Reviewing Top-tier Colored Pencils for Creativity-Focused Artists
In the world of art, coloured pencils are a versatile and popular choice for both beginners and seasoned artists. When selecting the ideal set, several key factors come into play.
High-quality pigments, excellent lightfastness, smooth and creamy application, strong and break-resistant cores, and good blendability and layering capacity are essential characteristics of superior coloured pencils. Top brands frequently recommended include Prismacolor, Faber-Castell Polychromos, and Woomer 72 Coloured Pencils.
Pigment quality and vibrancy are crucial for producing rich, vivid colours that maintain their intensity over time. Woomer pencils, for instance, offer a creamy formula with rich pigments and vibrant hues.
Lightfastness is another vital factor, as it refers to how well a colour is preserved when exposed to light. Woomer pencils and Faber-Castell Polychromos, for example, have certified excellent lightfastness, ensuring artwork won't fade prematurely.
Core durability and hardness are also significant considerations. Strong, break-resistant cores, such as the 3.8mm thickness found in Woomer and Faber-Castell, allow for fine details without frequent breaks. The hardness of the core affects colour laydown; softer cores lay down richer colour but can wear down faster, while harder cores enable finer lines and layering control.
Blendability and layering are essential for creating seamless transitions and building up colour depth. Woomer's formula is designed for easy blending and layering.
Quality wood casing contributes to easy sharpening and durability. Both Faber-Castell Polychromos and Woomer pencils use high-quality wood that sharpens smoothly without splintering.
Environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important. Some premium pencils, such as Faber-Castell Polychromos, use sustainably sourced wood and eco-friendly varnishes, appealing to environmentally conscious artists.
Additional features, such as shape (round vs hexagonal for grip), water solubility for watercolour pencils, and packaging, can also factor into personal or professional preferences.
The Caran D'ache Luminance Coloured Pencils are premium wax-based coloured pencils with a great lightfast rating, smooth blending, and a beautiful cedar casing. However, like other wax-based pencils, they may leave a waxy bloom.
Many coloured pencil sets do not display a lightfast rating. The Staedtler Ergosoft Coloured Pencils, comparable in quality to Prismacolor pencils but more expensive, have a triangular ergonomic non-slip grip and a case that holds the individual pencils in place.
More expensive coloured pencils tailored to more serious artists generally have a high lightfast rating. The Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils are the reviewer's top pick for all-around best coloured pencils for artists. They are recommended for children, beginners, and hobbyists due to their affordability and ease of use, despite leaving a waxy bloom and having soft leads that tend to break.
The Faber Castell Polychromos Coloured Pencils are at the high end of the price spectrum and may be more suitable for more developed artists. The LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils, high-quality, oil-based pencils tailored to professional artists, may not be suitable for beginners or more casual artists due to their moderate to high price range.
The American Standard Test Measure rates the lightfastness of pigments from one to five, with lower numbers indicating more lightfast colours. The Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils, the Staedtler Ergosoft Coloured Pencils, and the Caran D'ache Luminance Coloured Pencils all have a lightfast rating of four, while the Faber-Castell Polychromos and the LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils have a lightfast rating of two, indicating their exceptional lightfastness.
In summary, an ideal artist's coloured pencil balances vibrant, lightfast pigments with a durable, creamy core that layers and blends well, housed in quality wood for easy sharpening. Among top options, Prismacolor is noted for beginner-friendly quality, Faber-Castell Polychromos for professional versatility and durability, and Woomer for rich pigments with certified lightfastness and good blendability.
Incorporating coloured pencils into a home-and-garden décor could accentuate certain elements of the landscape painting, such as capturing the vibrancy of blooming flowers or the rich tones of the greenery.
For artists who prefer eco-friendly art supplies, it would be worth considering brands like Faber-Castell that prioritize the use of sustainably sourced wood and environmentally friendly varnishes in their coloured pencils.
