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Picking the right drawing supplies can feel like a maze of graphite grades, paper weights, and medium types. You just want a set that lets you sketch, shade, and add color without fussing over what each tool does. This guide ranks the best all-in-one drawing kits and the top-rated colored pencil set for serious artists.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Whether you’re starting out or restocking a pro kit, these drawing supplies picks balance value, variety, and real-world performance for every artist.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Drawing Supplies
Match the kit’s mediums and piece count to your skill level and drawing goals. A complete set includes graphite for sketching, charcoal for shading, and colored pencils for color.
Know Your Mediums
Graphite pencils (marked with H and B grades) handle line work and shading. Charcoal gives you deep, rich blacks that blend easily. Watercolor pencils let you draw then add water to create paint-like washes. A versatile kit includes at least one of each medium so you can test before upgrading.
Paper Matters as Much as the Pencil
A sketchbook’s weight (measured in GSM or pounds) determines how well it handles wet media. Standard 100 GSM paper works for dry sketching and light washes. A separate watercolor pad with heavier 300 GSM paper resists buckling when you wet it. Sets with multiple paper types (white, tan, black) let you explore different drawing styles.
Check the Case and Portability
If you draw on the go, a zippered case with organized compartments keeps everything protected and easy to find. Some cases even flip open to stand upright, letting you see all your tools at once. Choose a portable zippered case if you draw on the go, not a bulky mega-set.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Piece Count | Mediums Included | Sketchbook Type | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prismacolor Premier 24★ Best Overall | Vibrant colored pencil art | 24 | Oil-based colored pencils | — | Amazon |
| Daerthotk 100-PackBest Value | All-in-one artist gift set | 100 | Graphite, colored, watercolor, metallic | 3-Color Spiral | Amazon |
| Drawdart 76-PackBest for Beginners | Complete sketching toolbox | 76 | Graphite, charcoal, watercolor, metallic | 3-Color + Watercolor | Amazon |
| PENCCOR 208-Pack | Kids’ creative play | 208 | Crayons, pastels, markers, pencils | Coloring Book | Amazon |
| PANDAFLY 80-Pack | Beginner sketching with tutorial | 80 | Graphite, charcoal, watercolor, metallic | 3-Color + Watercolor | Amazon |
| Castle Art 40-Piece | Traditional charcoal and graphite | 40 | Graphite, charcoal, pastels | — | Amazon |
| Nicpro 58-Piece | Precision line work and drafting | 58 | Mechanical pencils, fineliners | Spiral Top | Amazon |
| HIFORNY 126-Piece | Deep graphite range for artists | 126 | Graphite, charcoal, pastels, gel pens | 3-Color Spiral | Amazon |
| KALOUR 154-Piece | Versatile multi-medium artist set | 154 | Graphite, colored, charcoal, watercolor, pastels | 5 Pads + Tutorial | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 24 Count
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 23,000+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The creamy, ultra-smooth colored pencil that serious artists reach for first.
If your priority is rich, vibrant color rather than a huge tool collection, these are the pencils to buy. The soft thick cores lay down intense pigment with very little pressure — the thing everyone raves about is the buttery smoothness that makes shading and blending feel easy. The 24-color tin covers the essentials from True Blue to Spanish Orange and Mulberry, and each pencil arrives pre-sharpened so you can draw right away.
You get the most-praised color quality here, with over 2,000 owners highlighting it and more than 1,000 mentioning the color selection. As buyers report, “I love these pencils – very soft and the colors are lovely.” The oil-based core (a waxy binder that lets colors mix smoothly) blends beautifully on the page, but it also smears if you drag your hand across finished work.
The honest trade-off is durability — the soft core that makes them so dreamy to draw with can break if you drop them or use a harsh sharpener. Use a small-point sharpener and a light touch, and they hold up well. This set suits coloring books and portraits where color quality beats tool quantity.
Why Artists Choose These
- Ultra-smooth laydown with brilliant, lightfast pigments
- Soft cores are perfect for shading and shadows
- Durable leads resist cracking during normal use
- Convenient tin case stores all 24 pencils
Know Before You Draw
- Soft cores can break if dropped or sharpened roughly
- Colors smear if you draw with a heavy hand
Reach for these if: you love colored pencil work and want top-tier softness and blendability.
Look elsewhere if: you need a full sketching kit — this is pure color, with no graphite or charcoal.
2. Daerthotk 100 Art Supplies Drawing Kit Pro
A 100-piece everything-bag that packs a surprising amount of variety for the money.
The value is the headline: 100 pieces across six mediums at a budget price. For a price that undercuts most single-medium sets, the Daerthotk kit stuffs in 14 graphite pencils, 24 oil colored pencils, 12 watercolor pencils, 12 metallic pencils, and 3 charcoal pencils. When you factor in the 3-color sketchbook and coloring book, this is the most complete starter experience per dollar — a solid 32% more pieces than the Drawdart 76-pack below.
Value for money is the aspect owners praise most, with 26 singling it out, and variety close behind at 19. As owners mention, it’s a “great value for money” with “good color selection,” and the portable travel case keeps the 100 pieces organized to sketch anywhere. The 3-color sketch pad is a standout — 50 pages at 120 GSM with 30 white, 10 toned tan, and 10 black sheets for different drawing styles.
The small catch is that some of the novelty accessories are just that — novelty. A few owners note the tools work well but lack a manual explaining how to use each one, so complete beginners might feel a little lost at first. Still, for a gift or a first serious kit, this delivers remarkable breadth.
The Value Argument
- 100 pieces across 6+ mediums in one kit
- 3-color sketchbook with 120 GSM paper
- Portable nylon travel case organizes everything
- Fantastic gift for kids and beginners
Keep in Mind
- No instruction manual for the niche tools
- Some accessories feel more novelty than pro-grade
Buy this kit if: you want maximum variety without overspending, or you’re gifting a young artist.
Consider other options if: you need premium tool quality over sheer quantity.
3. Drawdart Art Supplies Drawing Pencils Set, 76-Pack Pro Sketching Kit
A safety-first, everything-included sketching set that grows with a budding artist.
The Drawdart 76-pack is built for learners, and the biggest reason is safety. The pencils conform to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards — independent safety standards that confirm the materials are non-toxic and eco-friendly. That makes it a stress-free choice for kids aged 9-12, even while it has enough depth for teens and adults exploring realistic sketches.
Quality is the top praise here, with 50 owners highlighting it, and the variety comes second at 12. The kit includes 12 wooden graphite sketching pencils, 12 watercolor, 12 oil-based colored, 12 metallic, plus 11 charcoal pencils and a 6B woodless graphite pencil — enough range to move from thick blending to fine detail work. The 3-color sketchbook and watercolor pad give you both dry and wet surfaces to practice on.
Owners note that teens and kids alike use it daily after receiving it as a gift — one parent’s son “has used it every single day” since Christmas. The strong zippered case keeps the 76 pieces organized. The only minor note is that some owners found durability mixed on the lesser-used accessories, but the core pencils hold up well.
Great for New Artists
- Non-toxic, eco-friendly materials (ASTM D-4236, EN71)
- 3-color sketchbook plus watercolor pad
- Woodless 6B graphite pencil for bold shading
- Strong zippered case with organized compartments
Minor Caveats
- Some accessory durability is mixed
- Best for beginners, not advanced pros
Choose this if: you want a safe, complete starter kit for a child or teen showing artistic interest.
Pick something else if: you need professional-grade tool durability for daily studio work.
4. PENCCOR Art Supplies Kit for Kids, 208-Pack with Trifold Easel
The 208-piece mega-case that doubles as a pop-up easel for kids aged 5-12.
This kit is designed around one feature no other pick has: a double-sided pop-up easel inside the case. That lets two kids draw together at once, turning a simple supply box into a shared creative station. For parents trying to cut screen time, the sheer volume of options here — crayons, oil pastels, watercolor cakes, markers, and colored pencils — keeps little hands busy for hours.
Enjoyment is what owners mention most, with 28 calling it out as a pure win. As customers note, one niece “could not put it down,” and an 8-year-old user reaches for it daily. The included 24 crayons, 48 oil pastels, and 24 colored pencils offer a broad intro to different mediums, while the 40 pieces of origami paper and sticker sheet add craft variety beyond just drawing.
The trade-off is that this is firmly a kids’ set, not an artist’s toolkit. The tools are perfectly serviceable for children but won’t satisfy a serious teen or adult sketcher. Also note the case is designed to be portable, not protective of delicate supplies — it’s a tool for creativity, not a travel vault. For its intended age range, it’s a fantastic gift.
Built for Play
- Double-sided pop-up easel for shared drawing
- 24 crayons, 48 oil pastels, 24 colored pencils
- Includes origami paper and coloring book
- Safe, non-toxic, odorless materials
Not for Serious Artists
- Tools are kid-grade, not pro-grade
- Case is for transport, not heavy protection
Get this for: a young child (ages 5-12) who loves to craft and draw, especially as a gift.
skip it if: you’re shopping for a teen or adult who wants quality art materials.
5. PANDAFLY 80 Drawing Set Sketching Kit with 3-Color Sketchbook
A self-teaching kit that pairs 80 tools with a printed guide to actually learn from.
Most beginner kits hand you tools and wish you luck. The PANDAFLY 80-pack does something smarter — it includes a printed tutorial guide that teaches drawing and sketching techniques using the exact materials in the case. That makes it the pick for someone who genuinely wants to improve, not just collect supplies. The 3-color sketch pad (100 GSM, 30 white, 10 tan, 10 black pages) and separate 300 GSM watercolor pad give you proper surfaces to practice on.
Gift is the aspect owners praise most at 33 mentions, with value for money at 22. As reviewers point out, the kit is “great for someone just starting out,” and the zippered nylon case is portable enough for car trips and vacations. The 12 watercolor pencils pair with a refillable water brush pen for wet-on-dry effects, and the 7 black charcoal pencils handle deep, blendable shadows.
The honest note is that some owners found the case a touch small for their liking, and the watercolor pad at 12 sheets runs out fast for frequent painters. But for sketching practice, this is a complete, guided package that punches well above its mid-range price.
The Learning Advantage
- Printed tutorial guide included for self-teaching
- 3-color sketch pad plus heavy 300 GSM watercolor pad
- Refillable water brush pen for wet blending
- Portable zippered nylon case
Small Trade-offs
- Watercolor pad has only 12 sheets
- Some owners found the case compact
Best for: a beginner who wants structured learning materials along with their tools.
Choose another kit if: you already know the techniques and just need raw supplies.
6. Castle Art Supplies 40-Piece Drawing, Sketching and Charcoal Set
A curated charcoal-focused set that flips open into a standing organizer on your desk.
Unlike the mega-kits that throw in every medium, the Castle Art 40-piece set is a focused collection built around sketching’s core: graphite, charcoal, and pastels. That curation shows in the details — 4 charcoal willow sticks, 3 charcoal sticks, 3 graphite sticks, and 3 charcoal pencils in soft, medium, and hard grades give you a real range of line weight and darkness. Everything is pre-sharpened and held in a zipper case that unfolds into sections which stand up for quick tool selection.
The value is the most-mentioned strength here at 186 owner callouts, with enjoyment close behind at 158. This is a set that “has everything needed for classes,” as the review pages note, and it’s praised as a fantastic gift for budding artists. The included 20-page guide with demos and tips explains what each tool is for — something complete beginners constantly ask for in other sets.
One owner found the pencils mounted on a backing that needs extra support to stand upright properly — a minor setup gripe, not a quality issue. The non-slip grip and round body make it comfortable for long drawing sessions, and the two-holed sharpener plus sandpaper block keep your charcoal points ready.
Focused and Complete
- Charcoal willow, sticks, and pencils in 3 hardness grades
- Unfolds into a standing pop-up organizer
- 20-page tutorial guide with demos
- Break-defying leads with non-splinter wood
Consider This
- No watercolor or metallic pencils — medium-focused
- Backing needs extra support to stand upright
Choose this if: you’re serious about traditional charcoal and graphite sketching and want a curated, guided set.
Look elsewhere if: you want watercolor or colored pencil variety in the same box.
7. Nicpro 58-Piece Art Drawing Supplies Kit with Leather Case
A drafting-focused kit for precise line work, wrapped in a premium top-grain leather case.
This is the set for inkers, drafters, and artists who obsess over line width. The Nicpro kit is built around 6 mechanical pencils (0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm, and 2.0mm) and 12 black fineliners with tips ranging from a fine 0.2mm up to a bold 3.0mm plus a brush tip. It comes with 440 pieces of 0.5/0.7/0.9mm HB graphite lead refills and 84 pieces of 2.0mm lead in six hardness grades, so you won’t run out of lead for a long time.
Quality is the aspect owners praise most at 55 mentions, with value for money at 18. The included sketchbook uses 68lb/100gsm paper that owners found “smooth, no fiber lift” — important when you’re doing fine stippling work. The fineliners are described as crisp with no bleed, while the mechanical pencil leads are strong and don’t break easily during use.
The leather case is the design centerpiece — it’s made from top-grain leather with a velvet lining and a pleasant leather aroma, and it fits in a gift box for presentation. The one honest trade-off: the 2.0mm colored leads draw smoothly but wear down faster than standard graphite. This is a precision tool kit, not a broad creative set, so beginners wanting colorful variety should look at the all-in-one kits instead.
Precision First
- 6 mechanical pencils plus 12 fineliners (0.2mm to 3.0mm)
- 524 total lead refills included
- Top-grain leather case with velvet lining
- 100gsm sketchbook with 100 sheets
Know the Limits
- No colored or watercolor pencils
- 2.0mm colored leads wear faster than graphite
Buy this if: you do ink illustration, drafting, or precise architectural line work.
Pass on it if: you want a colorful, multi-medium drawing kit.
8. HIFORNY 126-Piece Drawing Kit with 3-Color Sketchbook
A graphite-obsessed set with 24 hardness grades — the deepest range of any kit here.
If you live for shading, this is your kit. The HIFORNY 126-piece set includes 24 graphite pencils spanning from 5H on the hard, light end all the way to 14B on the soft, dark end. That’s a remarkable range for a set, letting you move from precise light linework to deep, velvety shadows without switching brands. An art student or portrait artist will find the exact grade they need already in the case.
You get a kit that owners praise for quality (32 mentions) and versatility (8 mentions), with the review pages summing it up as “provided all the essentials in a clean and compact carrying case.” The extras are generous — 8 blending stumps (#1-#8), 4 tortillions (paper tools for smudging), 24 colored charcoal pencils, 6 pastel sticks, and 3 woodless graphite pencils (2B, 4B, 6B) for bold, unbroken strokes. The canvas case flips open and stands upright so you can see all 126 pieces at once.
Owners note it’s an “excellent value for a comprehensive kit” that’s cheaper than buying the pieces separately for a college drawing class. The 50-page 3-color sketchbook (100 GSM) handles the dry media well. The only meaningful note is that a few owners supplemented a couple of extra items, but the core kit quality is consistently praised.
The Graphite Powerhouse
- 24 graphite pencils from 5H to 14B
- 8 blending stumps and 4 tortillions
- Canvas case flips open and stands upright
- Pre-sharpened, break-resistant lead cores
Minor Notes
- No watercolor pencils in this set
- Colored charcoal is an extra, not a full color range
Choose this if: you’re an art student or sketcher who needs the full graphite hardness spectrum.
Consider a broader kit if: you also want watercolor and colored pencil mediums in one box.
9. KALOUR 154-Piece Artists Art Supplies Drawing Kit
A 154-piece creative arsenal with six different pencil types and five art surfaces to work on.
This is the everything set, done right. The KALOUR 154-piece kit covers every dry medium you can imagine: 12 graphite, 12 fluorescent colored, 12 watercolor, 12 oil-based colored, 12 metallic, 8 charcoal pencils, and 4 pastel pencils. It also throws in 24 watercolor cakes and 6 pastel sticks, plus 5 different art pads — sketchbook, watercolor pad, black paper pad, tan sketchbook, and pastel pad — so you can match your medium to the right surface.
You get a kit that owners praise most for quality (30 mentions) and gift appeal (11 mentions). As shoppers say, one recipient of this as a Christmas gift “absolutely loved it,” and the colors are “bright and rich.” The included drawing tutorial and coloring book help newer artists apply what they have, while the zip-up case with organized slots keeps all 154 pieces tidy. It’s a kit the review pages describe as having “everything you need to start your artist out.”
For a premium-tier price, you’re getting genuine depth across mediums rather than filler items. The colorless blender pencil and watercolor brush pen are thoughtful additions that let you refine your technique. The only real consideration is size — at 8.45 x 2.63 x 16.4 inches and 2.01 kg, this isn’t a slip-in-your-bag case, so it’s better for home studios than daily commutes.
The Complete Arsenal
- 6 pencil types plus 24 watercolor cakes
- 5 different art pads included
- Colorless blender pencil for smooth transitions
- Drawing tutorial and coloring book included
Before You Buy
- Large and heavy — not a travel kit
- Premium price for the full package
Pick this if: you want one comprehensive set that handles drawing, coloring, and watercolor painting.
Save money if: you only sketch in graphite and don’t need the full medium range.
Understanding the Specs
Graphite Hardness Grades
The letters H and B mark pencil hardness. H pencils are hard, light, and great for fine detail. B pencils are soft and dark, perfect for shading. A range like 5H to 14B means you can do everything from precise outlines to deep shadows. Woodless graphite pencils (solid graphite with no wood casing) let you shade on their side for broad strokes.
3-Color Sketchbooks
A 3-color sketchbook has white, toned tan, and black pages. White is standard for regular sketching. Tan lets you use white pencils for highlights on mid-tone paper. Black pages make bright and metallic colors pop dramatically. This one book replaces three, saving you money and space.
Watercolor vs. Oil-Based Colored Pencils
Watercolor pencils let you add water with a brush to create paint-like washes. Oil-based colored pencils stay waxy and are ideal for layering and blending on dry paper. A kit with both gives you maximum creative control — one for wet effects, one for rich dry color.
Blending Tools
Blending stumps, tortillions, and kneaded erasers are the unsung heroes of drawing. Blending stumps are rolled paper tools used to smudge graphite into smooth gradients. Kneaded erasers lift pigment off the page rather than rubbing it away, creating highlights — essential for realistic texture.
FAQ
What does the H and B scale on drawing pencils mean?
Is a 76-piece or 100-piece kit better for a beginner?
Can I use watercolor pencils on any sketchbook paper?
What is a 3-color sketchbook used for?
How do I keep soft-core colored pencils from breaking?
What is the difference between a gel pen and a fineliner for drawing?
Is a higher piece count always better?
Are art supplies kits safe for young children?
Why are charcoal pencils graded as soft, medium, and hard?
What should an artist student buy for a college drawing class?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For the majority of shoppers, the drawing supplies winner is the Prismacolor Premier 24 because it delivers the most-praised color quality of anything here — the crowd favorite at 4.8 stars across 23,000+ owners. If you want a complete multi-medium starter kit, grab the Daerthotk 100-piece for class-leading variety per dollar. And for the artist who needs both a deep graphite range and premium color options, the KALOUR 154-piece is the one to reach for — it’s the single most complete set on this list.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.