If you love adult coloring books and want a generous set of colored pencils without spending a fortune, the Soucolor 72 Colored Pencils Set deserves your attention. This oil-based pencil set includes 72 distinct shades packed in a portable cylinder case, and it has earned a stellar reputation among hobbyists and artists alike.
With smooth pigment laydown, break-resistant leads, and an impressive color range that spans classic hues to neon shades, this set hits a sweet spot between affordability and quality that few competitors match at this price point.
- 72 Vibrant Colored Pencils designed for adults, offering smooth laydown and rich pigment for coloring books, sketching, and art projects. Features soft pencils holder for comfortable grip and break-resistant leads.
- Non-Toxic & Safe for children, these pencils meet ASTM D-4236 safety standards, making them ideal for creative play.
- Versatile Art Supplies suitable for coloring books, sketch pads, and mixed media. The 72-color set includes classic and neon shades to inspire creativity in every project.
The pencils meet ASTM D-4236 safety standards, so they are non-toxic and safe for use around children. Whether you are filling in intricate mandala pages or sketching original artwork, the set is designed to handle layering, blending, and shading with ease.
The round-bodied wooden pencils feature a smooth grip that keeps your hand comfortable during long coloring sessions. And the included cylinder storage case keeps every pencil organized and ready to grab.
Bottom Line
If you are searching for the best colored pencils for adult coloring books that deliver vibrant color, smooth blending, and excellent value, this 72-piece set from Soucolor is a strong contender.
Overview Of The Soucolor 72 Colored Pencils Set
At its core, this is a 72-count oil-based colored pencil set housed in a compact cylinder case. Each pencil features a wooden barrel with a round body shape and a 0.5mm lead designed for medium-point work.
The set is marketed toward adults and targets coloring, drawing, and sketching applications. Soucolor positions it as a professional-quality option, and it currently ranks as one of the top-selling wooden colored pencil sets on Amazon.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pencil Count | 72 |
| Ink Base | Oil |
| Body Material | Wood |
| Body Shape | Round |
| Lead Size | 0.5mm |
| Safety Standard | ASTM D-4236 (Non-Toxic) |
| Storage | Cylinder Case |
| Recommended Use | Coloring, Drawing, Sketching |
The set is well-rated by tens of thousands of buyers, which speaks to consistent quality across batches.
Vibrant 72-Color Range
Seventy-two colors give you a genuinely wide palette to work with. The set spans classic primary and secondary colors alongside earth tones, pastels, and neon shades.
Having this breadth means you rarely need to mix or improvise to find the right hue. For adult coloring books with detailed designs, the range lets you differentiate petals, leaves, skin tones, and backgrounds without repeating shades.
The oil-based pigments deliver rich, saturated color on most paper types. You will notice strong color payoff even with light pressure, which is a welcome trait when you are filling large areas.
Compared to smaller 24- or 36-count sets, this 72-color collection eliminates much of the guesswork in color selection and gives your finished artwork noticeably more depth.
Smooth Blending And Shading
Blending is where oil-based pencils tend to shine, and the Soucolor set follows that pattern. The soft core allows you to layer one color over another with minimal wax buildup or resistance.
You can achieve smooth gradients by gradually transitioning between adjacent shades. Light pressure produces subtle tints, while heavier strokes build up to full saturation.
The colors are described as lightfast, meaning your finished pieces resist fading when displayed. For shading, the pencils respond well to varied pressure, letting you create convincing shadows and highlights without switching tools.
If you enjoy burnishing techniques, the softer lead cooperates nicely when you press firmly to create a polished, almost painterly finish on heavier paper stock.
Comfortable Grip And Break-Resistant Leads
Long coloring sessions demand a pencil that does not cramp your hand. The round wooden barrel has a smooth grip surface that sits naturally between your fingers.
The lead is engineered to resist breakage during use and sharpening. This is a common pain point with budget colored pencils, so the reinforced core is a meaningful benefit.
You will find that the pencils sharpen to a clean point with most standard sharpeners. Keeping a sharp tip is essential for fine details in adult coloring pages, and these leads hold up well under normal sharpening routines.
The non-toxic formulation also means you can comfortably let children use them for creative play without safety concerns.
Cylinder Case And Everyday Organization
Storage matters more than most people realize when you own 72 pencils. The included cylinder case keeps every pencil upright, sorted, and easy to identify at a glance.
The compact shape makes it simple to slide into a bag, toss in a drawer, or set on your desk without taking up much space. Compared to flat tin cases, the cylinder design has a smaller footprint on your work surface.
The case also doubles as a display piece and a ready-made gift package. If you are buying this set as a birthday or holiday present, the packaging looks polished enough to give without additional wrapping.
Who This Set Is Best For
This pencil set fits a specific niche well. Consider it if you fall into one of these categories:
- Adult coloring enthusiasts who want a wide color range without paying for artist-grade sets
- Teachers and educators looking for safe, non-toxic art supplies for classroom projects
- Beginner artists exploring sketching, drawing, or mixed-media work
- Gift shoppers seeking a thoughtful, creative present at a reasonable price
- Hobbyists who color occasionally and want a versatile, all-in-one set
If you are a professional illustrator requiring archival-grade lightfastness or ultra-soft, wax-based cores, you may want to consider higher-end brands. For everyone else, this set delivers impressive performance for its price tier.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- 72 vibrant colors covering a wide spectrum including neons
- Smooth, oil-based cores blend and layer effectively
- Break-resistant leads hold up during sharpening
- Non-toxic and ASTM D-4236 certified
- Compact cylinder case keeps pencils organized and portable
- Competitively priced for the color count
- Comfortable round grip for extended sessions
Cons
- Oil-based cores are slightly firmer than premium wax-based pencils like Prismacolor
- The cylinder case, while portable, does not lay flat for side-by-side color comparison
- Limited information on individual pigment lightfastness ratings
- Not ideal for professional archival artwork
- Some users may prefer a zippered or hinged case for travel
Customer Reviews
Tens of thousands of buyers have weighed in on this set, and the consensus is strongly positive. Users frequently praise the rich pigment, smooth laydown, and impressive color variety for the price.
Many adult coloring fans note that the pencils blend well and produce vivid results on standard coloring book paper. Parents and teachers also appreciate the non-toxic certification and durability of the leads.
A common theme in feedback is the value proposition. Buyers feel they are getting near-professional quality without the premium cost typically associated with artist-grade sets.
On the critical side, a few reviewers mention that the cores are not quite as buttery-soft as high-end brands. Some also note that the cylinder case, while convenient, can make it tricky to quickly find a specific color compared to a flat tray layout.
The set is frequently recommended as a gift, with buyers highlighting the attractive packaging and the “wow factor” of receiving 72 colors.
Conclusion
The Soucolor 72 Colored Pencils Set earns its place among the best colored pencils for adult coloring books in its price range. You get a generous 72-color palette, smooth oil-based cores, break-resistant leads, and a tidy storage case.
It is not trying to compete with professional-grade sets that cost three or four times as much. Instead, it occupies a practical middle ground where quality, variety, and affordability intersect.
If you want to elevate your coloring sessions without a significant investment, this set is a smart choice. Pick up the Soucolor 72 Colored Pencils Set on Amazon and see the difference a full color range makes in your artwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Soucolor colored pencils good for adult coloring and detailed illustrations?
Yes, the Soucolor 72-color set is well-suited for adult coloring books and moderately detailed illustrations. The oil-based cores provide smooth coverage and enough precision at a sharpened point to handle fine lines and intricate patterns. For highly detailed professional illustration work, you may want to pair them with a smaller set of artist-grade pencils.
How do Soucolor colored pencils compare to Prismacolor in softness, blending, and layering?
Prismacolor pencils use a wax-based core that tends to be softer and more buttery than the oil-based Soucolor cores. Soucolor pencils still blend and layer effectively, but you will notice they require slightly more pressure to achieve the same saturation. For casual coloring and hobbyist use, the difference is minor relative to the significant price gap between the two brands.
Do Soucolor colored pencils have a color chart or number chart available?
Soucolor does not prominently publish an official numbered color chart for this set. You can create your own swatch chart by coloring each pencil onto cardstock, which many coloring enthusiasts recommend as a first step after opening any new pencil set. This gives you an accurate reference for how each shade looks on your preferred paper.
Is there a complete 72-color list available as a printable PDF?
An official printable PDF of the full 72-color list is not widely available from Soucolor. Some community members in adult coloring forums and social media groups have created their own swatch sheets and shared them as downloadable PDFs. Searching coloring community groups is your best bet for finding a user-created version.
How does the 72-count set perform for shading, burnishing, and color saturation?
The set performs well for shading thanks to its responsive pressure sensitivity; light strokes create subtle tones while firm pressure builds rich saturation. Burnishing is achievable with these pencils, especially on heavier paper, though the oil-based formula produces a slightly different finish than wax-based pencils. Color saturation is strong for the price tier, and layering multiple passes deepens the vibrancy noticeably.
Are Soucolor colored pencils lightfast, and do they resist breakage during sharpening?
Soucolor describes the colors as lightfast, meaning they resist fading over time when displayed. The break-resistant leads are reinforced to withstand normal sharpening with standard pencil sharpeners, reducing the frustration of snapped tips. For best results, use a sharp blade-style sharpener and avoid applying excessive lateral pressure while sharpening.
