blah to TADA!: Crafty Tip: How I Organize My Colored Pencils

15 February 2026

Crafty Tip: How I Organize My Colored Pencils

Hi guys, thank you for being here!

colored pencils, how to organize colored pencils, colored pencil organization, art tools, art materials, craft room, organization, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias

One of my favorite art tools are colored pencils. Nothing fancy, just inexpensive brands like Crayola and Artist's Loft. I like using them for hand stamped cards, coloring books, and adding layers to watercolor paintings.

I put all my colored pencils in this ceramic container. It used to be a plant pot. But the plant died (blah) so I took out the soil, cleaned it, and now it's a cozy home for my colored pencils...TADA!

Then, I found out that some of my favorite artists organize their colored pencils in a very specific way.

via Jamie Bauza

Here is children's book illustrator Jamie Bauza on her art table. Look at how her colored pencils are grouped by color in small jars...TADA!

Sketchbook Revival featuring Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer has a similar method. Her colored pencils are also bunched by color and stored in a box with a built-in divider (here's something similar)...TADA!

I thought it was a genius idea and I applied this tip using my ceramic pot:

With cardboard, attached together with a glue gun, I made this divider inside the ceramic container. I wanted to use what I already had (why buy, when we can D.I.Y?!) and I was also very conscious about my very limited desk space.

I gathered my colored pencils and arranged them by color: (1) Shades of red, orange, pink; (2) Shades of yellow; (3) Shades of green; (4) Shades of blue; (5) Shades of purple; (6) Shades of gray, brown, plus white and black. Rubber bands are a temporary way to keep them from rolling into the wrong group.

I released them from their rubber bands and put them in the assigned compartment of the container.

It's a humble upgrade but it makes colors quicker to find (keeps me from the extra work of rummaging through all the colors).

It also makes me aware of what colors I use most often and when I'm starting to run low (yellow, I see you). Plus, I'm now more mindful of the other colors waiting to be used.