Arrtx 72 Watercololor Pencil & Sketchbook Review

[@nalissa77]

You know what I admire? You’re reviewing a product for someone to make an informative purchase but you always and keep emphasizing that if you have something similar, you don’t NEED it. Use what you have. I think it’s that kind of approach that has my logic monkey smacking my want monkey back into its cage. Thanks Lindsey. 😅

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

@@nalissa77 'Logic Monkey v Want Monkey' 🤣 I love it!

[@nalissa77]

@MusingsFromTheDen I was watching a group of Trunk monkey ads and it stuck in my head. If you don’t know what a Trunk monkey is, google it. You won’t be sorry. Promise. lol

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Happy to help!

[@Wilcoxmomma1103]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate you saying to keep just saving until you can get what you actually want. I almost broke this week and got the arrtx ones but your reminder is just what I needed. I’ll keep saving for my AD ones❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I’m glad you found it helpful!

[@ShwetaC]

I love how you started this review. At one point you said I’m sorry I’m on a rant here but you’re not. When I saw the thumbnail I was hesitant to click because I have artisto and they are great and quite slow to wear down, I didn’t want the monster to come out and you really helped! This is why it’s easy to watch your videos and still walk away from a product. I Trust your judgment 😊❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I’m glad you found the review helpful.

[@alejandromorales9516]

I really appreciate what you and other KZbinrs do reviewing these more budget options. For me knowing which budget cotton papers I can safely get is wonderful because I primarily work in sketchbooks and I go through them a lot and if I can work on cotton as cheaply as cellulose, I'd rather the cotton. I have also used yours and other reviews when getting supplies for my nieces or when folks ask me for advice for kids or beginners and I can always tell them you can get a decent set up using X, Y, Z and not break the bank ... especially for a kid who might just want something to play with.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I’m glad you find it helpful!

[@terrilyon6825]

I love the Albrecht Dürer pencils. I also have the koh I Noor water colour pencils and they're super - and a great price for us in the UK

[@zdzislawaprzyborska5653]

oh me too. I just love the Mondeluz ❤

[@CreativePhenomenonArt]

Three or four years ago, I bought a set of Paul Ruben‘s watercolor pencils. I can’t find these pencils anywhere atm. It was in a pink tin and I compared them to the Caren D’Ashe pencils and I tell you these pencils were amazing. I’m so glad that I found them when I did, but I think you’re absolutely right as far as quality is concerned with these budget brands. You never know what you’re gonna get sometimes you never know if they’re still gonna be there in four or five years.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I never tried those. Some products are gone so fast!

[@OceanCryptid13]

My budget set was the castle set, and as they have ran out I have replaced with Albrecht Durer. The Castle ones are still really nice I have rebought them a few times for other folks recently and they have good recent reviews on Amazon as well.

[@starshinesoldier]

Thank you for the in-depth review and comparisons! You’re always helping us make smart purchasing decisions!❤

[@berolinastrassmann]

I evicted my want monster until further notice 😂😂. I always enjoy watching you, though! I have Koh-i-Noor Mondeluz and Caran d'Ache Supracolor sets and I am set for life with those collections 😂. I like to buy open stock and most of these budget sets don't offer that.

[@vishneva2000]

It’s annoying that while all the art influencers received the pad with the watercolor pencils, it doesn’t come with it when purchased. The pad is cute but also really small. And it’s $14! Over $15 if you factor in tax and possibly shipping. ETA, I do like the pencils. I like Arrtx's colored pencils a lot. When I got the watercolor pencils (on pre-order a few months ago), I compared them to professional and non sets and they fared well. Agree that Artisto has one of the best bang for the buck watercolor pencil.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yeah, I thought the pad was too small for the price.

[@vishneva2000]

@@thefrugalcrafter And just another observation. When I watched reviews of the Derwent Watercolor pencil (because you mentioned them being weak) - that was the consensus out there. But one day I bought a few out of curiosity and I was swatching them out with the other non-watercolor pencils I bought at Blick that day on non-watercolor paper. Just nice 100% cotton card stock with a moderate tooth. They were super vibrant. It made me want to buy more, which I did. A 36 set. I swatched them out on watercolor paper and they were weak. I then swatched them out on that colored pencil paper and they were vibrant. They don't like watercolor paper. They might be a good option for coloring books or mixed media. Oddly, when I did my little comparison, the pencil that left no residue was the Faber-Castell Eco grip. They're very weak pigment-wise but they do dissolve completely. In addition to Artisto, the Faber-Castell Aqua Goldfaber are an interesting option. They are $50 for 48 but you can also replace them open stock. Vibrant with a nice array of colors. Personally, my favs are the Museum Aquarelles. Practically paint in pencil form. The Albrecht Durers are excellent and a watercolor pencil that's as nice to use dry as it is wet. I do know professional artists who use the Supracolor dry and wet as well.

[@zdzislawaprzyborska5653]

​@@vishneva2000Do you also get a feeling that the Museum Aquarelles are more like gouashe then watercolours? Or is it just me?

[@vishneva2000]

@@zdzislawaprzyborska5653 I like a saturated watercolor pencil so it suits me. But, if I think about it, I feel like Neocolor II are a bit like gouache. Pretty opaque. I guess it comes down to what one prefers. AD are maybe more translucent. I love Inktense as well. Very strong and vibrant.

[@lisamiller8174]

I bought my Spectrum Noir Aquablends in 2017. They were pretty much the only budget\craft brand until Arteza came out. I also have a set of 24 woodless wc pencils (same pencils sold under several different brands). My third set are the Tim Holtz woodless Distress watercolor pencils. Kind of a hybrid, but 72 lovely colors that work with the other Distress products.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Are the distress pencils like a regular woodless watercolor pencil or more like a watercolor crayon? I boightvthe donacwakley scribblecsticks when they first came out and they were much harder than my neocolor 2 crayons so I wondered if they were similar to the distress pencils coming from the same brand.

[@lisamiller1543]

​@@thefrugalcrafterdefinitely like classic woodless watercolor pencils. Not at all like the crayons (I have the Distress crayons, too). A number of users break them into chucks and put in the watercolor pallets (like we do with the Daniel Smith watercolor sticks).

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

This is a great review! They're very pretty colours. 😊 The thing that disappoints me most about a lot of budget brands is that they don't do 'open stock' which means if you run out of a colour you use a lot, you have to get a whole new set, so buying half a dozen pencils open stock from a slightly more expensive expensive brand makes more sense for me. A set of 24 Albrecht Durer watercolour pencil is actually £3 cheaper than the Artxx for me.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Another way to look at the budget sets is once you run out of a color you know it's one you will really use so you can upgrade it buy buying the same color from a professional brand.

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

@thefrugalcrafter Yes, that's a good point. 😊

[@Art_by_Nicole]

I deeply respect your way of reviewing products. You got the product for free, but you also name other similar products and you’re honest about all of it. I do want to add something. I agree when you say ‘spend the same amount of money of a smaller set of high quality pencils’ but on the other hand… If someone isn’t very good with mixing colours and ‘just’ wants to colour then a bigger set like Artxx comes in handy. You don’t have to ‘think’ so much because there are already different kinds of green, blue etc. But for me personally, I would go for better quality

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good point!

[@hellotwinkie]

When I started looking for a budget watercolor, found so many raving about the WN Cotman ones-they were horrendous. Later I found out that they used to be made in France but now no more. Obv those reviews were for the older ones when they were made in France.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They were made in England before France, those were the best!

[@hellotwinkie]

@@thefrugalcrafter geez and now made in China!

[@victoriavelazquez9461]

I was gifted the Arrtx regular colored pencils for Christmas. I have seen the reviews on how nice they are. I usually only use pencils with a high lightfast rating because I sell my work. HOWEVER, I am pleasantly surprised how nice they are. I am doing my own lightfast test (chart in the window, very scientific, haha). It would be nice to add them to my collection of artwork pencils. But, as I said, they feel nice, the pigment load is nice as well. I REALLY appreciate the time and work you put into your reviews.

[@lisab9553]

Hello. I want to shout out the Faber Castell Goldfaber Aqua watercolor pencils. The quality is amazing, it’s a legacy brand, and it’s an amazing price. Oh and they are available open stock. Now they are more than the set you are showing but their quality is almost as nice as a Albrecht Durer, I compared the ones I had just the other day. Love your honest and informative reviews 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Thank you for your high quality thoughtful reviews!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you like them!

[@ntaylo6299]

My want monster left to find Sasquatch. I will keep you updated.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆

[@PerfectlyImperfectColour]

Hey Lindsay! Ive been adoring the Artisto watercolor pencils since they came out and was wondering why no one was talking about them! Ive got open stock Albrect Durer and love those but for the price point that Artisto are selling at you cant go wrong! I think a few months back Artisto did do some PR and sent some out to a few channels and I dont remember anyone saying anything negative but they definitely deserved to be talked about. Then again, if they were talked about the price would go up! I Love the Albrect Durer both dry and wet. Theyre actually my next big purchase. The whole line of Neocolor iis was pretty pricey! Lol

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They really are a great value! I reviewed them, they are good as is their watercolor paper for the price. I just don't use watercolor pencils that often. They are a good choice tho!

[@DogBoyk9]

Hi Lindsay, have you used the Van Gogh Watercolour pencils? I've read they are really good, professional quality but much cheaper than the other pro brands.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No, they are no longer available in America but I have used the colored pencils and pastel pencils and I thought they were good.

[@JudasBlack]

Never tried watercolor pencils, but fun as always to watch your review!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I hope it helps you decide if they're right for you!

[@ms_chigger]

Riveting or what? Kinda was. I have Covid right now so it was something new to watch so yep. It was. You were a life saver. Thanks.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad I could help!

[@gamigirlHeatherB]

It’s unfortunate that you can’t rely on the consistency of budget friendly art suppliers. It really puts those who review and recommend them in awkward positions. Thanks for doing such a thorough comparison on the pencils. I can really see the difference in quality amongst the brands on the left and right side of your page. I do like the packaging on the Artxx pencils. TFS Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I agree, it's always a gamble with budget brands.

[@olderendirt]

Very nice review. I have a set of 72 Arteza watercolor pencils and I like them, but I've noticed they aren't the most vibrant without layering and drying where more color is needed. I have a smaller set from Stampin' Up that was a gift from my mom about 20 years ago and I never could find out who they were made by. They seemed to be a similar quality and both have been enjoyable to play around with. It would be interesting to try some softer and better quality open stock just to compare.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

For open stock I recommend derwent inktense and Faber Castell Albright Druer pencils. Good bang for your buck and super vibrant!

[@olderendirt]

@thefrugalcrafter Thank you!

[@KarenKhen94]

Thank you I caged up the i want monster and went to use my budget watercolour pencilals and i just realissd how many I have 😅 well im going to use them up now 😊❤🎉

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I’m glad you got those pencils out!

[@KarenKhen94]

Also great review thank you. In Australia we are limited to things and prices are very different. If I didn't have budget play aroubd with i would habe bought the Artex ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@melsgalleria]

I have the arteza woodless pencils and they are pretty nice for budget pencils. I have one albrect durer pencil and it is pretty nice. The only other watercolorish pencils I have are the derwent inkense which are a whole different thing. I love all of them. I would definitely like more albrect durer pencils.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It sounds like you have a pretty good collection going!

[@melsgalleria]

​@@thefrugalcrafterI agree, they have served me well. I have the 36 ct set of the inktense and I love those. I also have their 24 pan set, which are amazing. The woodless arteza are great for budget pencils, granted I have had my set for a few years so that may have changed.

[@KimFergusonpapercrafting]

Thank you for this watercolor pencil comparison video. Off topic of watercolors, would you be willing to create an updated alcohol marker revival video without re-inkers (Ohuhu)?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Can you be more specific?

[@KimFergusonpapercrafting]

@@thefrugalcrafter Yes, I have had a set of Ohuhu markers in my craft stash. They have just been sitting, not used for a while. Actually, most have never been used. A purchase and forget situation. There is still ink, but not flowing well at all. It's almost like a dry brush effect. Let me know if this is not helpful. ;-)

[@After40Art]

I may consider these for my budget set. I bought the winsdor and newton studio ones. I swear when i bought them they said high lightfast on amazon. I tested then and put some in a wondow, not even 2 months later almost every color was gone. After 6 monrhs anything i did in my sketchbook with them had faded. So i gave them to the kids.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yikes! Winsor and newton is playing fast and loose with the term "artist quality" these days and all their new sets seem to be budget white labeled products. They will ruin their reputation.

[@After40Art]

@@thefrugalcrafter yeah they have ruined their reputation with me for sure. My daughters art school had cotman on their school list, I bought her schmincke instead cause I don't know if I can trust w&n anymore to act normally with their newer stuff

[@Craftaartissaurus]

I have a few Albrecht Durer pencils I think like 9 I use for under drawings and must say I do like these. Don’t have a full set of Water colour pencils just haven’t tried them himm think I might pick up a cheap set and just go from there see how I feel about them this way I haven’t spent the earth but can still have a little fun. Thanks for the review interesting and aww I do like these sky in your painting very moody. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's a great approach!

[@SusansColorfulExpressions]

I have a set of 12 Prismacolor watercolor pencils. I remember deciding whether to buy them or the Inktense. I barely use them. I need to pull them out and use them to sketch for my paintings. I have to see my pencils, so I get rid of the tin and put them in a clear storage container.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That’s a great idea about the storage container.

[@jkellyfamily9]

Lindsay, would the golden taklon brushes work better with Neo II’s and Inktense? Is it because the softer brushes push the pigment around too much?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I prefer the golden taklon with the pencils and crayons for 2 reasons: they hold less water so things don't get soupy and they are firm enough to dissolve the lines.

[@lifeandwhimsycreations2964]

Great timing! I was eyeing these. I’m in the market for a set of watercolour pencils. The Albrecht Durer are $75 for a pack of 24 in Canada at my art store, the artxx are $45 from Amazon. I’m still debating if I should splurge on high end or not. Thanks for the video, lots of great info to help me sort myself out 😂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The biggest reason to go with the AD I'd because they ate lightfast and you can replace them one at a time.

[@daspeckhardt]

I've liked the Arteza and castle wood less ones. I like to also try other mediums to spread them like mineral spirits

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I've used mineral spirits for regular colored pencils but not watercolor pencils. Is there a benifet?

[@daspeckhardt]

@thefrugalcrafter I think it blends them a bit nicer in some cases. I was able to have a smooth blend from them. I used a blender stick so the paper didn't get as saturated.

[@DogBoyk9]

It really pays to shop around as Amazon is often not the cheapest. A 36 set of Albrecht Drurer in card box with a brush Is only £46 at Cass art and was only £36 when black Friday sales were on!!! I think they massively overcharge for tins. A 24 set in the tin is only £10 cheaper. Sketch books are ludicrously overpriced, whatever the size. Excellent review as always, Lindsay. Happy New year.

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, Koh-I-Noor has wonderful art supplies! When I first purchased a watercolor pencil set they were THE ONLY option at my local art store. They did not carry any other brands of watercolor pencils and I was so young that when the owner told me they are the only option they sold, I thought they were the only ones period. I have since learned that the Albrecht Durer’s and Caran d’Ache have some more pigment loaded pencils! BUT, I still reach for the Koh-I-Noor’s! STORY TIME: I was asked to make a pet portrait for a friend who saw the one that I made of our puppy 12 years ago. I used DaVinci watercolor to wash the larger areas and watercolor pencils to do all the finishing work. I explained the process and they agreed that was what they wanted! Now I used the same watercolor paints, but I didn’t use Koh-I Noor pencils, I reached for my Magnus Albrecht Durer’s to do the pencil work. Now the twist, they asked why their pup did not look the same? They are similar breeds but I explained that I used the best quality pencils on their picture. I was asked to re-do the portrait as they wanted the same look to their picture as I had in mine! I honestly thought they looked quite similar and they were insistent in the re-do! Now my Magnus color selection is 30 pencils, honestly more than enough for any project I have ever tried, yet I do have the complete set of Albrecht pencils 120 or 150 whatever. I have 48 Koh-I-Noors and I can see a difference in how I use them. I truly never noticed before, but they are a bit more “scratchy?” They don’t dissolve so completely in every stroke unless you are diligent with the water! My puppy is 14 years old and her portrait was a puppy picture! I thought maybe it faded? Nope it looks just as bright as the newer portrait I had to re-do! It is the underlying hatching and outlines that did not get washed out that “sketchy look” I can get the same look I must be more careful as the Faber pencils dissolve more or more easily? I am simply confounded that I did not realize how obvious it was until they were unhappy with the “better” pencils! Lindsay, I am glad that you are willing to continue evaluating different brands so we don’t have to! I am still pointing people in your direction when asked about the “best” choices for budget brands. I am continually asked about the best this or that. I point out that the best cost the most, then I am asked about the best budget brands and I hope they are watching your videos that I send to them! Please take care, be well and stay healthy and happy too!🎉

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It’s amazing how we don’t notice things until they are pointed out!

[@PcakeTheMadDoodler]

Thanks for the comparison and review. Do they Arrtx watercolor pencils have a strong smell? The set of their colored pencils I had did, and I'm hoping to avoid that. Also, what have you found to be the most pigmented colored pencils?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I just sniffed the wc pencils, and thete is a slight oder, so then I sniffed the regular kind and didn't smell anything, so in my experience, they smell more than the arrtx colored pencils (126 set)

[@JC-il4or]

I haven't had a fulfilling experience with cheaper brands. Watercolor or wax. Still favor my Albrecht Durer WCs (a gift), and my Caran d'ache Marine (got on sale) and have supplemented from open stock at Blick for more colors. Dabble with a few other brands from open stock and cringe at the set prices. Color intensity is one of my criteria, dissolvability the other. Open stock is so appreciated by someone who is on a no buy budget😂😂 because it's only cheating if you buy the whole set😂😂😂😂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Open stock is the way to go!

[@GraceAnnaShack1]

Arts warercikolur pencils look great Lindsay wonder if they sell in uk ty for great review

[@GraceAnnaShack1]

Arrtx meant to type lol

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think they do!

[@GraceAnnaShack1]

@@thefrugalcrafter ok great I will look for them 🙂👍🙂

[@GraceAnnaShack1]

@@thefrugalcrafter great I’ll see if I can find them ty Lindsay

[@ElizabethKilbride]

I love artiza watercolor pencils

[@wanderingstar5673]

🙂

[@markyteo]

Scathing... 5 min into the vid and Lindsay is recommending people to buy the pro pencils 😂. I guess you could mix the colours but ppl who go for large budget brand sets are probably not too interested in doing so. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I just want people to get what's right for them:)

[@markyteo]

@@thefrugalcrafter love your honesty!

[@victoriavelazquez9461]

I was gifted the Arrtx regular colored pencils for Christmas. I have seen the reviews on how nice they are. I usually only use pencils with a high lightfast rating because I sell my work. HOWEVER, I am pleasantly surprised how nice they are. I am doing my own lightfast test (chart in the window, very scientific, haha). It would be nice to add them to my collection of artwork pencils. But, as I said, they feel nice, the pigment load is nice as well. I REALLY appreciate the time and work you put into your reviews.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It’s good to hear you’re happy with them!