The best beginner colored pencils make it easier to learn basic color theory, shading, blending, and drawing without requiring an expensive professional setup. This roundup includes approachable sets for kids, adult coloring, classroom use, and first-time artists.
We compared options by color selection, core feel, durability, sharpening convenience, and overall versatility so you can choose a set that fits your age, projects, and budget.
Best 10 Beginner Colored Pencils Picks for 2026
Best Everyday Starter
Crayola 36-Count Colored Pencils
- 36-color beginner-friendly palette
- Presharpened and durable soft cores
- Good for school and coloring books
Best For: Kids, classrooms, and casual beginners
Best for Smooth Blending
- Soft cores support shading and blending
- Smooth, richly pigmented laydown
- Includes a portable tin case
Best For: Beginners practicing shading and adult coloring
Best No-Sharpening Option
- 50 colors for broad creative variety
- Twist-up design needs no sharpening
- Protected cores and portable format
Best For: Kids and beginners wanting low-maintenance coloring
Best Large Artist Palette
KALOUR 72-Count Colored Pencils
- 72 colors for extensive creative range
- Soft cores support layering and blending
- Includes chart, sharpener, and storage case
Best For: Beginners building an adult coloring or drawing kit
Easy-Start Pick
Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils
- 24 vibrant, pre-sharpened colors
- Erasable for correcting mistakes
- Resealable box for storage
Best For: Kids and beginners practicing coloring
Color-Range Pick
- 72 numbered and named colors
- Soft cores blend and layer smoothly
- Includes a storage case
Best For: Beginners exploring shading and detailed coloring
Compact Practice Pick
- 36-color assortment for everyday use
- Soft cores for coloring and shading
- Includes a sharpener
Best For: Teens and beginners wanting a manageable set
Best Color Range
- 80 unique, named and numbered colors
- Soft cores for blending and layering
- Break-resistant and non-toxic
Best For: Beginners building a versatile coloring and sketching collection
Best Ready-to-Use Set
48 Pre-Sharpened Colored Pencils
- 48 unique colors for varied artwork
- Pre-sharpened and ready to use
- Hexagonal barrels improve grip
Best For: Kids and beginners starting coloring or school art projects
Best Compact Starter Set
- 24 vibrant colors in a portable set
- Pre-sharpened for immediate use
- Break-resistant soft cores
Best For: Beginners practicing drawing and coloring at home, school, or while traveling
Best Everyday Starter – Crayola 36-Count Colored Pencils
For beginner colored pencils, this Crayola set offers a straightforward starting palette for schoolwork, coloring books, and casual drawing. The 36 presharpened pencils are ready to use and designed with durable, soft cores.
Best For: Kids, classrooms, families, and beginners who want an easy-to-use general-purpose set.
Pros:
- 36 distinct colors provide a useful range for beginner projects.
- Presharpened tips make the set ready to use out of the box.
- Soft cores are designed to resist breaking easily.
- Suitable for coloring books, school activities, and gifts.
Cons:
- The round, smooth design may offer less specialized grip support.
- The set is positioned more for general use than advanced blending techniques.
This is a practical pick when simplicity, quantity, and kid-friendly use matter more than professional-level effects. It gives new artists a broad starting palette without adding complicated features.
Best for Smooth Blending – Prismacolor Premier 24-Count
Beginners who want to explore shading and blending may appreciate these Prismacolor Premier colored pencils. Their soft cores and smooth laydown make them a more technique-focused option for drawing, sketching, and adult coloring.
Best For: New artists interested in soft shading, layering, blending, and richer color application.
Pros:
- Soft, thick cores are suited to shading and creating shadows.
- Ultra-smooth laydown supports even, consistent coloring.
- Richly saturated pigments provide vivid color.
- Includes a portable tin case and presharpened pencils.
Cons:
- At 24 colors, the palette is smaller than several beginner sets.
- The soft core may be less suited to users who prefer crisp, firm lines.
- These pencils are not water resistant.
This set is a strong step up for beginners who want to practice blending rather than only fill in coloring pages. The compact color selection is manageable while still covering common drawing and shading needs.
Best No-Sharpening Option – Crayola Twistables 50-Count
For beginner colored pencils that are easy to manage, Crayola Twistables eliminate sharpening and peeling. The 50-count set offers a broad color selection in a portable format, making it convenient for kids’ projects and coloring on the go.
Best For: Children and beginners who prioritize convenience, mess-free use, and a large color variety.
Pros:
- 50 colors provide plenty of variety for coloring and school projects.
- Twist-up design requires no sharpening or peeling.
- Plastic barrels help protect the color cores.
- Tips twist down for storage and portability.
Cons:
- The plastic barrel may feel less traditional than a woodcase pencil.
- The set is intended for coloring and drawing rather than advanced pencil techniques.
- It is labeled for ages 4 and up, so it may not suit very young children.
This is the most convenient choice in the group for beginners who tend to lose or break pencil tips. Its twist mechanism keeps setup simple and makes transporting the pencils easier.
Best Large Artist Palette – KALOUR 72-Count Colored Pencils
Beginners looking for room to experiment may prefer this KALOUR set, which combines 72 colors with a soft wax-based core for layering and blending. Its labeled pencils, color chart, sharpener, and storage case make it a more complete starter kit.
Best For: Beginning artists who want a large palette for adult coloring, drawing, sketching, and blend-focused practice.
Pros:
- 72 richly pigmented colors offer extensive variety.
- Soft wax-based cores glide smoothly for layering and blending.
- Color names and numbers simplify identification and organization.
- Includes a DIY color chart, sharpener, gift box, and storage case.
Cons:
- The large color selection may feel overwhelming to someone starting from scratch.
- The soft core is geared toward blending rather than especially fine, firm marks.
- The product is described for adult users, making it less specifically kid-focused.
This set suits beginners who want to grow into more involved coloring and drawing techniques. The included accessories reduce the need to buy setup essentials separately, while the 72-color range leaves plenty of room to explore.
Easy-Start Pick – Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils
For beginners who want a forgiving set, these Crayola erasable colored pencils combine 24 vibrant colors with pre-sharpened tips and an easy-to-use format. They are a practical choice for kids, classroom projects, homeschool activities, and everyday coloring.
Best For: Kids and beginners who want erasable, ready-to-use colored pencils.
Pros:
- Includes 24 vibrant colors in a resealable box.
- Erasable cores help correct mistakes.
- Pre-sharpened and ready to use out of the box.
- Smooth, precise coloring for detailed work.
Cons:
- The 24-color selection is smaller than the other sets featured here.
- These pencils are not water resistant.
This is a straightforward beginner colored pencils option when ease of use matters more than having a large color range. The erasable feature can make early practice less intimidating.
Color-Range Pick – Soucolor 72 Colored Pencils
Beginners who want more shades to explore may appreciate this 72-piece set. The soft, break-resistant cores are designed for smooth coloring, blending, layering, and shading, while numbered and named pencils make color selection easier.
Best For: Beginners progressing into blending, shading, adult coloring, and detailed drawing.
Pros:
- Offers 72 richly pigmented colors.
- Soft cores support blending and layering.
- Pre-sharpened pencils have break-resistant cores.
- Numbered and named pencils simplify color identification.
Cons:
- The larger set may offer more colors than a casual beginner needs.
- It is not water resistant.
With its broad palette and soft core, this set gives beginners room to experiment with gradients and shading without immediately needing to upgrade. The included storage case also keeps the collection organized.
Compact Practice Pick – 36 Pack Colored Pencils
This 36-pack offers a manageable starting palette for beginners, teens, and casual coloring. The lightweight wood pencils have soft cores, and the included sharpener helps keep the set ready for drawing and coloring sessions.
Best For: Teens and beginners who want a compact set with a sharpener included.
Pros:
- Provides 36 assorted colors for everyday projects.
- Soft cores suit coloring and shading practice.
- Includes a sharpener.
- Lightweight design is easy to handle and carry.
Cons:
- The supplied notes provide limited information about blending performance and color naming.
- Recommended for teens aged 12 and above.
This is a sensible middle-ground choice for someone who wants more variety than a basic set but fewer pencils than a large artist-style collection. The included sharpener adds practical convenience for beginners.
Best Color Range – 80-Color Soft-Core Pencils
For beginners colored pencils should be easy to identify and versatile enough for practice. This Shuttle Art set offers 80 unique, named and numbered colors, giving new artists plenty of options for coloring books, sketching, shading, layering, and blending.
Best For: Beginners who want a broad color selection for drawing, coloring, and experimenting with blending techniques.
Pros:
- Includes 80 unique colors with names and numbers on the barrels.
- Soft cores provide smooth laydown and support blending, shading, and layering.
- Break-resistant cores and quality wood are designed for normal sharpening and use.
- Non-toxic and acid-free, with ASTM D-4236 and EN71 compliance.
Cons:
- The large color range may be more than a casual beginner needs.
- The set is not water-resistant.
Its combination of a generous palette, labeled pencils, and blendable soft cores makes this a strong choice for beginners who want room to grow. The included sturdy case also helps keep the collection organized.
Best Ready-to-Use Set – 48 Pre-Sharpened Colored Pencils
Beginners colored pencils are more approachable when they can be used immediately. This 48-piece set arrives pre-sharpened, offering a practical selection of unique colors for coloring books, sketching, painting, and school or home art projects.
Best For: Kids and beginners who want a ready-to-use set with a comfortable, non-rolling hexagonal shape.
Pros:
- All 48 pencils arrive pre-sharpened for immediate use.
- Each color is unique, providing useful variety for coloring and artwork.
- Hexagonal barrels offer a familiar grip and help prevent rolling.
- Smooth, saturated pigments are designed for bright, even marks.
Cons:
- The set does not include a stated warranty.
- It offers fewer colors than the 80-piece alternative.
Pre-sharpening is the main convenience here, especially for younger users or first-time artists who want to start without preparing their supplies. Its 48-color range balances variety with a manageable collection size.
Best Compact Starter Set – 24 Soft-Core Colored Pencils
A compact set can be a sensible starting point when choosing beginner colored pencils. This FanVean collection includes 24 vibrant, pre-sharpened colors with soft, break-resistant cores for drawing, sketching, blending, coloring books, and school projects.
Best For: Beginners who prefer a portable, uncomplicated set for home, school, travel, or introductory art practice.
Pros:
- Offers 24 vibrant, high-saturation colors in a compact format.
- Pre-sharpened pencils are ready to use out of the box.
- Strong bonded soft cores resist snapping and crumbling.
- Non-toxic and acid-free, conforming to ASTM D-4236 standards.
Cons:
- The 24-color palette provides less range than larger sets.
- The supplied notes do not specify a case or included sharpener.
This is a straightforward entry point for beginners who value portability and ease of use over an extensive palette. Its pre-sharpened, break-resistant design also suits classroom and travel use.
How We Picked the Best Beginner Colored Pencils
We focused on the features that matter most when someone is learning: dependable color application, comfortable handling, useful color variety, and a core that is forgiving during practice. The selection includes traditional wood-cased pencils, twist-up designs, erasable options, and larger sets for artists who want more shades.
We also considered whether each set suits children, adults, classrooms, coloring books, or general drawing. Pre-sharpened pencils and break-resistant construction can reduce frustration, while softer cores are generally more enjoyable for blending and layering.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Young children | Thicker barrels, durable cores, and washable or easy-to-use designs |
| Classrooms and families | Large counts, reliable value, and broad color variety |
| Adult coloring | Smooth cores, rich pigmentation, and blendable colors |
| Learning techniques | Traditional pencils with enough shades for layering and shading |
| Less sharpening | Twist-up or pre-sharpened designs |
Key Buying Factors for Beginner Colored Pencils
Core Softness
Soft-core pencils lay down color smoothly and are often easier to blend, making them appealing for coloring books and expressive drawing. They may use more pigment and require more frequent sharpening. Firmer cores are better for crisp outlines, fine details, and rougher handling.
Color Count and Selection
A 24-color set is usually enough to learn the basics without becoming overwhelming. Sets of 36 to 50 colors offer more flexibility, while 72- and 80-color collections are useful when you want intermediate shades without mixing every color yourself. A larger count is not automatically better if the pencils feel inconsistent.
Durability and Sharpening
Beginners often apply uneven pressure, so break-resistant cores are valuable. Check whether the pencils arrive pre-sharpened and whether they sharpen cleanly with a standard manual sharpener. Twist-up pencils eliminate sharpening but can feel different from traditional art pencils.
Age and Intended Use
For children, prioritize easy-grip designs, durability, and age-appropriate materials. Adults learning to draw may prefer smoother cores and a wider palette. If you plan to use heavy layering or professional artwork, you may eventually want artist-grade pencils, but a beginner set is sufficient for building technique.
Who Should Buy Which Beginner Colored Pencils?
Choose a compact 24-color set if you are buying a first kit, need a portable option, or want to teach basic color mixing. Pick a 36- to 50-color set for family use, school projects, and broader creative variety. A 72- or 80-color set makes more sense for adult coloring enthusiasts and beginners who want many ready-made shades.
Choose erasable pencils when correcting mistakes is especially important, and consider twist-up pencils for children or anyone who dislikes sharpening. For the smoothest coloring and blending experience, prioritize a soft-core set; for precise outlines and detail work, look for a firmer, more controlled core. The right choice is the set that matches your projects and encourages you to practice consistently.