The Ultimate Buying Guide for Prismacolor Colored Pencils: Types, Features, Prices, and Tips
Overview
Prismacolor colored pencils are one of the most popular and trusted brands of colored pencils among artists, designers, and coloring enthusiasts. With their soft cores, vibrant pigments, and blendability, Prismacolor colored pencils are ideal for a wide range of art projects, from sketching and drawing to coloring and shading. In this buying guide, we'll explore the different types of Prismacolor colored pencils, key considerations when choosing the right ones for your needs, their features, prices, tips, and FAQs.
Types
1. Prismacolor Premier: These are the top-of-the-line colored pencils from Prismacolor, featuring soft, thick cores that are perfect for blending and shading. They come in a wide range of colors, including metallic and neon shades, and are ideal for professional artists and serious hobbyists.
2. Prismacolor Scholar: These colored pencils are designed for students and beginners, offering a more affordable option without sacrificing quality. They feature harder, thinner cores than the Premier pencils, but still provide good color coverage and blendability.
3. Prismacolor Verithin: These pencils are ideal for fine details and outlines, featuring hard, thin cores that can hold a sharp point for precise lines. They come in a smaller range of colors than the Premier and Scholar pencils but are perfect for technical drawing and coloring books.
4. Prismacolor Art Stix: These are Prismacolor's version of square-shaped colored pencils, featuring the same soft cores as the Premier pencils but in a different format. They are ideal for large areas and broad strokes, and can be used for blending and layering.
5. Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils: These pencils can be used wet or dry, allowing you to create watercolor effects with your colored pencils. They feature soft cores and come in a range of colors, including metallic and neon shades.
6. Prismacolor Blender Pencils: These pencils are designed for blending and smoothing out colors, without adding any additional pigment. They can be used with any of the Prismacolor colored pencils to create a seamless and professional-looking finish.
7. Prismacolor Erasers: These erasers are designed specifically for use with Prismacolor colored pencils, allowing you to erase mistakes without damaging your paper or leaving any residue.
8. Prismacolor Sharpeners: These sharpeners are designed to sharpen Prismacolor colored pencils to a fine point, without breaking the soft cores. They come in different sizes and styles, including handheld and electric options.
Key Considerations
1. Purpose: Consider what type of art project you'll be using the colored pencils for, whether it's sketching, coloring, or shading. This will help you determine which type of Prismacolor colored pencils to choose.
2. Skill level: Consider your skill level as an artist, as well as your budget. If you're a beginner, the Scholar pencils may be a better option, while professional artists may prefer the Premier pencils.
3. Color range: Consider the range of colors available in each type of Prismacolor colored pencils, and whether they offer the shades you need for your project.
Features
1. Soft cores: All Prismacolor colored pencils feature soft, thick cores that are perfect for blending and shading.
2. Vibrant pigments: Prismacolor colored pencils are known for their vibrant and rich pigments, allowing you to create bold and vivid artwork.
3. Blendability: Prismacolor colored pencils are designed to blend easily, allowing you to create smooth transitions and gradients.
4. Lightfastness: Some Prismacolor colored pencils are lightfast, meaning they won't fade or deteriorate over time. Consider this feature if you want your artwork to last.
Prices
The prices of Prismacolor colored pencils vary depending on the type and the number of pencils in the set. Generally, the Premier pencils are more expensive than the Scholar pencils, while the Verithin and Art Stix pencils are more affordable. Prices range from $10 for a small set of Verithin pencils to over $100 for a large set of Premier pencils.
Tips
1. Use a light touch: Prismacolor colored pencils are soft and can easily break if you apply too much pressure. Use a light touch and build up the color gradually.
2. Layer and blend: To create depth and dimension in your artwork, layer different colors and blend them together.
3. Experiment with different techniques: Prismacolor colored pencils can be used in different ways, such as dry or wet. Experiment with different techniques to see what works best for your project.
FAQs
Q: Are Prismacolor colored pencils suitable for coloring books?
A: Yes, Prismacolor colored pencils are ideal for coloring books, as they offer a wide range of colors and are easy to blend.
Q: Can Prismacolor colored pencils be sharpened with a regular pencil sharpener?
A: It's recommended to use a Prismacolor sharpener to sharpen Prismacolor colored pencils, as they are designed to sharpen the soft cores without breaking them.
Q: Are Prismacolor colored pencils lightfast?
A: Some Prismacolor colored pencils are lightfast, meaning they won't fade or deteriorate over time. Check the packaging or product description to see if the pencils you're interested in are lightfast.
Q: Can Prismacolor colored pencils be used on different types of paper?
A: Yes, Prismacolor colored pencils can be used on different types of paper, including sketch paper, drawing paper, and watercolor paper.
Q: How do I know which type of Prismacolor colored pencils to choose?
A: Consider your purpose, skill level, and color range needs when choosing which type of Prismacolor colored pencils to buy. If you're still unsure, you can try a few different types to see which one works best for your project.