Most colored pencil artists are self-taught due to the lack of available colored pencil art programs. If you want to teach yourself this medium, buy the largest set of colored pencils you can afford. As the pencils wear out, you can replace them one at a time. The following professional artist brands are among the better quality colored pencils:
- Derwent
- Caran d' Ache Luminance
- Lyra Rembrandt Aquarell
- Prismacolor
How to Buy Colored Pencils
In the beginning, you might want to buy a few pencils in each of the brands to get a feel for what you can accomplish with them. Many art instructors and students prefer Prismacolor, but that isn't to say that Prismacolor is the best. Prismacolor is a high quality pencil, but so are the others mentioned. It really comes down to a matter of preference and what you hope to accomplish. Take a look at the characteristics of these four brands:
Derwent Studio Colored pencils are available in brilliant lightfast colors that blend easily. The pencils come in black, hexagonal wood casings with color-coded ends. These wax based colored pencils are made in England and used by professional artists.
Caran d' Ache Luminance, Swiss made colored pencils are known for excellent light-fastness. These are extremely soft pencils.
Lyra Rembrandt Aquarel colors lay down smoothly with no wax build-up. These oil-based colored pencils lack wax build-up and can be blended and over-layed many times.
Prismacolor pencils are easily blended, long-lasting and break-resistant. Prismacolor pencils come in the widest range of colors. The largest set available has 132 pencils. These Prismacolor pencils are wax based.
Pencil Art Supplies
I like to keep money in my own community. There's a family owned art supply store where I live, and I try to give them as much of my business as possible. They, in turn, give 20% credit toward other art supply purchases and run special sales at different times of the year. Shop at your privately owned community art store if possible.
Dick Blick Art Supplies offer a wide range of art materials at great prices. They aren't in every state yet, but they are online. You'll regularly find sales and discounts online, and they offer free shipping with a certain minimum purchase.
Hobby Lobby arts and crafts stores carry colored pencils. Sign up to receive their weekly ad and they'll send you an email with a 40% off coupon to be used on non-sale items. If you're going to buy a full set of colored pencils, this is a great way to do it.
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