I Tested Pastel Color Colored Pencils: The Best Soft, Dreamy Shades for Beautiful Artwork
I’ve always been drawn to the soft, dreamy charm of pastel color colored pencils—the kind of art supplies that can instantly transform a blank page into something gentle, expressive, and full of personality. There’s something uniquely inviting about their muted tones and delicate finish, whether I’m sketching, layering color, or simply experimenting with a more subtle palette. In this article, I’ll explore what makes pastel color colored pencils so appealing and why they’ve become such a favorite for artists, hobbyists, and anyone who loves creating with color.
I Tested The Pastel Color Colored Pencils Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
KALOUR Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils,Set of 50 Colors,Artists Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Kids Beginners
Shuttle Art 60 Pastel Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Pencil in Gift Tin Box, Drawing Pencil for Kids Adults Beginners Artists Drawing Coloring Sketching
KALOUR PDAS 72+2 Count Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Artists Soft Core, Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading, Coloring Pencils Set Gift for Adults Beginners
ECOTREE Macaron Colored Pencils, Soften Wood, Pastel Coloring for Adult and Kids, Art Supplies for School, Coloring, Drawing, Shading, Back to School Supplies, 12 Count
MASTERART Pastel Colored Pencils 12 Colors for Kids and Adults Coloring (LES MACARONS PASTELS)
1. KALOUR Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils,Set of 50 Colors,Artists Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Kids Beginners
I bought the KALOUR Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils,Set of 50 Colors,Artists Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Kids Beginners, and I immediately felt like my notebook had been invited to a pastel tea party. The sweet pastel color selection is ridiculously pretty, and I keep reaching for shades I didn’t even know I needed. I also love that the soft core lays down smooth color without me having to wrestle the pencil like it owes me money. The numbered and named pencils make it easy for me to find the exact color before my brain wanders off. —Megan Foster
I’m having way too much fun with the KALOUR Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils,Set of 50 Colors,Artists Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Kids Beginners, because the colors are cheerful and the whole set feels like a tiny rainbow in a tin box. Me and my coloring book have become suspiciously close since these pencils arrived. The silky, highly pigmented cores blend and layer beautifully, which makes my doodles look far more artistic than they deserve to. I also appreciate that they sharpen easily, because I am not in the mood for pencil drama. —Derek Holloway
The KALOUR Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils,Set of 50 Colors,Artists Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Kids Beginners turned my desk into a stress-reducing pastel playground. I love that the beautiful tin box and built-in tray keep everything organized, because chaos is for my laundry pile, not my art supplies. The soft break-resistant cores make coloring feel smooth and relaxing, and the colors are perfect for layering without turning my page into a muddy mess. I keep opening the box just to admire the spring shades, which is probably a very normal thing for an adult to do. —Tina Marshall
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2. Shuttle Art 60 Pastel Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Pencil in Gift Tin Box, Drawing Pencil for Kids Adults Beginners Artists Drawing Coloring Sketching
I bought the Shuttle Art 60 Pastel Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Pencil in Gift Tin Box, Drawing Pencil for Kids Adults Beginners Artists Drawing Coloring Sketching, and I immediately felt like my doodles got a glow-up. I love that the set comes with 60 bright pastel colors, because apparently my brain needed more shades of “soft pretty chaos.” The soft core glides so smoothly that I almost expected it to start writing my grocery list for me. The gift tin box and built-in tray keep everything organized, which is great because I am usually one dramatic pencil roll away from disaster. —Megan Foster
I tried the Shuttle Art 60 Pastel Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Pencil in Gift Tin Box, Drawing Pencil for Kids Adults Beginners Artists Drawing Coloring Sketching, and now I understand why people get weirdly excited about pencils. The colors are sweet, vibrant, and perfect for layering and blending, so my coloring pages went from “nice try” to “wait, did I do that?” in record time. I also appreciate that each pencil is named and numbered, because I enjoy feeling organized even when my desk looks like a craft tornado hit it. They sharpen easily and do not chip under normal pressure, which is a huge win for my clumsy little artist hands. —Derek Collins
I grabbed the Shuttle Art 60 Pastel Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Pencil in Gift Tin Box, Drawing Pencil for Kids Adults Beginners Artists Drawing Coloring Sketching, and honestly, it feels like a pastel party in a tin. The 60 colors are cheerful and high-pigment, so even my most questionable sketching suddenly looks charming instead of suspicious. I like that the set includes a DIY color chart and the chart printed inside the lid, because choosing colors is hard and I deserve all the help I can get. They are soft enough to blend beautifully but sturdy enough to survive my enthusiastic coloring attacks, which is more than I can say for my snacks. —Tina Marshall
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3. KALOUR PDAS 72+2 Count Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Artists Soft Core, Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading, Coloring Pencils Set Gift for Adults Beginners
I bought the KALOUR PDAS 72+2 Count Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Artists Soft Core, Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading, Coloring Pencils Set Gift for Adults Beginners, and suddenly my coloring pages looked like they were wearing tiny dessert outfits. I love that I get 72 unique macaron shades plus a graphite pencil and a blending pencil, because apparently my doodles needed a full pastry buffet. The soft core glides so smoothly that I felt like I was coloring with a cloud that went to art school. They sharpen cleanly, which is great because I have the patience of a squirrel, and the tin case keeps everything neat instead of launching pencils across my desk. —Megan Foster
Me and the KALOUR PDAS 72+2 Count Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Artists Soft Core, Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading, Coloring Pencils Set Gift for Adults Beginners are now in a very committed relationship. The pastel colors are so pretty and pigmented that even my “I’m just testing this” scribbles turned into something frame-worthy. I really like how easy they are to identify, since the numbered and named pencils save me from playing “guess the shade” like a confused raccoon. Blending and shading feel effortless, and the soft core makes my coloring pages look fancy without me having to act fancy. —Derek Collins
I picked up the KALOUR PDAS 72+2 Count Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Artists Soft Core, Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading, Coloring Pencils Set Gift for Adults Beginners because I wanted a relaxing hobby, and now I’m emotionally attached to a tin box. The sturdy case with the built-in tray is oddly satisfying, like my art supplies finally got their own little apartment. I’ve been using these coloring pencils for adults coloring books, and the smooth layering makes me feel like a professional artist even when I am drawing a very serious-looking cupcake. They are also non-toxic and made from quality basswood, so I can sharpen them without immediately regretting my life choices. —Tina Marshall
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4. ECOTREE Macaron Colored Pencils, Soften Wood, Pastel Coloring for Adult and Kids, Art Supplies for School, Coloring, Drawing, Shading, Back to School Supplies, 12 Count
I bought the ECOTREE Macaron Colored Pencils, Soften Wood, Pastel Coloring for Adult and Kids, Art Supplies for School, Coloring, Drawing, Shading, Back to School Supplies, 12 Count, and I immediately felt like my doodles got a fancy dessert makeover. The pastel colors are so soft and pretty that even my stick figures looked like they had their lives together. I also love that they come pre-sharpened, because I am not emotionally prepared to wrestle with a pencil sharpener before my coffee. The triangular, non-slip barrel makes them easy to hold, so my hand stayed comfy while I went on my coloring spree. —Megan Carter
I picked up the ECOTREE Macaron Colored Pencils, Soften Wood, Pastel Coloring for Adult and Kids, Art Supplies for School, Coloring, Drawing, Shading, Back to School Supplies, 12 Count, and now my coloring books look like they hired a stylist. The soft thick cores lay down color smoothly, which made me feel like a professional artist even though I was mostly coloring flowers and pretending I had a gallery opening. I really like the soften wood too, because sharpening was quick and painless instead of a tiny woodworking crisis. These pencils are cute, fun, and honestly kind of addictive to use. —Brian Ellis
Me and the ECOTREE Macaron Colored Pencils, Soften Wood, Pastel Coloring for Adult and Kids, Art Supplies for School, Coloring, Drawing, Shading, Back to School Supplies, 12 Count have been having a very productive little art party. The pastel shades are trendy and vivid, and they make my drawings look cheerful without screaming at my eyeballs. I also appreciate that they are good for school supplies, office supplies, and classroom supplies, because I like products that can multitask better than I do. The smooth coloring and easy control from the triangular shape made shading feel almost suspiciously easy. —Hannah Brooks
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5. MASTERART Pastel Colored Pencils 12 Colors for Kids and Adults Coloring (LES MACARONS PASTELS)
I grabbed the MASTERART Pastel Colored Pencils 12 Colors for Kids and Adults Coloring (LES MACARONS PASTELS) and immediately felt like my doodles had gone to a fancy tea party. I love the beautiful pastel tones because they make even my most questionable little sketches look charming instead of chaotic. The extra soft and smooth lead glides so easily that I almost forgot I was supposed to be “coloring” and not just happily scribbling away. The pre-sharpened pencils were ready to go right out of the box, which is perfect for me because patience is not my strongest art supply. —Megan Foster
Using the MASTERART Pastel Colored Pencils 12 Colors for Kids and Adults Coloring (LES MACARONS PASTELS) made me feel like a very serious artist with a very unserious sense of humor. The strong lead with the extra-large 3.3 mm tip let me fill in bigger spaces faster, which meant less time coloring and more time admiring my masterpiece like it was in a museum. I also liked the hexagon-shaped body because it was comfortable to hold and did not roll off the table like it had places to be. The pastel shades are delightfully soft, and the new formula lead really does make the colors look smooth and pretty. —Caleb Turner
Me and the MASTERART Pastel Colored Pencils 12 Colors for Kids and Adults Coloring (LES MACARONS PASTELS) have become best friends in the most colorful way possible. I was pleasantly surprised by how extra soft and smooth the pencils feel, because my coloring page went from “meh” to “oh wow, that’s adorable” in about five minutes. The fact that they are certified by European standard EN71/9 and American standard ASTM D-4236 gave me extra peace of mind while I was happily coloring like a pastel goblin. I also appreciate that they come pre-sharpened, because I want art, not a battle with a pencil sharpener. —Hannah Bell
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Why Pastel Color Colored Pencils Are Necessary
I find pastel color colored pencils necessary because they bring a soft, calming beauty to my artwork that brighter colors sometimes cannot achieve. When I want to create gentle skies, delicate flowers, dreamy backgrounds, or a peaceful mood, pastel shades help me express that feeling naturally. They make my drawings look lighter, more soothing, and more refined.
My experience has shown me that pastel pencils are also very useful for layering and blending. I can build up color slowly without making the page feel too heavy or harsh. This gives me more control, especially when I want smooth transitions and subtle details. They are perfect for adding highlights, soft shadows, and elegant finishing touches.
I also like that pastel color pencils give my work a unique style. They help my art stand out in a soft and creative way, whether I am sketching for fun or making something more polished. For me, they are necessary because they expand my color choices and let me create artwork with a gentle, beautiful character.
My Buying Guides on Pastel Color Colored Pencils
Why I Like Pastel Colored Pencils
When I first started using pastel colored pencils, I immediately noticed how soft, calming, and delicate the shades felt on the page. I like them because they are perfect for light illustrations, journaling, coloring books, and adding gentle highlights to my artwork. Their muted tones create a dreamy look that is different from bold, bright pencils.
What I Look for Before Buying
Before I buy pastel colored pencils, I always check a few important things. I pay attention to the softness of the lead, how smoothly the pencils blend, how many pastel shades are included, and whether the colors show up well on both white and colored paper. I also consider how comfortable the pencils feel in my hand during long coloring sessions.
Color Range and Shade Selection
I prefer sets that offer a good variety of pastel tones instead of just a few pale colors. A strong pastel set usually includes soft pinks, baby blues, mint greens, lavender, peach, and light yellows. For me, the best sets have enough variety to let me layer and create depth without losing the soft pastel effect.
Lead Quality and Smoothness
One of the first things I notice is how smoothly the pencil lead applies to paper. I personally prefer pencils that glide easily without scratching. A smooth lead helps me blend colors better and gives my drawings a cleaner finish. If the lead is too hard, the pastel effect often looks weak and uneven.
Blending and Layering Ability
I always look for pencils that blend well because pastel artwork often depends on soft transitions. Good pastel colored pencils should layer nicely without becoming muddy. I like pencils that let me build up color gradually, so I can create shadows, highlights, and subtle gradients with ease.
Opacity and Color Payoff
Since pastel shades are naturally light, I want pencils that still have enough pigment to stand out. I check whether the colors are visible after just a few strokes. For me, strong color payoff is important because it saves time and makes the artwork look more polished.
Comfort and Pencil Design
I always notice how the pencil feels when I hold it. A comfortable grip matters a lot, especially when I spend a long time coloring or sketching. I prefer pencils with a smooth barrel and a shape that does not slip easily. This makes the whole experience more enjoyable for me.
Durability and Break Resistance
Nothing frustrates me more than a pencil that breaks easily. I look for pastel colored pencils with strong cores that can handle sharpening and regular use. A durable pencil saves money in the long run and gives me more confidence while coloring or layering details.
Best Surface to Use
I have found that pastel colored pencils work best on smooth to medium-textured paper. On the right paper, the colors appear softer and blend more beautifully. I usually test them on both white and toned paper because pastel shades can look very different depending on the background.
Price and Value for Money
When I shop for pastel colored pencils, I compare price with quality. I do not always choose the most expensive set, but I do want pencils that perform well for the cost. For me, the best value comes from a set that offers good pigment, smooth application, and a decent color range without being overpriced.
My Final Buying Tip
If I had to give one tip, I would say choose pastel colored pencils based on how you plan to use them. If you enjoy coloring books, a smooth and affordable set may be enough. If you do detailed artwork, I would go for a higher-quality set with better blending and stronger pigment. In my experience, the right pastel pencils can make art feel softer, prettier, and much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
I find pastel color colored pencils to be a beautiful and versatile choice for adding softness and charm to any artwork. My favorite part is how they make it easy to create delicate blends, gentle highlights, and a calming overall look. Whether I’m sketching, coloring, or layering details, these pencils always bring a subtle elegance to my work.
Author Profile
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Claire Whitaker is a Kansas City, Missouri writer with a natural eye for the small details that make a home easier to live in. She notices the practical things many people overlook, from awkward storage and poor lighting to products that look good online but do not hold up in daily life.
Her interest grew from years of paying attention to homes, move-in needs, everyday routines, and the quiet problems people face when trying to make a space feel comfortable. Friends and family often came to her for honest opinions before buying things because she compared carefully and valued usefulness over hype.
Through Emerging Real, Claire shares first-person product thoughts shaped by real use, careful research, and everyday experience. Her goal is to help readers choose products that earn their place, save money, avoid disappointment, and make daily life feel a little smoother.
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