Inktense 36 Piece Water Soluble Colored Pencil Set - Vibrant

In this review the Inktense 36 Piece Water Soluble Colored Pencil Set is evaluated for illustrators, students and makers who want bold, ink-like colour with the flexibility of pencils. The bottom line: these pencils stand out for their vibrant shades and quick-setting pigments that become permanent when washed out, making them a reliable choice for projects that require both wet and dry techniques. The set of 36 colours gives a broad palette for layering, mixing and fabric work, so it is especially useful for people who need saturated colour and a versatile medium.

Key Features

• Round 4mm soft core: the thicker lead lays down colour quickly for bold expressive strokes and smooth coverage.
• Water soluble pigments: use dry for pencil work or add water to create a bright, translucent, ink-like wash.
• Permanent when dry: pigments fix quickly after washing out, which reduces colour bleeding and enables confident layering.
• Surface versatility: safe to use on paper and suitable for fabrics such as silk and cotton once the colour dries permanently.
• Mixable colours: combine pencils or dilute with water to create custom shades and lighter values.

Who It's For

The Inktense 36 set suits illustrators, designers and hobbyists who need a vivid, flexible medium that performs both as pencil colour and as an ink-like wash. Students and beginners will appreciate the ease of use and colour payoff, while experienced artists can exploit the permanence for layered or fabric projects.

Those who work solely in archival, non-water-based mediums or require lightfast pigment ratings for long-term conservation may want to consider alternative artist-grade products with certified permanence data. For casual colouring or sketching, the set still offers excellent value.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very high colour vibrancy straight from the pencil for striking dry work.
• Convertible to bright, translucent washes that dry quickly and permanently for layering.
• Wide 36-colour selection enables mixing and custom shade creation.
• Works well on multiple surfaces including paper and fabric after drying.

Cons

• Soft 4mm cores wear down faster under heavy sharpening or pressure, so frequent sharpening may be needed.
• Permanence is practical for craft and fabric uses, but the set lacks formal lightfast ratings in the provided information.

Specifications

Product	Inktense 36 Piece Water Soluble Colored Pencil Set
Core	Round 4mm soft lead
Colour count	36 colours
Water soluble	Yes - creates ink-like washes when water added
Dry permanence	Pigments dry quickly and become permanent when washed out
Suggested surfaces	Paper and fabrics such as silk and cotton

Our Verdict

The Inktense 36 set is a versatile, value-packed option for anyone wanting saturated colour that can be used dry or transformed into permanent washes. It is particularly strong for mixed-media work and fabric projects where permanence after drying is important, and the 36 colours provide a functional palette for layering and custom mixing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the pencils be used on fabric?
Yes, once the pigments are washed out and dry they become permanent and are suitable for fabrics like silk and cotton.

Do the colours bleed after washing out?
The pigments dry quickly and are described as permanent when dry, which minimizes bleeding and allows adjacent layering without colour run.

Are these suitable for beginners?
Yes, customers report they are easy to use and achieve vivid results, making them a good choice for students and beginners as well as experienced illustrators.