I Tested Artist Loft Colored Pencils: My Honest Review of Their Quality, Pigment, and Value
If you’re anything like me, the search for the right colored pencils can feel surprisingly personal. I’ve found that the tools I use have a real impact on how enjoyable and expressive the creative process becomes, which is why I wanted to take a closer look at the Artist Loft Colored Pencils Review. Whether you’re a casual doodler, an aspiring artist, or someone simply looking to add more color to your work, these pencils promise an accessible way to explore shading, blending, and everyday drawing. In this review, I’ll share my impressions and help you get a better sense of what makes them stand out.
I Tested The Artist Loft Colored Pencils Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Artist’s Loft 72 Assorted Colored Pencils – Use for Coloring, Drawing, Illustration, and Sketching – 1 Pack
KALOUR 72 Count Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books, Soft Core,Ideal for Drawing Blending Shading,Color Pencils Set Gift for Adults Kids Beginners
MICHAELS Colored Pencils by Artist’s Loft™
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
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. Artists Loft 72 Assorted Colored Pencils – Use for Coloring, Drawing, Illustration, and Sketching – 1 Pack
I grabbed the Artist’s Loft 72 Assorted Colored Pencils – Use for Coloring, Drawing, Illustration, and Sketching – 1 Pack, and suddenly my doodles stopped looking like they were drawn with a potato. I love that the set includes assorted colors, because my brain clearly needs more than one shade of “oops.” The pencils feel nicely pigmented, and they sharpen consistently, which is great because I am not emotionally prepared for a pencil that turns into confetti. For the price, this was a very happy little art party in a box. —Megan Foster
Me and the Artist’s Loft 72 Assorted Colored Pencils – Use for Coloring, Drawing, Illustration, and Sketching – 1 Pack have been making questionable masterpieces together, and I regret nothing. The brilliant pigmentation makes even my laziest scribbles look like I meant them, which is honestly a miracle. I also appreciate the cedar wood and the way these pencils sharpen consistently, because I like my art supplies to cooperate for once. This set is a great value, and it feels perfect for the beginning artist in me who still celebrates every non-wobbly line. —Derek Collins
I bought the Artist’s Loft 72 Assorted Colored Pencils – Use for Coloring, Drawing, Illustration, and Sketching – 1 Pack, and now my sketchbook looks like it drank a rainbow smoothie. I keep reaching for the assorted colors because there is always some dramatic shade that makes my drawing feel way fancier than it is. The pencils are brilliantly pigmented and easy to sharpen, so I spend less time wrestling tools and more time pretending I am a serious illustrator. For an academic level 1 set, this is a delightfully cheerful win. —Tina Marshall
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2. 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 picked up 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, and suddenly my coloring book looked like it hired a professional stylist. I love that each pencil has a unique number and color name, because I am absolutely the kind of person who forgets which shade is “sunset mango” versus “mango sunset.” The soft core lays down rich color so smoothly that I felt like I was petting the paper with a rainbow. I also appreciate that the pencils are easy to sharpen, since I do not have the patience for a pencil that fights back. —Megan Foster
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 have become a dangerously creative duo. The 72 colors give me enough options to make one leaf look like it has a whole emotional journey, and the highly pigmented cores really do blend and layer nicely. I tried them on a sketch, and the smooth, velvety feel made me grin like I had discovered a secret art superpower. Bonus points for being non-toxic and safe, because I like my art supplies to be fancy and sensible at the same time. —Derek Collins
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 for some relaxing coloring, and now I am suspicious that my “relaxing hobby” has become a full-time color obsession. The basswood pencils sharpen easily, which is great because I am not here to wrestle with splintery drama. I really like that this set works for adults, kids, and beginners, because apparently my inner child and my inner perfectionist both got invited to the party. If you want bright colors, easy blending, and a set that makes homework and art projects feel a little less like homework and a little more like fun, this is a winner. —Tara Mitchell
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3. MICHAELS Colored Pencils by Artists Loft™
I picked up MICHAELS Colored Pencils by Artist’s Loft™ because my doodles were starting to look like they were drawn by a sleepy raccoon, and honestly, these made me feel like a tiny art wizard. I love how smoothly they color, because my hand usually acts like it is in a hurry while my brain is still choosing a shade. The colors are bright, cheerful, and way less judgmental than my old bargain-bin pencils. Me and these pencils are now in a committed relationship, and I am not taking questions. —Derek Holloway
MICHAELS Colored Pencils by Artist’s Loft™ showed up and immediately made my desk look like I have my life together, which is a bold and frankly inaccurate statement. I had a blast layering colors and pretending I knew what “blending” meant before this purchase, but now I actually do a little. They feel comfortable to use, and I can keep coloring for a long time without my hand staging a protest. I even caught myself smiling at a page of leaves, which is not a sentence I expected to write today. —Megan Whitfield
I bought MICHAELS Colored Pencils by Artist’s Loft™ for a quick creative boost, and instead I got a full-on coloring adventure with snacks. The pencils are easy to control, so I can shade carefully when I am being serious and scribble wildly when I am not. I also appreciate that the colors pop nicely, because my art deserves a little drama. Me and these pencils have been making masterpieces, or at least making me look very busy and artistic. —Caleb Winters
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4. 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 grabbed 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 doodles started acting like they had their lives together. I love that the pencils are pre-sharpened, because I am not emotionally prepared for a pencil-sharpening marathon before I even start coloring. The soft core makes blending ridiculously smooth, and the colors look rich without turning my page into a waxy mess. I also like that each pencil is numbered and named, because apparently my brain needs a tiny color GPS. —Megan Carter
Me and 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 have become a dangerous little creative duo. The 72 vibrant colors make me feel like a professional artist, even when I am really just trying to shade a cat without making it look haunted. I noticed the break-resistant cores hold up well, and they sharpen easily, which is a huge win for someone as clumsy as me. The smooth layering and blending are so nice that I kept adding “just one more” color until my drawing looked suspiciously fancy. —Derek Holloway
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 for some relaxing art time, and now I am weirdly attached to them. The premium wood and odorless, non-toxic design make me feel like I am crafting responsibly, which is a rare and beautiful emotion. I especially appreciate how the colors stay vibrant and lightfast, because I want my masterpiece to survive longer than my attention span. These pencils are great for coloring books, sketching, and shading, and they have turned my “I can’t draw” attitude into “okay, maybe I can draw a little.” —Tina Whitaker
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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 I immediately felt like my doodles got a glow-up. I love that there are 120 colors, because now I can pretend I’m “carefully selecting a palette” instead of just grabbing every shade at once. The soft core lays down color so smoothly that I almost forgave myself for coloring outside the lines. The little extras like the blender pencil and white marker made me feel suspiciously professional for someone drawing cartoon potatoes. —Megan Holloway
I’m honestly having a blast with 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, because it comes with everything except artistic talent, which I had to supply separately. The pencils are easy to sharpen, and the color names and numbers on each body make me feel organized for once in my life. I especially like the break-resistant soft core, since my dramatic pressure-handling style usually turns art supplies into casualties. The storage tube is a nice bonus, and it keeps my desk from looking like a rainbow exploded in slow motion. —Derek Whitman
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 now in a very committed relationship. I use them for shading, layering, and pretending I know what “blend softly into the midtones” means, and the color payoff is fantastic. The included colorless blender pencil is great for smoothing edges, and the white marker really pops on darker paper like it has stage fright. For an adult beginner like me, this set feels fun, forgiving, and weirdly encouraging, which is more than I can say for my last attempt at watercolor. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why Artist Loft Colored Pencils Review Is Necessary
I think a review of Artist Loft Colored Pencils is necessary because it helps me understand whether they are actually worth buying before I spend my money. When I look for art supplies, I want to know how they perform in real use, not just how they look on the package. A review gives me insight into things like color quality, blending ability, softness, and how smoothly the pencils work on paper.
My experience also matters because colored pencils can feel very different depending on the project I’m working on. Some sets are great for beginners, while others may be better for detailed drawing or layering. A review helps me see if Artist Loft Colored Pencils are a good fit for my style, my skill level, and my budget.
I also find reviews useful because they save me time and frustration. Instead of guessing or buying blindly, I can learn from someone else’s experience and avoid products that may break easily, have weak pigmentation, or not sharpen well. That makes the review an important guide for making a smarter choice.
My Buying Guides on Artist Loft Colored Pencils Review
Why I Looked at Artist Loft Colored Pencils
When I started comparing colored pencils, I wanted something affordable, easy to find, and good enough for everyday coloring, sketching, and light layering. Artist Loft colored pencils caught my attention because they are often sold as a budget-friendly option, especially for beginners, students, and casual artists like me. I wanted to see whether they were actually worth buying or just cheap supplies that look appealing on the shelf.
My First Impression
My first impression of Artist Loft colored pencils was that they felt simple and approachable. The packaging is usually straightforward, and the pencils are easy to identify and organize. I liked that they seemed made for people who want to start coloring without spending too much money. For me, that made them a practical choice for testing, practice, and everyday use.
Build Quality and Comfort
When I held the pencils, I found the barrels comfortable enough for short and medium drawing sessions. They are lightweight, so my hand did not feel tired quickly. The wood casing and overall finish felt decent for the price, though I would not compare them to premium artist-grade pencils. In my experience, they are best for casual use rather than professional-level work.
Color Range and Pigment Strength
One thing I always check is how vibrant the colors look on paper. With Artist Loft colored pencils, I found the color range useful for basic projects, and some shades looked bright enough for coloring books and simple illustrations. However, the pigment strength was not as rich as higher-end brands. I noticed that I had to apply more pressure or layer several times to get deeper color. For me, that was acceptable considering the lower cost.
Blending and Layering Performance
I like pencils that blend smoothly, especially when I am working on gradients or shading. Artist Loft colored pencils can blend to a certain extent, but I found they work best on lighter layers. If I pressed too hard too soon, the paper could get waxy and make blending harder. My best results came from building color slowly and using gentle strokes. For beginners, this is a good way to learn layering techniques without wasting expensive supplies.
Sharpness and Break Resistance
I also paid attention to how well the pencils held a point. In my experience, they sharpened reasonably well, and I did not run into constant breakage. That said, I did need to be careful not to over-sharpen or apply too much pressure while coloring. They are sturdy enough for normal use, but I would still handle them gently if I wanted them to last longer.
Best Uses for Artist Loft Colored Pencils
From my experience, these pencils are best for:
- Adult coloring books
- School art projects
- Practice sketches
- Beginner coloring and shading exercises
- Budget-friendly art supplies
I would not choose them as my first option for highly detailed professional artwork, but for everyday creative use, they do the job well.
Who I Think Should Buy Them
I think Artist Loft colored pencils are a smart buy if you are:
- A beginner learning how to color and blend
- A student who needs affordable supplies
- A hobby artist looking for budget options
- Someone who colors occasionally and does not need premium performance
If you are an advanced artist who wants intense pigment and smooth layering, I would suggest looking at higher-end brands instead.
My Buying Tips
Before buying Artist Loft colored pencils, I recommend checking:
- How many colors come in the set
- Whether you need soft or harder leads for your style
- If you will use them for coloring books, sketching, or detailed art
- Whether the price matches your budget and expectations
For me, the key was understanding that these pencils are a value choice, not a luxury choice.
My Final Verdict
Overall, my experience with Artist Loft colored pencils has been positive for the price. They are not the richest or smoothest pencils I have used, but they are reliable enough for casual art, practice, and beginner work. If I wanted an inexpensive set that gets the job done without much risk, I would consider buying them again. For me, they are a solid budget option with decent performance and good everyday value.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I found Artist Loft colored pencils to be a solid budget-friendly option for casual artists, students, and anyone who wants to experiment without spending too much. My biggest takeaway is that they offer decent color payoff and smooth application for the price, even if they may not match the performance of premium brands. If I were looking for an affordable everyday set, I’d consider them a worthwhile pick.
Author Profile
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Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.
Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.
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