Art X 126 Colored Pencils Set Review: Pigment, Layering, and a Box You'll Actually Want to Keep

Introduction

Colored pencil sets live or die on three things: how much pigment they lay down, how well they layer, and whether the leads survive a normal working session. The Art X 126 Colored Pencils Set was put through a full hands-on session, from swatching on sketchbook and mixed media paper to a multi-hour illustration and a detailed coloring page. Here is how it held up.

First Impressions and Packaging

The set arrives in an appealing box that lifts open to reveal all 126 pencils stored vertically, each one seated in its own slot. With a count this high, the immediate expectation is a wide range of colors, and the selection delivers, including an expanded set of mid-tones that make smoother color transitions possible.

Swatching on both sketchbook and mixed media paper showed strong pigment with even light pressure. Pressing harder produced rich, saturated color without the pencil feeling waxy or fragile. The leads are thick and described as resistant to breaking, which held up over the entire session.

How It Compares to the 72-Pencil Set

Art X also sells a 72-pencil set, and this larger box is positioned as an upgrade. All the colors from the 72 set are included here, with the main addition being more mid-tone ranges. If blending and gradients are part of how you work, the extra mid-tones are the most meaningful difference between the two sets.

Storage and Design

The vertical storage deserves specific mention. Each pencil drops into its own hole in the tray, so colors stay visible and organized, and putting pencils back is quick. It is an aesthetically pleasing arrangement that also functions well as a working palette during a project.

Drawing Test: Layers and Blending

Layering is where many colored pencils fail, getting slippery after two or three passes. These pencils handled at least five layers on the same area without the page becoming slippery, which makes them well suited to blending and gradients.

During a cartoon-style flower illustration, the pigment strength stood out repeatedly. Red in particular reached vibrant saturation in a single light layer. A practical blending tip that worked well with these pencils: hold the pencil further back and press lightly for smoother blending, and move your hand closer to the tip when you want more pressure.

Durability Over a Long Session

Over more than an hour of continuous work, including hard-press single layers and heavy layering, not a single lead broke. For anyone who regularly snaps leads mid-stroke, that is a meaningful practical advantage and one of the strongest arguments for this set.

Coloring Page Test: Color Range in Practice

A detailed nature-themed coloring page with trees, sky, foliage, and pumpkins put the color range to the test. The set offers abundant choices in greens, blues, browns, and yellows, which made it easy to keep the whole piece cohesive and natural. Sections colored with a single hard-pressed layer survived without lead breakage, and areas layered four or five times deep still took color without turning slippery.

Buying Advice

This set makes the most sense for artists who love blending, gradients, and layered color work, and for anyone who wants a large, well-organized palette at an affordable price. If you already own the 72-pencil set and want smoother transitions, the added mid-tones are the reason to upgrade. The pencils are available in many countries, so shipping is rarely an obstacle.

Conclusion

The Art X 126 Colored Pencils Set combines strong, vibrant pigment with genuinely durable leads and excellent layering behavior. Add the thoughtful vertical storage and the expanded mid-tone range over the smaller set, and it is an easy recommendation for coloring enthusiasts and illustrators alike.