5 Best Colored Pencils For Beginners | 72 Colors of Smooth Blends

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Prismacolor Premier is the benchmark that every other colored pencil is measured against, and for good reason. The soft wax core is noticeably thicker than standard pencils, measuring 3.3mm across, which means you get a wider stripe of pigment with each stroke. These pencils lay down color that is almost creamy — reviewers consistently describe the sensation as “buttery” and “smooth,” with no scratchy drag even on smooth paper. The landscape-specific 12-color set includes essential earth tones like Chestnut, Light Umber, and Sap Green Light, making it a focused selection for anyone who wants to practice blending terrain, skies, and foliage without owning 120 unused shades.

Because the core is extremely soft, a light hand produces rich saturation immediately. This is the single most forgiving quality for a beginner: you do not need to grind the tip into the paper to get visible color, which reduces hand fatigue and accidental line harshness. The pencils blend beautifully with a colorless blender or even a second pencil, allowing you to create gradients that look far more advanced than the effort required. Every reviewer who has tried multiple brands lands on the same verdict — these are the most satisfying pencils to use right out of the box. The only real learning curve is adjusting to the softness: pressing too hard can waste pigment and create a waxy build-up that is harder to layer over.

For a beginner who is serious about learning layering and blending techniques, starting with this 12-pack is a smarter investment than buying a huge 72-count box of mediocre pencils. You will learn how wax blooms develop, how pressure changes saturation, and how to use a burnishing technique — all with a tool that rewards rather than frustrates. The 12-count is also a good travel size, fitting easily into a bag without the weight of a full tin. If you outgrow the landscape palette, Prismacolor’s larger sets use the exact same core formulation, so your skills transfer directly.

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The KALOUR 72 set is the best argument for buying a large color range at a mid-range price point. These pencils use a water-soluble wax core — draw dry for a standard colored pencil effect, then run a damp brush over the line to activate a fluid watercolor wash. This dual-purpose capability effectively gives a beginner two mediums for the price of one. The 72 colors span the full spectrum, with clearly numbered and named barrels that make it easy to follow along with online tutorials that reference specific hues. The hexagonal barrel provides a secure grip that prevents rolling off a desk, and the included tin case with three trays keeps everything organized without taking up much space.

Reviewers praise the smooth, blendable pigment and note that the core is break-resistant enough to survive regular sharpening in a hand-crank sharpener. The water-soluble effect works best when you use the included brush pens — the pigment lifts quickly and spreads evenly without leaving harsh outlines. For a beginner exploring mixed media, this set is a low-risk way to discover whether you prefer dry coloring, wet washes, or a combination of both. The pigment load is slightly less dense than Prismacolor’s wax core, but the trade-off is the ability to transform a drawing with water that a pure wax pencil cannot offer.

The set is certified non-toxic under ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 standards, making it safe for younger artists as well. The only practical downsides are that the included brushes are basic nylon-tip water brushes rather than natural-hair brushes, and the tin case can be a tight fit if you resharpen the pencils short. But for a beginner who wants maximum creative options — sketching, adult coloring, watercolor painting — this is the most versatile single purchase you can make. The 72 colors mean you will rarely need to “make do” with a close-enough shade, which is crucial for maintaining momentum when you are learning.

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If you are starting from absolute zero and want one box that covers every dry-medium technique — graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, watercolor pencil, metallic, and pastel — the PANDAFLY 80-piece set is the solution. This is not a pure colored pencil set; it is a complete drawing arsenal that includes 12 oil-based colored pencils, 12 watercolor pencils, 12 metallic pencils, 7 charcoal pencils, 3 white charcoal pencils, 15 graphite sketching pencils, and a full accessory kit with blending stumps, erasers, a water brush, and a sandpaper pointer. The 3-color sketch pad (white, tan, black paper) and separate watercolor paper pad are included in the carrying case, so you have everything needed to explore multiple styles in one zippered portfolio.

For a beginner who has no idea whether they prefer color work or monochrome shading, this kit removes the guesswork. The oil-based colored pencils in this set have a smooth, break-resistant core that performs comparably to standalone budget sets, and the watercolor pencils activate nicely with the included water brush. The metallic pencils add a shimmer effect that is rarely found in beginner-oriented products, opening up possibilities for decorative lettering and accent details. The printed tutorial guide walks through basic techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, blending, and watercolor activation, which is a genuine learning aid — not just a promotional insert.

The carrying case is constructed from nylon with a zipper closure and internal elastic loops, keeping every component organized and portable. The dimensions (11.8 x 8.6 x 2.7 inches) are compact enough for a backpack but large enough to hold the included paper pads. The main limitation is that the colored pencil count is relatively small (12 oil-based colors plus 12 watercolor), so you will not have the shade depth of a dedicated 72-count set for pure coloring. But the trade-off is that you also get graphite, charcoal, and metallic tools that would cost significantly more if purchased separately. Think of this as a discovery kit — it tells you which medium you love most before you invest in a specialized set.

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The Kird Barken 80-pack is the budget-friendly entry point that does not feel cheap. The oil-based core is noticeably softer than typical student-grade wax pencils, gliding across paper with a creamy texture that reviewers compare favorably to more expensive brands. Each pencil is printed with a standard color name and number, and the included blank swatch chart allows you to create a personalized reference that makes color selection faster as you become more experienced. At 80 colors, you get a comprehensive palette that includes bright tones, earth hues, soft pastels, and everything in between — no frustrating moments of trying to mix colors that simply are not in the box.

The break-resistant design holds up well through standard sharpening, though some reviewers noted a few pencils arrived with pre-broken tips that sharpened out without issue. The oil-based formulation also means these pencils blend well with a colorless blender pencil or solvent, allowing beginners to achieve gradient effects that look professional without requiring advanced hand control. The round barrel shape is comfortable for extended coloring sessions, though it does not have the anti-roll benefit of a hexagonal barrel. The packaging is a sturdy gift box rather than a storage case, so you will likely want to transfer the pencils to a separate pencil roll or tin for daily use.

This set is ideal for the adult coloring book enthusiast who wants a massive color selection without spending premium money. The oil-based core also avoids the waxy bloom that can develop on heavy wax-based applications, making it a cleaner choice for layered work. The main sacrifice compared to premium brands is the slight reduction in pigment density — you may need two passes to match the saturation that Prismacolor achieves in one stroke. But for a beginner exploring color theory, shading, and blending on a budget, this set offers the highest color count at the lowest entry cost, making it a low-risk investment in a potentially lifelong hobby.

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STAEDTLER built its reputation on durability, and the 24-pack of colored pencils is engineered specifically for environments where pencils get dropped, shoved in backpacks, and sharpened by impatient hands. The break-resistant core is bonded to the wood casing, which means you can apply significant pressure without snapping the lead — a critical feature for a child or beginner who has not developed a light touch yet. The hexagonal barrel provides a non-slip grip surface that feels secure even with sweaty or tired fingers, and the casing is made from pre-consumer upcycled wood waste sourced from certified sustainable forests.

The wax-based core produces consistent, vibrant marks on paper, though it is harder than the soft-core options from Prismacolor or Kird Barken. This means you will need to press harder to achieve the same saturation level, which some adult reviewers noted as a drawback for delicate coloring book work. However, for school use, doodling, journaling, and light sketching, this hardness translates to longer-lasting points that do not require constant sharpening. The 24 colors cover the essential spectrum — primaries, secondaries, earth tones, and a few pastels — making it a practical set for general classroom and hobby use rather than intensive fine art blending.

The eco-friendly manufacturing process is a genuine differentiator: the wood is sourced from certified sustainability-managed forests, and the pencils are made in a facility that runs on renewable energy. For a buyer who wants a responsible product that can take abuse, this is the most reliable choice on this list. The 24-count box is compact and lightweight, fitting easily into a pencil case or backpack pocket. If your priority is a set that will survive months of heavy use without a single snapped core, the STAEDTLER 24-pack is the clear winner — just be aware that the harder lead requires more arm pressure for rich color, so it is better suited for structured drawing than for relaxed adult coloring.