Colored pencils are the preferred medium for many hobbyists and artists. They are easy to work with, affordable and can be used for drawing of any kind or coloring. Many different types of pencils are readily available, and best coloring pencils differ greatly in regards to performance and quality. If you want to find the most effective colored pencils to meet your needs there are some key features that need to be taken into account.
We’ve put together a guideline to help you choose the right coloring book for your needs, whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced pro getting prepared for your next endeavor. We’ll look at the differences between professional, student and artist-grade coloring sets, look at the top brands, and provide you with tips on how to pick the best set.
What are colored Pencils Made of?
Two kinds of colored pencils are offered: oil-based and wax-based. Most colored pencils come with two types while some use only one or the other. The manufacturer of the pencil and how they make their pencils, this could influence the overall quality.
Colored pencils made of wax have cores that are surrounded by a layer of wax. This lets the pencil be blended and layered without creating any build-up or smudging. The wax may dry out and cause the color to fade, and even break. Oil-based colored pencils, on the other hand are more durable. These cores are oil-based and can be used to layer with no problem. They also don’t chip or break as easily.
Most artists will agree the Faber-Castell Polychromos are the best, most affordable artist-grade colored pencils available. They come with a very high lightfastness rating and superb blending capabilities. These pencils are smooth and precise and can be used to outline and shade. There are numerous colors available and some aren’t quite as well-known as colored pens made for artists.
Derwent Coloursoft is a different top-of-the-line choice. These pencils with colored pigments have a soft, smooth feel and are incredibly rich. The colors are vivid and blend effortlessly. However, some customers have complained that the pencils do not sharpen as quickly as other pencils and the set is costly.
This is a low-cost alternative that is great for children or those who are just beginning. The pencils that are colored are soft and smooth to the touch, which helps reduce hand fatigue. They have a decent amount of pigment, and are resistant to fade, but they’re not wear-resistant nor waterproof.
The Prismas is an older set, and was the first choice of many professional artists. They’re still great. The pencils’ cores are thicker and wax-based (3.8mm instead of 3.3mm). They are also joined with glue on the barrels. The cores are wax-based and are extra thick (3.8mm against 3.3mm) with a glue-bonded barrel. They’re also protected from breaking or chipping, even when sharpened with an electric pencil sharpener. The only issue is that the colors are not the same as the most recent models that are on this list.