Beginner's Guide to Coloured Pencils: Spotlight on Derwent Drawing Pencils

Starting out with coloured pencils can feel overwhelming. There are so many brands, ranges, and opinions that it’s hard to know where to begin, especially if you’re new to drawing animals and nature.

In this beginner’s guide, I’m shining a spotlight on Derwent Drawing Pencils, a range that’s often overlooked but can be a brilliant choice if you love wildlife, earthy tones, and a softer, more forgiving drawing experience.

What Are Derwent Drawing Pencils?

Derwent Drawing Pencils are a soft, wax-based coloured pencil range created by Derwent, a well-known British art materials company. They come in blister packs of six pencils, and tins of 12, 24, 36, and 72 pencils, with the selection of 72 pencils being launched in late 2025.

They’re designed with natural subjects in mind, making them especially popular with artists who draw:

• Animals and fur

• Birds and feathers

• Landscapes and botanical studies

• Wildlife illustrations

Rather than offering bright, bold colours, this range focuses on muted, earthy, and realistic tones.

Tin of 72 Derwent Drawing Pencils

Why Are They Good for Beginners?

If you’re new to coloured pencils, Derwent Drawing Pencils offer several beginner-friendly advantages:

1. Soft and Forgiving Texture

These pencils are softer than many artist-grade pencils, which means:

• They glide smoothly across the paper

• You don’t need to press hard

• Layering feels easier and less tiring

This is especially helpful if you struggle with hand fatigue or worry about damaging your paper.

2. Earthy Colours That Work Well Together

The colour palette is full of:

• Warm browns

• Soft greys

• Muted greens

• Natural blues

Because the colours are so harmonious, it’s hard to choose “the wrong colour”, which can be incredibly reassuring when you’re just starting out.

3. Excellent for Fur and Feathers

These pencils are particularly well-suited to:

• Soft fur textures

• Layered feather details

• Subtle shading and depth

They don’t scream for attention, instead, they quietly build realism, which is perfect for animal art.

How Do They Compare to Other Coloured Pencils?

Derwent Drawing Pencils sit somewhere between student and professional ranges:

• Softer than Polychromos

• More muted than Derwent Coloursoft

• Less vibrant than Prismacolor

They won’t replace a full, vibrant colour set, but they’re an excellent specialist range, especially when paired with another pencil brand later on.

For beginners, though, they’re more than capable of producing beautiful results on their own.

What Paper Works Best?

Because these pencils are soft, they perform best on:

• Slightly textured paper

• Surfaces with a bit of tooth

They work beautifully on:

• Toned papers

• Mixed media paper

• Pastel-style surfaces

If you’re using very smooth paper, just use lighter pressure and build your layers slowly.

How Many Pencils Do You Really Need?

One of the lovely things about this range is that you don’t need all of them.

Many beginners get fantastic results with:

• A small tin (6–12 pencils)

• A carefully chosen earth-tone palette

You can always add more colours later once you feel more confident.

Are There Any Downsides?

To keep things balanced, here are a couple of things to be aware of:

• The range is limited in bright colours

• They’re not ideal for very bold, high-contrast artwork

• Fine, sharp details require regular sharpening

That said, for animal and nature artists, these “limitations” often become strengths.

My Final Thoughts

If you’re a beginner who:

• Loves animals and wildlife

• Prefers softer, calmer colours

• Wants a gentle introduction to coloured pencils

Then Derwent Drawing Pencils are a wonderful place to start.

They encourage you to slow down, trust the process, and focus on observation rather than perfection, which is exactly what good drawing is all about.