Best Coloring Supplies for Beginners

Starting your coloring journey? The right supplies can make all the difference between frustration and flow. Here’s everything you need to know.

Colored Pencils

Wax-Based Pencils

Best for beginners!

• Smooth and easy to blend
• Affordable options available
• Forgiving for mistakes

Recommended brands:

• Prismacolor Scholar (budget-friendly)
• Prismacolor Premier (intermediate)
• Faber-Castell Polychromos (premium)

Oil-Based Pencils

• More vibrant colors
• Less wax bloom
• Slightly harder to blend

Recommended brands:

• Faber-Castell Polychromos
• Caran d’Ache Pablo

Markers

Alcohol Markers

• Vibrant, bold colors
• Excellent for blending
• Requires quality paper

Recommended brands:

• Ohuhu (budget)
• Copic Sketch (premium)
• Prismacolor Premier

Water-Based Markers

• Easier cleanup
• Less bleed-through
• Good for beginners

Recommended brands:

• Crayola SuperTips
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens

Paper

Standard Copy Paper

• Fine for practice
• Pencils work well
• Markers may bleed

Cardstock

• Better for most media
• Less bleed-through
• More satisfying to color on

Specialty Paper

• Mixed media paper for various tools
• Marker paper for alcohol markers
• Bristol board for professional results

Starter Kit Recommendations

Budget Starter (Under $30)

• 24-pack Prismacolor Scholar pencils
• Pack of cardstock paper
• Basic pencil sharpener

Intermediate Kit ($50-100)

• 48-pack quality colored pencils
• Set of 12-24 markers
• Mixed media paper pad
• Colorless blender pencil

Premium Kit ($150+)

• 72-pack premium colored pencils
• Full set of alcohol markers
• Quality paper selection
• Blending tools and accessories

Essential Accessories

1. Good pencil sharpener - A quality sharpener prevents breakage
2. Colorless blender - Essential for smooth blending
3. Eraser - For corrections and highlights
4. Fixative spray - Protects finished work

Tips for Beginners

1. Start with pencils – they’re most forgiving
2. Buy quality over quantity
3. Test colors before using
4. Keep supplies organized
5. Take care of your tools

Conclusion

You don’t need to spend a fortune to start coloring. Begin with basic supplies and upgrade as your skills grow. The most important thing is to start creating!