The best beginner colored pencils make it easy to start drawing, coloring, and experimenting without a steep learning curve. The right set should offer dependable color, comfortable handling, and a selection that matches the user’s age and goals.
We compared kid-focused, classroom-ready, and artist-style sets in several sizes, including options with soft cores, erasable leads, twist-up barrels, and extra-resistant designs.
Best 10 Beginner Colored Pencils Picks for 2026
Best All-Around Kids Pick
Crayola 36-Count Colored Pencils
- 36-color assortment for drawing and coloring
- Presharpened and designed for durability
- Non-toxic choice for kids and classrooms
Best For: Young beginners, school projects, and coloring books
Best for Small Hands
BIC Kids Triangle Colored Pencils
- Triangular shape supports finger placement
- Extra-resistant 4.3 mm leads
- 12 colors for early drawing activities
Best For: Children ages 2 and up learning pencil control
Best Value Color Range
- 72 shades for blending and shading
- Soft, break-resistant, presharpened cores
- Numbered colors and storage case included
Best For: Adult beginners practicing detailed coloring
Best Complete Beginner Kit
KALOUR 120-Color Soft-Core Set
- 120 colors for extensive creative range
- Blender, white marker, and sharpener included
- Soft cores support layering and blending
Best For: Adult beginners building a versatile drawing kit
Best No-Sharpening Pick
- 50 assorted colors for coloring and crafts
- Twist-up design eliminates sharpening
- Protected cores and portable plastic barrels
Best For: Kids and beginners who want mess-free, portable colored pencils
Best for Blending
80-Count Oil-Based Soft Core Set
- 80 colors span bright, earthy, and pastel shades
- Soft cores support blending and gradients
- Color labels and swatch chart simplify selection
Best For: Beginners learning shading and blending techniques
Best for Mistake-Friendly Practice
- 24 vibrant colors for everyday coloring
- Erasable cores help correct mistakes
- Pre-sharpened and ready to use
Best For: Kids and beginners building confidence through practice
Best Value Starter Set
- 48 unique colors for coloring and sketching
- Pre-sharpened and ready to use
- Hexagonal barrels offer a steady grip
Best For: Kids and beginners starting coloring, sketching, and crafts
Best Heavy-Duty Pick
KALOUR 72 Soft-Core Colored Pencils
- 72 named and numbered colors
- Soft cores support blending and layering
- Break-resistant cores are easy to sharpen
Best For: Beginners practicing shading, blending, and adult coloring
Best Color Variety
Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils
- 80 unique colors with no duplicates
- Soft, break-resistant cores blend smoothly
- Includes a sturdy case and DIY color list
Best For: Beginners wanting maximum color choice for drawing and coloring
Best All-Around Kids Pick – Crayola 36-Count Colored Pencils
For beginners seeking colored pencils that are ready for school projects, coloring books, and everyday drawing, this Crayola set offers a straightforward starting point. It includes 36 presharpened, non-toxic pencils in a broad assortment of colors.
Best For: Kids, classrooms, coloring books, and families wanting an approachable starter set.
Pros:
- Includes 36 distinct colors for varied artwork.
- Presharpened tips are ready to use out of the box.
- Soft, durable cores are designed to resist breaking.
- Suitable for both children and adults.
Cons:
- The set has fewer colors than larger adult-oriented collections.
- Its child-friendly design may be less suited to advanced illustration work.
This is a practical beginner set when ease of use and familiar classroom versatility matter more than an extensive color range or specialized blending tools.
Best for Small Hands – BIC Kids Triangle Colored Pencils
These beginner colored pencils are designed with younger children in mind. The triangular shape can help small kids learn finger placement, while the extra-resistant leads are intended to reduce broken tips during early drawing and coloring practice.
Best For: Children ages 2 and up who are learning to grip and control a pencil.
Pros:
- Triangular barrels help guide finger placement.
- 4.3 mm leads are described as highly resistant to shocks.
- Bright 12-color assortment works for classroom or playroom activities.
Cons:
- Only 12 colors are included, limiting shade variety.
- The small-child focus may not suit older beginners seeking detailed artwork.
Choose this compact set when comfortable handling and lead durability are priorities for a very young artist. It is less about advanced color work and more about building confident pencil skills.
Best Value Color Range – Soucolor 72 Colored Pencils
For beginners who want plenty of shades for coloring, blending, and shading, the Soucolor 72-count set provides a substantial palette without requiring separate color purchases. The soft, break-resistant cores are presharpened, and each pencil is numbered and named for easier identification.
Best For: Adult beginners, coloring-book fans, and learners practicing gradients and layered color.
Pros:
- 72 vibrant colors offer broad shade coverage.
- Soft cores support blending, layering, and shading.
- Pencils arrive presharpened and include a storage case.
- Numbered and named pencils make color matching easier.
Cons:
- The soft cores may require more frequent sharpening during intensive use.
- The set is not water resistant.
This is a strong middle-ground option for beginners ready to move beyond basic coloring. Its large palette and smooth core are particularly useful for experimenting with transitions and detailed illustrations.
Best Complete Beginner Kit – KALOUR 120-Color Soft-Core Set
Beginners who want a broad palette plus a few helpful accessories may appreciate this KALOUR kit. It combines 120 numbered and named soft-core pencils with a blender pencil, white marker, sharpener, and protective storage tube for coloring, sketching, and drawing.
Best For: Adult beginners who want to explore blending, layering, highlights, and a wide range of colors.
Pros:
- 120 colors provide extensive shade selection.
- Soft, highly pigmented cores are suited to blending and layering.
- Includes a blender pencil, white marker, and sharpener.
- Numbered and named pencils simplify color identification.
Cons:
- The large assortment may feel overwhelming to someone starting with basic coloring.
- The soft-core design can require careful handling and sharpening.
This is the most expansive choice in the group for beginners who expect to keep developing their technique. The included tools add useful ways to soften edges and create highlights without assembling a separate kit.
Best No-Sharpening Pick – Crayola Twistables 50-Count
For beginners who want colored pencils that are simple to use and easy to carry, Crayola Twistables offer a convenient no-sharpening design. The 50-color set is suited to coloring books, school projects, crafts, and drawing.
Best For: Kids and beginners who want portable colored pencils without sharpening.
Pros:
- Includes 50 assorted colors for varied creative projects.
- Twist-up design requires no sharpening or peeling.
- Plastic barrels help protect the color core and tips.
- Portable, non-toxic supplies recommended for ages 5 and up.
Cons:
- The smooth grip may offer less shaping than contoured pencils.
- They are not water resistant.
These Twistables are a practical starting point for young artists who value convenience and a broad color selection over traditional sharpening.
Best for Blending – 80-Count Oil-Based Soft Core Set
Beginners interested in shading and color blending may appreciate this 80-piece set. Its oil-based soft cores are designed to glide smoothly across paper, while the color names, numbers, and swatch chart make choosing shades easier.
Best For: Beginners and adults learning blending, gradients, and detailed coloring.
Pros:
- 80 colors include bright tones, earth hues, and soft pastels.
- Soft oil-based cores support blending and delicate shading.
- Each pencil has a color name and number for quick identification.
- Includes a blank swatch chart and sturdy gift box.
Cons:
- The soft core may not suit users who prefer firm pencils.
- The set is presented as an adult-oriented product rather than a kids’ pencil set.
With its large palette and blending-focused core, this set gives new artists room to practice techniques while keeping color selection organized.
Best for Mistake-Friendly Practice – Crayola Erasable 24-Count
For beginners who are still building confidence, Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils make it easier to correct mistakes. The 24 pre-sharpened pencils provide vibrant colors and a smooth, precise feel for coloring at home, in class, or during homeschool activities.
Best For: Kids and new artists who want erasable colored pencils for learning and practice.
Pros:
- Includes 24 vibrant assorted colors.
- Erasable design helps undo mistakes during practice.
- Pre-sharpened and ready to use out of the box.
- Resealable box is convenient for storage.
Cons:
- The 24-color palette is smaller than the other sets here.
- Designed for coloring rather than a broad range of advanced techniques.
This is a sensible choice for beginners who prioritize easy corrections and immediate use, especially for schoolwork and everyday coloring.
Best Value Starter Set – V-Opitos 48 Colored Pencils
For shoppers seeking beginner colored pencils that are ready to use immediately, the V-Opitos 48-pack offers a practical assortment for coloring, sketching, and painting. Its pre-sharpened tips and comfortable hexagonal barrels make it an approachable choice for new artists.
Best For: Kids and beginners who want a ready-to-use, versatile set for coloring books, school projects, sketching, and crafts.
Pros:
- Includes 48 unique colors for varied coloring and art projects.
- Pre-sharpened, so the set is ready to use out of the box.
- Hexagonal barrels provide a familiar grip and help prevent rolling.
- Rich pigments and smooth leads are designed for bright, even lines.
Cons:
- Offers fewer color choices than the 72- and 80-piece alternatives.
- Does not include a stated warranty.
The V-Opitos set keeps the learning curve simple: beginners get broad color coverage, pre-sharpened pencils, and a stable barrel without needing to assemble extra supplies. It is a sensible budget-oriented starting point for everyday coloring and basic drawing.
Best Heavy-Duty Pick – KALOUR 72 Soft-Core Colored Pencils
The KALOUR 72-count set is a strong option for beginners who want to practice blending, shading, and layering. Its soft, highly pigmented cores lay down vivid color, while numbered and named barrels make it easier to identify and organize shades.
Best For: Beginners, kids, and adults learning color blending, shading, layering, drawing, and adult coloring.
Pros:
- Provides 72 different colors for detailed and varied artwork.
- Soft, vivid cores are suited to blending and layering.
- Each pencil has a color name and number for easier shade selection.
- Wooden barrels are described as easy to sharpen, with break-resistant cores.
Cons:
- The large color range may feel less straightforward for beginners who prefer a smaller starter set.
- The supplied details list the set as pre-sharpened but do not specify a storage case.
For learners moving beyond basic fill-in coloring, KALOUR’s soft cores provide more room to experiment with tone and transitions. The labeled shades also make it easier to repeat color choices across projects.
Best Color Variety – Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils
Shuttle Art’s 80-count set suits beginners who want the widest color selection of these options. The soft, break-resistant cores glide smoothly for coloring, shading, layering, and sketching, while color names and numbers simplify shade matching.
Best For: Beginners and artists of all ages who want extensive color variety for coloring books, drawing, doodling, and sketching.
Pros:
- Includes 80 unique, non-duplicated colors.
- Named and numbered barrels make colors easier to identify.
- Soft cores provide smooth application and support blending and layering.
- Includes a sturdy case and DIY color list, with ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliance noted.
Cons:
- A larger set may require more organization than a compact beginner collection.
- The pencils are not water-resistant, according to the supplied details.
This is the most color-rich choice in the roundup and gives beginners plenty of room to explore subtle shade changes. Its labeled pencils, storage case, and durable soft cores make the set practical for repeated coloring and drawing sessions.
How We Picked the Best Beginner Colored Pencils
We focused on the features that matter most when someone is learning to use colored pencils: ease of control, color variety, durability, sharpening or maintenance needs, and overall versatility. The selection includes compact sets for young children, larger palettes for adult coloring, and soft-core pencils suited to blending and shading.
We also considered the intended age range and use case. A preschool classroom needs sturdy, easy-to-grip pencils, while a beginner artist may prefer a broader color range and a smoother core. No single set is ideal for every user, so the recommendations cover different starting points and budgets.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | Recommended Type | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Young children | Thick, durable pencils | Easier handling and better resistance to breakage |
| School and everyday coloring | Basic 24- to 36-count set | Useful color range without excess duplicates |
| Adult coloring books | 72- to 80-count soft-core set | More shades for gradients and detailed pages |
| Drawing and blending | Artist-style soft-core pencils | Smoother coverage and stronger layering potential |
| Low-maintenance use | Twist-up or erasable pencils | Less sharpening or easier correction |
Key Buying Factors for Beginner Colored Pencils
Age and Grip
For toddlers and preschoolers, prioritize a chunky or triangular barrel that is easy to hold. Extra-resistant construction can help reduce frustration when pencils are dropped or pressed hard. Older children and adults can generally use standard-size barrels comfortably.
Core Softness
Soft-core pencils typically produce richer coverage and blend more easily, making them useful for coloring books, shading, and creative drawing. They may also require more frequent sharpening. Firmer cores hold a sharper point longer and are often better for outlines, small details, and classroom use.
Color Count
A 12- or 24-color set is usually enough for a first project or young artist. Sets with 36 to 50 colors offer a practical middle ground. Choose 72, 80, or 120 colors when matching shades, gradients, and detailed adult coloring are important.
Maintenance and Extras
Check whether the pencils arrive sharpened and whether the set includes a case or storage solution. Twistable pencils avoid traditional sharpening, while erasable colored pencils are useful for learners who want to correct mistakes. For conventional pencils, a quality sharpener is an important part of the purchase.
Who Should Buy Which Beginner Colored Pencils?
Parents and teachers: Choose a durable, age-appropriate set with a manageable color range, such as a kid-focused 12-, 24-, or 36-count option.
Beginning adult colorists: A 72- to 80-color soft-core set offers enough variety for blending, patterned pages, and more ambitious projects without immediately moving to a professional-sized collection.
New artists: Look for smooth, blendable cores and a broad palette. A 72- or 120-color artist-style set provides more room to practice shading, layering, and color matching.
Users who dislike sharpening: Twist-up pencils are convenient for travel, classrooms, and casual coloring. If correction matters more than convenience, erasable colored pencils may be the better fit.