• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Coloring Book Addict

Adult Coloring Books, Supplies & Tips - Adult Activity Art Books

  • Home
    • Affiliate Disclosures
    • Disclosures
    • Privacy
  • Topical
    • Animal Coloring Books
    • Coloring Books for Men
    • Coloring Postcards and Greeting Cards for Adults
    • Color By Number Adult Coloring Books
    • Feminist Coloring and Activity Books
    • Nature Coloring Books
    • Advanced Coloring Books
    • Nurse & Doctor Coloring Books Honoring the Front Line Heroes
  • Quarantine Fun
    • Color By Number Adult Coloring Books
    • Jane Davenport Adult Activity Books – Art & Drawing
    • Large Print Puzzle Books for Seniors
    • Querkles Dot to Dot Challenging Puzzle Books for Adults
    • Rock Painting
  • Black Artists
    • African Coloring Books For Adults
    • Women of Color Coloring Books
  • Illustrators
    • Johanna Basford
    • Hanna Karlzon
    • Bennett Klein
    • Kerby Rosanes
    • Jane F. Hankins
    • Millie Marotta
    • Selina Fenech
    • Steve McDonald
    • Thaneeya McArdle
    • Daria Song
  • Coloring Supplies
    • Where to Start
    • Tips for New Colorists
    • Colored Pencil 411
    • Best Markers
    • Best Gel Pens
    • Best Watercolor Supplies – Advanced
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Adult Coloring Books – Top 13 Tips for New Colorists
    • Colored Pencil Tutorials
    • Best cheap colored pencils for adult coloring books
    • Best Gel Pens for Adult Coloring Books
    • Background Coloring Supplies
    • Best Watercolor Supplies for Coloring Books
  • Art Classes
    • Art Classes
    • Jane Davenport Mixed Media Teacher & Artist
    • Tim Holtz – King of all Things Distressed
    • Tamara Laporte of Willowing and Life Book Fame
      • Life Book Art Journaling Mixed Media Course 2021
    • Micki Wilde – Artist and Teacher
    • How to Use Stencils in Mixed Media Art
You are here: Home / Archives for pencil storage

pencil storage

coloring book affiliate disclosure

Best Colored Pencils for Coloring Books

October 18, 2020 By Addicted Colorist 45 Comments

coloring book affiliate disclosure
Alice in Wonderland - Good Wives and Warriors colored by Chrissy the Coloring Book Addict

Colored Pencils Options 

Colored Pencils are the most used item for those folks that are truly addicted to adult coloring books. If that sounds like someone you know then this is the list for you. 

Alice in Wonderland - Good Wives and Warriors colored by Chrissy the Coloring Book Addict

Everything we have learned about the best coloring supplies for the most discerning Adult Coloring Book Addicts!

The first question you will have to answer is pencils or markers? If pencils are your answer then you just have to decide your budget and buy the best line you can of the biggest color selection you can. Buying a smaller set will only frustrate you so it’s best to just wait and order the big set.

Oil-Based Colored Pencils include: 

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils

Faber Castell Polychromos colored pencils perfect for adult coloring books
My beloved Polys

At the top of the list are the beloved Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils. They are not THE most expensive but they are near the top. These pencils are creamy, smooth, blend easily, layer forever and will give you a gorgeous result with practice and patience if you are new to this skill. The largest tin has 120 luscious colors including 3 metallic pencils.

  • Click to Order Faber Castell Polychromos set of 120 Colored Pencils
  • Faber Castell Polychromos set of 36 Colored Pencils
  • Faber Castell Polychromos set of 60 Colored Pencils 
  • Faber Castell Trio Pencil Sharpener
  • Faber Castell Dual Metal Sharpener
  • Polychromos Colored Pencils UK
  • Polychromos Colored Pencils Canada

We have found that the sharpener that is made for the specific brand of pencils works fairly well but I always have my trusty Kum sharpeners with me as well as you can never have enough of them.

Lyra Rembrandt Colored Pencils

lyra rembrandt colored pencils
  • LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils, Set of 72
  • LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils, Set of 36
  • LYRA Rembrandt Aquarell Artists’ Colored Pencils, Set of 72  (Note: These are watercolor colored pencils)
  • Lyra’s in the UK
  • Lyra’s in Canada

Only recently have we discovered these gorgeous sticks of color and we are currently in serious crush status with them. (pictured at the top of this page) They are soft and luminous and the colors are different than the Polycromos so you get a completely unique look when you use them instead of the polys. The only complaint we have is that the largest box is 72 pencils. Lyra’s are oil-based so no pesky wax bloom and they layer and blend nicely. They also come with their own blending pencil in the box but it seems completely useless and has zero effect so stick with your Derwent or Prismacolor blender colorless pencils instead. (More about those later)

Caran d’Ache Colored Pencils

Caran d'Ache Colored Pencils

Apparently, the finest colored pencil money can buy. We can’t speak about these from our own experience I SPLURGED! After reading the glowing only 5-star reviews and from coloring friends! We bought the small box of 20 just to see and WOW!!! I now have to rave about them too!!! If you can afford them, give them a try as you won’t’ be sorry. “Caran D’ache luminance pencils are simply the best-colored pencils money can buy.”Each pencil is pocketed in its own foam bed within the box. I have enjoyed my set of 20 and the white pencil does amazing things for highlights and special effects.  Read the description and reviews carefully as Caran D’ache makes several lines of colored pencils including these two top artist varieties which get fabulous reviews and then the and student and watercolor pencils which didn’t get great reviews for use on adult coloring books. These Luminance pencils have the highest lightfast rating meaning that they won’t fade over time like wax and other oil-based color pencils do. They have SO much pigment and go on SO easily, they really are so lovely.  One day I’ll have the big set!! Maybe!

  • Caran d’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils – set of 20
  • Caran d’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils – Set of 40
  • Caran d’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils – set of 76 
  • Caran d’Ache Supracolor Set of 120 (use wet or dry)
  • Caran d’ache Luminance in UK
  • Caran d’ache Luminance in Canada

Pablo Colored Pencil Set Of 120 Metal Box “They are delicious. No wax bloom, no flaky bits. Gorgeous colors that lay down over each other well and blend beautifully. Plus the pencil wood casing is harder, easier to sharpen.” These pencils aren’t quite as pricey and get rave reviews in all the groups on Facebook.

  • Caran D’ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set of 12 US       UK      Canada
  • Caran D’ache Pablo Colored Pencil set of 30 US        UK      Canada
  • Caran D’ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set of 18 – US                 Canada
  • Caran D’ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set of 80 – US    UK       Canada
  • Caran D’ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set of 120  US    UK      Canada

Marco Raffine Colored Pencils

The least expensive wax-based colored pencil that performs like it’s oil-based more expensive cousins are the Marco Raffine line from Japan. You can buy these from Amazon here.
Marco Raffine 48 Amazon US   UK   Canada
Marco Raffine 72 Amazon US   UK   Canada

Other brands that are gorgeous but only sold in high-end fine art stores are these BruynzeelColored Pencils are uber soft and creamy, possibly too creamy if there is such a thing but I would test these pencils at the nearest high-end fine arts store near you before you invest in a set of these. I have a few to fill in missing greens I wanted for Enchanted Forest.

Wax Based Colored Pencils

prismacolor colored pencils

Prismacolor Premier Artist Pencils – These very nice pencils come in the biggest set and for a price below all but the Marco Raffine pencils in the oil-based pencils above. They are a huge step up from Crayola or other school / student-grade colored pencils and I’ve had no difficulty with mine breaking or chipping when they get sharpened. They do get a wax bloom if you want to layer your colors to blend and they aren’t colorfast, meaning your colors will fade over time particularly if your pictures are exposed to light.

I recently learned something else about these coloring work-horses for mixed media use. These are THE go-to pencils for many mixed-media artists and art journaling enthusiasts because they DO seal in the color from water-based art supplies you might use in proximity and completely seals the colors if you are doing encaustic work or sealing with beeswax.

What does “wax bloom” mean? 

Wax bloom is a natural oxidation process of wax-based materials, just like rust is an oxidation of iron. It appears as a cloudy white film over a drawing or color lay down. If you are plagued with wax bloom, simply wipe your drawing with a clean, dry cloth and spray it with a final fixative to seal out air. If you find your drawings are prone to wax bloom, you may want to use a workable fixative intermittently as you layer your artwork and then finish with a final fixative. Wax bloom is especially prevalent in warmer climates and for artists who apply greater pressure when working with colored pencils. Prismacolor FAQ’

  • Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils 150 colors – every color they make including a few neons and metallics. I wish the packaging was nicer for the biggest purchase but it’s a cardboard box that isn’t handy for coloring. I’ve removed them all and have each color family in a mason jar. They look pretty that way too.
  • CLICK to Order US     UK     Canada
  • Prismacolor Premier Soft Core 72 Colored Pencils
  • Prismacolor 48 Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils
  • Prismacolor Colored Pencils UK
  • Prismacolor Colored Pencils Canada

Prismacolor Verithins Colored Pencils are not to be confused with the Prismacolor Premier. These pencils are very hard and to be used for details and tiny spaces. They do not work well for blending or shading. Many people like to use them for the tiny spaces in books like Secret Garden or Time Garden.

Prismacolor Verithins Colored Pencils UK

Prismacolor Verithins Colored Pencils Canada

COLORED PENCIL TIP: You want to be careful with these colored pencils because the wax core can break and if that happens it pretty much ruins the pencil because you can’t sharpen it without it falling apart. Some people swear by microwaving them if that happens but Prismacolor FAQs warn against that and instead tell you to lay them in a sunny hot window and then firmly press the cores back together. Another person in our Facebook group suggested laying them on a heating pad. I think that would work well too.

Prismacolors are usually available open stock at Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Guirys so you can always buy a couple to test them. Once you try any of these nicer quality pencils you won’t be able to color with a Crayola colored pencil or <GASP> a crayon every again. But those are great to have around for the kids or grandkids.

Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils  US  – UK  – Canada

These pencils remind me of a cross between a Lyra Oil-based pencil and Prismacolor Verithins. These pencils sharpen to a nice sharp point and keep the point nicely. The one thing I really LOVE about the Tombow line is that they come in small packs of 30 colors that don’t overlap one another so you can continue to add to your collection without having to buy a small pack and then have duplicates when you decide to buy the bigger set. They are HARD pencils though and don’t have the pigment of either then Prisma’s or the Poly’s.

Chel had this to say in an Amazon review, I’ve only a small pack of these so this explains how the colors are organized brilliantly.

A few things to note:
The Irojitens are pretty hard, as far as colored pencils go. They are not a smooth, creamy pencil that seems to melt over the paper with the lightest of stroke. They cover beautifully, and a little goes a long way, but they definitely require a little more “push” than the softer color pencils on the market. HOWEVER, they are super rich and creamy, and even if you push down on them quite a lot, the leads do not crumble or turn into dust. They maintain a sharp point for a long time. And the ability to shade with these pencils is incredible- because they are slightly harder, you can get very very light layers of color, and layer many different colors together without losing the surface of the paper under a waxy buildup.

The color range is very untraditional- there is one set of “Vibrant” colors that has your basic red, blue, green, yellow, orange, but the rest of the range are mostly pastel, “dull” (their name, not mine), and softer, creamier colors (also, one set of ten neon color, which are SO bright and vibrant!)

If you are looking for a collection of bright, traditional, clear jewel-tone colors, you may not love the colors that are available in the Irotijens. I happen to LOVE the colors- they are all creamy, beautiful, painterly… but again, very unusual, especially for colored pencils. It’s almost as if the opaque paint was made into a pencil.

The color names are equally unusual- there’s no Cadmium Red or Gamboge or Cobalt Blue. There’s “Lettuce Green”, “Firefly Yellow”, “Verbena”, and “Jay Blue”, just to name a few.

The pencils are grouped into nine “Volumes” of ten different colored pencils, each following a color theme. There’s Vibrant, Pale (I and II), Very Pale, Dull, Deep I (I and II), Fluorescent, and Light Grayish. The pencils are packaged inside a little box shaped like a book, ten pencils per “Volume”. The packaging is beautiful, but for regular use, I eventually had to give in and store the pencils in a more traditional holder (I wish there was a ton available for the complete set of 90.) Even though I store them out of their book-packaging, I couldn’t bear to separate them out of their color Volumes because they are grouped so perfectly (and I’m the kind of person who obsessively swatches everything and rearranges colors according to my eye rather than whatever numeric system/order they come in).

tombow pencils
  • Tombow Irojiten Woodland 30 Pack US
  • Tombow Irojiten Rainforest 30 Pack
  • Tombow Irojiten Seascape 30 Pack

I do wish more colored pencil brands split up their pencils into color volumes like this.

Johanna Basford Recommended Colored Pencils  Staedtler Colored Pencils 

staedtler colored pencils

Johanna really likes these colored pencils for use in her books because you can sharpen them to a very fine point and they blend nicely. They have a coating around the led that produces less breakage than other pencils. The triangular shape is also easy to hold. Click here to Order  There just aren’t enough colors here to keep me happy but I do like to take these pencils with me when I color at the coffee shop, the stand is really nice and makes it easy to share with friends.

Click to order Staedtler Colored Pencils Amazon US     Amazon UK    Amazon Canada

Since Adult Coloring Books are gaining such a huge market share, lots of manufacturers are jumping in to produce coloring supplies. So far NONE of the new colored pencils that have come to the market is anything I would recommend.

Things to look for before you buy Colored Pencils

  1. Do the core colors match the outsides of the pencils?
  2. Are the cores centered in the wood? If not you will never be able to sharpen them correctly and the cores will break.
  3. Do the colored pencils have color names or numbers?
  4. Are there actually as many colors as the label says or are there duplicates? I was recently sent a set of 50 colored pencils, as I pulled them out to see what the difference was between the 36 and 50 set, I was so disappointed to find that the extras were just that extras of the same colors that are in the 36 set. If you stick with one of the suggestions above that fits your budget you will be much happier.

Honestly simple Crayola Colored Pencils give fantastic results, you just have to work harder to get the color onto the paper.

Blending Pencils & Medium

A blending pencil is a colorless pencil that you use to blend your color together and smash the pigment into the tooth of the paper so those white speckles aren’t showing anymore. They give you a very painted look instead of the scratchy appearance you might think of with colored pencils.

I have both the Prismacolor blender colorless pencils and the Derwent blender, they both work well for me. Test them with the colored pencils you have decided on to see which one gives you the effect you are looking for. I find that each book with its paper and binding takes me at least one picture to find the pencils I prefer for it. It’s hard not to go right for your favorite image but try so you won’t be disappointed.

Many people prefer to use solvents to help with their color blending in their coloring books.

Gamsol*  US   UK   Canada – take great care with this item as it is toxic and fumes could bother those with respiratory issues.**

Zest-ii is only available in the UK but colorists there swear by it

Baby Oil*  – I like this pack of 3 small bottles because no matter what, I am constantly misplacing my coloring supplies. This is the one I choose to use as it’s the non-toxic option.

Vaseline* – I’ve seen both a method using a q-tip dipped in vaseline and also where you put the pencil itself into the pot of Vaseline.

*As always please test these methods on a scrap page of your coloring book.

There are Colored Pencil Tutorial Video’s here using these blending methods. 

Erasers

Yes, you CAN erase particularly if you have a light hand with the pencils. I like the erasers that come inside a plastic tube like a pen but any good quality artist eraser will work at least partially. Each brand erases to a different degree. Kneadable erasers are something I’ve loved ever since I dated a commercial artist, these little gems are fun Derwent also makes a battery-powered eraser for the truly addicted. There is a list of my favorite erasers on the Stocking Stuffers page here.

While taking an online art class one of the teachers recommended this amazing erasing tool the Tombow MONO and I immediately ordered both the round and square versions. I use these in Lifebook quite a bit!

tiny erasers
CLICK TO ORDER AMAZON US, UK OR CANADA

Colored Pencil Sharpeners

Really you can never have enough sharpeners because they are easy to lose and they do wear out if you are coloring often.

The biggest bang for your buck is the German-made KUM sharpeners. There are a few varieties but this little metal guy is a workhorse. You can find them anywhere you see fine art supplies.

Kum Sharpener If you have any 2 hole sharpeners and use just one side of this sharpener you can save a little cash by switching the blades to the size you use most often
 Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada 

sharpener

Kum Long Point Sharpener

long point sharpener

Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada    

Staedtler double hole colored pencil sharpener – a great tip shared by Peta Hewitt in one of her videos is to get double duty out of these types of sharpeners. You mostly use the smaller hole so when that blade starts to get dull, simply switch the blades and get double the amount of use out of the sharpener. That would work with the Kum Sharpeners as well.

Staedtler 2 hole sharpener with compartment for shavings

pencil sharpener
prismacolor blender and sharpener

Prismacolor Pencil Sharpener – works well on… you guessed it Prismacolor Colored Pencils. For the life of me though, I can’t get this to open so I can empty it so it’s not one I use at all. The Kum brand works just as well.
Prismacolor Sharpener + two blending pencils

Faber Castell Colored Pencil 3 hole Sharpener CLICK TO ORDER

pencil sharpener

I have all of these and keep them in different spots where I like to color. Another tip is to sharpen a regular #2 pencil with them every couple of weeks to clean off the wax and the oily buildup from the blades. The Kum Sharpeners also let you change out the dull blades for new ones.

Colored Pencil Storage

canvas pencil storage bag
CLICK TO ORDER AMAZON US, UK OR CANADA

How to carry around your colored pencils. I like to color in public so the first thing I started looking for were ways to bring my new favorite hobby with me so I could share. This Derwent Canvas bag came very highly recommended by the pro colorists I’ve met in Facebook groups.

Two pencils fit in each space on the 3 dividers that fit on the binder rings and you can buy more of these if you have more than 132 pencils. Pens also fit nicely in this bag but it’s not big enough to stick a full-size coloring book into but the postcards and portable books fit nicely on the inside or the outside pocket. There is a zipper pocket inside for your erasers and sharpeners too. The shoulder strap is removable.

Large Binder for Colored Pencil Addicts

Several people in our coloring group have recommended this jumbo pack that holds 216 pencils and/or gel pens. There are also 2 pockets for erasers and sharpeners and a zippered mesh pocket to hold your favorite coloring book. It comes in green, pink and black.

pencil storage

Click here to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada

Me & My Big Ideas Striped Organizer Bag

striped art supply storage

I recently started adding Mixed Media pieces into my coloring books and stumbled upon this bag that one of the people in my class had. I fell instantly in love with it. SO many supplies will fit in this bag and all the zippers keep things nice and organized.

Click here to Order and also see a video that shows you all the amazing that is inside this cutie.

I have heard RAVE reviews about these pencil drawers for all of your coloring supplies too.

US Art Supply® Artist Wood Pastel, Pen, Marker Storage Box with 4-Drawers

Colored Pencil storage

If I worked at a desk they would be a must-have for me but since I seem to color everywhere, I will stick to my bags and baskets full of pencils for now.

Not addicted yet? Overwhelmed by all of this pencil chatter? No worries, check out

  • How to Get Started with Adult Coloring Books
  • 13 Tips for New Colorists
  • Best Markers for Adult Coloring Books
  • Best Gel Pens for Adult Coloring Books
  • Colored Pencil Tutorials
  • Best Budget-Friendly Colored Pencils

Did I miss anything? Do you have other favorites? Let us know in the comments below. 

Happy Coloring!

  • Top Coloring Supplies
  • Adult Coloring – How to Get Started
  • Best cheap colored pencils for adult coloring books
  • Lets Color! Coloring Books for Grown-Ups
  • Using Watercolor in your Adult Coloring Books

Filed Under: Coloring Supplies Tagged With: colored pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pencil storage

coloring book affiliate disclosure

How to Organize Adult Coloring Supplies

October 9, 2020 By Addicted Colorist 13 Comments

coloring book affiliate disclosure
colored pencil wraps for storage for adult coloring book colorists

If you have become a true Coloring Book Addict by now you are sure to have quite the collection of colored pencils, pens, markers and more and NOW you need to organize your art supplies.

There are so many options that I will just be sharing several that might meet your artistic needs, we colorists are all so uniquely individual.

ROLLING CARTS

I honestly don’t know how I lived before I recently discovered the RASKOG rolling cart. Once you have one you might want more. I’ve watched numerous video reviews on Rakog versus the Michaels Brand and Costco brand and everyone agrees that the RASKOG is da bombdiggity in all sorts of art supply storage. What I love most about it is how sturdy it is AND that I can store ALL of my colored pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and books all in one spot and then roll it away when company comes. You can also clip an LED light on the edge of it in case you need more light in your family room which is where I always end up coloring.

organize coloring supplies in your raskog

If you have an IKEA store nearby then go buy one. I promise you won’t be sorry. They no longer have the aqua blue color (BOO!) so I bought the cream and if I get really ambitious I’ll spray paint it. However, I don’t think I can live long enough without it to do that.. so I may just wait for them to bring out a blue again. They are super easy to put together and SO sturdy. The middle shelf can be moved up or down but I just left mine right in the middle.

Click to Order From Amazon: Cream Raskog, Black Raskog or Copper Raskog

The other alternative that is almost as good is the one at Michaels, it looks pretty identical but isn’t quite as sturdy. It’s part of Michaels Everyday Value selection so you can’t use your 40% off coupon on which makes it pretty reasonable. The advantage is that they DO have lots of color selections.

Lexington Rolling Cart in Grey from Michaels
Lexington Rolling Cart in Grey from Michaels

Click here to purchase from Michaels

Lexington 3 Tier Cart in Mint, White, Pale Pink (Blush), Yellow, Bright Pink, Champagne, Rose Gold, Grey & Black.

COLORED PENCIL STORAGE

Some people like to keep their pencils in the original tins but I find these less than satisfactory. I find I like to color all over the place, in front of the TV, our library coloring events and on the patio at Starbucks so I want my pencils to be easy to transport. I have been lusting after these cute pencil rolls on Amazon that hold 72 sticks of color and on Amazon Prime Day they went on sale so I snagged 3 of them.

colored pencil wraps for storage and to organize your adult coloring book colorists

Cloth Pencil Wraps

These are made by Creoogo and the price is right. The price for the 36, and 48 are the same as for the 72 pack so I’d get the largest one. You can also fit your gel pens and watercolor pencils easily in these bags and there are extra-wide slots at each end to hold your eraser, water brush or other coloring tools.

Amazon US  – Amazon UK  (This seller does not sell in Canada)

These BTSKY Leather Colored Pencil Cases are FANTASTIC

They come in 2 sizes, 72 pencils or 160 pencils. I’d opt for the big one even if you only have 72 pencils for now, you will likely get more or it can also hold your gel pens or markers.

Click to order any of these gorgeous colors in the 72 size!  The teal pictured, lilac, hot pink, grey, brown and black. These measure 7.8″ x 5″

The 160 Pencil Organizer comes in the same great colors and is 9.45″ x 7.87″

Click to Order Amazon US, UK & Canada.

Me & My Big Ideas Striped Organizer Bag

I recently started adding Mixed Media pieces into my coloring books and stumbled upon this bag that one of the people in my class had. I fell instantly in love with it. SO many supplies will fit in this bag and all the zippers keep things nice and organized.

  Click here to Order and also see a video that shows you all the amazing that is inside this cutie.

Pencil (or Pen) Roll-up Pencil Cases

The BTSKY Pencil organizers are great! They are sturdy canvas and zip closed. They also come in dozens of colors & patterns and capacities from 72 – 200.

This smaller bumblebee one holds 72 pencils with pockets for your sharpener, eraser etc. Click to Order Amazon US, UK Or Canada

This BTSKY Pencil Bag holds 120 Pencils!

Click to Order Amazon US, UK Or Canada

This zippered canvas bag opens to reveal all 72 of your colored pencils and received rave reviews from verified purchases (Not the “I got this for free” folks) One reviewer even said he got all 150 of his Prismacolors in with room to spare.

Click to order Amazon US  –  Amazon UK  – Amazon Canada (Canada & the UK seem to have a different seller but the case looks identical)

BTSKY 160 slot canvas pencil holder

Finally, a zippered canvas bag that fits all your Prismacolors in one place. This one comes in several colors too. 150 elastic spots for pencils or pens + 10 extra spots for blenders, your Gelly Roll Clear Glitter Pen, White Gel Pen for highlighting, Eraser pencils and whatever else your essential tools are.

Click to order Amazon US  –  Amazon UK  – Amazon Canada

Derwent Zippered Pencil & Supply bag

canvas pencil bag for organizing coloring supplies

I originally purchased the Derwent Canvas bag that holds quite a few supplies along with 132 pencils and it also has extra sleeves available for even more pencil storage. The zippered pockets also hold erasers, sharpeners, and other supplies for you in this nice sturdy bag with a shoulder strap.

Two pencils fit in each space on the 3 dividers that fit on the binder rings and you can buy more of these if you have more than 132 pencils. Pens also fit nicely in this bag but it’s not big enough to stick a full-size coloring book into but the postcards and portable books fit nicely in the inside or the outside pocket. There is a zipper pocket inside for your erasers and sharpeners. The shoulder strap is removable. I have had this for about 9 months now and it is still in perfect condition. I did buy an additional set of sleeves and there is still room spare.
Amazon US  Amazon UK   Amazon Canada

Coloring Supply Storage Ideas

(You might already have 1 (or 50) 31 bags in your closet already and any of those with lots of pockets are perfect.

I found this stackable interlocking storage and now have two of them.

storage containers for adult coloring book supplies

That top blue part is removable too which is what I did and then I used that little bin to store my erasers and sharpers and other ephemera. This is where I store my markers since they are to be stored horizontally versus vertical.

4 Drawer Rolling Storage

I have used these workhorses for years in my craft room, books in the bottom, pens, pencils. and whatnot in the top two drawers. You can wheel it out to your TV room or bedroom while you are working, and put it away the rest of the time.

Click here to Order

(Note: mine is pretty much always out unless we have company!)

Colored Pencil & Marker Storage Drawers

Wooden Storage Drawers are quite popular for those folks who have a dedicated area to color in.

These pencil drawer storage units are very popular, be sure to read the reviews for the one you are buying as some manufacturers are better than others. If you have a collection like I do you will probably need more than 1.

wooden pencil storage drawer

2 Drawer Storage can organize about 90 pencils or a set of 72 with blenders erasers & a few Gelly Rolls.
Click to Order Amazon US

3 Drawer Storage holds about 134 pencils: Click to Order Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon Canada

The 4 drawer holds about 180 pencils: Click to Order Amazon US

If you prefer to see all your colors at once you might like these upright colored pencil holders like this one I found on Etsy. It holds 50 pencils so you might need more than one, or if you have a handy person around, get them to make one for you.

colored pencil storage on Etsy coloring supplies for adult coloring books

Etsy Artist Pencil Storage

This Etsy store has some gorgeous pencil wraps with really cute fabrics, she says you can mix and match which fabrics you want as well. This one holds You can fit about 140 pencils, about 3 books or several coloring pages.

Click here to Order your Pencil Bag!

She also has this GIANT Coloring Pencil Organization Bag that holds 220 pencils, 6 books and a partridge in a pear tree.

minnie mouse pencil organization coloring bag

If you can’t get enough Disney, this mid-size bag is just adorable! 

You can fit about 140 pencils, about 3 books or several coloring pages, it comes with a generous zipper pencil case for odd-sized and larger items. Click here to Order the Coloring Beach Bag

There are all sorts of cute handmade pencil organizers here to shop through on Etsy as well. 

If you are a DIY kind of person, the Doodle Craft Blog has step by step instructions to make this cute pencil organizer.

DIY Fabric Pencil Organization
DIY Fabric Pencil Organization.              Click here for instructions
keep calm and color, colored pencil storage
rustic pencil storage

Or this one! it only fits 25 pencils, though.  I’d probably decorate any of these that I bought, to be honest.

If your style is a bit more rustic or Shabby Chic, you might like these that are wall mountable as well as able to sit on a table, they come in several colors. Click to order on Etsy

shabby chic pencil storage

Wooden Pencil Cups

Click to Order

Craft Innovation on Etsy has dozens of handmade pencil holders that are just beautiful.

rotating pencil storage

Click here to order this beauty on Etsy

Plastic Carousels are another option to store your pencils, just spin this lazy susan organizer to reach all your colors

Plastic Carosel Pencil storage

This clear plastic pencil organizer doesn’t spin but does have 120 slots for your pens pencils and markers

plastic pencil storage

Here are some great DIY ideas for how to organize your coloring supplies on Pinterest

I have a bit of a mason jar obsession, if you need a storage solution for everything in your home, this is my go to. For you Kawaii lovers, this is perfect for you, or just leave them without the faces like I have done.

Mason Jar Pencil Holders
wine rack plastic glasses colored pencil storage

Wine Rack + Plastic Glasses

Toilet Paper Roll Pencil Organization

I think I like this idea better for organizing with toilet paper rolls. The one above isn’t nearly big enough for my pencil collection from 20 free ways to organize. She has a bunch of other great ideas for organization too.

organize your pencils

Check out this DIY idea with full instructions on YouTube.

We would love to see your storage ideas on our social media accounts. Please tag us anytime..

  • Adult Coloring – How to Get Started
  • Best Colored Pencils for Coloring Books
  • Lets Color! Coloring Books for Grown-Ups
  • Best cheap colored pencils for adult coloring books
  • Cyber Monday – Cyber Week Sales on Coloring Supplies, Books & Art Classes

Filed Under: Coloring Supplies, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Art Supply Storage, Organization, pencil storage

Before Footer

Coloring Book Artists & Publishers

beauty of horror coloring book walking dead meets secret garden

Are you a coloring book artist or publisher that would like your coloring book reviewed? We would love to help! We know how hard it is … Read More about Coloring Book Artists, Publishers, Art Supply Manufacturers

My Favorite Magazine

AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

CLICK.BUY. CREATE. Shop Michaels.com today!

Shop Joann’s

Check out paper craft ideas and supplies for scrapbooking, card making, journaling and more at JOANN!

Recent Posts

  • Kamala Harris
  • Coloring Books on Etsy
  • Daria Song’s Gorgeous Imaginative Illustrated Coloring Books
  • Feminist Coloring and Activity Books
  • Black Artists Featured – Black Lives Matter
  • Top Sticker Books for Adults
  • Women of Color Coloring Books
  • Tamara Laporte of Willowing and Life Book Fame

Footer

coloringbookaddicts

coloringbookaddicts
Women of Color Coloring Books https://bit.ly/2qDgT Women of Color Coloring Books https://bit.ly/2qDgTaH #BIPOCColoring #blackartists  #BlackLivesMatter
Sticker Books for Adults - Color by Sticker - Pain Sticker Books for Adults - Color by Sticker - Paint by Sticker - Coloring Stickers https://bit.ly/2WQVqr1 I just added the Bob Ross Happy Little Stickers Book. We can all use some happy little trees right now! HTTPS://coloringbookaddicts.com
Sticker Books for Adults - Color by Sticker - Pain Sticker Books for Adults - Color by Sticker - Paint by Sticker - Coloring Stickers https://bit.ly/2WQVqr1
Paper Dolls For Adults - Activity Books for Grownu Paper Dolls For Adults - Activity Books for Grownups - Fashion Paper Dolls to cut out https://bit.ly/2T51ufK/
Tamara Laporte of Willowing and Life Book Fame htt Tamara Laporte of Willowing and Life Book Fame https://bit.ly/3qsg3Ik #QuarantineFun #OnlineArt
Top Swear Word Coloring Books for adults only http Top Swear Word Coloring Books for adults only https://bit.ly/37GOxgM/
3 book with simple drawings best for kids or those 3 book with simple drawings best for kids or those with vision problems or don’t like small spaces to color. From illustrator Michael T Reed the books are available on Amazon . #coloringbooks
Sticker Books for Adults - Color by Sticker - Pain Sticker Books for Adults - Color by Sticker - Paint by Sticker - Coloring Stickers https://bit.ly/2WQVqr1
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • How To Get Started
  • Colored Pencil Tutorials
  • Coloring Backgrounds Tutorials
  • Tips for New Colorists
  • Featured
  • Mixed Media Art Workshops Supplies Books & Art Journaling
  • Disclosures
  • Privacy

Copyright © 2021

Coloring Book Addict - Coloring Books for Adults, Coloring Supplies, Colored Pencil Tutorials

en English
nl Nederlandsen Englishfr Françaisde Deutschel Ελληνικάga Gaeligeit Italianopl Polskipt Portuguêsru Русскийes Español