You do not want charcoal that crumbles on the first stroke or leaves a chalky dust that ruins your shading. You want a set that gives you deep, blendable blacks, holds a point when you need a fine line, and lasts through dozens of sketches without falling apart. That is exactly what this guide helps you find — the real difference between a frustrating drawing session and one where every mark feels effortless.
I’m Rikta — the co-founder and writer behind FitlyFast. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Whether you are mapping out bold value studies or adding delicate highlights to a portrait, the right artist charcoal set determines how smoothly your ideas flow from your hand to the paper.
How To Choose The Best Artist Charcoal
Picking the right charcoal set comes down to understanding three things: the type of charcoal, the hardness range you need, and how the set is packaged. A mixed set with soft, medium, and hard options covers the most ground — you get deep darks for shadow, medium for mid-tones, and hard for crisp lines. The best sets also include a white or pastel stick for highlights.
Compressed vs. Willow vs. Vine Charcoal
Compressed charcoal is dense, produces very deep blacks, and is harder to erase — great for bold line work and dramatic shadows. Willow and vine charcoal are much softer, create lighter marks, and smudge easily for broad washes and soft gradients. Most artists keep both types on hand, but a good starter set includes compressed sticks for control and willow sticks for speed.
Hardness Levels and What They Do
Hard charcoal acts like a pencil — it keeps a point and makes thin, precise lines. Soft charcoal lays down thick, dark strokes in seconds, perfect for filling large areas. Medium charcoal is your everyday workhorse, doing a bit of both. A set that gives you all three (like an 8-hard, 8-medium, 5-soft split) lets you move from detail to wash without switching tools.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faber-Castell 24 Piece Pitt Charcoal Set | Premium | Professional versatility | 24-piece set with 8 compressed charcoal sticks | $31.22$39.58Amazon |
| Lyra Rembrandt Charcoal Set | Premium | Portable studio kit | 9 shading options in metal case | $21.45Amazon |
| Derwent Charcoal XL Blocks 6 Tin | Premium | Expressive, large-scale work | 6 XL water-soluble blocks | $38.05$42.02Amazon |
| ARTEZA Compressed Charcoal Sticks Set of 16 | Mid-Range | Controlled line work | 16 sticks in medium/hard | $17.98$20.99Amazon |
| General Pencil Gen15 Charcoal Kit | Mid-Range | Beginner value studies | 15-piece kit (willow charcoal + pencils) | $16.97Amazon |
| KALOUR 24 Pro Charcoal Drawing Set | Budget | Budget-friendly variety | 21 charcoal + 3 pastel sticks | $13.99$15.99Amazon |
| 24 Pcs Compressed Charcoal Sticks (Dlicoda) | Budget | Max value for beginners | 24 sticks (18 charcoal, 6 pastel) | $15.99Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Faber-Castell 24 Piece Pitt Charcoal Set
$31.22$39.58as of Jul 12, 1:18 PM24 pieces make this the most complete single kit for handling everything from fine detail to broad washes, and it is for artists who want a ready-to-use range of natural and compressed charcoal in one box. This 24-piece set from Faber-Castell includes 3 natural charcoal pencils and 3 compressed charcoal pencils in soft, medium, and hard grades — so you can pick the right line weight without switching kits. It also gives you 4 natural charcoal sticks in two thicknesses (5-8mm and 6-11mm) for sweeping strokes, plus 8 compressed charcoal sticks that run from extra soft to hard.
The set adds a kneadable eraser and a blending stump (a tight paper roll you use to smudge and soften marks with control). That means you can start making layered, professional-looking drawings right out of the box. Buyers report the charcoal quality is excellent, the pencils shave cleanly with a knife, and the smudge resistance is notably good for a charcoal product — your lines stay where you put them until you deliberately blend.
The honest catch here is packaging: several owners mention that the compressed charcoal sticks and pencils arrived fractured inside the metal case, likely due to the large envelope used by Amazon with no protective padding. If you can pick this up in person or are willing to handle a few broken sticks (which you can still use as chunks for shading), the quality of the material itself is unquestionably top-tier. If you need a set that survives shipping intact, the Lyra Rembrandt packs a smaller, tougher case that travels better. For unmatched material quality in a complete charcoal kit, this is the top pick.
Why it’s great
- 24 pieces cover every grade from extra soft to hard, plus natural sticks and pencils
- Includes a professional blending stump and kneadable eraser for shading
- Sturdy metal case keeps everything organized and portable
Good to know
- Compressed sticks and pencils often arrive broken due to poor shipping packaging
- No sharpener included despite being a premium kit
- Only 8 willow/vine sticks — you may need extras for large works
2. Lyra Rembrandt Charcoal Set
$21.45as of Jul 12, 1:18 PMCompared to the top pick, the Lyra Rembrandt Charcoal Set offers 9 shading options versus the Faber-Castell’s wider grade range, but it arrives pre-sharpened in a sturdy metal case that is smaller and more travel-friendly. The willow charcoal, compressed sticks, and carbon pencils cover a broad tonal range without the risk of broken pieces in transit.
Lyra has been making art tools in Germany since 1806, and the fine texture of the charcoal delivers consistent, smooth strokes without scratchiness. The high breaking strength means the pieces hold up better than budget sticks when you apply pressure, and reviewers praise the versatility for drawing, sketching, portrait work, and even architectural layouts.
Choose this over the top pick if you frequently draw on the go — at a cafe, in a sketchbook class, or traveling — and want a complete mini-studio in a metal box that fits in your bag. It sacrifices the sheer number of pieces found in the Faber-Castell set (fewer sticks total), but what is there is tough, ready to use, and organized.
Where it shines
- Pre-sharpened pencils and sticks let you start immediately
- Durable metal case protects tips and charcoal from breakage during travel
- German-made quality with consistent, smooth strokes and high breaking strength
Worth noting
- Fewer pieces than other premium kits — 9 shading options total
- No white charcoal or pastel included for highlights
- No kneadable eraser or blending stump in the tin
3. Derwent Charcoal XL Blocks 6 Tin
$38.05$42.02as of Jul 12, 1:18 PMYou are covering a large sheet of paper in minutes with this set. Each block is 60mm long, extra-large, and contains as much material as eight standard charcoal pencils. That means you can lay down background washes fast, then switch to the same block’s edge for a fine, agile line. These blocks are naturally water-soluble — you brush water over your marks to create liquid-like, painterly effects that dry into a permanent charcoal wash.
The 6 blocks span a greyscale range from Light through Medium, Black, Blue Black, Yellow Black, and Ultra Black — giving you subtle hue variations in your shadows besides just pure gray. Reviewers report that broken blocks (a common complaint due to shipping) actually improve opacity and color consistency, and you can shave the pieces into powder and mix with a water-based acrylic medium for a paint-like application, turning a flaw into a feature.
No other set on this list gives you the water-soluble ability, which opens up techniques like wet-on-dry blending, ink-like washes, and granulated textures that dry stick charcoal simply cannot achieve — making this a standout for mixed-media artists. skip it if you only work with dry charcoal on paper, because all blocks are very soft, with no hard or medium grades included.
What stands out
- Each XL block equals 8 standard pencils — huge value for large-scale work
- Water-soluble for wet blending, painterly washes, and mixed-media techniques
- 6 distinct shades (including Blue Black and Yellow Black) give tonal variety
The trade-offs
- Blocks frequently arrive broken — usable but a poor unboxing experience
- No hard or medium grades here — all blocks are very soft
- No eraser, sharpener, or blending tool included
4. ARTEZA Compressed Charcoal Sticks Set of 16
$17.98$20.99as of Jul 12, 1:18 PMThe single number that matters most in this category is hardness: this set contains only medium and hard compressed charcoal sticks — no soft sticks — giving you excellent control for precise line work and blocking in deep tone with 1-inch broken pieces, then switching to a finer edge for crisp line work.
The catch is that you miss the dramatic, ultra-dark, layering capability of soft charcoal — the deepest blacks here require building up multiple layers rather than one swipe. But customers note the sticks blend smoothly and last a long time (one reviewer noted they “have drawn so many things and still haven’t run out of sticks”). The box is compact at 3.86 x 0.71 x 6.02 inches, but note that some reviewers point out the sticks are about a quarter of the size they expected from the product photos, so check the dimensions before buying.
At a mid-range price point, this is a solid value if your primary need is controlled line work in figure drawing or architectural sketches — you pay for only the hardnesses you will actually use, without wasting sticks on soft grades you never touch.
The upsides
- Medium and hard charcoal gives excellent line control and precision
- Blends smoothly and lasts through many drawings
- Compact, portable box fits in a standard pencil case
Keep in mind
- No soft charcoal or white/pastel included — limited for dramatic shading
- Sticks are smaller than many buyers expect from the product photos
- Not ideal for beginners who want to experiment with different hardnesses
5. General Pencil Gen15 Charcoal Kit
$16.97as of Jul 12, 1:18 PMWhat you actually get at this lower price is a 15-piece kit built around willow charcoal (the light, easy-to-erase natural form), not compressed sticks — which means it excels at quick, sketchy value studies where you are mapping light and dark shapes before committing. The kit includes black charcoal pencils and white charcoal pencils, plus charcoal sticks, a sketch pencil, an eraser, and a sharpener, all made in the USA and conforming to ASTM D-4236 safety standards.
What you give up compared to a compressed-charcoal set is the ability to create deep, dramatic blacks immediately — willow charcoal stays lighter and softer, so it is harder to get those rich, dark tones without layering. But that softness also makes it the best choice for beginners who want to learn shading without worrying about permanent mistakes. Buyers consistently call it a “great beginner set” and “perfect for value studies” — one buyer mentioned the eraser is soft and the sharpener works well, which matters for keeping pencils in shape.
The genuine weakness shown in reviews is packaging: one owner reported the biggest stick of black charcoal arrived broken in half, which was “an impediment for my drawing class.” If you are buying this as a first kit and want the most forgiving medium to learn on, willow charcoal from General’s is the classic choice — just be prepared for potential breakage in transit. For a sturdier shipping experience, the Lyra Rembrandt set packs its sticks in a hard metal case that holds up better in the mail — making this kit the exact budget buyer it is perfect for: the beginner who prioritizes a forgiving learning medium over robust packaging.
Why we’d pick it
- Willow charcoal is soft and easily erasable, perfect for learning value studies
- Includes both black and white charcoal pencils plus a sketch pencil
- Made in the USA with a long reputation for quality in art classrooms
A few caveats
- Larger charcoal sticks can arrive broken — a recurring complaint in reviews
- Willow charcoal produces lighter marks, not the deep blacks of compressed charcoal
- Only 15 pieces — fewer sticks than most budget sets for the same price range
6. KALOUR 24 Pro Charcoal Drawing Set
$13.99$15.99as of Jul 12, 1:18 PMThis is the perfect starter set for the budget-conscious beginner or anyone taking a drawing class for the first time and needing to cover all hardness bases without a big investment. For a very low price, you get a wider hardness range than many sets costing twice as much. The KALOUR set gives you 21 professional-grade compressed charcoal sticks in 8 hard, 8 medium, and 5 soft grades, plus 3 pastel sticks in gray, light gray, and white. That means you can sketch fine lines with the hard sticks, shade mid-tones with the medium, and lay down deep dark shadows with the soft, all from one box.
What you give up at this price point is the refined consistency of premium brands: shoppers say that the charcoal produces “lots of dust” (standard for chalk-based charcoal), that the white charcoal is translucent on other colors (less opaque than higher-end pastels), and that it is “poor for details” — again, typical for soft chalk media, not a defect of this specific set. On the positive side, the same buyer who noted the dust also said it “smears well for blending,” which is exactly what you want for soft shading work.
The presentation box with a foam insert keeps everything organized and protected, and as one buyer put it, “Good value; no risk.” If you want an even higher piece count at a similar price, the Dlicoda set below gives you 24 sticks, but be aware that the white pastel in this KALOUR set is less opaque than higher-end options, so it may not layer as boldly over dark tones as you might hope.
Strong points
- 21 compressed sticks in 3 hardness levels plus 3 pastels — huge range for the price
- Beautifully packaged gift box with foam insert protects the sticks
- Good for blending and black/white art, according to verified buyers
Before you buy
- Produces more charcoal dust than premium compressed charcoal sets
- White pastel is translucent, not fully opaque for highlights
- Soft charcoal is less controlled for fine detail work
7. 24 Pcs Compressed Charcoal Sticks (Dlicoda)
$15.99as of Jul 12, 1:18 PMIf sheer piece count matters most, this 24-stick set from Dlicoda delivers the highest number of individual sticks in the budget tier — 18 compressed charcoal sticks (6 hard, 6 medium, 6 soft) and 6 pastel sticks in gray, light gray, and white. That is more pieces than the KALOUR set at a similar price, giving you enough material to work through many drawings without restocking.
What that price buys you in practice: square-shaped sticks (easier to grip and lay down even strokes than round ones), smooth and blendable application, erasable marks for correcting mistakes, and what buyers describe as “great dark tones” — one reviewer specifically mentioned “the blacks are much deeper than graphite,” which is the whole point of switching to charcoal. The kit is packaged in an attractive gift box that protects the sticks during storage and makes it a ready-made present for an aspiring artist.
What you miss compared to premium options is the consistent quality control of a brand like Faber-Castell or Derwent — the sticks may vary slightly in texture from batch to batch, and the box does not include any blending tools, eraser, or sharpener. But if your goal is simply to have a large quantity of usable charcoal in every hardness grade for a low cost, this set delivers exactly that — one buyer called it “a great buy” with “great coverage.” It is the best pure volume pick.
What we like
- 24 total pieces — the highest count in the budget tier with 6 sticks per hardness
- Including 6 pastel sticks adds highlighting capability often missing in budget sets
- Square shape provides a comfortable grip and consistent wide strokes
The downsides
- No blender, eraser, or sharpener included — you need to supply your own
- Batch-to-batch consistency may not match premium brands
- 6 pastel sticks is fewer than some dedicated pastel sets offer for blending
Understanding the Specs
Hardness Scale: Soft, Medium, Hard
This is the most important spec for any charcoal set. Soft charcoal (sometimes labeled “extra soft”) is ideal for filling large dark areas quickly — one swipe gives you a deep, rich black that blends easily. Medium charcoal is your everyday grade for general shading and mid-tones. Hard charcoal (like “HB” or “H”) holds a point longer and produces thin, crisp lines for detail work. A good set offers all three so you can switch between them without changing tools. Many sets label compressed charcoal as “soft/medium/hard”, mimicking the logic of graphite pencils.
Compressed vs. Willow vs. Vine Charcoal
Compressed charcoal is pulverized charcoal mixed with a binder and pressed into sticks — it is dense, produces very dark marks, and is harder to erase. Willow charcoal comes from burned willow twigs — it is softer, lighter, and wipes away easily, ideal for preliminary sketches and quick value studies. Vine charcoal is similar to willow but slightly finer. Most kits listed here use compressed charcoal because it offers the best balance of darkness and control. A set like the General Pencil Gen15 uses willow charcoal specifically because it is more forgiving for beginners.
FAQ
What is the difference between compressed charcoal and willow charcoal for beginners?
Why do so many charcoal sticks arrive broken and how can I prevent it?
Do I really need all three hardness grades (soft, medium, hard) in a single set?
What does “water-soluble” mean in a charcoal block and why would I want it?
How do I choose between a set that includes pastel/white sticks versus one that does not?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the artist charcoal winner is the Faber-Castell 24 Piece Pitt Charcoal Set because it packs the widest range of natural charcoal pencils, compressed sticks in every hardness, and professional blending tools into a single metal case — covering every technique from fine detail to broad wash. If you want a portable studio kit that travels well, grab the Lyra Rembrandt Charcoal Set. And for large-scale, mixed-media work with water-soluble effects, the standout is the Derwent Charcoal XL Blocks 6 Tin.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.