Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer: Watercolor Pencils
Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer pencils are artists' watercolor pencils: you draw with a 3.8 mm core, then brush on water and the color dissolves into a wash. The range has 120 colors with lightfastness rated on each pencil, sold singly and in tins of 12 to 120. Faber-Castell's own comparison chart says they're made in Germany.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer artists' watercolor pencils, tin of 36 (117536)
- Brand
- Faber-Castell
- Brand origin
- Germany
- Made in
- Germany*
- Material
- PEFC-certified wood (Faber-Castell Germany); 8 mm barrel painted the lead color (Modulor, Faber-Castell photo); 3.8 mm water-soluble, SV-bonded core (Faber-Castell)
- Price range
- $under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany. Made in Germany: Faber-Castell's own US product photo of a single pencil (117672) shows GERMANY printed on the barrel, and its brand comparison chart on the Amazon US listing ticks 'Made in Germany' for Albrecht Dürer. A Galaxus listing for the 24 tin, seen in search results, also gives Germany. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Faber-Castell lists a 3.8 mm, fully water-soluble, break-resistant core; Modulor lists the barrel at 8 mm and a Belgian retailer at 176 mm (6.9 in) long.
- The range has 120 colors, matched to Faber-Castell's other Art & Graphic lines, with each pencil's lightfastness rated on the barrel.
- Tins come in 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 120; the 36-pencil tin is 117536, EAN 4005401175360.
- The 36 tin had 4.8 stars from 1,482 Amazon US ratings and sat in the colored-pencil top 100 on October 22, 2026.
- Faber-Castell's comparison chart on Amazon marks Albrecht Dürer as made in Germany.
What are Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer pencils?
They’re Faber-Castell’s artist-grade watercolor pencils: colored pencils whose core dissolves in water, so a drawing can become a painting with a wet brush. The line is named after Albrecht Dürer, the German Renaissance painter and printmaker.
Faber-Castell’s German page says the high-grade pigments have unsurpassed lightfastness and brilliance, and that strokes can be washed finely or broadly. On suitable paper, it says, the color dissolves completely and behaves like classic watercolor.
Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencil specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany |
| Core | 3.8 mm, fully water-soluble, SV-bonded against breakage |
| Barrel | 8 mm across (Modulor), painted the lead color; PEFC-certified wood |
| Length | 176 mm (6.9 in), per a Belgian retailer |
| Colors | 120, with lightfastness rated on each pencil |
| Tins | 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 120; wooden cases of 48, 72 and 120 |
| 36 tin | 117536, EAN 4005401175360 |
| Price band | $ (under $5 per pencil) |
| Made in | Germany (Faber-Castell comparison chart) |
The core and color counts are Faber-Castell’s own. The 8 mm diameter is Modulor’s, and the length comes from a Belgian retailer’s listing, which matches the 176 mm length listed for Faber-Castell’s Polychromos.
How do watercolor pencils work?
You draw dry, then wet: water dissolves the pigment in the stroke and spreads it into a wash. Faber-Castell US says the colors blend easily when wet and become permanent once dry, so later layers sit on top of earlier ones.
A water brush such as the Pentel Aquash makes this portable: draw in a sketchbook, then touch the strokes with the brush tip. Modulor recommends classic watercolor paper if you add water; dry, the pencils also work on smooth, colored or black paper.
How lightfast are Albrecht Dürer colors?
Faber-Castell rates each color and prints the rating on the pencil, so you can check before using it in finished work. Faber-Castell US adds that the 120 colors are matched to the colors of its other Art & Graphic lines.
Faber-Castell’s German page calls the pigments of “unsurpassed” lightfastness, which is a maker claim. For work meant to hang in daylight, favor the colors with the highest rating.
Which Albrecht Dürer set should you buy?
The 36 tin is the sensible start; buy singles to top up the colors you use most. Faber-Castell US lists the 36 as white and cream, yellows, oranges and reds, pinks and purples, blues and greens, earth tones, two warm greys and black.
| Set | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tin of 36 | 117536 | The Amazon US best seller |
| Gift box of 36 | 117538 | Same 36, in a gift box |
| Wood case of 48 | 117506 | Adds a brush, a Castell 9000 HB pencil, a sharpener and an eraser |
| Tin of 120 | 117511 | The full range |
| Single pencils | 1176xx (e.g. 117672 Earth Green) | All 120 colors, per Faber-Castell US |
On October 22, 2026, Faber-Castell’s US store listed single pencils at US$3.85. If you already own Polychromos, match Albrecht Dürer colors by number: Faber-Castell says its artist ranges share one color-matching system.
Albrecht Dürer vs Polychromos and Black Edition: which should you choose?
Choose Albrecht Dürer when you want washes, Polychromos for dry, layered drawing, and Black Edition for bright color on dark paper.
| Albrecht Dürer | Polychromos | Black Edition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | 3.8 mm, water-soluble | 3.8 mm, oil-based | 3.3 mm SuperSoft |
| Colors | 120 | 120 | Up to 100 |
| Barrel | Painted the lead color | Dark green | Black wood |
| Lightfastness | Rated on each pencil | 1–3 stars on each pencil | Not rated |
| Made in | Germany | Germany | Varies by set |
| Price band | $ | $ | $ |
Our best colored pencils roundup picks Albrecht Dürer as its watercolor choice.
Where are Albrecht Dürer pencils made?
In Germany: Faber-Castell’s own product photo shows GERMANY printed on the barrel, and its comparison chart on the Amazon US listing says the same. A Galaxus listing for the 24 tin, seen in search results, also gives Germany.
Faber-Castell’s German product page doesn’t name a country, so the tin is the final word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you use Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencils?
Draw or shade as with any colored pencil, then go over the area with a wet brush. Faber-Castell says the color can be washed finely or broadly and, on the right paper, dissolves completely like classic watercolor.
Are Albrecht Dürer pencils permanent once dry?
Faber-Castell US says the colors become permanent when dry, so you can layer a new wash over a dried one without lifting it much. We haven't tested lifting ourselves yet.
What paper should I use with watercolor pencils?
Watercolor paper, if you plan to add water; Modulor's guidance says the same. Without water, smooth, colored or black papers also work.
What is the difference between Albrecht Dürer and Polychromos?
Albrecht Dürer cores are water-soluble; Polychromos cores are oil-based and stay put when wet. Both have 3.8 mm cores and 120 colors; Albrecht Dürer barrels are painted the color of the lead and carry a paintbrush symbol.
Can I buy single Albrecht Dürer pencils?
Yes. Faber-Castell US sells all 120 colors individually, so you can replace the colors you use most.
Is the Albrecht Dürer made in Germany?
Yes, according to Faber-Castell's comparison chart on Amazon, which marks Albrecht Dürer as made in Germany. The tin itself is the best place to check.
Sources
- Faber-Castell (Germany): Albrecht Dürer Aquarellstift, 36er Metalletui (117536; 3.8 mm fully water-soluble core, lightfast pigments, PEFC wood)
- Faber-Castell (Germany): Albrecht Dürer Künstleraquarellstifte (range page; 48, 72 and 120 wooden cases)
- Faber-Castell US: Albrecht Dürer Artists' Watercolor Pencils, Tin of 36 (FC117536, EAN 4005401175360; 120 colors, lightfastness on each pencil, 3.8 mm SV-bonded core, permanent when dry)
- Faber-Castell US: Albrecht Dürer Artists' Watercolor Pencils, Gift Box of 36 (117538; acid-free)
- Faber-Castell US: Albrecht Dürer single pencil, No. 172 Earth Green (117672; product photo shows the barrel painted the lead color, printed GERMANY, with the paintbrush symbol)
- Amazon US: Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils, Tin of 36 (B000OSMQVE; model 117536, 4.8 stars from 1,482 ratings, #51 in Wooden Colored Pencils, Faber-Castell comparison chart 'Made in Germany', read October 22, 2026)
- Modulor: Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer watercolour pencils (8 mm barrel, 3.8 mm lead)
- Bruneau: Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencil (176 mm length, seen in search results)
- Galaxus: Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer, tin of 24 (country of origin Germany, seen in search results)