What kind of colored pencils

The texture of soft pencils can range from smooth and creamy to grainy. Keep in mind that soft colored pencils require more frequent sharpening and can be more susceptible to breakage. Student-grade colored pencils tend to fall on the harder side. Hard colored pencils are well-suited for smaller, more intricate drawings since they can be sharpened to a fine, pointy tip.

However, it is more difficult to apply color and blend when using hard colored pencils. Color quality depends on the amount of pigment and binders in the colored pencils.

Professional-grade colored pencils tend to have higher color quality because they contain higher concentrations of pigment. Some large sets have more than different colors. While the large packs offer variety, some of the shades can be very similar. A novice artist may want to start with a 24 pack of pencils; the nuances in color may not be as important to a beginner.

When buying colored pencils in sets, a color chart can help you keep track of all the color options. Lightfastness is the ability to resist fading and discoloration, which is important for making your artwork last. Most manufacturers used the ASTM International standard to rate the lightfastness from one to five, but others use their own proprietary rating scales.

Lower numbers mean the color is more lightfast. Most artist-grade colored pencils offer sufficient fade resistance. Certain colors like pink and purple are not as lightfast as other colors, regardless of the brand used. Colored pencils do not require many accessories. Some basic tools to consider when using colored pencils include cases, sharpeners, and erasers.

Sometimes accessories are included with colored pencil sets, although they also can be purchased separately. Pencil cases offer a convenient way to transport and protect your colored pencils. They come in different varieties including metal tins, canvas cases, and more. Some pencil cases have special features like dividers to keep your colored pencils separated. Other types of cases are stackable, which is useful for storing multiple colored pencils in one area. Choosing a quality pencil sharpener will help keep your colored pencils in good working condition.

You can select an electric or manual version. Electric pencil sharpeners are quicker than manual sharpeners, but they are often more expensive. Erasers are helpful if you want to lighten, blend, or erase your drawings.

Kneaded erasers are a good choice for lightening your artwork, lifting smudges, or removing debris from your drawings. Plastic or vinyl erasers are best for blending. Electric erasers also allow you to blend colors, but they are most effective for actual erasing. They do come packaged in cardboard though, so they're probably not what you're looking for if you're often going to be taking them out and about.

However, they still come laid out in trays for easy colour selection. A thick 3mm break-resistant core means you won't find yourself with broken pencils that readily and they'll last longer.

Dan is the Editor of T3. Dan has written for numerous computing and lifestyle magazines and has also written a book, too. Castle Arts Coloured Pencils. A soft-touch finish and clear labels equals a very appealing set. Specifications Point type: Medium. Number in box: Other: Soft-touch finish. Reasons to avoid - Round barrel not for everyone.

Arteza Colored Pencils. Specifications Point type: Broad. Other: Break-resistant tips. Reasons to avoid - Wax bloom can occur. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils. Reasons to avoid - Less good for fine detail. Faber-Castell Polychromos Colour Pencils.

Specifications Point type: Fine. Other: Break-resistant, Water-resistant. Reasons to avoid - On the expensive end. Derwent Coloursoft Colouring Pencils.

Other: 88 percent lightfast. Reasons to avoid - Soft leads require care. Other: Rich pigment that layers like velvet. Reasons to avoid - 48 is biggest set. The drawings have a creamy texture as a result. However, wax-based pencils are prone to breakage and wear down quickly. They give off considerable debris and create a thin, powdery film on the surface of the artwork after the application.

There are many brands of wax-based colored pencils. I recommend two common brands- Sanford Prismacolor and Derwent. Sanford Prismacolor Pencils - They contain high wax and blend very smoothly. They are best known for their creamy and soft consistency. The drawbacks are that they require frequent sharpening, since they wear down and break easily.

They also create bloom, a thin, powdery film of wax that appears on the surface after application. Under this brand there are three sub-categories- Prismacolor Premier the artist grade category , Prismacolor Verithin, and Art Stix. Premier has the widest color range of any brand, with colors in all. I highly recommend Premier for beginners. Verithin pencils have the hardest, thinnest and lowest wax content cores of any colored pencil.

They are valuable for producing layouts, cleaning up edges and working for small areas. Art Stix Pencils look very much like soft pastels. You can use a blunt tip to cover large areas quickly or sharpen the end for detailed works. They are available in a range of 48 popular Premier colors. They are slightly chalky and are available in their own range of 72 colors. Derwent Artists Pencils are moderately hard and have a slightly waxy, thick core.