What are the best brands of Colored Pencils ?

by Gloria
(US)

Mixed Media Artists Question - Art Supplies
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I just bought a set of colored pencils. They were made in the UK. They are called Derwent Studio Colour pencils. This is the first set I have bought in a long time. Usually I paint or do art with clay etc.

Is this a good brand?

Milliande' s Answer
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~ Personally I do not use the Derwent coloured pencils.. often times the lead is too hard for the art projects that I do ..

~ I prefer the
Prismacolor Colored Pencils ..but they have a very soft lead which can take a bit of getting used to .. combined with the
Prismacolor Blender Pencil some really lovely soft hues can be achieved , which I love ..

~ " as per manufacturer.. The Prismacolor Colorless Blender uses a special formula to soften hard edges, and to lighten or blend colored pencils. Use it for a smooth, blended look. With the Colorless Blender, colors can be layered on top of each other without cloudy build up. This pencil is sold unsharpened. Note — Manual sharpening is recommended for this pencil. Clogging can be prevented in electric sharpeners by periodically sharpening a graphite pencil to keep the blades clean..."


hope this helps
♥ milliande

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Mixed Media Artists Question - Art Supplies
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What are the best brands of Colored Pencils ?

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Nov 19, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Derwent Coloured Pencils
by: Deb

I have both Derwent and Prismacolor.

I really like them both. The Derwents have a "buttery" feel as they go along the paper. I have spent a small fortune on art supplies and have found that in a large set I tend to return to the same few colors.

Now that I know my own heart's palette, I buy replacements one at a time. If I want to try something new, I also buy a few singles in my favorite colors before taking the plunge. I agree with Diane on the
Inktense Pencils (I have a little drawing on my gallery using those and pen). The
Prismacolor Verithin Pencils keep a point longer. If you can, go to a good art store and play with them before you buy.

When I teach I use Crayola class packs of both colored pencils and watercolor pencils and get good results with them, too. In the end, I think you chose wisely on the Derwents.

And thanks, Diane, for the tip on the Prismacolor sharpener-- didn't know there was one!
Nov 19, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Derwent colored Pencils
by: Bonny

Derwent is a good name. I have several types of their pencils but not the Studio Colour ones.Derwent watersoluble pencil crayons are fun! I have several of those types.

The
Inktense watersoluble pencils are really intense. You lay down the colour and wet them slightly with a paintbrush loaded (not overly wet) wth water. The colour changes into ink tones and when dry they are permanent. They change from great dry colours to really intense when they have been touched with water.

The
Graphitint Pencils are more muted in colour, especially when they are used dry. The composition of the crayon has colour pigment mixed with graphite (like a lead pencil), hence the name. When touched with water some of the colours change in unexpected ways. I always do a page of testing colours - make colour swatches - to keep as reference.

I also have the Colour Soft pencil crayons. These are not water soluble and are just used dry. They are soft and creamy and lay on good colour but I do find they don't stay sharp very long and need to be sharpened frequently. Some people may find this to be a problem.

You get used to it, though.
Nov 19, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Prismacolor Pencils
by: Diane

Hi Gloria! Derwent is a good name. You shouldn't have any trouble with them. Although I haven't tried them, I do have some of their watercolour pencils & love their
Inktense Pencils

The most popular brand, I find amongst artists, are the
Prismacolor Pencil (Prismacolor Scholar are a good student brand), although they are more pricy than most.

Myself, I think they are well worth the money & use them mostly. But, by the same token another favourite brand of mine is a Canadian brand, "Laurentian", which is very inexpensive ...just goes to show you that you don't always have to pay an arm & a leg for quality materials.


I like the
Prismacolor Colored Pencils for the ease of laying it on the paper...smooth as butter!

Word of advice...if you ever get this brand, spend the extra few bucks for a
Prismacolor Pencil Sharpener, as they break easily.

I like my Laurentians when I want a sharper point, as the core is much harder & sharpens well.
I hope this has been of some help....but, most of all....Have FUN!

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Artist Statement

I am intriqued by the notion of universal consciousness and choose to peek closely at the small particles that make up existence.

Human and living form cell biology, the interplay of microcosm and macrocosm, quantumphysics and the spiritual connection to the Self all nurture me with an endless stream of inspiration.

The female form and its nature of being, the beauty of motherhood, viewing the world in fragments rather than wholes and the palpable energy exchange and communication between them are central themes in my artwork.

I enjoy making the invisible visible and creating openended visual artworks that invite the viewer to explore deeper within their own layers of perception.

Contemporary Mixed media art techniques provide a rich playground for my artistic impulses and allow room for an individual approach to the multilayered facets of my artwork.