USING POLYCHROMOS PENCILS - the range isn’t there, but my will to live is

[@apocalypse_frau]

A wax bloom is the haze that rises to the surface when the grain of a substrate is full. It can happen to paper, leather, or anything else that has been sealed, polished or colored with a wax based product.

[@KimberlyHill-w7p]

Well done.

[@Letsleepingplantslie]

So I’m not 100% sure if this is the reason you had issues with the Faber Castell pencils but it sounds like it might be due to the difference core softness. Faber Castell have a hard core to them vs Holbien which are soft core pencils. Soft core pencils blend super well but don’t hold a point as long and break more easily which is probably why you prefer the hard salmon Faber Castell pencil for sketching but otherwise gravitate to the soft Holbein for the rest of the process.

[@Seitoushi]

It also has to do with the pigment base. Remember that core of pencil is made up of the media (whether that is wax, oil or what have you) and the pigments. The Polychromos are oil based not waxed based and use more consistently transparent pigments, where Holbein use more opaque pigments and Prismacolor are wax based.

[@Letsleepingplantslie]

@@Seitoushi Oh that's really interesting, I didn't realise Faber Castell was more transparent too. That could for sure be why there is a difference in how the pencils layer.

[@stephanieadamski6465]

I could watch you color all day. I love how you explain what you are doing. Thank you for sharing.

[@emrouleauart]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@viktoriaballa9730]

A wax bloom is that sheen you get when you use color pencils and their wax content is very high. It makes your work difficult to photograph or even view, because from a certain angle you just see the shine and not much else.

[@ChaosOrZen]

Lighter colors have more wax and tend to have more bloom. More likely on a cerulean blue than ultramarine, for instance.

[@phonesallbroken]

I'm wondering if one of the reasons you had issues is because of the differences in transparency of the various brands. The pencils you usually use are on the more opaque side, so when you layer one on top of the other, the one on top will show a little more. Polychromos are much more transparent, and each layer kind of visually mixes (like when you use thin watercolour glazes), so it makes sense, to me, that it gets darker, and would make a muddier shadow when you're laying two complementary colours on top of each other. I haven't used the Holbein though, just some Prismacolors (they're super expensive in the UK, the Polychromos can be half the price when buying singles) and also a fair few Polychromos (alongside various lines of Derwent pencils which are super common here) so a lot of these observations are from watching review videos comparing these brands. I wonder if part of this is why they don't make super pastel options? Like maybe they're meant to be layered extremely lightly and then have white added (Polychromos white is not my fave for this though). Another note, all coloured pencils contain a mixture of wax and oil, just in different ratios. I think, in theory, you can still get wax bloom with pencils marketed as oil based, it's just harder? Lindsay Weirich here on KZbin has a lot of coloured pencil videos that may go into this more. European robins are so cute! When I was younger I had no idea why some people online hated robins, then I finally saw American robins, and they really are no where near as cute. Your art turned out wonderfully though, and it's really cool to see you trying a medium you're not super used to. Thank you for making your videos, they're always great to watch!

[@emrouleauart]

Thank you so much for the information I definitely think this is the reason! And why I felt it was getting muddy. Next time I will keep watercolour style in mind😁 yeah the European Robin's are sooo adorable I love them Thank you so much ❤️

[@viridian4388]

The colour you're looking for is light phthalo green! It's a nice neon green, albeit maybe a darker, non-pastel option. Also, all coloured pencils have both wax and oil base. I messed up and my previous comments got removed for some reason, so I won't include a link in this one, but you can use "oil-base" and "wax-base" pencils together just fine, because they use both.

[@annetteatkins7164]

Drawing birds is my happy place! Your art style, which is so beautiful, does not fill the grain of the paper. For those of us who put multiple layers until we burnish our work, wax bloom can be a problem with Prismacolor. I like my Polychromos when I do colored pencil on white paper or a light colored pastel mat. It’s a harder pencil and can help when you want to get a lot of fine detail. Prismacolor pencils are more opaque, so I prefer them on darker colored or black paper. I haven’t tried Holbein but I hear it’s a softer pencil like Prismacolor. I don’t use many pastel colors, but I’ve heard they simply contain more white. I guess if I wanted a pastel color, I would blend the darker color and white. Thank you for the great video, your apples look more appetizing than the ones in my kitchen!

[@ladyamalthia7688]

I really like the Faber castle pencils for the smooth blending, but I've been drooling over the Holbine set you use normally. ❤

[@emrouleauart]

That set is my favorite 😁 it's the best thing ever I love it

[@ChaosOrZen]

If you want to add a distinct color over an area youve already colored but its creating mud or another color you arent intending, use a bit of cellophane tape to lift the existing color layer

[@recreepy]

I'm incredibly impressed-well done!

[@Pepiteartistry]

I talked to someone a Deserres and they told me that they are changing their Prismacolor provider. The current one is the reason they don’t sell individual Colors apparently. Thought you’d like to know! I remember in one video you were upset about no individual prismacolor option.

[@chris.369]

I adore your robin! I draw mostly birds and they are one of my favourites! I have worked exclusively with coloured pencils for years. I used Caran d’Ache Pablos and Luminance, Derwent Lightfast and Faber-Castell Polychromos. I mixed them all in my drawings because each line/brand has different colours and properties (soft, medium, hard cores). Polychomos (and Pablos) are the ones with the hardest core of them all. Because of it, they are great for layering as well can use very light pressure and superpose colours like we can do with watercolours to obtain a third colour. Think of colour theory. If you want to neutralise reds and add shadows, use green instead of blue if you are going for realistic shadow colours. I love to add violets and purples sometimes. Emma Tildesley is a botanical artist and she has some real time videos here on KZbin on which she shows how she draws using Polychromos. It is not at all your style, but maybe you can apply Emma’s techniques to your style and drawings.

[@emrouleauart]

Interesting! So the more mix together, rather than layer. Thats why it was feeling a bit muddy for me! Thank you! Also I'll have to check out Emma

[@jkellyfamily9]

Your talent for laying and layering color is so inspiring. It truly is a treat to watch you work!

[@bexbex8779]

I'm convinced that it doesn't matter what medium you're using - anything you create is so good! I really appreciate this video bc I was trying to decide which pencils to buy. Xmas came early and I got the Holbein ones! I'm so happy with them! I think I do want to get a polychromos or two now though for sketching, based on this and everyone's comments

[@emrouleauart]

Aww that so nice thank you❤️ oh I'm happy you got the holbeins you'll love them! And ya the polychromos are great for sketching!

[@paulineartstuff2073]

In my experience with faber castell it is hard to use a soft pastel colour on top of a darker colour. The best way to go about it, is knowing where u want a nice soft shade of colour and do those first. Also i noticed on your swatch page that they appeared really dark compared to mine, maybe you used to much pressure, but during your drawing it seemed much better.

[@Jeanne88B]

These were great Em! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@aliz4467]

As a Faber Castell Fan, it is very veeeery easy to get too dark with them. Light, almost non existent layers, and multiple blending passes is what it takes. They are tedious, but give great control.

[@spazyazysart]

😍 the art! I love coloring pencils so much!

[@AudreyRagle]

I love that your pencil sharpening makes you laugh every time “WAPOOSH!” it’s one of my favorite things, haha. Have you used your Holbein pastels with these? Do you feel that would help to round out the range and achieve the blends/colors you want?

[@AudreyRagle]

*Holbein pastel color pencils, to be clear!

[@Redbird87Bluefrog]

So I use these all of the time and the best way to layer them is to use either an alcohol marker or non-toxic mineral spirits. It’s truly a game changer. Love your art work! 😊

[@emrouleauart]

Thank you! I'll try that!

[@FyreHeartStudios]

As someone who has done pet portraits with prismacolor, I know all about the waxy bloom. I'm moving toward gouache for pets in future, but if I go back to pencils i def need a different brand. I really, really hate that waxy look on it. Not something I noticed when I was younger, but my older more experienced eyes LOATHE it. haha! Also, love these! Drawing and painting birbs is always so nice.

[@creativesolutionstoart]

Love the title lol… The thing about these pencils, is their known to be transparent. Which can explain why they mostly have darker colors. The more opaque colors in brands like prisma, color, and Holbein are better for the pastel tones for that reason. A lot of people like to sketch with poly chromos, and then layer with the others. I actually just did a little mini sketchbook trial of all my colored pencils, and to be honest polychrome were not my favorites. I was actually pretty surprised. I thought they would be. Derwent light fast and drawing pencils are my absolute faves.❤️

[@emrouleauart]

This is super useful information, thank you! That makes complete sense😁 I have derwent chromaflow and I really like them!

[@thattinawoman5119]

I found a few random Polychromus pencils the other day and was thinking I should test them, then voila, your video appeared! Great review and everything turned out wonderful. I tend towards a darker color palette so I will consider picking up more of these. I also found some ancient Venus Unique and Berol Verithin (how I got these I have NO clue) but I was enjoying the heck out of drawing with them (no waxy bloom like you said, I could draw with these and they didn't end up with a line like a crayon). Love your channel and work!

[@Nawaf-t3c]

It turned out pretty!

[@mcieart]

Love these, the highlight in the robins eye was perfect

[@emrouleauart]

Thank you!!!

[@lennoxraynewood2741]

I love polychromos for the fact that they never break when sharpener or with use but I do wish they had the color range of prismacolors or even offered a set of pastel colors you could purchase separately. In a perfect world polychromos with the 150 colors would exist but i have heard this is not a perfect world so we must all suffer. Love your art btw I have been watching every time you upload.

[@emrouleauart]

I'm wondering if because of the hardness of the lead , that it may not be possible to make the bright colours? Cus I know all the lighter colours are more easy to break (especially neon ) in the prismacolor and holbein. So maybe that's why? Thank you so mich for watching

[@Sketchcoco]

Yeah definitly agree with other comments here... most likely oils based core pencils are your favorite vs wax based core (also creates the wax bloom ; the shiny surface that's unable to layers anymore)....

[@Dianikorn]

Omg these look amazing!

[@seekinghappy]

Beautiful.

[@christyjoyskaw518]

I really enjoyed your little bird.

[@annalisafeleppa7391]

Try using these with the other brands. See if you get the result you like. These are lovely. Very natural looking. But yes, it lacks the brightness and colourfulness you love. ❤

[@elshyyovanafariasanaya96]

❤❤❤❤

[@Harkart59]

I use my indigo for shadows and always have good luck. I've gone through 4 of them 😅

[@creativesolutionstoart]

Love the title lol… The thing about these pencils, is their known to be transparent. Which can explain why they mostly have darker colors. The more opaque colors in brands like prisma, color, and Holbein are better for the pastel tones for that reason. A lot of people like to sketch with poly chromos, and then layer with the others.

[@northnyx]

Also, check out Australian robins, and pnw blue jays.

[@northnyx]

Oops……… my brain was picturing Australian Cardinals…… try that one…… but who knows, maybe robins too. Let me know lol

[@emrouleauart]

Hahaha I'll check em all!

[@anaribeirodepina6589]

Hi, Em! Lovely video. I was wondering, what you use as a pencil sharpener?

[@zafirah166]

love the apple❤

[@rachelanns6357]

ah yes, red. Your nemesis. oh my god the robin! he looks like the one on my fence in the mornings

[@joycekennewcomb5273]

I usually use Prismacolor. I had a full set of Polychromos and gave them away. I am thinking about buying the Holbein and wanted to know your thoughts. Will I like them as much as the Prismacolor? I know they are oil rather than wax based.

[@emrouleauart]

To me, the Holbein pencils are the best ever. I started with prismacolor and moved to Holbein

[@northnyx]

I was thrown off by them, too. I just tell myself it’s because I was spoiled with Laurentians 😂

[@StinaCreates]

Love you videos and your art! Don’t know if you have answered this before, but what camera do you use?

[@emrouleauart]

Thanks! I used dji osmo pocket 3 for this video, sometimes I use a Cannon EOS!

[@sydorenkoanna6403]

Love your nails!)

[@emrouleauart]

Thank you!

[@akebjornblad9478]

you're amazing

[@emrouleauart]

Thank you❤️

[@icecubeteeth]

Literally ordered the 36 set just now and now i see this upload 😂 im scared

[@emrouleauart]

Hahaha they're really really good pencils! Don't worry I just didn't know how to use them😂

[@iwondery1725]

After you erase, is the texture of the paper changed? Does the color that you use next look different in shade or texture?

[@emrouleauart]

No not from erasing, I try to do pretty light layers so I haven't found a problem with that

[@pat666722]

😍😍😍

[@matteo_gray]

i didn't know there was other robins that arent the minnesotan / canadian

[@rootwoman123]

These pencils need lots and lots of light layers.

[@zoeycurrie]

hi i love you

[@ChaosOrZen]

I haven't done colored pencils in a hot minut, but i did have nice results with laying down local color with markers, gouache, or watercolo, so you're starting with a color layer, even if its greys.

[@LaLaLoopsyCutie]

they’re not bad pencils; just not for you

[@LaLaLoopsyCutie]

they’re not bad pencils; just not for you

[@emrouleauart]

Exactly 😁 but I'll still use them for sketching and stuff