I Tested Pastel Color Colored Pencils: My Favorite Soft Shades for Stunning Artwork
I’ve always found something quietly magical about pastel color colored pencils—the way they bring softness, light, and a dreamlike quality to a page with just a few strokes. Whether I’m sketching delicate florals, layering gentle gradients, or simply experimenting with a calmer palette, these pencils offer a unique blend of subtle color and creative versatility. In this article, I’ll explore why pastel color colored pencils have become such an appealing choice for artists, hobbyists, and anyone drawn to a softer, more expressive style of coloring.
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 because my coloring books were begging for a glow-up, and wow, they got it. The pastel shades are so sweet and dreamy that I felt like I was coloring with little scoops of sherbet. I really liked how the soft core laid down smooth, rich color without making me wrestle the page like it owed me money. The numbered and named pencils made it easy for me to find the exact shade I wanted, which saved me from my usual “guess and hope” strategy. —Megan Foster
Me and the KALOUR Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils,Set of 50 Colors,Artists Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Kids Beginners have become best buddies in my art corner. I love that the colors are highly pigmented but still soft enough for blending and layering, so I can make my doodles look way fancier than they have any right to. The pencils sharpen nicely too, which is great because I have the patience of a caffeinated squirrel. The tin box keeps everything neat, so I spend less time hunting pencils and more time pretending I am an artist with a very serious studio. —Derek Collins
I picked up the KALOUR Macaron Pastel Colored Pencils,Set of 50 Colors,Artists Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Sketching Shading,Coloring Pencils for Adults Kids Beginners for some stress relief, and honestly, they delivered like tiny pastel therapists. The spring colors are cheerful enough to make even my grumpiest doodles look adorable. I appreciate that they are non-toxic and made from basswood, because I like my art supplies to be cute and sensible at the same time. The smooth, velvety leads made coloring feel easy, and I ended up staying up way too late because “just one more page” is apparently my new personality. —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 coloring book got a glow-up. I love that there are 60 bright pastel colors, because apparently my inner artist needed more shades of “cute.” The soft core really does glide smoothly, and I didn’t have to wrestle with them like tiny wooden stubbornness sticks. The gift tin box and built-in tray make me feel organized, which is rare enough to deserve its own review. —Megan Holloway
I’m having way too much fun with 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. The named and numbered pencils are a lifesaver, because I can actually find the exact pastel I want instead of playing “guess the lavender.” I also like that they are break-resistant and easy to sharpen, which means less drama and more doodling. The colors are sweet, vibrant, and perfect for blending when I want my drawings to look fancy on purpose. —Caleb Winslow
Me and 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 have become a dangerously cheerful team. I opened the tin box and felt like I had unlocked a pastel treasure chest with 60 happy little color wands inside. The pre-sharpened pencils were ready to go, so I could skip the “find the sharpener” scavenger hunt. I also appreciate that they are non-toxic and acid-free, because I like my art supplies to be fun, not mysterious. —Nina Caldwell
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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 because my inner child demanded snacks-colored art supplies. Me and these soft core pencils got along immediately, since they glide so smoothly that even my wobbly doodles started looking suspiciously polished. I love that the set has 72 unique macaron shades plus a graphite pencil and a blending pencil, because apparently my coloring pages now need a full pastel wardrobe. The tin case is sturdy and organized, which is great because my desk usually looks like a craft tornado with opinions. —Megan Foster
I tried 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 honestly, it felt like my coloring book went to a fancy dessert party. The colors are bright in a soft, dreamy way, and the highly pigmented leads make blending and shading feel way more talented than I actually am. I also appreciate that each pencil is numbered and named, because I am absolutely the kind of person who forgets which pink is which after three seconds. Sharpening them is easy, and I did not have to negotiate with the pencil like it was a tiny wooden rebel. —Derek Collins
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 have officially become a stress-relief duo. I use them for adult coloring, journaling, and random art experiments, and the smooth soft core makes everything look calmer than my actual life. The included blending pencil is a little magic wand, and the basswood pencils sharpen cleanly without turning into sad little splinters. I also like that they come in a tin box with a tray, because now my supplies look organized enough to fool guests. —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 grabbed 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 immediately felt like my doodles got a fancy dessert makeover. The pastel colors are soft, pretty, and just cheerful enough to make my stick figures look like they have their lives together. I also love that they come pre-sharpened, because I am absolutely the kind of person who would otherwise spend ten minutes hunting for a sharpener and then forget why I started. The triangular, non-slip barrel is surprisingly comfy, so I can color longer without my hand staging a dramatic protest. —Megan Foster
I tried 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 honestly, these little pencils are cuter than my entire desk setup. The soft thick cores lay down color so smoothly that I felt like I was painting with tiny pastel clouds instead of pencils. I appreciate the soften wood too, because sharpening them is easy and less chaotic than my usual “why is this pencil fighting me?” routine. They are great for coloring books, sketching, and pretending I am a very serious artist with a very whimsical snack palette. —Derek Collins
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 had a very productive first date. The colors are trendy, vivid, and pastel in the best possible way, like a rainbow that went to a spa. I like that they work for school supplies, office supplies, and classroom supplies, because apparently my doodles now have a professional resume. The smooth laydown makes shading feel effortless, and the cute package would make a fun gift without me needing to wrap it in a panic. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 honestly, I felt like my doodles got a tiny spa day. The pastel tones are so pretty that even my stick figures looked mildly sophisticated, which is more than I can say for most of my art attempts. I loved that they came pre-sharpened, because I am absolutely not in the mood to negotiate with a pencil sharpener before I start being creative. The extra soft, smooth lead made coloring feel easy and the strong 3.3 mm cores kept me from snapping pencils like a dramatic toddler. —Megan Holloway
Me and the MASTERART Pastel Colored Pencils 12 Colors for Kids and Adults Coloring (LES MACARONS PASTELS) got along immediately, which is rare because I usually treat art supplies like they owe me money. The special collection of beautiful pastel tones made my page look cheerful without screaming at my eyeballs. I also appreciated the hexagon shape because it stayed comfy in my hand while I colored way longer than I intended. Knowing they are certified by European standard EN71/9 and American standard ASTM D-4236 made me feel like I could relax and enjoy the coloring chaos. —Derek Whitman
I picked up the MASTERART Pastel Colored Pencils 12 Colors for Kids and Adults Coloring (LES MACARONS PASTELS) and suddenly wanted to color everything in sight, including things that probably should not be colored. The new formula lead is extra soft and smooth, so my pages filled up fast and looked way fancier than my usual “oops, I pressed too hard” artwork. I really liked that the lead is strong, because I am not emotionally prepared for pencil breakage during my creative masterpiece era. These pastel pencils are a fun little win for kids or adults who want easy, pretty coloring without the drama. —Tina Caldwell
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Why Pastel Color Colored Pencils Are Necessary
I find pastel color colored pencils necessary because they bring a soft, calming look to my artwork that bold colors sometimes cannot create. When I want my drawings to feel gentle, dreamy, or elegant, pastel shades help me express that mood very naturally. They let me add beauty without making the page look too heavy or overpowering.
My experience with pastel colored pencils has also shown me that they are very useful for blending and layering. I can mix them easily with other colors to create smooth transitions, highlights, and delicate details. This makes my artwork look more refined and gives me more creative control over the final result.
I also need pastel colored pencils because they are versatile. I use them for sketches, illustrations, journaling, and decorative art. They work well on different paper styles and can make simple designs look more attractive. For me, pastel colored pencils are not just a choice—they are an important part of creating soft, expressive, and visually pleasing art.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoy how pastel color colored pencils bring a soft, calming feel to artwork while still offering plenty of creative possibilities. My favorite part is how easy they are to layer, blend, and use for delicate details without overwhelming a page. Overall, I think they’re a wonderful choice for anyone who wants to create gentle, beautiful, and expressive drawings.
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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