As someone who draws almost every day, I love testing out materials that make the process a little more forgiving. When I first picked up a pack of Ticonderoga erasable colored pencils, I wasn’t expecting much. I assumed they were just another gimmicky school supply.
But after a few sketchbook sessions, I realized they’re surprisingly useful for certain styles of drawing – especially if you work loosely and observationally like I do.
When I draw, I always start with the larger shapes created by shadow or light, then gradually work into the smaller details. I don’t block things out with ovals and construction lines. I just look at real life (or photo references) and let the image evolve. That’s where erasable colored pencils can really shine, they let you keep things fluid and make subtle adjustments as you go.
They've become part of my sketchbook toolkit, especially for warm-ups or when I’m planning compositions. These pencils aren't about perfection or polish. They’re about keeping things loose, flexible, and open to change.
Ticonderoga Erasable Colored Pencils: First Impressions
Compared to traditional artist-grade pencils like Prismacolor or Faber-Castell, ticonderoga erasable colored pencils feel lighter and waxier. They’re not designed for deep blending or layering, but that isn’t their purpose. Their strength lies in how easy they are to adjust, erase, and keep moving.
These are the kind of pencils I’d use when sketching a scene from life – like a crowded café, a tree canopy, or a cluttered studio table. They keep things light and experimental. I don't feel like I'm committing too hard to anything.
They also have a different texture compared to most colored pencils. They're not crumbly or overly soft. That makes them easy to sharpen to a point, which is helpful if you're sketching finer details.
The erasers on the end are another interesting feature. They aren’t magic, but they’re functional enough that you can clean up light lines or reshape a contour. That alone sets them apart from many other colored pencils, which usually smudge or tear the paper when you try to erase.
What Makes Them Different from Other Colored Pencils
I’ve tested a lot of erasable and non-erasable colored pencils, from student sets to premium artist tools. Ticonderoga’s stand out because they’re some of the easiest to erase without tearing the paper or leaving heavy pigment stains.
They have an integrated eraser (which actually works decently) and a more muted pigment load, which makes them less likely to overpower a drawing. This makes them feel more like a cross between a colored pencil and a traditional sketching pencil.
Unlike something like Prismacolor pencils, which are known for being soft, rich, and almost impossible to erase, these are built for flexibility. They’re more comparable to the options I explored in my thoughts on colored pencils with erasers, but they’re a bit smoother and don’t get gritty like some cheaper brands.
They don’t create the same depth or vibrancy as high-end artist pencils. But that’s not what they’re for. These are sketching tools, especially helpful if you're looking to keep your drawings adjustable, or you're working out compositions before switching to something more permanent.
How I Actually Use Erasable Colored Pencils
My favorite way to use them is as a light sketch layer underneath ink or a more final layer of colored pencil. I pick a warm or cool base color depending on the scene’s mood, then sketch out the big shapes loosely.
For example, if I’m drawing a tree in morning light, I might start with a soft red or orange to loosely indicate the light shapes. Or if I’m sketching a moody coastal scene, I might use a soft blue or green to sketch out shadow masses.
Because I know I can erase or adjust, I don’t worry about precision. That helps me stay expressive and focused on observing rather than getting stuck on details too soon. This approach is similar to how I work in pieces like my sunset with colored pencils, where layering color starts with values and atmosphere before lines.
They’re also helpful if you’re new to using colored pencils for beginners and want to explore without locking yourself in.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a more practical breakdown of what I like and don’t like about them:
Pros
- Easy to erase (even without smudging everything)
- Comfortable for long sketching sessions
- Useful for underdrawings and thumbnails
- The colors are clear but not overly saturated
- Affordable and accessible
- Great for value-based sketching if you're used to starting with light shapes and shadows
Cons
- Not ideal for detailed layering or burnishing
- Limited color range (you won't find nuanced hues)
- Can feel waxy or uneven on rougher paper
- Not suitable for final work or blended gradients
Best Paper and Sharpeners for Ticonderoga Erasables
Paper matters with these pencils. I’ve had the best results using them on smooth paper, like Strathmore mixed media, hot press watercolor paper, or basic sketchpads with low tooth.
Rough or textured paper tends to grab the pigment in a way that makes it harder to erase cleanly. That can lead to ghost lines or smudging. If you're not sure where to start, I put together a full guide on the best paper for colored pencils that goes into more depth.
As for sharpening, since they have a softer core than graphite but aren't as delicate as something like Prismacolor, I usually reach for a manual hand crank sharpener. Electric sharpeners tend to eat them too fast, and knife sharpening feels excessive for these.
Here’s the one I use and recommend in my guide to the best pencil sharpener for colored pencils.
Who These Are Best For
If you draw loosely and observationally like I do – starting with big shapes and values and slowly building – these pencils are a great low-pressure tool. They're perfect for sketchbook work, warmups, idea generation, or laying out the structure of a drawing before committing.
They’re also great if you’re still getting comfortable with how to use colored pencils in a way that isn’t formulaic. You can explore composition, tone, and form without worrying that one wrong mark ruins your progress.
For artists interested in more advanced tools or mixed media, you might want to explore colored pencils and watercolor, colored pencils vs pastel pencils, or techniques for coloring with colored pencils to expand your options.
And if you're shopping for a full kit, I break down options in my guide to colored pencil sets and explain what to look for depending on your drawing style.
Final Thoughts from My Sketchbook
Sometimes I just want to sketch without pressure. That’s where ticonderoga erasable colored pencils come in. They let me test compositions, color schemes, and shapes before I commit. They’re not the star of the show, but they’re a surprisingly reliable backstage assistant.
For artists like me who lean into expressiveness, value observation, and draw directly from life or photo references, they offer just enough structure with plenty of room for changes.
If you want to dive deeper into the materials side of drawing, I put together a full overview of colored pencils that covers types, usage tips, and how I personally integrate them into my work.
And just for context – I studied traditional 2D animation at CalArts, where we were constantly sketching movement, light, and form. These kinds of materials would've fit right in with the loose, exploratory mindset we were encouraged to use.