The Ultimate Guide to Types of Color Pencils: Professional and Midrange Options

Color pencils are a beloved medium for artists, offering a versatile and portable way to create vibrant, detailed works of art. However, with so many options on the market, choosing the right set can be overwhelming. In this blog, we’ll explore various types of color pencils, from professional-grade to midrange options, discussing their advantages, disadvantages, and what makes each brand unique.

Table of Contents

1. What Makes a Great Color Pencil?

2. Professional-Grade Color Pencils

• Prismacolor Premier

• Caran d’Ache Luminance

• Faber-Castell Polychromos

• Derwent Coloursoft

3. Midrange Color Pencils

• Prismacolor Scholar

• Faber-Castell Goldfaber

• Derwent Studio

• Arteza Colored Pencils

4. Conclusion: Choosing the Right Color Pencils for Your Needs

What Makes a Great Color Pencil?

Before diving into specific brands, it’s important to understand the key factors that make a great color pencil:

• Pigment Quality: The richness and consistency of the color.

• Lightfastness: Resistance to fading over time when exposed to light.

• Blendability: How easily the colors blend together to create smooth transitions.

• Core Strength: Durability and resistance to breaking, even under pressure.

• Ease of Use: Comfort and consistency in application, from laydown to layering.

Now, let’s explore some of the best color pencils available, starting with professional-grade options.

Professional-Grade Color Pencils

1. Prismacolor Premier

Overview:

Prismacolor Premier pencils are a favorite among professional artists for their soft, creamy cores and rich pigments. They offer a wide range of colors and are known for their exceptional blendability, making them ideal for creating smooth gradients and vibrant artwork.

Advantages:

• High Pigment Saturation: Delivers vivid, intense colors.

• Smooth Application: The soft core allows for easy blending and layering.

• Large Color Range: Available in sets up to 150 colors, providing extensive options for any project.

Disadvantages:

• Fragile Core: The soft core is prone to breaking, especially if dropped or sharpened to a fine point.

• Moderate Lightfastness: While some colors are highly lightfast, others may fade over time.

Ideal For:

Artists looking for a versatile, vibrant pencil that excels in blending and layering, particularly in portrait and realism work.

2. Caran d’Ache Luminance

Overview:

Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils are among the highest quality color pencils available, known for their exceptional lightfastness and creamy texture. These pencils are designed to withstand the test of time, making them a top choice for professional artists concerned with the longevity of their work.

Advantages:

• Unmatched Lightfastness: Rated among the best for resistance to fading.

• Rich, Velvety Texture: Smooth application with a slightly firmer core than Prismacolor, reducing breakage.

• Blendability: Excellent for creating smooth, even blends.

Disadvantages:

• Price: One of the most expensive color pencils on the market.

• Limited Color Range: Available in a range of 76 colors, which is smaller compared to other professional brands.

Ideal For:

Professional artists who prioritize longevity and lightfastness in their artwork, such as those working on commissioned pieces or gallery works.

3. Faber-Castell Polychromos

Overview:

Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils are renowned for their oil-based cores, which provide a different texture and blending experience compared to wax-based pencils like Prismacolor. They offer a harder core that is highly durable, making them ideal for detailed work and precision.

Advantages:

• Durable Core: The harder core resists breaking, even when sharpened to a fine point.

• Lightfastness: High lightfastness ratings across most colors.

• Layering: Excellent for building up colors in layers without wax bloom.

Disadvantages:

• Blendability: While they blend well, they require more pressure and layers compared to softer, wax-based pencils.

• Price: Comparable to other high-end brands, but still a significant investment.

Ideal For:

Artists who need durable pencils for detailed work and prefer an oil-based core for its unique blending qualities.

4. Derwent Coloursoft

Overview:

Derwent Coloursoft pencils offer a soft, velvety core similar to Prismacolor but with slightly more structure, making them a versatile option for both blending and detailed work. They are often seen as a mid-point between the softness of Prismacolor and the firmness of Polychromos.

Advantages:

• Soft Core: Provides smooth, creamy application.

• Wide Color Range: Available in 72 colors, offering a good selection for various projects.

• Versatility: Soft enough for blending but firm enough for detail work.

Disadvantages:

• Fragility: The soft core is more prone to breakage than firmer pencils.

• Moderate Lightfastness: Not all colors are highly lightfast, which may be a concern for professional work.

Ideal For:

Artists who enjoy a soft, blendable pencil but require slightly more control and durability than what Prismacolor offers.

Midrange Color Pencils

For those looking for high-quality color pencils without the premium price tag, several midrange options deliver excellent performance at a more affordable cost.

1. Prismacolor Scholar

Overview:

Prismacolor Scholar pencils are a student-grade version of the Prismacolor Premier line. They offer many of the same benefits, such as vibrant colors and smooth blending, but at a lower price point, making them ideal for beginners or hobbyists.

Advantages:

• Affordable: More budget-friendly than the Premier line.

• Vibrant Colors: Good pigment saturation for a student-grade pencil.

• Easy Blending: The soft core allows for smooth color transitions.

Disadvantages:

• Lower Pigment Quality: Not as rich or vibrant as the Premier line.

• Less Durable: The core is softer and more prone to breaking.

Ideal For:

Beginners and hobbyists who want to explore color pencil art without a significant financial investment.

2. Faber-Castell Goldfaber

Overview:

Faber-Castell Goldfaber pencils are a midrange alternative to the Polychromos line. They offer good pigment quality and a firm core, making them suitable for both blending and detailed work at a more accessible price.

Advantages:

• Durable Core: Harder than most midrange pencils, reducing breakage.

• Good Pigment Quality: Vibrant colors with decent coverage.

• Lightfastness: Reasonable lightfastness for midrange pencils.

Disadvantages:

• Less Blendable: The firmer core makes blending slightly more challenging compared to softer pencils.

• Limited Range: Fewer colors available compared to the Polychromos line.

Ideal For:

Artists seeking a durable, reliable pencil that offers good performance for both detailed and general art projects.

3. Derwent Studio

Overview:

Derwent Studio pencils are designed for artists who require precision and detail. With a harder core, these pencils maintain a sharp point, making them ideal for fine lines and intricate work.

Advantages:

• Precision: Maintains a fine point, ideal for detailed drawings.

• Durability: The harder core resists breaking and wears down slowly.

• Color Range: Available in 72 colors, offering good variety.

Disadvantages:

• Less Blendable: The harder core is not as suitable for smooth blending.

• Moderate Pigment Saturation: Colors are not as rich as professional-grade pencils.

Ideal For:

Artists who focus on detailed work, such as technical illustrations or intricate designs.

4. Arteza Colored Pencils

Overview:

Arteza Colored Pencils are a popular choice among midrange options, known for their affordability and surprisingly high quality. These pencils offer good pigment saturation and blendability, making them a great choice for hobbyists and budding artists.

Advantages:

• Affordable: Excellent value for the quality provided.

• Vibrant Colors: Rich pigments that rival more expensive brands.

• Blendability: Soft core allows for easy blending and layering.

Disadvantages:

• Moderate Durability: The softer core can be prone to breakage.

• Inconsistent Lightfastness: Not all colors are lightfast, which may affect the longevity of the artwork.

Ideal For:

Artists on a budget who still want quality pencils capable of producing vibrant, blended artwork.

Midrange Color Pencils: Brustro Colored Pencils

Overview:

Brustro Colored Pencils are a solid midrange option that offers a balance of quality and affordability. These pencils are particularly popular among students, hobbyists, and emerging artists for their smooth color application and vibrant hues.

Advantages:

• Budget-Friendly: Affordable without compromising too much on quality, making them accessible for a wide audience.

• Smooth Color Laydown: The pencils offer a soft core that provides a smooth and consistent application, ideal for blending and layering.

• Vibrant Colors: The pigments are bright and vivid, suitable for a range of artistic styles.

Disadvantages:

• Moderate Lightfastness: Not all colors have high lightfastness, which could lead to fading over time, especially in works exposed to direct light.

• Core Durability: The softer core, while smooth, can be prone to breakage if not handled carefully.

Ideal For:

Brustro Colored Pencils are well-suited for students, hobbyists, and emerging artists who need a reliable set of pencils for practice and experimentation. They are a great choice for those looking to create vibrant, blended artwork without investing in more expensive professional-grade options.

Conclusion:

Choosing the Right Color Pencils for Your Needs

Selecting the right color pencils depends on your artistic goals, budget, and personal preferences.

• For professionals who prioritize longevity and premium performance, Caran d’Ache Luminance and Faber-Castell Polychromos are standout choices.

• For artists who value blendability and vibrant colors, Prismacolor Premier offers an excellent experience, though with some trade-offs in durability.

• For those on a budget or just starting out, midrange options like Prismacolor Scholar and Arteza Colored Pencils provide a great balance of quality and affordability.

Ultimately, the best pencil is the one that feels right