Proof that you can be a colorist and artist with even the cheapest supplies, Crayola colored pencils are fantastic for the price, at least here in the USA. I got my 150 set from Wal-Mart for less than $30 and I love them.
There are two main downsides, due to the price point of these pencils, that are worth keeping in mind in order to have the best experience with them:
1) You really do have to make a swatch chart, or at the very least, test the colors you are about to use on a separate sheet of paper first. Otherwise, the color you think you’re getting will probably not be the color you actually get, and that can be frustrating and mess up your piece. Of course, that won’t matter if you’re following my color palette cards, since I list out the pencils I use, but it is helpful for general coloring.
2) If you buy a large set like I did, storing the pencils in the paper box they come in might make the thought of finding the pencil you’re looking for too much of a hassle to want to get past. That was how I felt until I transferred them into a pencil case. Now I use my Crayola’s all the time!
I recommend starting out with a 24 pack because the colors in there are a lot more fun than the 12 pack. And then if you like them, you can invest in the 150 set later.
And don’t forget to check your local department stores before buying online, because prices might be way better locally.
My favorite coloring book papers for Crayola:
All papers are United States printed versions, unless otherwise stated.
- All Johanna Basford
- Johanna Basford (UK)
- Sarah Renae Clark
- ColorIt
- Magic Dreamland, by May Zhang
- Get Creative 6 published coloring books
- Dutch editions
- Hanna Karlzon
- Klara Markova
- Mythographic
- Romantic Country
Cassia Dee 