Feeling stuck on choosing the right brand of colored pencils for your artwork? Today, I’m demystifying the process for you, and giving you a detailed comparison of colored pencil brands, based on my own experience as a colored pencil artist. Colored pencils are a staple in any artist’s toolkit, offering a versatile and convenient medium for creating stunning artwork.
With countless options available on the market, selecting the best-colored pencils can be overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into a detailed comparison of top colored pencil brands, as well as what to look for when shopping for colored pencils for your next project
Factors to Consider When Choosing Colored Pencils:
1. Which colored pencils produce the best color saturation?
The quality of pigments used in colored pencils directly impacts the vibrancy and longevity of your artwork. Look for pencils with rich, intense colors and high pigment concentration to ensure optimal color saturation and lightfastness. Brands that prioritize quality pigments often produce pencils that deliver consistent, professional results.
2. Which colored pencils last the longest? Are they lightfast?
For professional colored pencil artists, or artists looking to learn the medium and eventually sell their work, this factor is extremely important. There are two main methods which companies use to test their products: the ASTM or the Blue Wool. Unfortunately, many bargain brands claim that their pigments are fade resistant, but any professional art company who actually tests their products will provide the ratings.
Check out the diagrams below for more info on the rating systems
If I can’t get access to the lightfast ratings for any given brand of colored pencils, I assume they were not tested. In this case, I keep them for coloring books or any work I’m not planning to sell.
Lucky for us, the most popular colored pencil brands do have lightfast ratings. All of the pencils I mention in this post have available ratings either on the pencils themselves or on the company website.
In addition, I’ve created a printable color chart bundle for 10 different brands of colored pencils. You can print them on your favorite art paper, and swatch the colors as you build your collection. The best part? The charts include all the lightfast ratings.
If you don’t own the full sets for these colored pencils, thats totally fine! Fill out the charts with the colors you do have and then add in new colors as you build out your collection!
Regarding which pencils are the most lightfast, the Caran D’Ache Luminance and the Derwent Lightfast take the cake. All of the pencils in both of these ranges rate either a 7 or 8 on the Blue Wool Scale which is extremely lightfast.
The Faber Castell Polychromos are a close second. Prismacolor Premier, unfortunately, has quite a few fugitive colors, but it is a cheaper alternative to the more expensive brands, and the easiest to blend with. I love my Prismas for coloring books, sketchbooks and such. I also use the lightfast colors in my professional work.
Related: When are you ready for the good supplies?
Which sharpener should I use for Faber Castell Polychromos or Prismacolor Premier?
The composition of the pencil core and the thickness of the lead significantly impact the performance and durability of colored pencils. Opt for pencils with durable cores that resist breakage and provide smooth, consistent coverage. Additionally, consider the hardness of the lead, as softer leads offer smoother application and blendability, while harder leads are ideal for fine details and precision work.
The Faber Castell Polychromos have a hard lead and are my go-to for tight detail work.
For working on larger areas, especially blurry backgrounds, I usually reach for my Prismacolors, Luminance, or Derwent Lightfast.
Regarding sharpeners, there is a lot of hype out there for which sharpener is the best one. The answer? You really just need to test out for yourself, because the sharpeners I love, you might hate, and vise versa. It’s really personal preference.
That being said, Prismacolors are extremely soft and they break easily. Therefore I stay away from most hand held sharpeners. There is one hand held sharpener that works wonderfully for all pencils, and I totally recommend it. It’s the Staedtler metal sharpener.
Another option is the Swordfish Crank Sharpener. Now, before I tried this, I was like, nope! I don’t want to have to turn a handle to sharpen my pencils. However, I saw the results of some of my favorite artists on youtube and had to try it for myself.
I’m in love! This sharpener is now a must have in my studio. You can replace the blade as needed. The down side is that it’s not available in the US. I think I may have ordered mine either from Ebay or Jackson’s Art (a UK based company).
Which colored pencils are best for blending?
Blending and layering are essential techniques in colored pencil art, allowing artists to create depth, texture, and dimension in their artwork. Choose pencils that blend effortlessly and allow for seamless layering to achieve smooth transitions between colors and create captivating visual effects. Pencils with wax-based cores tend to blend well, while oil-based pencils offer superior layering capabilities.
Prismacolors are the waxiest, and by far, the easiest to learn to blend with. I totally recommend to any new artists that they should try working with these first. They are also the most budget friendly option out of the 4 brands I discuss in this post.
Related: Blending Mistakes with Colored Pencils
Comparison of Top Colored Pencil Brands
Faber Castell Polychromos vs. Prismacolor Premier
Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils are renowned for their superior quality and lightfastness. Artists praise their smooth application and ability to blend seamlessly, making them a favorite choice among professionals. With a wide range of colors and excellent durability, Polychromos pencils are well-suited for a variety of artistic styles and techniques.
Prismacolor Premier
Pros
- Blend easily
- Affordable
- Widely available in craft stores
Cons
- Not all colors are lightfast
- Prone to breakage
- Less sharp point retention compared to higher-end brands
Note: The Prismacolor Premier colored pencils have several benefits such as easy blending, affordability, and wide availability. However, there are also some drawbacks including limited lightfastness, tendency to break easily, and less sharp point retention compared to more expensive brands.
Faber Castell Polychromos
The Faber Castell Polychromos are a fantastic choice for artists and crafters who value high-quality colored pencils. These pencils are known for their exceptional lightfastness, ensuring that your artwork remains vibrant and fade-resistant over time. With their ability to hold a sharp point, they are perfect for creating intricate details in your drawings.
The color saturation of the Polychromos pencils is truly beautiful, allowing you to achieve rich and vivid shades in your artwork. While they excel in many areas, it’s worth noting that the white pencil is not completely opaque, which may limit its effectiveness for adding white highlights. Overall, the Faber Castell Polychromos are a great investment for artists and crafters looking to elevate their work with high-quality colored pencils.
Shop the Prismacolor Premier Pencils
Shop the Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils
Drawing Created with Just Prismacolor
Drawing Created with Just Polychromos
Derwent Lightfast vs Caran D’Ache Luminance:
Derwent Lightfast pencils are celebrated for their exceptional lightfastness and archival quality. With a unique oil-based core, these pencils offer rich, saturated colors that resist fading over time, making them ideal for professional artwork. Artists appreciate their smooth, velvety texture and ability to maintain color vibrancy even under harsh lighting conditions.
Considered the pinnacle of colored pencils, Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils boast high pigment concentration and unparalleled lightfastness. While they come with a higher price tag, their superior quality and performance make them worth the investment for serious artists. With a luxurious feel and extensive color range, Luminance pencils deliver stunning results that stand the test of time.
Shop the Luminance Colored Pencils
Shop the Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils
Many experienced artists recommend experimenting with various colored pencil brands to find the ones that best suit your artistic style and preferences. Consider factors such as color vibrancy, blendability, and lightfastness when making your decision. Additionally, seek out reviews and testimonials from fellow artists to gain insights into different brands’ strengths and weaknesses.
More importantly, consider your art goals. Are you just practicing in a coloring book? Then lightfastness might not be something you’re concerned with. However, for artists selling their work, I think everyone should be careful with the materials they’re using and making sure that they’re archival.
Price Comparison and Budget Friendly Options
While premium colored pencil brands may come with a higher price tag, there are also budget-friendly options available for artists on a tight budget. If you are just practicing or you’re just working in a sketchbook or doing adult coloring, you certainly can try out some lower quality alternatives. The following list are some brands that I often use in my work and are less expensive than premium colored pencils
In addition, this next list contains some brands that are quite popular among colorists, but I have not yet tried them, so if you’re curious, I recommend checking out some YouTube reviews.
- Brutfuner
- Arteza
- Artisto
- Castle Arts
- Faber Castell Goldfaber (not available open stock)
That being said, your reasons for selecting colored pencils will depend on what you’re using them for. If you’re trying to learn highly realistic drawings and want to take commissions or sell your work, I recommend investing in a set of 12 Polychromos or Prismacolor. You’ll have a great starting point and can add to your collection over time. The reason I don’t recommend going out and buying a cheap bargain brand is that they won’t perform the same. Cheaper brands have more binder than they do pigment, which means you won’t get saturated color, they may break constantly, or they may not blend as well.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best-colored pencils for your artwork is a personal decision that depends on your individual preferences and artistic needs. By considering factors such as pigment quality, color range, and blendability, you can find the perfect colored pencils to bring your creative visions to life. Whether you opt for a premium brand like Caran d’Ache Luminance or a more budget-friendly option, the key is to experiment and find the pencils that you enjoy working with the most.
