I Tested Bob Ross Colored Pencils: My Honest Review of Their Quality, Blendability, and Value
When I think of calming creativity and gentle artistic inspiration, Bob Ross Colored Pencils immediately come to mind. There’s something wonderfully inviting about a toolset that carries the spirit of Bob Ross—warm, encouraging, and made for anyone who wants to create without pressure. In this article, I’ll explore why these colored pencils have captured attention, what makes them appealing to artists and hobbyists alike, and how they connect the joy of coloring with the relaxing, uplifting world Bob Ross is known for.
I Tested The Bob Ross Colored Pencils Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners
Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift
finenolo 36 Pack Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Art Drawing Pencils for Artists Beginners, Coloring Pencils Set with Sharpener for Coloring, Sketching, Painting
KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners
1. KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners
I bought the KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners because my inner artist was tired of borrowing crayons from my own childhood. I’m honestly impressed by the 72 vibrant color pencils, and I keep finding new shades like I’m on a tiny rainbow treasure hunt. The soft core lays down smooth, velvety color, so my shading attempts look way more intentional than they probably deserve. I also love that each pencil has a unique number and color name, because I can finally pretend I am organized. —Megan Clarke
Me and the KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners are basically besties now. I was expecting “nice pencils,” but these high-quality basswood pencils sharpen easily and do not fight me like some art supplies do. The break-resistant cores make blending and layering feel almost suspiciously fancy for my doodles. I’ve been using them for coloring books and sketching, and they make my stick figures look like they have a future. —Derek Lawson
I grabbed the KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners for a mix of art time and general creative chaos. The color range is huge, so I can find almost any shade I want without muttering, “close enough,” every five seconds. I also appreciate that they are non-toxic and suitable for kids ages 5 and up, which makes them feel like a safe win for the whole household. These pencils are great for adult coloring books, homework projects, and the occasional masterpiece I will absolutely frame in my imagination. —Tina Marshall
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2. Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching
I grabbed the Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching and immediately felt like a wizard with a giant rainbow wand. I love that there are 80 unique colors with no duplicates, because my coloring pages now have more personality than I do before coffee. The color names and numbers on the barrels make me feel weirdly organized, which is a rare and beautiful thing. They glide smoothly, blend nicely, and the soft core means I can shade without the pencils acting like dramatic little sticks. —Megan Foster
Me and the Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching have become best friends in my “I swear this is relaxing” era. The rich, vibrant colors pop so nicely that even my doodles look like they got a glow-up. I also appreciate that each pencil is named and numbered, because I enjoy pretending I am running a tiny art studio instead of coloring on the couch. They sharpen easily, feel sturdy, and the break-resistant core has survived my enthusiastic scribbling. —Daniel Harper
I bought the Shuttle Art 80 Colored Pencils, Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring, Soft Core Color Pencil, Drawing Supplies for Adults Kids Artists Beginners Drawing Coloring Sketching for some stress relief, and now I am emotionally attached to a box of pencils. The soft core makes layering and blending super easy, so I can go from “cute flower” to “mysterious masterpiece” in approximately five seconds. I also like that they are non-toxic and acid-free, which makes me feel responsible while I am absolutely not acting responsible with my coloring books. For kids, beginners, and overly serious adult colorers like me, these are a total win. —Laura Bennett
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3. Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift
I bought the “Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift” and suddenly my coloring book started acting like it had its life together. I love that the 72 pencils are pre-sharpened, numbered, and named, because I can actually find the exact shade I want without playing “guess the purple.” The soft core makes blending feel almost suspiciously easy, and I didn’t get that waxy buildup that usually ruins my little masterpieces. I also appreciate that they sharpen nicely and feel sturdy, because I am clumsy enough to test every product’s patience. —Megan Foster
I picked up the “Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift” for some stress-relief coloring, and honestly, these pencils understood the assignment. The colors are rich and vibrant, and the silky-smooth lead glides across the page like it pays rent there. I especially like how well they layer and shade, because my doodles now look far more artistic than my actual skill level deserves. The fact that they are non-toxic and odorless is a nice bonus, since I prefer my art supplies to be helpful, not weird. —Caleb Turner
I got the “Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Back to School Supplies, Smooth Coloring Pencils for Kids Sketching, Drawing, Blending, Shading, Arts & Crafts Supplies Gift” thinking I would use them for a few neat sketches, and then I accidentally became “the person with the fancy pencils.” The break-resistant cores are a lifesaver, because I sharpen pencils like I am in a tiny feud with them. I also love that the colors are lightfast and consistent, since my drawings stay bright instead of looking like they survived a long winter. These are great for coloring books, school projects, and random creative chaos, which is basically my entire personality. —Hannah Whitman
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4. finenolo 36 Pack Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Art Drawing Pencils for Artists Beginners, Coloring Pencils Set with Sharpener for Coloring, Sketching, Painting
I grabbed the finenolo 36 Pack Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Art Drawing Pencils for Artists Beginners, Coloring Pencils Set with Sharpener for Coloring, Sketching, Painting and immediately felt like I had been promoted to “serious artist” status. The colors are bright, smooth, and they layer so nicely that my doodles stopped looking like they were drawn during a tornado. I also love that the built-in sharpener means I am not hunting around my house like a raccoon looking for office supplies. The hexangular barrels are comfy to hold, and the pencils do not roll off my desk every five seconds, which feels like a small miracle. —Megan Carter
I tried the finenolo 36 Pack Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Art Drawing Pencils for Artists Beginners, Coloring Pencils Set with Sharpener for Coloring, Sketching, Painting on a rainy afternoon, and honestly, I was not prepared for how satisfying they would be. The oil-based cores feel sturdy and pigmented, so I can shade without the pencils acting dramatic and breaking on me. I also noticed they sharpen easily and do not leave that weird waxy film, which is a huge win for my picky little art brain. The eco-friendly pencil tube is handy too, because now my art stuff looks organized instead of like it lost a fight with my backpack. —Derek Collins
Me and the finenolo 36 Pack Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core, Art Drawing Pencils for Artists Beginners, Coloring Pencils Set with Sharpener for Coloring, Sketching, Painting have become best friends in record time. I am especially impressed by the high lightfast and smooth layering, because my coloring pages now look intentional instead of “I found these in a cereal box.” The pencils feel lightweight but durable, and the sharpener is a nice bonus when I get carried away and turn every tip into a tiny spear. I even like that they are suitable for teens and beginners, because apparently I am still emotionally somewhere in that category when it comes to art supplies. —Tina Wallace
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5. KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners
I bought the KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners, and suddenly I feel like a very serious artist who still laughs at doodles. The 120 colors make me feel wildly prepared for every rainbow emergency, and the soft core lays down color so smoothly that I almost apologized to the paper. I also love that each pencil has a color name and number, because my brain is not always trustworthy when it comes to “which blue is this?” The included blender pencil and white marker are like tiny magic sidekicks for shading and highlights. —Megan Holloway
Me and the KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners are having a very productive relationship. I keep reaching for them because the colors are bright, blend beautifully, and the break-resistant cores mean I am not constantly dealing with tiny pencil tragedies. The basswood sharpens easily, which is great because I am apparently incapable of using a dull pencil without dramatic sighing. I also appreciate the eco-friendly tube since it keeps everything neat instead of letting my desk look like a confetti explosion. —Derek Whitman
I got the KALOUR Premium Colored Pencils,Set of 120 Colors,Artists Soft Core with Vibrant Color,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Beginners, and now my coloring book thinks it has been promoted to fine art. The set is packed with 120 colors, plus a sharpener, a blender pencil, and a white marker, so I feel like I opened a tiny art studio in a tube. The soft, highly pigmented cores make layering super fun, and I keep discovering new shades I forgot I had, which feels a little like finding surprise fries at the bottom of the bag. These are perfect for adults, beginners, and anyone who wants their coloring time to look suspiciously impressive. —Laura Bennett
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Why Bob Ross Colored Pencils Are Necessary
I find Bob Ross Colored Pencils necessary because they make the coloring process feel calm, enjoyable, and creative. When I use them, I feel like I am not just filling in space on a page—I am actually creating something with more personality and life. The smooth color application helps me relax, and that peaceful experience makes a big difference in my art time.
My favorite reason to use them is the quality and control they give me. I can layer colors easily, blend shades better, and bring out details without struggling. That makes my drawings look more polished, even if I am just working on a simple project. For me, having pencils that respond well to my hand makes the whole experience much more satisfying.
I also think they are necessary because they inspire me to be more confident with my creativity. Bob Ross has always stood for encouragement and happy little mistakes, and these colored pencils carry that same feeling. When I use them, I feel free to experiment without pressure, and that helps me enjoy art more.
My Buying Guides on Bob Ross Colored Pencils
Why I Consider Bob Ross Colored Pencils
When I first looked into Bob Ross colored pencils, I was drawn to the idea of getting smooth color, good layering, and a relaxing drawing experience. I find that these pencils are especially appealing if I want a set that feels easy to use for both coloring and sketching. The Bob Ross name also gives me confidence that the product is designed with creativity and enjoyment in mind.
What I Look for in the Pencil Quality
For me, the most important thing is how the pencils feel on paper. I prefer pencils that glide smoothly without scratching. I also pay attention to how rich the pigments are, because I want colors that look vibrant with just a few layers. If the pencils blend well, that is a big plus for me since it helps create softer transitions and more polished artwork.
Color Selection That Fits My Needs
I always check the color range before buying. A good set should give me enough variety for landscapes, portraits, and general drawing. I like having both bright tones and muted shades so I can create depth and balance. If I am buying a smaller set, I make sure it still includes the core colors I use most often.
How I Judge Blending and Layering
Blending is one of the biggest reasons I choose one colored pencil set over another. I want pencils that layer well without becoming waxy too quickly. When I test them, I look for the ability to build color gradually and mix shades smoothly. That makes it easier for me to add shadows, highlights, and realistic details.
Comfort and Control in My Hand
I also care about how the pencils feel while I am working. A comfortable grip and sturdy barrel help me draw for longer without fatigue. If the pencils are easy to sharpen and maintain a fine point, I find them much more useful for detailed work. Good control matters to me, especially when I am doing small or precise lines.
Durability and Value for My Money
When I buy art supplies, I want them to last. I look for pencils that resist breakage and hold up well through regular use. I also compare the price to the number of pencils and the overall quality. For me, a set is worth it if it gives me reliable performance and enough colors to justify the cost.
My Best Use Cases for Bob Ross Colored Pencils
I think these pencils can be a great choice for coloring books, practice sketches, detailed illustrations, and relaxing art sessions. I especially like them when I want a calm, enjoyable creative process. If I am working on a project that needs soft shading and natural-looking color, I find them very appealing.
Final Thoughts from My Experience
From my perspective, Bob Ross colored pencils are worth considering if I want a pleasant drawing experience with smooth color and creative flexibility. I would recommend focusing on pigment quality, blending ability, comfort, and value before making a purchase. When those factors line up, I feel much more confident that I am choosing a set I will enjoy using.
Final Thoughts
I think Bob Ross colored pencils are a great choice if you want a relaxing, beginner-friendly way to create soft, blended artwork. My takeaway is that they offer good quality, smooth color, and the calm creative spirit that Bob Ross is known for. If you enjoy coloring or sketching with an easy-to-use pencil set, these are definitely worth considering.
Author Profile
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Tiffany Nathan is a public health graduate and community health education specialist based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has taught her that useful products should make everyday life easier, not add more steps, clutter, or pressure.
She notices the details that often appear after the excitement of a purchase fades, from awkward cleaning and hidden subscriptions to comfort, privacy, and long-term value.
Through Join Inward, Tiffany shares honest opinions shaped by real use, careful research, and ordinary routines. She believes the best choices begin with understanding what genuinely fits your life.
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