Every great drawing starts with the right tool in your hand — but for a beginner, walking into an art supply aisle can feel overwhelming. Graphite grades like 6H and 14B seem like a foreign language, and cheap kits often leave you with hard, scratchy leads that ruin the joy of shading. The key is finding a balanced set that includes both hard pencils for fine lines and soft pencils for deep shadows, along with blending tools and a proper sketchbook to practice on.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind WellFizz. I’ve spent dozens of hours researching the components that matter most in a beginner drawing kit: graphite hardness range, charcoal variety, accessory completeness, and paper quality, to separate the true learning tools from the filler-filled sets.
Whether you’re buying for yourself or a budding young artist, the best drawing supplies for beginners deliver a complete graphite-to-charcoal range, reliable blending stumps, and organized storage to keep your creative space clutter-free.
How To Choose The Best Drawing Supplies For Beginners
Before you open your wallet, consider the three pillars of a starter kit: graphite range, material variety, and storage portability. A cheap set with only a few HB pencils and no charcoal will leave you frustrated when you try to sketch a portrait or landscape with depth.
Graphite Hardness Range
The scale runs from hard (H grades) to soft (B grades). A good beginner set should span at least from 2H or H (for light construction lines) to 8B or 10B (for deep, dark shadows). Without this spread, you cannot practice proper shading techniques. Sets that only include HB, 2B, and 4B are too limited for serious learning.
Charcoal and Blending Tools
Charcoal pencils offer rich, velvety blacks that graphite cannot match. Look for kits that include black charcoal, white charcoal (for highlights on toned paper), and at least three blending stumps or tortillions. These tools are how beginners learn to control value, texture, and smooth transitions between tones.
Sketchbook Quality and Variety
A sketchbook with 100GSM or heavier paper prevents bleed-through and ghosting when you layer graphite or use a blending stump. Bonus points if the kit includes a 3-color sketchbook (white, tan, black pages) — this lets you experiment with light and shadow on different backgrounds without buying separate pads.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIFORNY 100 PCS | Premium | Complete all-around learning | 24 Graphite (6H-14B) + 8 Blending Stumps | Amazon |
| KALOUR 113PCS | Mid-Range | Portrait and landscape practice | 24 Graphite (6H-14B) + Wooden Mannequin | Amazon |
| KALOUR PDAS 112 | Mid-Range | Learning with a tutorial guide | 112-Piece Set with 3-Color Sketchbook | Amazon |
| PANDAFLY 80 | Budget-Friendly | Exploring watercolor + graphite | Includes Watercolor Pencils & Paper | Amazon |
| HIFORNY 58 PCS | Budget-Friendly | First kit for young artists | 24 Graphite + 3-Color Sketchbook (6×9″) | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. HIFORNY 100 PCS Drawing Set Sketching Kit
The HIFORNY 100-piece kit is the goldilocks of beginner sets — it delivers a huge piece count without sacrificing quality for the sake of a big number. You get 24 graphite pencils spanning 5H through 14B, plus three black and three white charcoal pencils, pastel sticks, and a woodless graphite 6B pencil for broad shading strokes. The graphite range alone covers everything from light architectural lines to the darkest corners of a portrait.
Beyond the core pencils, the accessory list is impressive: eight blending stumps (sizes #1 through #8), four tortillions, two sketch scrapers, a blender sponge, an embossing pen, and even a plastic ruler for proportion work. The 50-page 3-color sketchbook (30 white, 10 tan, 10 black) at 100GSM is sturdy enough for layering without bleed-through. Everything packs into a durable zippered canvas case that keeps the 100 pieces organized and travel-ready.
Customer reviews consistently point out that the pencils sharpen cleanly without breaking — a common issue with cheaper brands. The leads are pre-sharpened, so you can start sketching immediately. The blending stump set is particularly praised for being large enough to handle both fine details and broad smudging, which is a rare find in a kit at this tier.
Why it’s great
- Widest graphite range (5H-14B) of any kit reviewed
- 8 blending stumps + 4 tortillions for detailed shading work
- Durable zippered canvas case keeps everything organized
Good to know
- No watercolor or metallic pencils if you want mixed media
- Sketchbook is 6×9″, smaller than standard 9×12″ pads
2. KALOUR 113PCS Drawing Set, Professional Sketching Kit
KALOUR’s 113-piece set stands out by including a wooden mannequin — a surprisingly useful tool for beginners learning proportion, gesture drawing, and foreshortening. The graphite selection mirrors the HIFORNY range with 24 pencils from 6H to 14B, plus three black and three white charcoal pencils, four willow charcoal sticks, and three graphite sticks for larger coverage. The mix of compressed and willow charcoal gives you options for both fine lines and wide, dusty strokes.
The accessory pack includes blending stumps, a sandpaper block for pointing charcoal, a pencil extender, an art knife, and a highlight pen for white accents on toned paper. The 3-color sketchbook is the same 6×9″ 100GSM format with 50 sheets, and the whole set packs into a sleek zippered nylon case. All materials are non-toxic and conform to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards, making it a safe choice for young artists.
Buyers consistently mention that the set feels premium for its tier, with the zipper case having a sleek, sturdy design that holds up to daily use. The wooden mannequin is small but articulated, helping beginners understand the human form without needing a separate figure drawing class. A few users note the eraser pencil could be softer, but the included kneaded and vinyl erasers handle most correction needs.
Why it’s great
- Wooden mannequin included for anatomy practice
- Wide graphite and charcoal variety for dramatic contrast
- Non-toxic, conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards
Good to know
- No pastel or watercolor pencils in this set
- Eraser pencil is less effective than separate erasers
3. KALOUR PDAS 112 Drawing Set Sketch Kit
The KALOUR PDAS 112 kit is specifically built for the absolute beginner who needs guidance — it includes a printed step-by-step drawing tutorial that walks through fundamental techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and blending. The graphite selection covers 6H to 14B, and the set adds three black and three white charcoal pencils, four willow charcoal sticks, graphite sticks, and even six colored pastel sticks for subtle tinting.
Accessories are generous: five blending stumps, a sketch wipe scraper, vinyl and kneaded erasers, an eraser brush pen, a sandpaper block, a pencil extender, an artist knife, two sharpeners (plastic and metal), art tape, and 30 color paper clips. The 3-color sketchbook matches the 6×9″ 100GSM format, and the entire kit fits into a portable zippered case. The inclusion of a metal sharpener (not just a plastic one) is a nice touch that serious artists will appreciate.
Reviews highlight the set as a complete starter package — the tutorial helps non-artists feel confident enough to attempt their first portrait or landscape. A few users mention that the colored pastel sticks are a fun addition but not core to learning graphite drawing. The blendable and non-toxic pencils are praised for their smooth application and resistance to breaking during sharpening.
Why it’s great
- Printed tutorial helps complete beginners learn techniques
- Includes both plastic and metal sharpeners for versatility
- Pastel sticks add a subtle color dimension to sketches
Good to know
- Pastel sticks are small and powdery, best for accents only
- 30 color paper clips add filler but aren’t essential for drawing
4. PANDAFLY 80 Drawing Set Sketching Kit
PANDAFLY breaks the graphite-only mold by including 12 watercolor pencils, 12 oil-based colored pencils, and 12 metallic coloring pencils alongside the standard graphite and charcoal set. The watercolor pencils can be activated with the included refillable water brush pen to create soft washes — a fantastic way for beginners to explore wet-on-dry techniques without buying a separate watercolor pan set.
The graphite side of the kit includes 15 wooden graphite pencils and 7 black charcoal pencils (plus white charcoal), so you still get a solid shading foundation. The book extras are unique: you get both a 3-color sketch pad (6×9″, 100GSM, 50 sheets) and a separate 5.5×8.5″ watercolor paper pad (140lb/300gsm, 12 sheets) that holds up to wet media without buckling. The zippered travel case fits everything, including both pads, which is rare at this size.
Customers love the variety for the price — it’s a single kit that lets a new artist dabble in watercolor, metallic accents, and traditional graphite shading. The 2-year warranty from the manufacturer adds peace of mind. A few notes: the water brush pen needs to be squeezed carefully to avoid flooding the paper, and the metallic pencils work best on darker-toned paper in the sketchbook.
Why it’s great
- Watercolor pencils + water brush pen for mixed media exploration
- Includes both a sketch pad and a watercolor paper pad
- Metallic pencils add visual interest for card making and crafts
Good to know
- Water brush pen can oversaturate paper if not used carefully
- Graphite range is narrower than dedicated drawing kits
5. HIFORNY 58 PCS Drawing Kit Sketching Pencil Set
The HIFORNY 58-piece kit is the most accessible entry point — it strips away frills while keeping the essential graphite and charcoal range new artists actually need. The 24 graphite pencils span 5H through 14B, and you get three black charcoal pencils, one white charcoal pencil, a woodless 6B graphite pencil, and graphite and charcoal sticks for larger shading work. Every pencil is pre-sharpened and clearly marked with its grade.
The accessory set is lean but functional: three blending stumps, a sketch wipe scraper, 10 replacement sponge heads, kneaded and vinyl erasers, a sandpaper block, a sharpener, a pencil extender, and an art knife. The 3-color sketchbook is the same 6×9″ 100GSM format with 50 sheets (30 white, 10 tan, 10 black). Everything fits into a durable canvas pencil case that folds open for easy access — no zipper, just a roll-and-tie design that’s quick to set up.
Reviews from families buying for young artists mention that the canvas case is less intimidating than a hard zippered case, and the set is “almost everything” a beginner needs. The white gel pen included is a nice highlight tool for toned paper. A few users recommend buying a larger sketchbook separately if you prefer bigger drawings, as the 6×9″ pad is on the small side for ambitious landscapes.
Why it’s great
- Lightweight canvas case is easy to carry and less bulky
- Pre-sharpened pencils labeled with grade save setup time
- White gel pen included for highlights on tan/black paper
Good to know
- Only three blending stumps — fewer than larger kits
- Canvas roll case provides less protection than a zippered case
FAQ
How many graphite grades do I need as a beginner?
Why do some kits include both black and white charcoal pencils?
Is a 3-color sketchbook worth the extra cost?
How do blending stumps differ from tortillions?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most users, the best drawing supplies for beginners winner is the HIFORNY 100 PCS Drawing Set because it combines the widest graphite range (5H-14B) with eight blending stumps, charcoal options, and a durable zippered case — all at a tier that leaves room for future upgrades. If you want wooden mannequin and non-toxic certification for young artists, grab the KALOUR 113PCS kit. And for creative exploration with watercolor pencils and metallic accents, nothing beats the PANDAFLY 80-piece set.
Mo Maruf
I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.