Colored Pencils Reviewed in Depth for Artists' Delight
When it comes to choosing the best colored pencils for artists, quality and cost are key considerations. Here's a rundown of some top options to suit various needs.
Best for Professional Artists
For those seeking professional-grade quality, Prismacolor Premier and Marco Raffine Pro pencils are highly favoured. Prismacolor Premier is renowned for its soft, opaque cores that blend exceptionally well, providing rich pigmentation ideal for detailed and smooth art such as portraits [1][4]. Marco Raffine Pro pencils, on the other hand, have gained strong recognition for their premium quality and presentation, making them a solid choice for serious artists [1].
Balancing Quality and Affordability
For a more budget-friendly yet artist-quality option, Arteza colored pencils offer good pigmentation and versatility suitable for artists of all skill levels. They provide a moderate price point without compromising too much on quality [2].
Durable and Budget-Conscious
Staedtler Ergosoft pencils, often marketed towards children, deliver a smooth application, strong pigment, and break-resistant cores, making them a durable and decent option for beginner to intermediate artists who want quality at a reasonable cost [3].
Lightfastness: A Factor to Consider
When choosing colored pencils, it's essential to consider their lightfastness, which refers to how well a color is preserved when exposed to light. Pencils with a high lightfast rating will have more resistance to fading and discoloring over time. More expensive colored pencils tailored to more serious artists will generally have a high lightfast rating [5].
Special Mentions
- Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils are high-quality, oil-based pencils with a high lightfastness and vibrant colors. They are break-resistant and have a color matching system with Faber Castell watercolor pencils and pastels, but they are expensive [6].
- Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencils are premium wax-based colored pencils with a great lightfast rating, smooth blending, and a beautiful cedar casing. However, they are expensive and may leave a waxy bloom [7].
- LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils are high-quality, oil-based pencils tailored to professional artists. They have a high lightfast rating, a beautiful cedar casing, and come in a high-quality wooden box. However, their internal trays are flimsy, and they are moderately to highly priced [8].
Recommendations for Beginners and Children
For beginners, children, and hobbyists, the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are recommended due to their affordability and ease of use [9].
Courses and Resources
Dan Scott, the founder of Draw Paint Academy, offers a Painting Academy course for absolute beginner to intermediate painters. He is a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy aims to help you get the most out of the art life [10].
In a separate post, you'll find information about standard drawing pencils (graphite and charcoal) [11].
Remember, the best colored pencils for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are the reviewer's top pick for all-around best colored pencils for artists [12].
We hope this guide helps you in your search for the perfect colored pencils to bring your art to life!
[1] Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils Review [2] Arteza Colored Pencils Review [3] Staedtler Ergosoft Colored Pencils Review [4] Marco Raffine Pro Colored Pencils Review [5] Understanding Lightfastness in Colored Pencils [6] Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils Review [7] Caran D'ache Luminance Colored Pencils Review [8] LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Art Pencils Review [9] Best Colored Pencils for Beginners and Children [10] About Draw Paint Academy [11] Standard Drawing Pencils: Graphite and Charcoal [12] The Best All-Round Colored Pencils for Artists
Landscape painting can be beautifully captured with the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, which offer soft, opaque cores and exceptional blending for detailed art. An ideal lifestyle choice for art enthusiasts who love home-and-garden themed art is the Painting Academy course offered by Dan Scott at Draw Paint Academy.
