Choose High Quality Colored Pencils For Artists

For many artists, colored pencils are an indispensable medium, offering versatility and control for detailed work, vibrant illustrations, and expressive sketches. However, the true potential of this medium is unlocked only when using high quality colored pencils for artists. These superior tools can transform your artwork, providing richer pigments, smoother application, and greater longevity compared to their student-grade counterparts.

What Defines High Quality Colored Pencils For Artists?

When searching for the best tools, understanding the characteristics that set high quality colored pencils apart is essential. These attributes directly impact the performance, vibrancy, and archival properties of your artwork.

Rich Pigment Concentration

One of the most significant indicators of high quality colored pencils is their pigment concentration. Professional-grade pencils contain a much higher percentage of pure pigment, resulting in intense, vibrant colors that can be layered extensively without becoming muddy. This allows artists to achieve a broad spectrum of hues and complex color mixtures.

Lightfastness Rating

Lightfastness refers to a pigment’s ability to resist fading when exposed to light over time. High quality colored pencils for artists often come with an ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) or Blue Wool Scale rating, indicating their archival permanence. Choosing pencils with good lightfastness ensures your artwork will retain its vibrancy for decades.

Binder Quality and Lead Durability

The binder is the substance that holds the pigment together. In high quality colored pencils, the binder is formulated to provide a smooth, consistent laydown of color without excessive wax bloom or crumbling. A superior binder also contributes to the strength of the lead, making it less prone to breakage during use or sharpening.

Smooth Application and Blendability

Artists rely on the ability to blend colors seamlessly. High quality colored pencils offer a buttery smooth application, allowing for effortless layering, blending, and burnishing. This characteristic is vital for creating gradients, subtle transitions, and realistic textures in your artwork.

Types of High Quality Colored Pencils For Artists

The world of artist-grade colored pencils offers a variety of formulations, each with unique properties suitable for different techniques and preferences.

Wax-Based Colored Pencils

Characteristics: These are known for their soft, creamy texture and excellent blendability. They allow for smooth color laydown and are ideal for layering and achieving rich, saturated colors.
Popular Brands: Prismacolor Premier and Derwent Coloursoft are prime examples of high quality wax-based colored pencils.

Oil-Based Colored Pencils

Characteristics: Oil-based pencils tend to be harder than wax-based ones, allowing for finer detail and less wax bloom. They offer robust color saturation and can also be layered and blended beautifully.
Popular Brands: Faber-Castell Polychromos are renowned high quality oil-based colored pencils.

Watercolor Colored Pencils

Characteristics: These versatile pencils can be used dry like traditional colored pencils or activated with water to create watercolor effects. They offer a unique blend of drawing and painting capabilities.
Popular Brands: Caran d’Ache Supracolor Soft and Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer are excellent choices for artists seeking high quality watercolor colored pencils.

Top Brands of High Quality Colored Pencils For Artists

Several brands consistently deliver exceptional quality, making them favorites among professional artists.

Faber-Castell Polychromos

Originating from Germany, Faber-Castell Polychromos are oil-based colored pencils celebrated for their superior lightfastness, vibrant pigments, and break-resistant leads. They offer a smooth, consistent application and are perfect for detailed work and layering.

Prismacolor Premier

Known for their incredibly soft, wax-based cores, Prismacolor Premier pencils deliver intense, buttery-smooth color. They excel at blending and layering, making them a popular choice for illustrators and artists who prioritize rich color saturation.

Caran d’Ache Luminance

Swiss-made Caran d’Ache Luminance colored pencils are famous for their exceptional lightfastness and high pigment concentration. These wax-based pencils provide a smooth, opaque laydown and are ideal for artists concerned with the archival quality of their work.

Derwent Lightfast

Derwent Lightfast pencils are oil-based and engineered for maximum lightfastness, ensuring artwork endures over time. They offer a creamy texture, vibrant color, and the ability to create precise details or broad washes of color.

Choosing the Right High Quality Colored Pencils For Your Art Style

The best high quality colored pencils for artists ultimately depend on individual artistic preferences and techniques. Consider your primary goals:

For detailed realism: Oil-based pencils like Faber-Castell Polychromos or Derwent Lightfast offer precision and control.
For vibrant, blendable illustrations: Wax-based options such as Prismacolor Premier or Caran d’Ache Luminance are excellent choices.
For mixed media or watercolor effects: Watercolor pencils like Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer provide versatility.

Experimenting with different brands and types of high quality colored pencils will help you discover which ones best complement your artistic vision and working methods.

Tips for Maximizing Your High Quality Colored Pencils

Even the best tools benefit from proper handling and techniques.

Layering: Build up colors gradually with light pressure to achieve depth and smooth transitions.
Burnishing: Apply firm pressure with a light-colored pencil or a colorless blender to smooth out layers and create a polished, saturated finish.
Sharpening: Use a high-quality sharpener to prevent breakage and maintain a fine point, especially with softer leads.
Paper Choice: Experiment with different paper textures. Papers with a slight tooth can hold more layers of pigment, enhancing the vibrancy of your high quality colored pencils.

Investing in high quality colored pencils for artists is an investment in your artistic journey. The superior performance, vibrant results, and archival properties of these tools empower you to create professional-grade artwork that stands the test of time. Explore the options, experiment with different brands, and elevate your creative potential with the finest colored pencils available.