Are These the BEST Coloured Pencils EVER? | Caran D'Ache Luminance Review & Test

Caran D'Ache Luminance 40 Set: amzn.to/3w8cvxW
Caran D'Ache Luminance 76 Set: amzn.to/2P6QKxR
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[@studioofmm]

I hope you enjoy hearing my thoughts on the Luminance coloured pencils. I also restocked a select number of Palette Towers in my store if you missed out on one last week: www.studioofmm.com/store?category=Palette+Boxes+%26+More Thanks for watching 😊

[@christinejoyce3113]

Derwent Drawing pencils are a bit similar to Luminance, they only come in a set of 24 colours so are much cheaper, the colour range is very limited but the Chinese White is probably the most pigmented and opaque white pencil available.

[@silkeschumann7261]

I'm sure there is art supply that is hard to get in Europe. The thick Faber-Castell Pitt Artist pens come to mind and although Faber-Castell is a German company they don't offer the big Artist Pitt pens in Europe. Join with a European artists and swap pencils or other art supply. This way it comes duty free and you can start the collection with monthly swaps of 5 or six pencils so you can send it duty free as a gift and fairly cheap in a cushioned and cardboard stiffened envelope safely. Paul Rubens art supply is another one that is hard to acquire in Europe at a decent price. Just a thought.

[@leesanchez8432]

Both luminance and prismacolor are wax based pencils so they work similarly. But, most of prismacolor has lightfastness issues and will fade in daylight. Luminance are totally lightfast and are in fact the gold standard of art materials for a professional artist who is selling their work. Polychromos is also gold standard, and is an oil based pencil type. To me, polychromos are the most delightful to use because they are gorgeous and they are most similar to working in watercolor, because they have a nearly transparent feel when used gently, in many layers. Polychromos also works very nicely applied over watercolors.

[@TsukabuNosoratori2]

Polychromos are also water resistant. I've tried it with various mixed media like watercolor and gouache and they all worked great with the Polychromos.

[@bettertomorrow2625]

I have a full set of Luminance and Polychromos. Best of both worlds! You don't have to choose an either/or. Maybe to begin with, you do, but eventually you can have both. They act differently and serve different purposes. They play very nicely together.

[@Userusinutube]

Caran d’Ache is definitely one of the best art brand and I’m so proud to be from Switzerland ahah

[@crafty_j957]

I've been debating whether or not to try these out so I'm super excited to watch this and get your take on these massively expensive coloured pencils

[@indigodande4345]

They are worth it. Especially when layering over the cd pablos.

[@Mostlymid]

There is no other pencil in the world that I love more than Luminance. None. I actually lost my mind and, when I found out that they brought back the 100 (well, not really, it's 98 because there are two black and two white along with a full blender and a blender pencil but I don't think those count - I should check), rather than just buying the extra 24 open stock I BOUGHT AN ENTIRELY NEW SET OF 100. I love them so much that I use them in coloring books which is an insane waste of pencils and money, but I don't enjoy the way cheap Chinese pencils feel anymore (except maybe Castle Gold and Nyoni). The only pencils I love close to as much as these are my Holbeins. By the way, who the HELL told you that Derwent Coloursoft was a close match to Luminance? That's the most bizarre suggestion I've heard in 40-plus years of making art. They're NOTHING alike. Derwent Lightfast MAYBE. Anyway, I know this is 3 years old but I hope you've finally gotten your full (100 now) set. Thanks for a coherent review,

[@bettertomorrow2625]

There is only one black and one white. There is another one that is "pink white", which is extremely close to white but as the name suggests, there is a very slight pinkish hue to it. I have the full set of 100 and there are no duplicate colors.

[@omgmazin]

Great video, I had been doing art(preferably graffiti) all my life,but I realized growth is a journey, watching these videos helps so many, also that tone grey strathmore is one of my favorite, depending on the color it can display almost a 3-D effect.

[@crochetedcritterz]

Thank you. I have been wondering about these pencils for awhile now. Very helpful!

[@virginiaestep6488]

For selling artwork lightfastness is important. The Caran D'Ache Luminance pencils are considered the highest lightfast pencils on the market.Derwent recently has come with a comparable set called Lightfast and are an oilbase pencil comparing to Luminance wax base. They work well together.I love working with two sets together. Btw these sets were Christmas gifts, so I am very lucky to have them.

[@KadenRatushniak]

They actually just released 24 new colours this past month, 20 in a new "portrait assortment" set, and 4 only available open stock - bringing the total to 100. 76 is the largest assortment available in a single set currently. 😉

[@studioofmm]

Yeah I ended up coming across that new set right after I’d finished this video 😆 I still probably won’t be able to find a reasonable place to buy it for years if I ever wanted to 😅

[@Kristenaann]

Do you happen to know which ones the 4 new open stock only singles are? I’m looking into possibly taking the leap to get these soon.

[@christinejoyce3113]

You can get these from www.cultpens.com they are a UK based company but they offer free international shipping, they also do a thing called Laybuy which gives you 6 weeks interest free credit, that's how I got my full 100 set of Luminance.

[@sedamcclurg9699]

@@studioofmm You should have someone in the states buy it for you and then send it over personal post :)

[@DKCART06]

@@christinejoyce3113 they're so overpriced. One pencil is like 250 dollars

[@panzerpatriot4920]

What a pleasant voice😌and a nice review too 🙌🎨💗

[@timothydaniels504]

This review is really well done. Thanks for a lot of great information.

[@saltlifegull4091]

You had me laughing so hard at points. Really enjoyed your review, everything you had to say, and has helped me decide. You go girl and keep up the great work! Amazing eye:) Subscriber from Florida USA

[@doodleyournoodles675]

I love how the eye turned out.😊❤

[@fuzzydragons]

great looking eye 😀 I love the Luminance pencils and would have more than the 14 I have lol if they were not so much money 😛

[@apocalypse92]

I'm from Canada, idk where you live but opus has them in the Vancouver area, but if you're not from Vancouver, you can buy them online from delta art, no duty. I got the 100 set from delta art

[@aprilbrown8081]

We always get so obsessed with the things we can’t easily get. I have Polychromos, Luminance, Prismacolor, etc, but I want Holbeins and it’s probably because I can’t get them in the US yet, though I’ve heard we’ll be able to soon.

[@hairysusan8483]

They have Holbiens for sale on DickBlick 🙂 theyre very pricey though!

[@user-pc5tk2uh4f]

so true!

[@patticake5311]

Did you ever find the Holbeins? They're my faves; I got them from Blick.

[@user-pc5tk2uh4f]

@@patticake5311 I got the whole wooden box from peters art. They sold out in 15 minutes...(5 boxes altogether)

[@louizelimepips3517]

Lol 😁 I saw immediately that the unmarked pencil was 850 Cornelian. It’s my favorite. 😊

[@thehungrypole6527]

great video, thank you! I would add that the Luminance pencils are a lot more lightfast than Prismacolor pencils, so if you're planning on creating work which will be displayed or sold to clients, Prismacolor are a no go.

[@christinejoyce3113]

Luminance don't break as much as Prismacolor.

[@viveka5156]

Banana

[@charlesbolds406]

@@christinejoyce3113 So true these Caran D'Ache Luminance and Faber Castell polychromos pencils are the only pencils,l use they are expensive but you know the ole say you get what you pay for as long as, I'm selling my Art work,, I'm using these pencils,l love these pencils.🎨😁👍

[@christinejoyce3113]

@@charlesbolds406 Yep, me too, I do use cheaper pencils in my sketch book though, I won't use Luminance or Polychromos in there because of the price of them, I have only had a Luminance break on me once and it was the sharpeners fault not the pencil.

[@nancyloomis3046]

Nice review! I’m surprised you can’t get Luminance in Canada?One of these days I’ll get a set...maybe the portrait set. Right now, I’m happy with my fairly modest set of Polychromous and old Prismacolor...90 color set...long before the soft core. Then I got a killer deal of 30 Caran D’Ache Supracolor 2 water soluble color pencils at Michael’s for $40! I didn’t need them, but that price was just too good to pass up. I guess they were not going to carry them anymore? They usually sell for high $50s on up. Maybe they were a returned item? But they had not been opened...the plastic was still around them. I just felt lucky! 🍀

[@moonlightgator541]

They sound like something I would love. We literally have them at local Michaels in the middle of nowhere since at least Christmas, but they are too expensive for my budget, it must be nice not to worry how much money you spend on art supplies and have supportive family.

[@emilyerdbeere9210]

Thank you for this review. What do you think about „permanent red“? In my opinion it is poor pigmented, I made a test on black paper. Prismacolor covered much better...

[@cuencaarts]

Wow this is grand! Every artist's dream.

[@zigyour]

island blue art store has these pencils! canadian art shop on vancouver island

[@louisepotvin904]

You can buy them from Jackson’s from Canada, it’s the cheapest and easiest way

[@lauralemesurier]

I’m from Canada and I buy a lot of art supplies from Jackson’s. The shipping is very reasonable as well

[@emim_thinks]

Not any better..... Umm The Light Fastness alone makes these pencils far better than Prisma and Polys..

[@leesanchez8432]

Try your luminance pencils on colored pastel papers (not the sanded one, that will eat up your pencils), you will be amazed at the quality of results!

[@bettertomorrow2625]

Pastelmat is a wonderful surface!

[@artbyddp]

Out of the 150 prismacolor premier set 59 are rated excellent for lightfastness, 25 are rated very good, and another 25 is good. The rest of the colors have a poor rating, but I went through the 109 colors, and the most important ones relegated towards earth tones and portraiture have the lightfast quality. Other than that, I plan to buy the full set of the Caran D'ache, but I'll use up my Prismas for practice and the D'aches for valuable projects.

[@g1984AF]

Would you choose Prismacolor or Caran D'ache? Im thinking about Caran Luminance 40 set or Prisma 48

[@ValeriaVincentSancisi]

Are you concerned about colour fastness? And was that in the equation at all .. I cant seem to find a reasonable comparison among the brands you spoke of ...but for exhibiting I would think it would be in artists minds as to which brands...?

[@SpookyRooster135]

Just ask when you need replacements. They are so easily available in Europe, we can send you a few at a time so they are below import taxes.

[@torifielding2008]

You can get the polychromos on Jerry’s or blick for $180 and the luminance for $200

[@melissajay7596]

I love them. I don't mind the price because the quality is amazing.

[@thuntz29]

I have gotten a few and really enjoyed them, specially Payne’s grey and similar. I asked for a set just because of Christmas and birthday but just buying a few of the most used colours seems like a smatter choice. They are just so expensive…

[@moonlightgator541]

The eye is very pretty by the way.

[@amyx231]

I’m eyeing the 76 set for a birthday present for myself. Wood set is a bit overkill. $233 these days for the tin set. Or Polychromos mega set. Idk what to do. I can’t afford both, lol. Thoughts?

[@webeganasone5076]

go for the best. you will end up wanting them anyways and will keep thinking about it... art supplies should be regulated as addictive substances, huh... (waiting for the art supplies store to open up to grab a few luminance and test them xD).

[@itrcks7575]

What paper are you using?

[@lauradill1447]

love your choice in subject matter for luminance demo... where did you study art? your technique is so polished and inspiring!!!

[@LexiandAimee123]

I am surprised you did not discuss the major difference in Colorfastness of the 3 brands.

[@bastianemdal8708]

What paper did you use

[@maribelyoung6445]

Wow you draw beautifully

[@reinaldofavoreto7160]

Their new color "Dark Indigo" 639 is the darkest blue of them all, and I have (quite) all the professional and semi professional brands. Very useful.

[@markgrant3465]

What brands have you tried? I have every single colored pencil set of derwent and prismacolor premiere pencils!

[@reinaldofavoreto7160]

@@markgrant3465 I have tried most of them. The three best are Faber Castell polychromos - my favorite and the one I use more. then Derwent lightfast and Caran D'ache Luminance are also top notch. I prefer colors more intense and details. I also like the water soluble similar ones, that is, Albetch Durer, Museum etc. Derwent Inktense ,Derwent Graphitint and Derwent Drawing are also great because, as I said, they have what I look for: intense colors and are great for details. Caran Dache´s Pablo are also great for details, but I have adapted better to Polychromos pallete. I collect colored pencils sets, I have dozens of them, just to collect, I never used them after I tested, only the brands above. I also use Prismacollor sometimes, but they are too soft for my kind of drawing.

[@leeanna_rogers]

I wanted to start getting into art cause I’ve always had a passion for it but I just sucked but I definitely wanna get these pencils

[@bettertomorrow2625]

Get the book Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain. I am a professional portrait artist. I sell my work and do commissions. That book was the ONLY art instruction I've ever had. People tell me I'm "talented" and I always tell them my secret. That book. Over the years I've had 7 people take me up on it and ALL 7 could draw very realistically when they were done. I have another friend who had that book and followed the process but he did it without my suggestion. He had used that book before we met and he, too, can draw very well. So including him and myself, that's 9 out of 9 people who all can draw because of this one single book. Trust me. It's very methodical and easy. There are tried and true methods that will teach anyone to draw well, regardless if you think you "can't" draw. You just don't know how to...yet.

[@piarizzosebastianmiobonifa1369]

thanks, this helped a lot I think I know what i'l do now

[@Hi-fy8nu]

Y’all shouldn’t be that surprised of the price it’s a Swiss brand and everything in Switzerland is overpriced and expensive i can confirm because i live in Switzerland

[@nadaaqui7407]

Right? I go to France every year, and as it is at the border I take advantage and go to Switzerland, and things are very expensive!

[@Hi-fy8nu]

@@nadaaqui7407 richest,safest,smallest country but most expensive country too! 🤣

[@nadaaqui7407]

@@Hi-fy8nu Y-E-S

[@grahamekellermeier8280]

In Australia a set of 20 cost $100.00 Australian dollars the 100 set is $649.00 Ausy dollars, separate pencils is $5.95 .

[@KittehNow]

EXCELLENT video

[@jasminkauai]

I find that doing the circular motion blending method works much better with these rather than the extreme pressure method.

[@c8Lorraine1]

I’m in Australia and I only paid AU$267. For 120 Faber castell polychromas Given the 30% currency difference 😝 and the fact we pay upwards of 40% more for artist grade supplies than the USA. Amazon online shopping during Black Friday was definitely worth a visit

[@jesusfuentes6969]

The very best, even if they are a bit overprized, though.

[@fangchick93]

Aren't all coloured pencils oil soluble?

[@margaretf667]

I thought everyone who does coloured pencil drawings uses white the most 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@pizzariya544]

Margaret F yes white is really usefull, though my white doesn’t work

[@walle5667]

No, actually I barely use it. I don't like how white dulls the colours. I prefer blending colours without the white.

[@pizzariya544]

@@walle5667 the white is used for highlights

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

As someone who uses watercolor, I usually try to use the white of the paper even with colored pencils. I rarely ever use my white pencils.

[@sandjune2753]

I don't understand why you didn't use the blender, that's what it is for ?

[@TMcocoa]

100 now in the set with the new 24 portrait colors out now.

[@studioofmm]

Yeah I ended up seeing that right after finishing this video. It’s super weird the the actual US Cara D’Ache website has absolutely no mention of the set anywhere or I would have picked up on it sooner when I was trying to find a “neutral point” for the price of the sets.

[@brigittemccray8330]

@@studioofmm I checked on the new portrait set a couple of weeks ago and it seems that they won’t be available in the US until Nov. I want them because the colors look so good for animal portraits. 🙁 Also for folks who like them but struggle financially: I buy a couple of the colors each month in open stock. Same for the Faber Castell pencils. I started with 40 with each and have just added to them over time.

[@TMcocoa]

@@studioofmm they must not want us to buy lol

[@suel4269]

What journal did you use with toned paper?

[@studioofmm]

It’s a strathmore toned paper sketchbook.

[@bebopkirby]

Have 3 Luminance pencils and they just don’t seem much different from Prismacolor. Obviously they are light fast, plus pretty to look at, and also a few unique colors. But I can’t help but wonder if a lot of the mystique of Luminance is more about, tell a person he is drinking a very expensive wine or liquor and they will wax prosaic about it until you tell them it was just the cheapest rot gut out there.

[@short-lived9671]

Lightfastness is very important though. Some Prisma will fade in daylight.

[@SilverHyenaTV]

I could never say the name of these colored pencils correctly. Lol But, I did enjoy using them when I finally got the chance. With these pencils, I'd say view them as an investment, similar to what people say about Copic Markers.

[@arcanalbana7935]

Caran D'ache Luminance 100 Set in blick art materials store comes at a price of 280 dollars Why is its price low compared to Amazon 360 dollars??

[@johnniewashburn6490]

They actually have a range of 100 colors now.

[@PumpkinPails]

I've seen the 76 set drop down to $180 at times on Amazon. I almost jumped on the opportunity, but with the full Polychromos and the Prismacolor collection on hand I really don't need to be bringing more color pencils into my home.

[@aprilbrown8081]

Yeah, I bought my 76 set at one of those times. Same with the Polychromos. Lol

[@g1984AF]

If I were to buy 150 prisma or 76 Caran which one would you recommend?

[@PumpkinPails]

@@g1984AF depends what you're doing. If you're just starting to learn how to use color pencil go with Prisma, but if you're mid to advanced and want to make sure you're using lightfast supplies go with Caran. Your work style also matters, if you are very detail oriented you will hate Prismas because they're very soft and do not hold a point well, but they're great for blending and covering larger areas. It's really best to use Prismas alongside a harder oil based pencil like Faber Castell or Caran, so it's a good idea to purchase a few of those open stock that you can use for fine detail.

[@g1984AF]

@@PumpkinPails thanks for your answer I have a small prisma set of 36 and their grafite ones. But wondered about buying more prismas or just jumping to Caran. TY

[@ordinaryart7639]

This video was a good birthday present for me: 24th august

[@Anna.Werther]

I got the lagest set and my art improved so much

[@dafnemaldonado2696]

Ughhhhhhhh i feel ya, i have mine since middle school and I'm sick of it:(

[@artistaroundtheblock2047]

You change it under your email settings in Gmail or Yahoo or whatever

[@peany500]

I wish i have one but i dont have enough money to buy it

[@mitchboy420]

Prismacolor is trash now i bought a new set a few months ago and half the pencil is gone before it stops breaking ill never buy them again

[@pizzariya544]

Mitchell Boyle uhh do you mean they all broke, well maybe you must have dropped them

[@mitchboy420]

@@pizzariya544 i didnt drop them, they were off center really bad, the wood even split half way down on a few of them their quality is trash now!

[@mitchboy420]

Ive switched to polychromos and luminance. Plus their lightfast ratings are superior and thats a big for me since i do comissions

[@pizzariya544]

Mitchell Boyle I think you got a fake or something cause Prisma colour is great

[@mitchboy420]

@@pizzariya544 i bought them from Dick Blick so no they werent fake, prismas was the only pencils i used for 10yrs or so their quality has dropped tramedously, look online im not the only artist that is saying this.....

[@mzebony]

I bet you got these when Deserres had that nice sale on the for $319.97 😊 I just purchased my set as well. I bought the other 24 from the UK. Now I’m afraid to use them 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Ok, just realized you didn’t get the full set. The sale is still on.

[@studioofmm]

Actually I didn’t. I think the only set Deserres has ever carried is the 76 set and it seems to be on a perpetual sale at that price (which has very much been tempting me with the far easier availability 😆) I completely understand being afraid to use the pencils though 😂

[@mzebony]

Studio of M.M you can buy them open stock from Delta Art & Drafting Supplies, which is located in Edmonton. 😊

[@studioofmm]

Thanks for the info! I’ll definitely have to check them out.

[@sabineleppanenart3014]

Studio of M.M check out King’s Framing, too. I bought mine a few at a time until I had the full set. I like them a lot (except the scratchy Cassel Earth), but my favourite pencils are the Pablos by Caran d’Ache. So smooth! But, I only buy the lightfast Pablos, which limits the colour choice. Prismacolors are lovely but I avoid the non-lightfast ones (I keep them in a separate case for sketchbook work). Also, Luminance never causes wax bloom, which is a common problem for Prismacolors. I agree, the colour selection in your set is baffling. The two similar reds, no sepia🙀...

[@paulalister80]

Great informative little video today, you gave a wonderful over view. I kinda love my Prisma pencils though so I’m supper happy to stick with these especially as I would have issues getting the Karen pencils. Lol oh my guess that’s why people call them Luminance.

[@HyHwua]

Luminance actually blends better than Prismacolor. You are using the wrong methods, try varying your pressure from heavy to light as you go across the page and you will see.

[@ilian3199]

Honestly I've heard so many negative things about all sets of Derwent colour pencils that I would only buy pastels, water soluble graphite or charcoal pencils form them

[@brigittemccray8330]

Really??? I actually love love love the Derwent 24 set drawing pencils in the nature/landscape colors. And I haven’t tried them, but I know lachri.com/ uses the Derwent Lightfast pencils.

[@HeatherBryant22]

brigitte McCray I got my Lightfast pencils because of Lachri/Lisa being in love with them! I really love the lightfast better than my Caren Dasche.

[@ilian3199]

@@HeatherBryant22 I'd love to leave links, but they are mostly in Polish or long gone in my watching history. I remember them mentioning problems with layering and blending. I don't use colour pencils so I don't know what are people's priorities outside of break easily, nice pigmentation, hard vs soft so I won't much of help

[@brigittemccray8330]

@@HeatherBryant22 I’ll have to try the lightfast pencils!

[@margaretf667]

The derwent lightfast pencils are amazing. The quality is 10 out of 10

[@beckymadrid5894]

They ARE the best. Pricey but worth every single dollar...Am I in debt? Yep. My shoes will have to last a couple of months more. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@shiahinata]

Hi, i have the same problem with the color cassel earth, it paint very bad and it is very disapointted for the price of this color pencils, well thanks for the review, now i know i dont have a damaged pencil, only it is bad. (Sorry for the english)

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

There is no way I will pay that kind of price for pencils.....

[@moshiachhasawakened6781]

You can blend Caran D'Ache with water, that's the trick. So they are actualy watercolors in a pencil. For polychronos you need paraffin oil to blend them.

[@liz-anna2365]

Opus carries Luminence.

[@margaretbusby6992]

I was literally so disappointed in the performance of these pencils for the price . I truly like every other artist quality set of pencils that I own more than these. They skip terribly on paper, leave waxy globs, and I hate the way they feel in the hand. The colors are beautiful, but I would never buy another one of the pencils at their ridiculous price.

[@dees3179]

Wow, not my experience at all. Sorry you got bad luck.

[@christinejoyce3113]

Sounds like you got a faulty batch or maybe fakes.

[@pizzariya544]

Christine Joyce yep definitely

[@skillex6956]

I can only afford 20 of those (£50) 😭

[@lexitnute1306]

Its pretty cheap here

[@azalea1404]

Caran d'Ache Luminous pencils are fine, but not way better than Polychromos or Prismacolor - so Caran d' Ache's outragous prices can definitely not be justified. On top of that - with those insane prices, I find it unheardof that their quality control didn't discover the pencil without text on it. All in all, Caran d'Ache is just a company of shameless greedy capitalists. Just forget about them and choose some other pencils.

[@mememex-t1v]

If we put aside the theme lightfast, Prismacolor are better and is fasinating coloring with them, i have both brands, luminance are overpriced.

[@Carolina-rd3gh]

The colour selection is incredibly poor for the purples even in the 100 set. It’s shocking. Big shame. Polychromos has way better selection than this. A set with half the colours has way more purples than this 100 set.

[@randomstuffaustralia4074]

I don't like them

[@robbiegreen769]

To soft and to expensive 😢