Faber-Castell Polychromos vs Goldfaber

Faber-Castell makes two coloured pencils - colored pencils in the US - that beginners and returning artists often weigh against each other: Goldfaber and Polychromos. They come from the same maker and share a family resemblance, but they are positioned for different stages of drawing.

This comparison explains how they differ, who each suits, and when moving up to Polychromos actually makes a visible difference. It sits within our complete coloured pencil guide. We keep to well-established characteristics and Michael’s assessments, and we send you to Faber-Castell for current colour lists, set contents and prices.

The quick verdict

A hand-drawn colour wheel made with three Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils on blue-grey paper. Drawing by Michael Brace.

Side by side

Feature	Goldfaber	Polychromos
Positioning	More affordable range	Artist range
Feel	Firm enough for detail, soft enough for shading	Firm, precise, oil-based
Layering	Good for learning layers	Clean, many layers
Points	Holds a workable point	Holds a sharp point
Consistency	Check the current range	Consistent behaviour across the range
Colour range	Check the current range	120 colours
Price level	Lower	Higher (check current listings)
Best for	Beginners, students, casual drawing	Detail, wildlife, still life, exhibition work

What Goldfaber is

Goldfaber is Faber-Castell’s more affordable coloured pencil range. Michael’s description sums it up well: firm enough for detail, soft enough for shading. That balance is what makes it a good learning pencil. It lets you practise pressure control, layering and shading without the frustrations of a very soft core that breaks or a very hard one that will not build colour.

It is also, in Michael’s words, a great introduction to the feel of Polychromos. If you like how Goldfaber handles, you will recognise the family character in Polychromos, only more refined.

A hand-drawn swatch card on grey paper showing colour pairings: black with deep red, white with cream, red with bright orange, and bright lilac with yellow ochre. Drawing by Michael Brace.

What Polychromos is

Polychromos are Faber-Castell’s professional coloured pencils. They are oil-based and firm, and they are known for precision, clean layering, sharp points, excellent detail control and consistent behaviour across the range. They are especially popular among wildlife and still-life artists. The range is wide, at 120 colours, so matching subtle hues is easier.

For more depth, see our Faber-Castell Polychromos review.

Where you feel the difference

Without inventing test results, here is where an artist-grade pencil generally justifies itself.

Detail and sharpness

Firm, oil-based pencils hold a point and let you draw fine lines for longer. That is why Polychromos are favoured for fur, feathers, hair, eyelashes and crisp edges. Goldfaber is firm enough for detail, so beginners can still work small, but artist-grade pencils are built for sustained precision.

Layering

Layering is the backbone of realism. Polychromos allow many clean layers because the firm core does not clog the tooth quickly. Goldfaber handles layering for learning and moderate work. If you push a drawing through dozens of layers, the extra control of an artist-grade pencil starts to show. See how to layer coloured pencils.

Colour range and consistency

A wide range gives you more choice and fewer mixing compromises, particularly for skin tones, earth colours and greys. Polychromos have 120 colours. For Goldfaber, check the current range. If you mix your own colours by layering, both can work, but a larger palette saves time on complex subjects. Our guide on how to match and mix colours with pencils shows how to get more from a smaller set.

Lightfastness

Lightfastness is how well colours resist fading. Polychromos are excellent overall, with a few colours varying slightly. Both ranges publish lightfastness information, and ratings are per colour, so check the maker’s charts for the specific pencils you use. This matters little for sketchbook practice and a great deal for work you sell or hang in a bright room. Read coloured pencil lightfastness explained for how to read the ratings.

Which is better for which subject?

Subject	Goldfaber	Polychromos
First lessons and practice	Excellent	Good, if budget allows
Portraits	Fine for learning	Better for eyes, hair, skin variety
Wildlife and fur	Fine for learning	Best, sharp points and range
Still life and metal	Good	Best for crisp edges and clean layering
Selling or exhibiting	Not the usual choice	Common professional choice
Very smooth, blended skies	Fine	Possible with layering, slower than soft pencils

When does the upgrade matter?

The upgrade to Polychromos matters when one or more of these is true:

1. You keep running out of colours in your set, especially for skin, earth tones and greys.
2. You draw fine detail such as fur, feathers, hair or textured surfaces.
3. Your drawings involve many layers and you want them to stay clean.
4. You sell, exhibit or gift your work and want reliable lightfastness information for your colours.

If none of these apply, Goldfaber may be all you need for now. Spending on paper first can improve your results more than upgrading pencils; see best paper for coloured pencils.

Getting the most from either range

Whichever you choose, technique and setup change the result as much as the label on the barrel. Sharpen with a good sharpener so the firm core is not damaged, and keep the point long enough for fine work; see how to sharpen coloured pencils. Use light pressure at first and build colour in thin layers, saving heavy pressure for the end. Work on paper with enough tooth and weight to accept many layers.

A sensible way to learn the difference yourself is to draw the same small subject twice, once with each range, on the same paper. Compare how many layers each takes, how long the point lasts, and how close you can get to the colours you see. That personal comparison is worth more than any review.

Do you need a soft pencil too?

Both Faber-Castell ranges are firm enough that they are not the easiest for very smooth, painterly blending. Many artists add a softer pencil for broad areas and keep the firm ones for detail. Our comparison of Prismacolor versus Polychromos explains that split in detail.

Keep your expectations realistic, too. A more expensive pencil does not draw for you, and a learner with Goldfaber and good habits will beat a careless artist with the finest set. The upgrade removes limits; it does not create skill.

Recommendation by budget and experience

• Lower budget, beginner: Goldfaber in a smaller set is a sensible start. It teaches control and layering and sets you up for Polychromos later.
• Medium budget: a smaller Polychromos set, or Goldfaber plus a few well-chosen extra colours, depending on how much detail you draw.
• Higher budget or serious realism: Polychromos in a larger set, with a good sharpener and paper to match.

Set sizes and contents change, so check the current range before you buy. Our best coloured pencils for beginners guide covers the wider beginner field.

The short version

Goldfaber is the more affordable range: firm enough for detail, soft enough for shading and a friendly introduction to the feel of Polychromos. Polychromos are the oil-based, artist-grade pencils with 120 colours, sharp points and clean layering for serious detail and exhibition work. Start with Goldfaber if you are learning; move to Polychromos when detail, range and layering become your limits.