This is an excellent set for a beginner. The set is let down slightly by the plastic edging to the pouch and I found it difficult to work out how to do it up. Having said that there is a good range of sketching pencils and charcoal, which are held neatly in the pouch. The set also comes with two erasers, one of which is a putty one. It also comes with a knife with a retractable blade to sharpen the pencils.