Battle of the Magical Water Crayons | Neocolor ii & Aquacolor Comparison

A little exploration into the differences/similarities between the mysterious supply that is the water-soluble crayon. Two brands used side-by-side to see what they are about!
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[@effiecross2008]

I just watched several videos in a row comparing the aquacolors and neocolors, and I thought yours was the most helpful. I did want to add though that apparently the 126 count of the neocolors was discontinued several years ago, which makes me sad. Also, I've been reading reviews on Amazon for the aquacolors and somebody did a 90 day lightfast test on the aquacolors, and several of the colors lightened significantly, and a couple of others completely changed color. Depending on what people are using the crayons for, the lightfastness may, or may not be important. Also for anybody wanting the aquacolors, often Amazon and Blick are close in price, but in this case the 48 count Lyra's are currently about 35% cheaper on Amazon US. Personally I think I'm just going to buy a few more Necolors open stock and just add to what I already have. If anybody is interested The Frugal Crafter has a video comparing these to oil pastels also, which are even cheaper. Either way I think people will really enjoy using any of these water soluble media. I subscribed!

[@TheColourCave]

Hi Effie, and welcome to the Cave! Thanks for your comment, and I'm glad you found the review helpful. Great information you have provided here too.

[@donnacarraway9182]

Thank you for your information too! That definitely helps me decide. If something is not light fast, then I don’t want it! Great comment!!

[@effiecross2008]

@@donnacarraway9182 Glad I could help!

[@MisterNiles]

I do that a lot. I forget things. So, I make notes, then I forget I took notes or where they are. I can't wait to try water soluble crayons. Thanks for the video.

[@tinekebak7142]

Great comparison. I have the 48 Lyras and find them lovely to work with. They seem to me a little more translucent than neos, less milky, less dense. Perhaps that's part of being less pigmented. I find the colours very clean and fresh and they blend so well that with 48 you can easily make whatever shade you wish. I have added some darker blues and purples from open stock neos to help me create darker backgrounds like night skies. But the Lyras layer up quite well, so it's not essential. Where I have tested similar shades, I like the Lyras for their clear colour slightly better. But that's probably because I'm more used to them. What I don't know is their lightfast ratings. I looked into the comparison before my purchase and came down on Lyra for the price, and certainly never regretted it.

[@papyloo588]

đón chờ những ca khúc tiếp theo của Phúc, càng nghe càng thích giọng ca của Phúc ❤️

[@brigitteitg]

Very interesting to see them next to each other. It would be great to see a half-and-half painting 😃

[@emilythrelfall8703]

I would love to see a half and half artwork video. I have a small set of the neo-color II but not used them much. It would be great to see how you use them in an art piece.

[@ColzoArt]

Ooooo interested in seeing this, I was gifted some of the neocolor 2 a few years ago & I love them so much!

[@tonyabeauchamp3087]

You’re a joy to watch!!

[@TheColourCave]

Thank you!

[@Mirrigold]

I have a list of all the PanPastels I already own, I update it each time I get some from Jackson Art Supplies in the sale. I still managed to buy FOUR ones I've already got because I'm an idiot and I clearly hadn't updated my list the last time I bought some :D For me, the difference in the NeoColor ii to the Lyra is that the Caran D'Ache ones have much more depth in their pigments and yes please for a video!

[@sandywilkie1671]

Yes I would love to see you do a video when you do a picture using both the Lyra and Neocolor II. Hope you and your family is doing well. Take care

[@kellswitch]

I would love to see you do a full piece with these!

[@christineingram55]

Great comparesome I have seriously been considering getting some Neo 2 ..Keep putting off but have seen some beautiful work done with them ..Looks like Santa may bring me some lol! 🥰

[@Skinnychelle48]

I have both the Lyra full set and the Neocolor full set, both are beautiful, creamy and vibrant…the Lyra’s are just a tad bit waxier than the Neocolors,

[@deb.e.mixedmedia]

Great comparison, thanks! I would like to see you create so with them, like a background in a coloring book.

[@danyelhudon458]

I would love to see the colors range difference between them! 😊

[@jillwiswall5386]

I’d love to see you create a half and half piece on video! It would be super interesting to see how you handle them!

[@Mme.Savage]

Would LOVE to see a half and half artwork!

[@acanadianjem]

I can't even finish the video without saying I love your fallout watch!!!!

[@TheColourCave]

This made me laugh- I can change my watch faces, and it seems to be a great point of interest for viewers! I change it out every now and then, but I always end up going back to the pip-boy face… Fallout ride or die!

[@donnacarraway9182]

Thank you for this review! I have been considering buying the neocolor II crayons, so finding your tutorial was very helpful for me! I looked up the colors of the Aqua colors in the sets and yes, the colors in the smaller sets are repeated in the larger sets. Too bad. I learned a lot! Thank you again!!

[@TheColourCave]

Glad it was helpful!

[@venechadavidson1161]

I am intrigued by this supply! I would love to see a KZbin video of an artwork using these!

[@LaraCroft2169]

The Neocolor seems to go down heavier. Perhaps that’s why your getting a better payout when wet

[@thecolouringzone172]

I would love to see a demo comparison on a page with these 💖

[@mjpete27]

I think the best test of any art supply is creating a finished artwork. I have a photo I took of Manzanita Lake just below Mt. Lassen in California It is kinda well known as an active volcano here in California. Well I have painted this picture Many many times over 30 years and depending upon the supply I can tell what it will and will NOT do in performance with comparison with supplies I have used before. I enjoy watching you create art so if you have time and wish to create a new video PLEASE do so! If you just want to create off camera, please yourself and do an IG post that will be fine too! Now have a lovely time with your Beau and enjoy your evening or morning whatever time it is there now!

[@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies]

Thank you I would really like to see you create the artwork on camera. I do have the 48 set of the neocolor and I would very much to try the aqua color at some point. Oh and the NEOS have one significant Advantage for me and that is the malachite green

[@TheColourCave]

I LOVE that colour! 😍

[@yazosoyo]

I have the 24 Lyra, there is no larger set in Mexico, they are easy to blend and they force me to mix my own colors. Thank you for this review!

[@artatjules9302]

@the colour cave great review, very informative, personally I don't think you can really tell how good they are until you use them in an art work, would love to see your opinion after creating a piece with them. Xxx

[@angelashortall9778]

im very reassured that im not the only one who tests my water brush on my hand first.

[@craftyhobbit7623]

I got oil pastels once and forgot that I already had a set of the same/similar brand. Trouble is, I've misplaced the box of one of them and can't remember where it is, and I also found an almost full pad of watercolour paper after buying a new one because I thought I'd run out of paper, but I think the best (or worst!) happens to be buying a couple of novels twice when I thought that I didn't have them and found the duplicates when I was sorting them out.

[@elainetyrrell4669]

I purchased the Caran D’Ache 40 set as opposed to the Lyra ones because of the open stock issue, but since I’ve been using them I’ve realized that they are going to last for a long time so it didn’t really matter. Funny coincidence, I was watching your video after watching Rawhide on TV and then heard you singing scrolling scrolling scrolling. It cracked me up.

[@TheColourCave]

Haha! 10 Cave points to you for recognising the song! This made me smile :)

[@fionagray9319]

I live quite close to a caran d'ache shop in Berlin, so for me it's the best option as I just buy the colours I want open stock without having to fork out for a big tin with colours I won't necessarily use. Great to see a comparison though!

[@TheColourCave]

Good choice! I fear I may be bankrupt if I was in your position...

[@paulalister80]

Yes would love to see a picture with these side by side, you could do two love birds butting heads if your looking for picture ideas.

[@TheColourCave]

love this idea!

[@alinatr2693]

I have a handful of the lyra crayons because they were included in the last upcrate box. I didn't really use them again😅

[@colorcrazy2944]

These look like a lot of fun. If you decide to play and not do a video can you post the picture in the community tab? I do not use other social media and I would like to see it too.

[@michelleh9685]

If you active the neoncolor2s with clear gesso they won't reactivate when wet with a different color but they won't mix either

[@TheColourCave]

Great tip, thanks!

[@loriann70]

Those look like fun! Are they similar to the marabou gel crayons?

[@danaparsonsliquidcosmosart2669]

Are the Lyra light-fast?? Because I know the neocolor are that's why they have the reputation

[@sharmanslye4815]

Yes please film your artwork comparing the two.

[@amithistrock6029]

I love my neo 2 crayons 🖍 recently I got some 3in one stablo woodies they are open stock too i had to try after watching people use them they are very nice but thick marks not thin but they can be sharpened I love drawing along with people when pictures are painted. For fun would love to see what u paint

[@Msboochie2]

Oooh yes those Stabilo woodies are really nice. They activate beautifully into what seems more like a real paint than any kids art supply I have ever used. I have a black stabilo - all pencil, that is basically the woody in standard pencil form. I don't know if they have more color for finer details.

[@karentintle-cook5041]

I know it's been a year since you posted this, but I am new to your channel and trying to decided which of these water-soluble crayons to purchase. I have a question. What kind of paper are you using to do your tests?

[@jeaniejean8200]

I'd love to see a comparison art piece...

[@Jenni-tz3bq]

me too.

[@ninafairyart]

Ha ha, I bought the same set of crayons (that were labelled as water soluble) twice. I forgot because they were totally rubbish and I gave them to a friend's wean as normal crayons. 😂 I didn't know Lyra did these until your unboxing- I have a collection of children's water soluble crayons and really want to add the Lyra ones to it now. Hope you're having a good Sunday, I'd love to see a half and half with these 👍👍

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

You could try putting them on a windowsill and see which one fades most. 😊 I wonder what happens if you lay the Aquacolour white on the Neocolor blue? 🤔 I still have those crayons from ScrawlrBox and I haven't used them much. I need to really try with them before I let them go. 😊

[@TheColourCave]

This would be a good idea in the summer, but we're getting to the point 'up here' where it's dark a lot of the time or very overcast. I think I'd have to leave them out for several months in the sun room. (Maybe I should do it anyway?)

[@user-ek9iw6xv3i]

It looks somehow like comparing watercolor (Lyra) to gouache (Cara d'Acge) 🤔

[@blackrose538]

I'm always saying I don't need hundreds of shades in an art supply, especially not those that I can dilude with water or mix to create new shades, hence why I got the Copic Ciao markers instead of Sketch. I guess for a medium that is this similar in workability and quality it comes down to prefence which ones to buy, if you're just a hobby artist. Might be different with professional artists, because they will need better lightfastness and stuff. I would love to see a comparison piece of art with these :D

[@peteinuk]

I wish lyra did the same as neocolor 1 - artist wax crayons!

[@beuvelain]

The neocolors are great because they're opaque and can be used to cover previous layers. The aquacolors are great because they are slightly transparent and can be used to add discreet tonal values and slight color changes to the previous layer. For example, I use the Aquacolor white to lighten up colors and Neocolor white to add crisp highlights. For me both are needed, but if I would only pick one, I would choose Neocolors because they are open stock. The opaqueness of them can be a problem though, because if you mix too many colors, the result can become muddy and grey. And their color selection is very lacking. Aquacolors have a better range of colors, although I read here in the comments that they fade under sunlight.

[@fuzzydragons]

i put a 'U' in them too all the time, its spelt colour people! lol

[@angelashortall9778]

i love my art crayons. i have so many different kinds and Im always looking for more. there no such thing as too many art supplies.

[@angelashortall9778]

i also use most of them together, so i store them together. the only ones i had trouble using with the rest were the crayola twisty ones for some reason, but that might have just been me.

[@bostonblackie9503]

Can you use Aquacolor on material?

[@TheColourCave]

Not really. It's a water-based medium so isn't opaque. Were you thinking for clothing, or maybe a banner or something?

[@lenegriego4498]

Yes, yes, yes, do the painting……please.

[@KitarraChaosWeaver]

I keep looking at the neo color IIs and just can't justify the cost. I am curious to see how these would go up against an Inktense. I get they are different mediums but I wonder if you could basically use them interchangeably. It is nice to know there is a cheaper alternative that works pretty much the same way though. Thank you for the comparison! You need to title this: I try it so you don't have to!

[@margaretf667]

I have inktense and neocolour and they are different. The inktense are more transparent and the neocolour 2 are more opaque and creamy.

[@KitarraChaosWeaver]

@@margaretf667 Thank you! That is really helpful!

[@Msboochie2]

Yes, they are two different mediums, but the difference also lies in the opacity much like the Lyra and the Neocolor 2’s. The Neo 2’s are more opaque, somewhat like gouache, while the Lyra’s are more transparent like traditional western watercolor, and the Inktense give more transparency, as they are ink. However, it seems people use the Inktense and Neo 2’s in the same ways, and on the same surfaces. They both work well on fabric to my surprise.

[@KitarraChaosWeaver]

@@Msboochie2 Thank you for the detailed answer! Very useful info! Fabric is a surprise but makes my brain tingle with possibilities!

[@beccascraps8141]

My reason for liking open stock is I can buy more gradually for cost reasons

[@TheColourCave]

This is a very valid point that I never mentioned, and it's how I am building my collection of Derwent Lightfast pencils - they're super-expensive!

[@beccascraps8141]

@@TheColourCave I’ve been doing that with luminance

[@khabsamum6074]

Thats so funny. I ended up buying two sets of graphitint. Because I totally forgot I’d purchased. Honest

[@khabsamum6074]

Oops forgot to say would really like to see a picture using both

[@janscott9151]

Easy done to forget something - honest - really, Perfectly normal ….. 😀 And whoever looks around when you use a printer? I should love to see your half and half art work on video.

[@TheColourCave]

This made me laugh. Thanks Jan!

[@ranamcmahon7653]

Neos are Lush. They are the Jack Daniels. Lyra are pretty...but...they are Jim Beam. I love 💕 my neos! 😍😂🤭

[@ranamcmahon7653]

Yes, I would love to see you do comparison art.🙋🌿

[@TheColourCave]

I would say the Jack and Jim is an unfair comparison… but the Lyras hold up well.

[@ranamcmahon7653]

@@TheColourCave ☺️😆🙃😁 i agree . And I've never used Lyra. I know...I'm so unfair 🤭🤪🤗

[@astridyoreoglu7347]

Neopastel They are the range of luxury pastels of caran dache

[@65sunnyday]

On youtube, please, as I don't do instagram. Thanks!