Top 5 Artist Quality Colored Pencils
Top 5 Artist Quality Colored Pencils
A while back I completed an article called Top 5 Artist Grade Colored Pencils, this time I am running with my all time Top 5 Artist Quality Colored Pencils. Now, for anyone new to The Art Gear Guide or to the colored pencil comment in general, both titles may seem like they are talking about the same thing, but this is not the case.
I completed an article talking about Lightfastness and in particular the ASTM and Blue Wool rating systems, if you would like to know more on this topic, follow the link to my original article. In short, Artist Grade colored pencils are only those pencils rated in the ASTM or Blue Wool system. Artist Quality colored pencils on the other hand are pencils that are lightfast, but are in house lightfast. As I mentioned, to find out more about the difference between in house lightfast rating and the only two lightfast standards, ASTM and Blue Wool, check out my article
For me the pencils in my Top 5 Artist Quality Colored Pencils list were really difficult to put in order. The only pencil that I was certain about was 1st place, but let’s get into my all time favourite top 5 artist quality colored pencils. After going through the list, let me know if you agree with my list or if you would put them in different order or perhaps you may even have a completely different top 5 artist quality list, leave your list in the comment section, I’d love to know.
No 5 Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
I absolutely love Prismacolor Colored Pencils, whenever I do a fan art piece, a Star Wars character, Disney Character etc, my Prismacolor are the pencils I reach for first. The thing I love about Prismacolor is the fact you don’t have to apply light layers with them. I know you can absolutely use them in this way, but for me, it is their vibrancy and opaqueness that makes them essential for fan art.
After laying down applications of marker, Prismacolor are perfect for helping to make the gradients seamless and perfect. On the other hand, I know there are many colored pencil artists out there that create some of the most beautiful works of art with them. Cynthia Knox is one such artist who works almost exclusively with Prismacolor and has done for years. Cynthia’s work is well known among the colored pencil community and in fact, her many teaching aids, zoom classes, online courses have helped thousands of artists master colored pencils.
It is only because Prismacolor are in house lightfast tested that they are in my artist quality list and not artist grade list. Now it is important to note that they are ASTM rated, but it was graded by Prismacolor and not the ASTM institute. I am not suggesting that the in house grading is wrong or any less than if Prismacolor sent their pencils to Arizona to be tested. Of the 150 Prismacolor pencils, 59 are LF I, 26 are LF II, 25 are LF III, 14 are LF IV and 24 are LF V. That means, for the lightfast purists, those artists that will only use either LF I or pencils graded 8 on the Blue Wool scale, could only use 59 colors of the 150 set.
No. 4 Holbein Colored Pencils
The first time I completed a review of the Holbein Colored Pencils, I was so excited to get them, at first I reviewed the 50 set and after that I saved hard to get the 150 set. The entire palette of the 150 set is absolutely gorgeous, beautifully muted pastel tones, a wonderful selection of greys and bright vibrant colors as well.
At the time of review the Holbein, I was in communication with Holbein Japan quite a bit, trying to pin down information regarding the pencils technical specifications, information such as lightfastness. I am sure there was a language misunderstanding, but it was very difficult to pin it down. Some communications stated they were official ASTM tested, others claimed they used their own lightfast testing methods and so the communication carried on.
Unfortunately, when a pencil is displaying a three star lightfast system, that does not equate to the ASTM LF 1 to 5 or the Blue Wool 1 - 8 and besides, under the ASTM system, LF I is the highest lightfast value, under the Holbein three star system, three stars equates to LF I. I am only highlighting the lightfast information as a way of justifying the pencils falling into artist quality over artist grade. However it is important to read the conclusion of this article regarding lightfast ratings, especially if you are new to the art world.
Overall the Holbein is a fantastic all round pencil, their wide palette selection makes them perfect for any genre of art, from landscape, botanical, portraiture, wildlife, fast art etc. The core of the Holbein holds a point incredibly well and delivers a beautiful coverage. I also found Holbein to even work well on standard paper, a lot of pencils perform much better on high quality artist paper , but I found with Holbein, they worked beautifully no matter what the paper quality.
No. 3 Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Colored Pencils
For me the number 3 and 2 spot caused me the most frustration, I absolutely love the Koh-I-Noor range, a few years ago they released their 144 set which in my opinion just made the range even more attractive. Prior to this, Koh-I-Noor, like so many colored pencil companies stoped at 72 being their largest count.
However, within that 72 count, they made selection incredibly easy for artist as they released Landscape 24 sets, with a palette perfect for the landscape artist, the same was true for their portraiture set. Koh-I-Noor also released a set of 12 browns and 12 greys, of which a few colors from both sets were not to be found in the original 72 count. This became a little confusing, in so much as users were unsure if they purchased a set and later down line the line purchased a second set, would there be duplicates within the sets.
The introduction of the full 144 set settled such confusion and opened up their entire range. Another advantage the Koh-I-Noor have over many other sets is their reasonable cost. Ordinarily I try to stay clear of discussing cost, because everyone of use have a different understanding of reasonably priced or bargain, but with Koh-I-Noor, its hard to argue against their pricing.
However, it is the guts of the Koh-I-Noor Polycolor range that is the most important part, they sharpen exceptionally well and this is due to the quality wood the barrels are made from. Their core holds a point well and whilst oddly soft, given my previous statement , they also layer incredibly well, without bloom or tacky finishes.
No 2 Caran d’Ache Pablo
It was a real struggle between the Koh-I-Noor going second and the Caran d’Ache Pablo, I had to set aside my genuine love for the Koh-I-Noor and look at the facts, to follow the truth. I have a deep love for Derwent as a company and their products, but when it comes to providing information that I know may lead some people to spending their hard earned money on art supplies, I need to set aside my own love for a product and look at it objectively.
The Caran d’Ache Pablo is very similar to the Koh-I-Noor, their lightfast grades are a little higher that the colored pencils sat in positions 5, 4 and 3. But for me, the reason the Pablo comes just a little higher than the Koh-I-Noor, and believe me when I say the margin is so small it is almost visible, is the down to the core ingredients of the Pablo, the palette and sustainability.
Caran d’Ache are one of a few companies that take sustainability very seriously, however it would appear from my research that Caran d’Ache are in fact leading the way in this area. The wood used for barrels is slowly moving over to local Forrests as opposed to shipping it in from overseas and for every tree cut down hundreds are erected. This is obviously a good thing given the climate issues we face.
But the actual core of the Pablo is where the magic is at, the Pablo core holds strong, providing artists who enjoying layering a countless layering experience. The Pablos on a high quality paper such as the Fabriano or Derwent Lightfast paper are just amazing. As well as their layering prowess, the Pablo has the ability to deliver a clean heavy application without developing a tacky sheen on top.
For me personally, I think the Pablo 120 set is just sensational for botanical artists, the range of greens, lavenders, blues etc is just staggering. For me, the Caran d’Ache Luminance is perhaps the finest collection of pencils for human portraiture, skin tones of all cultures catered for. But the Pablo seems to just fit like a glove for botanical art.
No 1 Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor
For me, this was a no brainer, the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor is perhaps one of the most under rated colored pencils in this list. I personally love the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Colored Pencils, their performance level is just spectacular.
I am stunned, when I watch speed drawing videos online or art tutorials or artists just show casing their work on a livestream; at how little the Lyra Rembrandt colored pencil is used and I am not sure why this is the case. I wonder if it is a lack of knowledge or perhaps a lack of understanding about colored pencil art and the whole lightfast debate. Perhaps because the Lyra Rembrandt is not in the realm of ASTM or Blue Wool lightfast testing, this is the reason for their absence among artists. If this is the case, then I feel it is a lack of information regarding original work being created with only the highest lightfast products and many other ways of protecting artwork from the light and if this is the case, then I have to shoulder some of the responsability
The pencil itself is feels like an instrument of pure craftsmanship in the hand, layering and blending with the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor is not only effortless but it is a joyful experience. The vibrancy of the palette is staggering and on quality paper the Rembrandt really glows. My only issue with this pencil is the count, 72 is not nearly enough for a pencil of this quality, I am sure the heads at Lyra and Fila could could bang together and come up with a 150 count of at the very least a 120 count
Top 5 Artist Quality Conclusion
There is a reason as to why I wanted to publish this particular Top 5 list and it is a reason I try to push a lot in my reviews. When I first got into colored pencils, I started to watch all the big names in the colored pencil world and most of them; not all, spoke constantly about lightfastness. As someone new to art in general at the time, I thought that it was important for me to buy and use lightfast colored pencils. I can remember the first big set that I was looking to buy was the Derwent Coloursoft 72 set, but this lightfast thing kept ringing in my ear. I bit the bullet and purchased the Caran d’Ache Luminance.
Now I don’t regret that purchase in any way shape or form, but my lack of understanding and willingness to listen to professionals, aided in pushing myself into an unnecessary purchase. I was only learning at the time and nowhere near the level of selling an original piece to anyone.
This list shows you, that as a colored pencil enthusiast, hobbyist or artists, you can createte the exact same level of art with a set of Lyra Rembrandt as you can with a set of Luminance or Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils. Please do not fall into this trap of thinking highly lightfast pencils are going to make you create better art, I can tell you this is false. The only thing I can guarantee you about using lightfast pencils, is that they will help to increase your price when you sell an original.
The only time you absolutely need lightfast colored pencils is if you are selling the original piece to someone, and even then there are still ways to protect the art if you decided against. You can create a gorgeous, highly desirable piece of art with your Lyra Rembrandt or Koh-I-Noor colored pencils and still ensure protection from the sun. You can secure the piece behind a piece of UV protected glass in the frame. If selling originals is not your thing, you can still create awesome art with Prismacolor, create gicleé prints using archival inks on archival paper and thus offering the same protecting against the sun as LFI or 8 graded colored pencil.
I am not suggesting that you can’t use lightfast pencils, I am not saying that if you are not selling your original work, you shouldn’t be using Luminance or Lightfast pencils, far from it. I am aiming this talk to those coming into the colored pencil world and just letting know it is their choice, don’t feel pressured to buy the the highest lightfast pencils or the most expensive art supplies hoping they will improve your art. Only you can improve your art with practise and above all enjoyment in the process. Expensive supplies aren’t always the best and the ones that are amazing will make you process that we bit more enjoyable and perhaps a little bit easier, but not better art.
If you would like to watch my video where I talk about ASTM and Blue Wool Lightfast standards and my previous video “Top 5 Artist Grade Colored Pencils” where I talk about the difference between artist grade and quality colored pencils. All of the Top 5 lists I create are just a bit of fun, something we can all relate to and compare notes on, but there are some series bits in the article related to mainly wasting money. I hope you have found this post entertaining and helpful.
