The best colored pencils for mixed media need more than bright pigment. They should layer cleanly, blend predictably, and work well alongside graphite, markers, ink, and other art materials.
We’ve rounded up 10 options ranging from compact starter kits to extensive artist sets, so you can choose based on core softness, color range, portability, and the type of mixed-media projects you make.
Best 10 Colored Pencils for Mixed Media Picks for 2026
Best Starter Set
Prismacolor Scholar Mixed Media Art Set
- Combines colored, graphite, and brush-tip tools
- Colored pencils support blending and resist breakage
- Good for beginner sketching and mixed-media practice
Best For: Students and aspiring artists starting mixed-media projects
Best Color Range
- Offers 180 named and numbered colors
- Soft, vivid cores blend and layer smoothly
- Includes a protective tin case and tray
Best For: Artists and colorists needing extensive color variety
Best Premium Core
- Soft, thick cores handle shading and shadows
- Smooth laydown with richly saturated pigments
- Robust leads resist cracking and chipping
Best For: Adult artists focused on smooth, detailed shading
Best Organized Set
Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils
- 120 pencils are named, numbered, and color coded
- Soft cores blend, layer, and burnish
- Zip case and tutorial support organized practice
Best For: Artists exploring multiple surfaces and techniques
Versatile Oil-Based Pick
- 72 vibrant oil-based colors for layering and blending
- Includes blender pencil, sketchbook, and color chart
- Sturdy organized case with individual pencil slots
Best For: Adult artists wanting a complete sketching and blending kit
Multi-Surface Choice
POSCA Soft Core Colored Pencils
- 48 vivid colors with opaque matte coverage
- Suitable for paper, canvas, wood, metal, and plastic
- 4.0mm break-resistant soft core blends and layers
Best For: Artists using pencils on multiple creative surfaces
Maximum Color Range
KALOUR Professional 300 Colors
- 300 numbered and named shades for precise color selection
- Soft, vivid cores support blending and layering
- Tin box and built-in tray keep pencils organized
Best For: Artists wanting the broadest range for detailed color work
Classic Blending Pick
Prismacolor Premier 24-Count Colored Pencils
- Soft cores support shading and shadows
- Smooth, saturated color laydown
- Portable tin with 24 pre-sharpened pencils
Best For: Blending, sketching, and compact adult coloring kits
Color-Range Value
Shuttle Art 80-Count Colored Pencils
- 80 unique colors with names and numbers
- Soft cores glide, layer, and blend
- Non-toxic, acid-free construction
Best For: Beginners and detailed projects needing broad color variety
Complete Starter Kit
120-Color Oil-Based Pencil Set with Sketchbook
- 120 vibrant oil-based colors
- Includes sketchbook and drawing tutorial
- Zipper case supports organized transport
Best For: Beginners and gift-ready drawing, layering, and blending kits
Best Starter Set – Prismacolor Scholar Mixed Media Art Set
For beginners looking for colored pencils for mixed media, this 20-piece Prismacolor Scholar set combines colored pencils with graphite pencils and a brush-tip marker. It is suited to experimenting with sketching, drawing, detailing, and early mixed-media projects without buying separate supplies.
Best For: Students, aspiring artists, and beginners developing ideas across multiple drawing media.
Pros:
- Includes colored pencils, graphite pencils, and a flexible brush-tip marker.
- Colored pencils are designed to minimize breakage and support blending.
- Graphite pencils add detail, depth, and intensity to artwork.
- Brush-tip marker creates thick, thin, or varied lines in one stroke.
Cons:
- At 20 pieces, the set offers fewer colored-pencil shades than larger dedicated sets.
- Designed with beginners and idea development in mind rather than a full professional palette.
This is a practical introduction to mixed-media work, especially if versatility matters more than having a large range of colors.
Best Color Range – KALOUR 180 Colored Pencils
Artists who want colored pencils for mixed media and broad color selection may appreciate this 180-piece KALOUR set. Its soft, pigmented cores are intended for blending and layering, while the numbered, named colors make it easier to identify shades during detailed work.
Best For: Adult artists, colorists, and hobbyists who prioritize a large palette and organized storage.
Pros:
- Provides 180 unique colors for extensive shading and color matching.
- Soft cores deliver vivid color and support blending and layering.
- Break-resistant cores are designed for consistent use.
- Tin case and built-in tray help keep the pencils organized and protected.
Cons:
- The large set may be more than beginners need for simple projects.
- The supplied details emphasize coloring and drawing rather than included non-pencil media.
Choose this set when color variety is the main priority; it offers a substantial pencil palette, though it is not a multi-tool mixed-media kit.
Best Premium Core – Prismacolor Premier 36-Count
For colored pencils for mixed media that emphasize smooth application, the Prismacolor Premier 36-count set uses soft, thick cores suited to shading and shadows. Its richly saturated, lightfast pigments and robust leads make it a focused option for drawing, sketching, and layered color work.
Best For: Adult artists who want smooth shading, saturated color, and a compact premium pencil set.
Pros:
- Soft, thick cores are well suited to shading and shadows.
- Provides ultra-smooth, even color laydown.
- Richly saturated, lightfast pigments support detailed artwork.
- Thick leads resist cracking and chipping during use.
Cons:
- With 36 colors, it has a smaller palette than the 120- and 180-count alternatives.
- It contains colored pencils only, so additional media must be purchased separately.
This set is a strong choice for artists who value core feel and shading performance over maximum color coverage or an all-in-one media selection.
Best Organized Set – Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils
This Castle Art Supplies set is a versatile choice for colored pencils for mixed media, with 120 soft, creamy pencils that can be layered, blended, and burnished on paper, eggshell, canvas, wood, and more. The color-coded zip case also makes a large collection easier to navigate.
Best For: Adult artists and hobbyists who want a broad, organized set for drawing, coloring, and surface experimentation.
Pros:
- Includes 120 pencils arranged in named, numbered, color-coded families.
- Soft yet durable cores support layering, blending, and burnishing.
- Works across listed surfaces including paper, eggshell, canvas, and wood.
- Comes with a zip-around case and a fold-out skills tutorial.
Cons:
- The pencils are not water resistant.
- The broad set and accessories may be more than casual colorists require.
Its combination of color organization, surface versatility, and included tutorial makes it one of the more adaptable options for artists expanding beyond standard paper coloring.
Versatile Oil-Based Pick – KALOUR 72 Colored Pencils
For artists seeking colored pencils for mixed media, this 72-color KALOUR set offers smooth oil-based laydown for layering, shading, and blending. The included sketchbook, blender pencil, color chart, and zippered canvas-and-cotton case make it a practical starter kit.
Best For: Adult artists who want a balanced set for sketching, coloring, and detailed blended artwork.
Pros:
- 72 vibrant, highly pigmented oil-based colors.
- Strong, break-resistant cores support layering and detailed work.
- Includes a sketchbook, blender pencil, and color chart.
- Sturdy case has 73 individual slots and secure elastic straps.
Cons:
- The set is oriented toward adults rather than children.
- It may be more kit than you need if you already own accessories.
This is a well-rounded option for mixed-media artists who value blending tools and organized storage alongside a broad oil-based color range.
Multi-Surface Choice – POSCA Soft Core Colored Pencils
These POSCA colored pencils are a strong contender for colored pencils for mixed media because their soft, wax-hybrid cores are designed for paper, canvas, wood, metal, plastic, and painted surfaces. The 48-color assortment emphasizes vivid, opaque coverage with smooth blending and layering.
Best For: Artists and hobbyists working across varied surfaces who prefer bold, matte color and a durable core.
Pros:
- Works across paper, canvas, wood, metal, plastic, and painted surfaces.
- Highly pigmented colors provide vivid, opaque coverage.
- 4.0mm break-resistant core supports reliable drawing.
- Made in Japan and designed for professional-grade performance.
Cons:
- The 48-color selection is smaller than the 72- and 300-color alternatives here.
- No separate blender, sketchbook, or color chart is listed among the included components.
Choose this set when surface flexibility and strong, even coverage matter more than having the largest possible color selection or a bundled accessory kit.
Maximum Color Range – KALOUR Professional 300 Colors
For colored pencils for mixed media artists who want extensive color control, this KALOUR set provides 300 numbered and named shades. Its soft, highly pigmented cores are intended for vivid coloring, blending, layering, drawing, and shading, while the tin and built-in tray keep the collection organized.
Best For: Artists, adult colorists, and beginners who want the broadest shade selection for nuanced artwork.
Pros:
- 300 distinct colors offer extensive shade-matching flexibility.
- Soft, smooth, break-resistant cores suit blending and layering.
- Numbered and named pencils simplify color identification.
- Includes a protective tin box and plastic organizing tray.
Cons:
- The very large set may be excessive for beginners seeking a compact selection.
- The supplied notes do not list a blender pencil, sketchbook, or color chart.
This is the most comprehensive choice of the three for artists who prioritize maximum color variety and organized storage over portability or bundled accessories.
Classic Blending Pick – Prismacolor Premier 24-Count Colored Pencils
For artists who want smooth, blendable color in a compact set, Prismacolor Premier is a practical choice for colored pencils for mixed media projects. Its soft cores support shading and layering, while the 24-color assortment covers common drawing and coloring needs.
Best For: Shading, blending, adult coloring, sketching, and portable art kits.
Pros:
- Soft, thick cores help create shading and shadows.
- Ultra-smooth laydown with richly saturated pigments.
- Durable leads resist cracking and chipping under normal use.
- Pre-sharpened pencils come in a portable tin case.
Cons:
- The 24-count palette offers less color variety than larger sets.
- These pencils are not water resistant.
- The set is oil-based, so it may not suit every mixed-media technique.
This set is a strong fit when smooth application and reliable blending matter more than having a very broad color range. The tin also makes it convenient for transporting a compact selection.
Color-Range Value – Shuttle Art 80-Count Colored Pencils
Shuttle Art’s 80-color set is useful for colored pencils for mixed media when you want broad color selection without assembling pencils individually. Named and numbered barrels make color identification easier during drawing, coloring, layering, and blending.
Best For: Beginners, families, adult coloring, sketching, and projects requiring many distinct colors.
Pros:
- Includes 80 unique colors with no duplicates.
- Color names and numbers help with quick selection and organization.
- Soft, break-resistant cores glide smoothly and blend well.
- Non-toxic and acid-free pencils conform to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards.
Cons:
- The pencils are not water resistant.
- The large palette may be more than needed for simple, small projects.
- The set is wax-based, which may not match every preferred mixed-media workflow.
Choose this set if variety and straightforward color organization are priorities. Its combination of a broad palette, soft cores, and break resistance makes it approachable for both beginners and regular coloring users.
Complete Starter Kit – 120-Color Oil-Based Pencil Set with Sketchbook
This 120-piece kit is designed for colored pencils for mixed media users who want a wide palette plus basic drawing extras. The oil-based, soft-core pencils are intended for layering and blending, while the included sketchbook and tutorial make the set accessible to beginners.
Best For: Beginners, gift sets, detailed coloring, sketching, layering, and portable art practice.
Pros:
- Provides 120 bright, assorted oil-based colors.
- Soft cores are suited to layering and blending.
- Includes a three-color sketchbook and step-by-step parrot tutorial.
- A zipper case helps keep the supplies organized and portable.
Cons:
- The larger kit takes up more storage space than a compact pencil set.
- The included tutorial focuses on drawing a parrot, so it may not match every project.
- The notes do not specify water resistance.
This is the most comprehensive option of the three for someone starting or expanding an art setup. Its combination of 120 colors, practice materials, tutorial content, and storage makes it especially practical as a ready-to-use gift or beginner kit.
How We Picked the Best Colored Pencils for Mixed Media
We focused on sets with soft or smooth cores, useful color variety, and formats suited to layering and blending. We also considered whether each option fits a particular type of artist, from beginners building a basic kit to experienced users who want hundreds of shades. Mixed-media versatility matters here: pencils should be practical for use over suitable paper with graphite, markers, ink, paint, or other compatible media.
Set size was considered alongside usability. A larger assortment can provide more nuanced color transitions, but a smaller, carefully chosen set may be easier to organize and carry.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | Recommended Type | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Starter mixed-media kit | Prismacolor Scholar Mixed Media Art Set | Combines colored pencils with complementary supplies |
| Broad color selection | KALOUR 180 or 300-color sets | Many shades for detailed layering and gradients |
| Premium soft-core drawing | Prismacolor Premier | Smooth application and strong blending potential |
| Large artist assortment | Castle Art Supplies 120 or POSCA 48 | Useful balance of range and everyday usability |
| Portable coloring and sketching | KALOUR 72 or Prismacolor Premier 24 | More manageable case sizes |
Key Buying Factors for Colored Pencils for Mixed Media
Core Softness and Layering
Soft-core pencils generally lay down color easily and blend well, making them useful for rich backgrounds and smooth transitions. They can also use more pigment and require more frequent sharpening. Medium or firmer cores may provide better control for fine lines, texture, and detail.
Color Range
More colors reduce the need to mix hues manually, but a large set is not automatically better. Look for colors that support your subjects, especially skin tones, natural greens, blues, and neutral shades. If you enjoy building colors through layering, a smaller set can be sufficient.
Paper and Compatibility
Choose a surface that can handle repeated layering without becoming waxy or damaged. Smooth paper favors clean details, while lightly textured paper holds more pigment. If you plan to combine pencils with wet media, verify that the paper is designed for the specific medium and let wet layers dry before adding pencil.
Organization and Durability
A tin or structured case protects the cores and makes color selection easier. For large sets, check whether the storage system allows you to identify shades quickly and replace pencils without disrupting the collection.
Who Should Buy Which Colored Pencils for Mixed Media?
Beginners and casual colorists should consider a smaller Prismacolor, KALOUR, or mixed-media kit that provides essential shades without excessive cost or clutter. Artists who prioritize blending and saturated coverage may prefer Prismacolor Premier or another soft-core set. If you frequently create detailed illustrations, gradients, or large compositions, the 120-, 180-, or 300-color collections offer more room for subtle transitions.
Choose a compact 24-, 36-, 48-, or 72-count set if portability and simple organization matter most. For a studio setup, a larger assortment is more practical. Whichever set you choose, test a few pencils on your intended paper first: actual performance depends on pressure, surface texture, layering technique, and the other media in your workflow.