Faber-Castell Black Edition Pencils: The Complete Guide to Choosing Your Set

Finding coloured pencils that are both rich in pigment and pleasant to use, especially on dark paper, can be a challenge. For artists, students, or hobbyists, the quality of your materials makes all the difference. The Black Edition range from Faber-Castell promises to meet this challenge, delivering vibrant colours and stunning performance, even on the darkest surfaces.

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the Black Edition collection to help you choose the perfect set for your creative ambitions, whether you're a beginner or an experienced illustrator.

Buyer's Guide: How to Choose Your Faber-Castell Black Edition Set

Before you decide on a set, let's review the key points to ensure you make the right choice.

1. Pigmentation and Lead Type

The secret to the Black Edition range? Its Super Soft lead. This soft lead allows you to apply rich, saturated colour without heavy pressure, a major advantage for layering and blending techniques. If you regularly work on coloured paper, the opacity of these pigments is a crucial factor. These coloured pencils for black paper are especially renowned for their ability to make colours pop on dark backgrounds.

2. Set Size and Colour Variety

The number of pencils you choose depends entirely on your needs.

• A 12-pencil set is ideal for starting out, for specific projects, or for supplementing an existing collection. This could be an assortment of classic colours or a box of 12 metallic pencils for special effects.
• A 72-coloured-pencil set is geared towards artists who need an extensive colour palette for complex works, detailed illustrations, or portraits. These larger sets often include unique shades, such as neon or metallic colours, offering greater creative freedom.

3. Ergonomics and Packaging

The pencil's design is more than just an aesthetic detail. Black Edition pencils feature an ergonomic triangular barrel, designed for a comfortable grip and better stroke control, which reduces fatigue during long drawing sessions. Their black wood body gives them a sleek and elegant visual identity. The packaging is also a point worth considering : a metal tin effectively protects the pencils and makes storage easy, while a roll-up artist's pencil case is perfect for transport and organisation.

Our Selection of Faber-Castell Black Edition Products

To help you decide, here is our selection of three flagship sets from the Black Edition range.

Faber-Castell Black Edition Metallic Coloured Pencils, Box of 12

Why it stands out : This set goes all-in on shimmering effects. Its selection of 12 metallic shades is perfect for adding a touch of light to your creations, with a spectacular finish on dark paper.

Advantages :

• Specialised palette : 12 metallic colours including gold, silver, bronze, and other iridescent shades.
• Supersoft lead : For a very smooth application and excellent coverage.
• Ergonomics : Triangular shape for a comfortable grip.
• Break-resistance : The SV bonding process makes the lead more resistant to breakage.
• Eco-friendly : Wood from sustainably managed forests and carbon-neutral production, according to the manufacturer.

Who is it for? Ideal for illustrators, bullet journal enthusiasts, and artists who want to add metallic details and highlights to their work.

Faber-Castell Black Edition Coloured Pencils, Set of 12 in a Metal Tin

Why it stands out : This is the ideal entry point for discovering the Black Edition range. This set offers a selection of bright, essential colours in a sturdy metal tin that is as practical for storage as it is for transport.

Advantages :

• Vibrant pigments : 12 intense colours for expressive creations.
• Smooth application : Allows for easy creation of flat colours and gradients.
• Durable lead : Designed for long-lasting use and detail work.
• Protective tin : The black metal case protects the pencils and makes them easy to transport.

Who is it for? Recommended for art students, beginners in drawing or colouring, or anyone looking for a quality, compact, and durable Faber-Castell coloured pencil set.

Faber-Castell Black Edition Coloured Pencils, Set of 72 with Roll-Up Case

Why it stands out : This is the ultimate set in the range. With 72 colours, including neon and metallic shades, and its roll-up case, it offers near-total freedom to artists who want to push the boundaries of their creativity.

Advantages :

• Extensive palette : 72 colours, including 6 neon and 6 metallic, for maximum versatility.
• Supersoft lead : Brilliant colours and smooth application on all types of paper (light, coloured, or dark).
• Comfortable to use : The ergonomic triangular design ensures optimal comfort.
• Practical case : The roll-up case protects the pencils, keeps them organised, and is perfect for artists on the go.

Who is it for? For experienced artists, professional illustrators, and colouring enthusiasts looking for a complete assortment of professional coloured pencils for ambitious projects.

Looking for Other Options?

Not completely convinced by the Black Edition range? Or perhaps you're just curious to explore other creative horizons? Every artist has their preferences, and it's always a good idea to compare textures and palettes. To explore other possibilities, feel free to take a look at our wider selection.

️ Discover our selection of unique pencils

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are Faber-Castell Black Edition pencils suitable for beginners? Yes, absolutely. The smaller sets, like the 12-pencil box, are an excellent starting point. The soft Supersoft lead is very pleasant to use because it lays down a lot of colour without requiring pressure, which is particularly encouraging for a beginner. Its triangular shape also makes it easy to hold.

2. What is special about the "Supersoft" lead? The "Supersoft" lead is a wax-based lead that is very soft and packed with pigment. Its main advantage? It allows for an intense and highly opaque colour application with minimal effort. It is also renowned for its effectiveness on coloured and dark papers, where harder leads would struggle to stand out.

3. Can you really use these pencils on black paper? Absolutely. In fact, it's one of the key selling points of this range. Thanks to their high pigment concentration and soft lead, the coloured pencils for black paper in the Black Edition collection offer stunning opacity and vibrancy on dark surfaces. The metallic and neon colours included in some sets are particularly spectacular on this type of medium.