If you've ever felt the frustration of getting halfway through a drawing, only to wish you could undo just one colored pencil line, I know the feeling. That’s exactly why I started experimenting with erasable colored pencils. These aren’t your average coloring tools – they give you a bit of breathing room when you sketch loosely and want to build up form through layers.
I draw from real life or from reference photos, looking for large, light-based shapes first. I don’t follow the classic formula of starting with outlines or construction lines. I focus on expressive observation, and erasable colored pencils give me room to explore without the fear of commitment. They're not perfect, but in some sketchbook sessions, they feel like magic.
Why Use Erasable Colored Pencils for Loose Sketching
I didn’t expect to love erasable colored pencils as much as I do. At first, I thought they were mostly for kids or coloring books. I assumed the colors would be weak, the pencils would break constantly, and the erasing would tear the page.
But once I let go of that bias and tried a few brands while sketching from life, I realized they had something real to offer.
When you draw with a casual, interpretive mindset, you're constantly adjusting shapes as you build. Whether I’m blocking in shadow forms, shifting proportions, or redrawing an angle that feels off, having the ability to erase without destroying the paper is a game changer.
And for artists like me who learned traditional animation at CalArts, where red and blue pencil sketching is second nature, it just feels intuitive. Those tools were always about movement, not precision.
Key Points
- Use erasable colored pencils to confidently block in big shapes and shadows before committing to detail.
- Some brands erase much cleaner than others, so test a few before committing to a full set.
- They pair well with other media and are perfect for sketchbooks where you want a balance of looseness and structure.
What to Expect From Erasable Colored Pencils
Less Intensity, More Control
Erasable colored pencils tend to be softer and less pigmented than high-end artist pencils like Faber-Castell or Prismacolor.
If you’re used to buttery saturation and strong layering, this will feel like a downgrade at first. The colors don’t pop the same way, and they don’t blend as deeply. But that softness is exactly what makes them erasable.
It gives you a kind of middle ground – more committed than graphite, but more flexible than most colored pencil types. They allow for trial and error, which is essential if you're sketching from observation and working things out on the page.
If you're curious about the full range of professional pencils, I put together a guide on some of the best colored pencils for artists that dives deeper into quality and performance.
Best Brands to Try
Here’s what I’ve personally tested:
Prismacolor Col-Erase
These are the ones I always return to. I sketch with the Tuscan Red or Non-Photo Blue when I want to keep things light and erasable. They have a firmer core and erase surprisingly well. They’re what I used for character animation studies back in school, and they work great for sketching everyday scenes and animals.
Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils
A budget-friendly option that’s honestly pretty decent for casual use. The colors are more basic, but they work well for warmups, quick studies, or if you're just getting started and don’t want to overthink your materials.
Ticonderoga Erasable Colored Pencils
These surprised me. The core is smoother than expected, and they erase fairly clean. I wrote a full breakdown in this review because they gave me more control than I thought possible at their price point.
Tips for Sketching With Erasable Colored Pencils
Use Form, Not Line
When I start a sketch, I don’t draw the outline of the subject and then color it in like a coloring book. That approach feels too stiff. Instead, I look at the larger shapes created by light, shadow, and volume.
Erasable colored pencils are perfect for this. You can block in soft forms and shift them around if the proportion feels wrong. It’s more like sculpting on the page than tracing.
If something feels off, I erase lightly and redraw it from observation. That kind of process makes your drawing feel alive rather than rigid. It’s an approach I talk more about in how to use colored pencils.
Layer With Confidence
Once I’ve established my foundational shapes, I sometimes switch to a more permanent pencil or even add watercolor washes. Erasable pencils give me a strong base layer, and from there I can build.
They blend well with other media too. If you want to explore layering, check out colored pencils and watercolor or get creative with watercolor colored pencils. The erasable lines can guide your composition without overpowering the final look.
Sharpen Wisely
Because erasable pencils are softer, they break more easily when over-sharpened. I’ve snapped more than a few tips before learning this the hard way.
I always use a hand crank sharpener I recommend in my roundup of the best pencil sharpeners for colored pencils. You want a point that’s sharp enough to be expressive, but not so fine it crumbles. Keep it functional, not surgical.
Pairing With Other Techniques
You don’t have to treat erasable colored pencils as a standalone medium. I love using them in the early stages of drawings where I want to experiment and get a feel for proportions. They’re like the sketch layer in Photoshop, you can adjust freely before committing.
Sometimes I erase almost everything and redraw over it with Prismacolors or even brush pens. That layering helps the final piece feel more intentional without losing the looseness of the first draft.
They also work beautifully with the layering and pressure techniques I talk about in techniques for coloring with colored pencils. Just keep in mind that these aren't meant for heavy burnishing—they're best for sketching, blocking, and subtle layering.
If you're trying to decide between different types of pencils for sketching, it helps to understand how colored pencils vs pastel pencils or colored pencils vs watercolor pencils compare. Each one has its strengths, but erasables carve out a unique space for loose, layered drawing.
Sketchbook Sessions That Actually Flow
When you’re sketching loosely from life, sometimes you’re more in tune with what you see than what you’re drawing. And that’s where erasable colored pencils shine.
They help you respond to what’s in front of you without freezing up about getting it right the first time. That fear of making a mistake can really block the whole flow of a sketchbook session. But when you know you can erase, you're more likely to stay in motion.
In my own sketchbook, I often go from a light red erasable pencil to a darker tone, then maybe add a touch of color or watercolor. That layering process is something I go into in how to color with colored pencils without white spots.
For artists just starting out or anyone trying to figure out what to buy, I put together a big resource on colored pencils with links to my favorite supplies and how I use them. It covers sets, papers, and different coloring approaches.
My Final Thoughts
Erasable colored pencils are never going to replace your pro set, but they aren’t meant to. They serve a specific purpose in the early sketching stage, a space where expression and exploration matter more than polish.
For observational drawing especially, they let you lean into the process, correct as you go, and build something more organic. In a world full of pressure to create perfect finished art, there’s something freeing about that.