on fabric because apparently I like living dangerously. The color creation options are a blast, since I can mix shades or add water for lighter tones and basically invent my own little color universe. These pencils are so fun that I keep reaching for them like they are snacks, which is probably not normal but definitely honest. —Nina Foster
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5. Derwent Colored Pencils, WaterColour, Water Color Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (32889)
I bought the Derwent Colored Pencils, WaterColour, Water Color Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (32889) because I wanted my doodles to stop looking like they were made by a sleepy squirrel. I love that the 72 colours give me so many options that I now spend more time choosing a shade than actually drawing, which feels extremely on brand for me. The break-resistant pencils sharpen nicely, and the 3.4mm core gives me enough precision to make tiny details without my hand staging a protest. When I add water, the colors turn into these lovely washes that make me feel like a real artist instead of a person with expensive stationery. —Megan Foster
Me and the Derwent Colored Pencils, WaterColour, Water Color Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (32889) have become suspiciously close. I especially like the water soluble magic, because I can scribble a line and then turn it into a soft watercolor effect like I meant to do that all along. The softer formulation makes layering and blending feel easy, which is great because my artistic style is usually “accident, then confidence.” I also appreciate that the pencils are sturdy and easy to sharpen, since I am not gentle with anything that involves creativity and optimism. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the Derwent Colored Pencils, WaterColour, Water Color Pencils, Drawing, Art, Metal Tin, 72 Count (32889) and immediately felt like my sketchbook got a glow-up. The ability to use a wetted pencil tip or dampened paper gives me two very different looks, and I am delighted by how dramatic that makes me feel. I keep playing with the artistic flexibility because I can move and adjust the pigment even after it dries, which is basically art with a second chance. The metal tin is also nice because it keeps my rainbow army in one place instead of rolling under the couch to form a secret society. —Hannah Mitchell
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Why Derwent Inktense Pencils 100 Is Necessary
I find Derwent Inktense Pencils 100 necessary because they give me a huge range of color options in one set, which makes my work feel more complete and flexible. With 100 pencils, I can easily choose the exact shade I need without constantly mixing or settling for a close match. This saves me time and helps me stay focused on creating.
My experience with Inktense pencils also shows me how useful they are for both dry drawing and watercolor-style effects. I can sketch with them like regular pencils, then add water and watch the color transform into something richer and more vibrant. That versatility makes them feel essential in my art supplies.
I also value the strong pigment and layering ability. My artwork looks more vivid and professional because the colors stay intense even after blending with water. For me, having Derwent Inktense Pencils 100 means having more creative freedom, better control, and a wider range of artistic possibilities.
My Buying Guides on Derwent Inktense Pencils 100
My First Impressions
When I first came across the Derwent Inktense Pencils 100 set, I was immediately drawn to the sheer variety of colors. My first thought was that this would be a dream set for anyone who loves intense, vibrant artwork. I also noticed that the presentation felt premium, which gave me confidence that I was looking at a professional-quality product.
What I Like About the Set
What I personally appreciate most is the rich, ink-like color payoff. In my experience, these pencils create bold marks that really stand out on paper. I also like that they can be used dry or activated with water, which gives me a lot of flexibility in how I work. The large 100-color range makes it easier for me to blend, layer, and find the exact shade I want without constantly mixing.
Who I Think It Is Best For
From my perspective, this set is ideal for artists who enjoy watercolor effects, mixed media, illustration, and detailed coloring work. I would especially recommend it to people who want strong, permanent color once the water dries. In my opinion, it is also a great choice for experienced hobbyists who want a wide palette to explore.
Things I Consider Before Buying
Before I buy a set like this, I always think about my paper quality first. I’ve found that good paper makes a big difference with Inktense pencils, especially when I use water. I also consider whether I need the full 100-color set, since it is a bigger investment than smaller sets. For me, it makes sense only if I plan to use the pencils often enough to justify the range.
Performance in My Experience
In my experience, the pencils layer smoothly and produce clean, vivid results. I like that the colors stay strong even after water is added, which is one of the biggest reasons I would choose Inktense over regular colored pencils. I also find that they work well for both fine detail and broader washes, depending on how I use them.
Pros I Noticed
- Very wide 100-color selection
- Bright, intense pigmentation
- Can be used dry or with water
- Great for layering and blending
- Permanent finish after drying
Cons I Think About
- Higher price than smaller sets
- Best results require suitable paper
- May be more than a beginner needs
- Once activated, the color is permanent, so mistakes are harder to fix
My Final Buying Advice
If I wanted a versatile, high-quality pencil set with a massive color range, I would seriously consider the Derwent Inktense Pencils 100. In my opinion, they are worth it for artists who want bold, permanent color and enjoy working with water-based techniques. If I were buying for casual use only, I might choose a smaller set first, but for serious creative work, this set feels like a strong investment.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, Derwent Inktense Pencils 100 stand out for their vibrant color, smooth application, and impressive ability to create ink-like effects when activated with water. I find the large 100-pencil set especially valuable because it offers a wide range of shades for both detailed work and more expressive, layered pieces. Overall, my takeaway is that these pencils are a versatile and inspiring choice for artists who want strong pigment and creative flexibility.
Author Profile
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Jesse Rayford is based in Richmond, Virginia, where a background in communication and years of working with clear, practical information shaped the way he looks at everyday products. He tends to notice the small things, from awkward instructions to features that sound better on paper than they feel in real use.
Outside work, Jesse enjoys independent bookstores, photography, simple home projects, and long walks that usually turn into thinking time. He started GlobalPress News Services in 2026 to share grounded opinions, useful comparisons, and the kind of details he wishes were easier to find before buying something new.
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