I want to test some of my many many many pencils I bought over the years to find the best. For that Test, I created a Test sheet, you can get this over on my Shop as a Digital Download. Or just click on this LINK. It's so much fun to fill them out.
My Blog, Hobbycreatery.com utilizes some affiliate links which may generate a small commission from clicks that result in a purchase. This does not effect my opinion on the Product. Money earned keeps my blog running and allows me to make more Reviews and Product-tests for you. Thank you for your support.
As you might know, I had a hard Year 2022 and Adult Coloring helped me along the way. So I was interested, which Pencils are the best. That's how this Challenge came along.
Our third competitor will be the Faber-Castell Polychromos
I would not recommend a cheap pack of Pencils when you just start with Adult Coloring. The finished Picture will not be great and you will not enjoy doing it. It's better to spend a few extra Dollars and get yourself some nice Pencils.
Pricing - How much do they cost
I bought the special Edition Wooden Case with all 120 Pencils inside. So I have a huge range of Colors on Hand.
The smallest is the 12 Pencil Case https://amzn.to/3PZpxI9 for around 19 Dollars
You have the 24 Pencils for 35 Dollars https://amzn.to/3vkWZj0
The 36 Pencils for 60 Dollars https://amzn.to/3vq0Rz2
and the 60 Pencil Case for 84 Dollars https://amzn.to/3G4nYEg
And the 'big boy' 120 Pencil Case https://amzn.to/3hZ7cOV
They are definitely cheaper than the Caran d'Ache Luminance, but, are the Polychromos better? Let's find out.
The Testing begins
For testing, I always grab 3 Pencils, that are most likely in every Pencil Case. Which are blue, yellow, and red
I also used black and white for one of the gradients later in the post.
Ok, let's start with Test Number 1:
The Mixing
Here is how I tested them for mixing. You can get a lot out of a Small Pencil Case. Only 20 Pencils give you a wide range of colors, as soon as you mix them. So start, and put all of the Colors in this Grid. And then put down a thin layer of every Color in the Column.
It may look a bit weird at the moment but trust the process.
The next step is to overlap a thin layer of the Color from the Lines.
You are now starting to see some new colors, but the last step is to put down a 3rd layer of the Top Colors in the Column to get the final colors.
The Colors did mix together, but I find other brands mix better.
But, let's look at another Test.
The Layering
When Coloring, putting down layers of color is essential. So I put down up to 10 Layers of 1 Color on my Testing Sheet. And I had absolutely no problem doing so.
The Layering was easy and with every Layer, you got a nicer finish.
If you are interested in the Caran d'Ache Luminance, just click here for the Blogpost.
Blending
For this Blending technique, I used the Blue Pencil with White and Black.
I have to say, that making the gradient with the Faber-Castell Polychromos was easy and fun, but I still did not like the finished look of the Gradient.
Blending with 3 Colors
For my last Test, I tried to blend all 3 Colors together. Based on the Color Wheel Theory, this should create an Orange Gradient and a Purple one. What do you guys think, did I achieve it?
I still did not like the purple that was created. 3 Brands in, and I have not found a great red and blue match to create a nice purple. Am I doing something wrong? Let me know in the comments.
Conclusion
I use the Polychromos a lot in my Disney Coloring Book. https://amzn.to/3WsH261
They are great if you need a pencil, that will hold its shape and not blend with other colors. For example, if you draw grass or a different-colored sky. Other Brands tend to blend with each other. The Polychromos will hold their shape.
The smallest is the 12 Pencil Case https://amzn.to/3PZpxI9 for around 19 Dollars
You have the 24 Pencils for 35 Dollars https://amzn.to/3vkWZj0
The 36 Pencils for 60 Dollars https://amzn.to/3vq0Rz2
and the 60 Pencil Case for 84 Dollars https://amzn.to/3G4nYEg
And the 'big boy' 120 Pencil Case https://amzn.to/3hZ7cOV
Thank you and Happy Coloring. :-)
Jen.
Comments