Tips for Choosing Your First Coloring Pencils

Picking out your very first set of coloring pencils can feel like a bigger decision than it needs to be. With so many brands, colors counts, and price points on the shelf, it helps to know exactly what matters for a beginner and what you can safely ignore.

Start With Comfort, Not Color Count

It's tempting to reach for the biggest box of colors you can find, but a giant 150-color set isn't much use if the pencils are hard to hold or don't lay down color smoothly. For a first set, comfort and ease of use matter far more than variety. A set of 12 to 24 colors gives you plenty of room to explore while keeping choices simple, and it's much easier to keep track of where each color lives in the box.

What to Check Before You Buy

Core softness — softer cores glide across paper with light pressure, which is especially helpful for younger colorists or anyone new to the hobby.
Barrel shape — triangular or slightly thicker barrels are easier to grip than thin, round ones, and they're less likely to roll off a table.
Point durability — cheap pencils sometimes have cores that crumble or snap under normal use, so a quick look at reviews can save frustration later.
Pre-sharpened tips — being able to start coloring right out of the box removes one extra step for beginners eager to dive in.

Try Before You Commit

If you have the chance, test a couple of pencils on scrap paper before buying a full set. Notice how much pressure it takes to get solid color, whether the tip holds its point, and whether the color looks the way you expect on the page rather than in the packaging. This five-minute test tells you more than any label ever could.

A Simple Way to Start

Once you've chosen a set, practice on a page with large, open shapes rather than fine detail. Coloring big spaces first helps you get a feel for pressure and coverage before moving on to trickier work, like the techniques covered in our guide to coloring small details. From there, you can start experimenting with building up color in layers as your confidence grows.

Signs You're Ready to Expand Your Set

Once basic coloring feels comfortable, you might notice you keep reaching for a color that isn't in your box, or that you want a specific shade for skin tones, skies, or shading. That's a natural signal that it's time to add a few pencils rather than replace the whole set — there's no need to start over.

Tips for Parents and Teachers

Buy one extra pencil in a favorite color — it always seems to be the first one that needs replacing.
Keep a separate small sharpener just for coloring pencils so points stay clean and sharp.
Let kids choose their own colors rather than sorting them by "correct" use — creativity matters more than accuracy at this stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth buying an expensive set for a beginner?

Not necessarily. Mid-range pencils are usually smooth enough to learn with, and you can always upgrade later once you know what you personally like about a particular brand or style.

How do I know if a pencil is too hard or too soft?

A pencil that needs heavy pressure to show color is likely too hard for comfortable use. One that smudges easily or wears down quickly after light use is on the softer side — both are usable, but softer is generally more forgiving for beginners.

Should I buy a pencil-and-marker combo set to start?

Sticking with just pencils at first keeps things simple and lets you focus on one set of skills. You can always add markers or watercolor pencils once basic pencil control feels natural.

Conclusion

Choosing your first coloring pencils doesn't need to be complicated. Look for a comfortable grip, a manageable color range, and a soft, reliable core, and you'll have everything you need to start enjoying a coloring page right away.