Why I Stopped Using PRISMACOLOR Colored Pencils!

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any company. The content is just of my personal, artistic opinion. Some of you have complained about the video for various reasons, and all I can say is it's an older video when I first started the channel. It is what it is.
Find out the reasons why I quit using Prismacolor Soft Core Premier Colored Pencils after 15 years. If they worked for you, awesome. Then there's nothing to worry about.
You can find the links to the alternative colored pencil brands I suggest below!
Caran D'Ache Pablo Pencils Set 120:
amzn.to/3aq8mcO
Faber Castell Polychromos Set 120:
amzn.to/39ntnEZ
Holbein Colored Pencils REVIEW:
• Holbein Colored Pencil...
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HI! I'm Jane, a visual artist and concert photographer with a passion for art supplies, makeup, and the creative process! I'm hoping to bring you something positive and unique to whatever art form you're looking to improve or plug into! Constructive criticism, suggestions, and positive feedback is always welcome. My desire is to inspire, entertain, and educate you through various art mediums. The most rewarding part, however, is connecting with you! So kick back and enjoy!

[@tarek-tj1gf]

*when you very very very recently bought prismacolors*

[@freckledconstellations625]

Absolute Disney Maniac i love their pencils

[@manyfrogs]

I use their pencils daily and I love them so much and haven't really noted the problems she's stated.

[@elizabethwatson4492]

Absolute Disney Maniac I got a set today :/

[@PrimateProductions]

How long have you been using them? If you use them for very long you WILL begin to see the issues she is discussing

[@manyfrogs]

Gina Powell I've been using them for 4 years

[@madelineb1186]

While I'm over here drawing with Crayola

[@landyboo1990]

Maddie Riley I just found my tin of prismacolor colored pencils yesterday and I just bought a 12 pack crayola for a quick project. It just matters how you use them. I do agree with her though, the lead breaks too much on the prismacolor and for the price that they are, I learned to never buy them again. I'm happy she shows substitute brands here

[@saijito]

I actually still use them, and artists loft too. personally i never liked prismacolor

[@gore4332]

Maddie Riley same

[@Vicieron]

Plz. When she said that Prismacolor breaks more than it should, that was an instant *NOPE* for me. That is the *CORE* reason I use Crayola. they dont break on me like that. I was gifted a box of Artistic pencils a long time ago. can't remember the brand name but GEEZ......you talk about BREAKING. Nope. if I do sell my art, the person better deal with Crayola if they're able to tell in the first place.

[@LobsterHaunting]

IMO crayola sucks, Prang is my favorite cheap colored pencils they hold up well and have pretty vibrate colors

[@__lavenderose__]

Tips to sharpen prisma colors... (thank you art teacher) -hold the pencil at the end and turn the shaprener not the pencil...it's a bit weird feeling but it works well (I don't know if it helps to use the prismacolor sharpener but thats what I use) -if colorpencil keeps breaking microwave the pencil for 3-5 seconds or enough for the core to melt into eachother and fix the breaks

[@leighfoulkes7297]

lot of work just to sharpen your pencil.

[@sleepygirl8773]

Microwave???? Is that even safe 😂

[@fiestyAsparagus]

Or just buy a good quality rotary sharpener.

[@angelostsokris3193]

They are wax based Pencils microwave helped me a lot

[@yeetatthedisco8055]

That's how I sharpen my pencils anyway isn't that normal 😂😂

[@wyrmur727]

Everyone's upset and complaining about their Prismacolors saying they break a lot or that they just got them and aren't happy with them and I'm just here like "I've had 0 problems and none of mine (the soft lead) have ever broken (my verithin ones with hard lead have broken a couple times), not even from sharpening". I personally think they are actually a really good brand of colored pencils with great color options. Maybe I just treat my pencils differently or better or something? Idk. They work well for mu purposes, anyway. I just had to comment my love for their colored pencils while everyone else isn't.

[@wyrmur727]

Ooh, and while I'm not a color layering person (bc I don't have extra money to spend on replacing colors all the time), I do have a friend who uses them and puts layer upon layer of Prismacolor and really thickly, and she has no problems either.

[@mixitup4452]

I'm also very surprise that people are having problem with the lead because mine broke prior to me using it maybe once.

[@RONANAWAY]

teamleobaby Maybe it depends where they are and where they get if from, like getting is from Georgia vs. getting them in Wyoming

[@LilChuunosuke]

Maybe you just treat yours well because mine used to crumble apart so easily. But also, as she mentioned in the video, the lead not being centered may be an issue and I remember off the top of my head that the lead seemed lopsided in my pencils.

[@deseriemeyers7156]

the prismacolor premiers breakage issue has been going on for quite some time. I had issues with a few pencils from my very first set that I bought about 2 years ago. From what I understand, this problem has occured ever since Prismacolor sold the company, apparently now the Premiers are a little cheaper quality. I bought an electric sharpener just because that issue occurred quite a few times on one pencil alone.. it was the cloud blue pencil, I had sharpened it and it kept on breaking right after, so it ended up I sharpened it down to a small stub of a pencil before it actually stopped breaking.. It was disheartening too, My prismacolors were new at the time. I had bought the largest set, now I have 2 of these sets just in case, but I have bought Polychromos and also Pablos since and I tend to use them more. Premiers have a large variety of colors so I still use the Premiers as needed as well. From what I also have seen, the price on the Premiers open stock, is much more expensive than both the Polys and Pablos for whatever reason..This was the case last I checked at least.

[@theserioustalkertst1709]

A suggestion I have is to not go off topic. No offense really, but you do tend to wander off topic quite a bit.

[@jillianphillips344]

TheSeriousTalker /TsT EXACTLY

[@gabbyisntokay]

She probably has adhd

[@lieutenantlazybones6467]

@Gabby Isn't ok or she had caffeine

[@gabbyisntokay]

Lieutenant Lazybones true

[@mistydreams8159]

I disagree she was very informative and on point

[@fxrsniper1]

$53 vs $160 and $258. Comparing Prisma at $53 to these is not really a fair comparison, just my opinion

[@megjane7]

fxrsniper1 she didn't say how much she spent on her giant prismacolor set that she ended up selling (which is what she was comparing to the oil based pencils)

[@ArtistJane]

I paid $105 for my Prismacolors for the 150. Comparing that to the Polychromos 120 at currently $168 on Amazon (Remember Quality Vs. Price), I'd say that's more than fair.

[@MzVampira]

Same here. I just got the prismacolors for 89.99 since the polychromos are still up there in price.

[@HyHwua]

Prismacolor 150 is for $80 now on Amazon

[@rosemari1804]

fxrsniper1 the price is mainly based on the brand (if it's a big brand or a small brand) and how many colors there are usually. At least that's how it is in my town XD

[@faeriesmak]

I bought mine in 1991 and still have the same large set. Are the vintage ones better quality than the ones made now?

[@teaganp964]

faeriesmak y e s

[@ArtistJane]

+faeriesmak Yes they didn't sell to Sanford until 1995, and even after that they were fine for a while.

[@faeriesmak]

Southpaw Creative Arts Thanks! I will guard those things carefully knowing that I can't replace them. Great video!

[@cooldude6269]

I found an old set at my grandmother's house with no idea that they were higher quality, but rarely use them anyway.

[@grey_roses]

The ones I still have from the 80's are a totally different animal...buttery & rich. Also, my first art tutor taught me to sharpen with a pen/pocket/Swiss Army knife...saves loads of lead & you can sharpen only if needed & it's super sharp. I treasure my vintage Prismas & I'm sad that quality has plummeted (esp since that open stock option is so fab), but as you say, there are more pencilly fish in the sea. ;)

[@scorttxh7632]

Me seeing this 5 minutes after ordering: Anxiety levels: *high.*

[@jaderalston7725]

that just happened to me. I just ordered the Prismacolors after seeing my success with them in art class. But then I saw this video, and now I'm second-guessing myself and reading the comments.

[@ren1724]

How do y’all feel about the pencils now it’s been a month or so ? I haven’t used them because I’m happy with polychromos but I bought an anniversary tin and some of the colours are discontinued and are limited edition. (Meaning I won’t be able to repurchase the colours). How is the colour selection and overall quality ?

[@hannahwang7220]

@@jaderalston7725 Ive had prismacolors for a while, they're great pencils and I haven't had a problem with them. Everyone always say they break easily but mine only break like once a week lol

[@jaderalston7725]

@@hannahwang7220 Once they arrived, they were actually great. None of them broke unless my dog decided to chew on it. So I'm actually glad I bought them. :D

[@KayVolley-mg9ld]

@@jaderalston7725 which ones did you buy?

[@meglbrn5368]

I bought prisma color last year, and I just recently figured out how to use them... I never considered something was wrong with the pencils themselves but more about my techniques... so I kept on learning and now I'm completely satisfied with them, I love them!

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!

[@meglbrn5368]

@@johnartgallery347 ....... I don’t have any videos???

[@DaniaMihaela]

Honestly I’m annoyed by them too ..I order them from abroad cause I live in a very far country (Romania) ..you can’t find them here anywhere so it is quite hard for me .I order them each 4-5 months and they are a huge investment and I get them and always always the white ,tuscan red are done after 2 drawings because when i try to sharp them boom they are destroyed ..just like that

[@Tigerparadise]

I HAVE SOME PRISMA TIPS. I personally love prismacolors and don't really like Faber-Castell. But that is just me. I hate that they got bought out though and the quality has gone down...I try and find old cases in local art stores sometimes. Try hard not to drop your pencils. If you buy them individually look for the centered lead like she said!!! If your pencil keeps breakings while sharpening, the lead may be broken somewhere in the pencil. Pop your pencil in the microwave for a bit and it can bind it together again! it doesn't always work but it sometimes does the trick. Also make sure you have a good sharpener! I always get ones that have german made blades as they always seem to work the best.

[@swiitkawaii9601]

Tigerparadise_Art thank you!!!

[@montythepython7614]

The microwave tip is valid. It melts the wax to fill in the cracks. It melts the wax to fill in the cracks.... O my!!!..Use your sharpener...softly..softly..thanks for the post.

[@raafkevandenreek4269]

Quik question, I'm gonna buy prisma colours tommorow and i reallh want yo kbow alot about them, cause i wnat to have just good pencols unlike my 2000 pencils i have rn For how should i microwave them cause i have no clue if it's 1 minute or like 10 seconds😅

[@lilmizlovely5866]

kippen strontje 3-5 seconds

[@whifflingtit9240]

Don't use pencil sharpeners on soft colored pencils, only use knives. Way less waste and breakage.

[@gagamarrythenight11]

Hi I love your art work and your channel:) I wanted to know what coloring pencils would be good to get for a beginner?

[@PrettyAliceNight]

Thanks for sharing. I would love to get the Faber Castell pencils and have had them on my wishlist for a while.

[@Melanie-157]

I must be extremely lucky. I have the 150 set plus two smaller ones and I've never had a single pencil continually break, and I've used my 24 set I got from Walmart so much they're all nubs, and have bought about 20 open stock to replace in my large set so I'm definitely well acquainted with using them, sharpening, and dropping them (I'm clumsy). They're all from Mexico. I don't doubt people are having constant issues with them, but in my own experience with them I just haven't, and I use a handheld sharpener. I did just get polychromos though and OMG!!! Theyre amazing ^-^

[@Melanie-157]

I'd love for anybody who like me has not had the breakage issues to comment and share how you sharpen them. Maybe its the way I sharpen them that makes the difference for me? I dont own an electric I just feel they eat my pencils away faster than by a handheld. I do use the prismacolor sharpener and use a fair amount of pressure, perhaps thats a reason I never have had the breakage issues though that would make no difference with them coming internally damaged like many report. But the prisma sharpener is amazing for a handheld, and you can get it for 5-10 bucks so if it doesnt help you've not thrown too much away and you still have a good handheld that works great for other pencils too

[@Melanie-157]

Yes and it's honest to God the best handheld I've ever had and super cheap, it's the only reason I've not broken down and invested in an electric

[@ghostbait1419]

same I've been using Prismacolor for a good 5 years now and I've never had any break. Then again I use the prismacolor sharpener so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

[@rainangel159]

@@Melanie-157 i sharpen with knife. Unless i need a really sharp point. It lets me use as much lead as posible.

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!

[@maureen1938]

I too have Caran d'Ache pencils and the Faber Castelle Polychromos and I bought three boxes of the Prismacolours one for myself and one each for my granddaughters. We are all delighted with our Prismacolours. We have no experience of breakage after using them for over a year; The Caran d'Ache are very nice BUT they are very very expensive I suppose because the Swiss franc is very high against the euro. The Polychromos I like too but I still reckon the Prismacolours are great, the colours are beautiful and the price very correct and affordable. The latest boxe of 72 are on sale on 'Amazon' for 40 euros. I would really recommend them.

[@SiljeMOlsen-jk2wt]

Now a 72 set of Prismacolors are sold at 38 usd on amazon.com! :D :D Best colors I've ever used and I love how they seem to burst over with color- I barely have to put pressure to color in and they blend so, so beautifully! :D My definate favourite :)

[@maureen1938]

As I wrote before my two granddaughters and I are very pleased with our Prismacolor pencils. They are so bright and they blend really well and we have had no problems with breakage. Plus the price is so good they are more than worth what I paid for them.....40 euros.....for 72. Happy coloring to you.

[@Alecexo]

maureen1938 the pencil on the box is number 666 though so I'm kinda skeptical about buying those. I have polychromos on my wish list for Christmas already though.

[@patriciajames7911]

maureen1938 woww! really?I just got them I didn't even sharpen one how do u suggest sharpening without an expensive sharpener

[@maureen1938]

I have sharpened my Prismacolour pencils with cheap sharpeners and 'GUM" and the Prismacolour sharpener and haven't had breakage with any of them. Maybe I'm just lucky I don't know. As I wrote before I purchased three boxes two as presents and have no problems up to now. The colours are fantastic and easy to put down on paper.

[@sleepyghostgirl]

Aaahh thank you so much for this video!! It was super informative and I was actually planning on buying some prismacolor pencils soon. I'm excited about looking into the alternatives you suggested!! ^^

[@ArtistJane]

+sabrina williams Thank you, Sabrina! I'm very happy you found it useful!

[@ScotCampbellwindowpainter]

What a great video. Thanks for putting this together. I paint windows for a living but do some colored pencil work for fun. I have used prismacolor forever. Yeah the breakage can be annoying. I am going to try the Holbein. Thanks again, I will subscribe and like.

[@ArtistJane]

+Scot Campbell Thank you, Scot! Welcome! I hope you enjoy your new Holbein pencils when you get them.

[@cx_flamewheel9051]

Scot Campbell What do you mean by paint Windows?

[@cx_flamewheel9051]

Scot Campbell Ohhhhhhhh!!! I get it now

[@ScotCampbellwindowpainter]

CX_FlameWheel hahaha! You must've seen my channel.

[@syxxvralrock5759]

Really happy with this review, even as a beginner I get annoyed with the waxy buildup and white film that you speak of, it tends to leave white speckles behind when you color a piece and knowing that there are alternatives that work to avoid this is really good to know. Also like the idea of keeping a blending pencil on the side. Does that work well with oil based pencil being that it is wax however?

[@bobbieyork7942]

I thought I had lost my mind. I started using Prismacolor years ago and was so excited by their quality, performance and endurance. But over the years they just went to hell in a hand basket. I truelly believe now that we've been pencil scammed. They've replaced a dream product with a cheaper to produce, extremely inferior doppelganger and made the mistake of thinking we wouldn't notice. WELL WE NOTICED!!!!!! How dare you.

[@PinkiePies_Pie]

What, super Rae dizzle compared every prisms color in history and confirmed that they were always really good and the quality did not drop

[@metalheavyawesome]

not true

[@jennifermu8]

Thank you for sharing in this video. I too started with Prismacolor and familiar with their pros and cons. The lead breakage and coming out became too frustrating for me. There were time I ended up going through 4 pencils of the same color for an art piece. I have been getting to know other brands and trying to find one that flows and builds nicely. Thank you again. Your input is appreciated.

[@mediocreshakespeare9354]

Just what I was looking for! I loved this and way made it even better

[@2Old2MinceWords]

To any & all... DONT GIVE UP ON YOUR PRISMACOLORS! The "breaking while being sharpened" problem can easily be fixed. My experience... After using my Prismas for awhile, they, too, started breaking while sharpening even though I was using many types of sharpeners and several techniques. I even had a couple of my Polychromous break! Got so bad, I was trying to sharpen them more than I was getting to use them. Finally, I bought a HELICAL blade sharpener (many brands - mine was a Laneco brand - less than $20 on Amazon), as that was one type I hadn't tried. It changed my colored pencil sharpening life! I've been using it for several months now, and haven't had one pencil break on me! That's amazing! I've used it with all my colored pencils except the Luminance as they're just too "fat" to fit in my sharpener's one hole. Also, helical sharpeners put a lovely extra-long point on my pencils that I love, much like those expensive Kum and Blackwing 2-step handhelds do. Please, if you've invested in Prismas especially, do yourself a favor and invest in the proper type of sharpener. If your Prismas are new, it will take a few weeks or months depending on how much you use your pencils, to start having the breaking problem, BUT, you will eventually have that problem. It's just the nature of the beast. :) It doesn't matter if your sharpener is wall-mounted ( just like the types used in schools with the funny looking blades), or handcranks, or plugs into an outlet, or whatever (mine is battery operated so I can use it anywhere), just as long as it has the helical blades, that's the secret. For cores that are off center, I sharpen as usual, then shave off the extra wood with a craft knife/box cutter/razor blade. That will last you for several sharpenings. I have no affiliations with anyone, just trying to save y'all from going thru what I did. The Prismas are so inexpensive now and there's no reason to not buy them as long as you also get the proper type of sharpener and know a trick or two. I've never had a problem with Prismas and wax bloom either, as I work in several light layers. Had that problem once with other brands (one was oil based!), on swatches where I was using a lot of pressure because they're just swatches, right? So, I suspect wax bloom is linked to using a lot of pressure. That's just my working theory for now. If you ever get it, it can just be wiped off with a soft cloth. Prismacolors' soft cores (and vividness/brightness!), are what makes them so special. The lack of Quality Control is a huge problem, but is the reason, I think, the prices have come down so much, so many more of us can afford them now who couldn't even 3 years or so ago. You just need to know how to properly deal with their problems, and you and your Prismas will get along just fine. ;) PS. You won't find all the helical sharpeners by using "helical" in your search as many don't bother putting that in their title or description. Learn what the blades look like and check out all their pics. Always sharpen some graphite pencils every now and then to keep the cores of (any) colored pencils from gumming up the blades. Graphite will also help coat and lubricate the blade(s). Helical blades almost never need sharpening. Your less than $20 investment is going to pay for itself in a very short amount of time, not to mention saving you a LOT of frustration/time and saving on the pencils themselves. You wouldn't buy a car then not buy any gas and oil to go in it, would you?

[@Beebles1295]

If you still use Prisma premier, you should try the Prismacolor premier colored pencil sharpener. it's great

[@ITYWML]

Thanks for the tip. I will try out the helical blades as you mentioned. I just bought 150 Prisma color premier pencils because they were the most affordable for the quality I needed. I don't want to spend so much on more expensive pencils when I'm still a newbie.

[@NailsbyLizBuckland]

Saw the title and intrigued me to find out why, Im not disappointed and enjoyed listening to you chat about your passion. I love to draw (when I can) and this has been very helpful. Thank you and will have to add the oil pencils because I'm tired of the breakage, Idk why i paid as much as I did when i get a few uses out one entire pencil because the rest has to be sharpened due to breakage. 👍🌺

[@ArtistJane]

+Bombshell nailS Thank you! And I'm sorry you've had issues with Prismacolors, but I do hope you like oil based pencils and they'll work out better for you in the future. I'm happy you found this video useful and thank you for watching! Happy holidays!

[@SummerSnow543]

excellent video- thanks so much for sharing! Very tempted to purchase the Holbein's!!

[@ArtistJane]

+Kari Powell Thank you! Let me know how you like the Holbein if you end up purchasing them.

[@omablount678]

Really great info. Especially the comment about using white. My daughter and I have both had issues with that color and the layering. We will be researching some of the pencils you spoke about,THANKS.

[@choochoochooseyou]

Your love for the pencils comes through :)

[@luckycarolineDC]

I have a set of Fabercastell polychromos pencils but I'm having trouble blending the colours, especially skintones.. Do you have any tips?

[@ArtistJane]

+Caroline DC I will be creating a video on this in the near future. Are you currently using any type of blending mechanism? IE a blending pencil or odorless mineral spirits?

[@luckycarolineDC]

I'm using a blender pencil, but whenever I try to blend a darker color into a lighter one, the blending pencil just makes it look patchy. I don't know what I'm doing wrong

[@ArtistJane]

+Caroline DC I would try blending light into dark instead in a soft, circular motion with the pencil and see what kind of result you get. Also, Mona Lisa odorless mineral spirits make it easier to blend (use a filbert brush to blend) and it'll also give it a more painterly finish. Unless you don't want to use solvents, which I completely understand. Also make sure your paper you're using a suitable for colored pencil (assuming it is). I typically will use mixed media 140 lb or higher or Strathmore colored pencil 140 lb).

[@luckycarolineDC]

I'll give that I try thank you! As for paper I use Aurora paper with a light tooth, it's 200grams (I don't know how many lb's that is unfortunately)

[@treelife666]

Caroline DC I would recommend a paper with no tooth for a smooth finish. You could also take the white prismacolor and blend with it. Since polychromos is oil based you can also use mineral spirits or turpentine. But, be very careful using those. Portion the spirits/tine off in a separate container, due to the fumes. Even the Mona Lisa gives off odorless fumes. So not to inhale anything toxic, portion off the container.

[@molly8757]

Is Derwent's Colorsoft any good? I was thinking of buying either a set of Prismacolor or Derwent but I've seen a lot of people saying their products have been going downhill. So I'm not sure if I should get Derwent or the Faber Castell Polychromos

[@taylors5981]

Do the polychromos or any of them come with flesh toned pencils? Because my prismacolor 150 set only came with like a couple of beige or tannish colors that to me were hard to get a skin tone when drawing but maybe i just wasn't blending good enough? And by the way, which is the cheapest compared to the prismacolor because I know the 150 set i bought was really expensive for me

[@Bees123Knees]

This isn't the first time I've heard about the breaking leads in Prismacolor pencils. It's disappointing, as they were the first I ever used (25 years ago)!!!! It sounds like I'll be investing in Holbein's if I decide I need colored pencils again. Thanks!

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!

[@ClaudiaSketches]

Excellent review- I really find your videos refreshing as you offer non-mainstream alternatives (aside from Polychromos, of course). I've heard of Pablos by Caran D'Ache, but Luminance always seems to steal the limelight. Holbein always comes across as a very high quality, artist-grade brand (famed for their watercolours and gouache), but I've never heard of their pencils. Perhaps it's the lack of carriers, like you said. Have you tried Luminance before though? I wonder how you'd compare them to your favourite pencil brands/lines. I'd love to try Holbeins and Pablos, but just spoilt myself to a set of Polychromos (a bit of an upgrade to the Derwent Studio I use currently). One day.... :)

[@ArtistJane]

Hi Claudia! Thank you for your kind comments and input! I will check out your channel and videos! Let me know what you think of the Polychromos! I plan to do an actual demo with the Holbein colored pencils here in the future. I believe the lack of popularity with them has to do with the lack of carriers, like you mentioned. I believe if they were available here in the US, it would put Prismacolor out of business. I used to own a set of Luminance, which I actually really enjoyed, and they were a definite upgrade from Prismacolors as far as wax based pencils were concerned. Probably the reason why they outshine Pablo's is that they're more available open stock in Blick art supply stores, and they are Caran D'Ache's highest lightfast rated pencil (and have the highest light fastness of any pencil on the market). I ended up having to part with them because at the time, I was having to downsize to pay for some expenses. Normally, I won't part with any art supply that I really love, but I was looking to go to strictly oil based pencils anyways. I now own some vintage Prismacolors when they were owned by Berol and performed at the top of their game (the quality now is sad in comparison). Thank you for commenting again! Much appreciated!

[@ClaudiaSketches]

Oh yes, I see now that Pablos cost just over half of Luminance- I now really see why the Pablos are so attractive. Seems like a great place to start for people considering Caran D'ache. And thank you for your response, it's very informative! I'll keep an eye out for your holbein demo- already on tenterhooks from seeing your overview of them in your other video (the amount of colours is simply jaw-dropping and I can't wait to see how you use them) I'm not yet uploading videos but do plan on doing so in the near future :) I am on Instagram as Claudia.Sketches - I think I found you there too!

[@Da_s_ArtWorld]

Thank you for this video! Question: can you get Holbein open stock? Thanks

[@ArtistJane]

+Da's other worlds You're welcome! Unfortunately, I don't believe so.

[@salmiyanas8521]

Hey may I know how to blend any colored pencils. I just started to use clr pencils, am using maped colour pes . Idk how will it end up. Just thought to start learning with a cheap colored pencils. Also it's kinda waxy type ok .but idk how to blend . Am trying to hard to blend them, and don't know which all colors should mix for a good results. Can you please help me out?

[@laykantheealien5722]

*I'm using these STAEDTLER ones I got from Walmart recently, they're triangle barreled so they feel awesome in my hands, the 48 pack was the same price as a Prisma 24.. I've always bought Prisma, obviously I love how it feels to glide across the paper and beautiful bright colors buuuut I just work better with a harder pencil and if you're on a budget and wanna try something cool you can pick up right at Walmart those staedtlers are pretty good!*

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!899

[@vivoxy1950]

so I saw the price on both. at this point I may just stick to Crayola ._.

[@vivoxy1950]

Taylor yeah I know thing is I'm pretty poor

[@piguu7226]

@Taylor I think she was just using Crayola to emphasise how pricey the featured materials in the video are. I can't afford them as well lmao

[@BeakerandBella]

Marco Renoirs are fairly inexpensive for an artist grade pencil.

[@fuc3-]

you can get the 24 set of premiers for $10 on ebay

[@jordynh7593]

Vivoxy I bought some for 7 dollars on amazon

[@ToreyTastic]

What paper did you use for the portrait that you were showing throughout the whole video? I have the 120 pack of polychromos but all the portraits I've made have all of these white spots in them, and the piece you made seems to not have many. It's probably just my lack of technique but I'm interested to know what surface you have used! Thank you! :)

[@PaulC001]

possible prismacolor grumble and breakage fix. I have been using a hair dryer to heat up the pencils to melt the cores to the wood before I use them. I warm them to the point that they feel hot to the touch. then I turn them and warm the other side. this seems to keep the cores in the wood casing and reduce breakage when I sharpen them.

[@seanmooney3907]

Prismacolor is now made in Mexico. All of my new Prismas are marked Mexico! The quality control is horrible. I really liked them and I do try to use them up because I have them. I probably will not buy them again. I may love the polychromes, (getting them for Christmas.) and if so I will stick with them. I have many off center in the 150 box of prismacolor. I bought and was dissatisfied. I use them to color pictures with the children now. When they break or get worn, I don't worry about them. The rest of my pencils are off limits to the children. All the best, Sean

[@chapicorn]

Sean Mooney that’s what happens when all the products are made under greedy executives who only want cheap labor in sweatshops

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!888

[@LilChuunosuke]

Honestly, what I hated most about the softness of prismacolors is that it would result in an INSANE amount of lead being used. Like, I kept sharpening and wiping dust off my paper and thinking "am I pushing down too hard?" because it was wearing away at the pencils so much and I would use way too much lead for a single drawing in comparison to a pencil with thicker lead.

[@alienking3427]

I know this is a random completely off topic question, but what camera did you use to record this? I've been looking for something to record my art that's not just drawing with one hand while the other shakily holds my phone.

[@1finnigin]

Hi Jane I'm wondering if I can ask for your help on a coloring page I've been working on. Can I send it to you somehow by email? I took a photo of it. I'm stuck on where I should place shadowing. It's a picture of the hansel and greatly witch. I'm trying to make the Calderon look bright green in a dark room. I'm really stuck and since your a fabulous artist. I'm asking you for some tips. Thanks Casey

[@charliebaker1427]

i love them and they work well

[@KimonoSuki]

I have a basic set of 12 and they haven't done any of those things. I use an electric sharpener so maybe that's it but they've never broken on me

[@skramamme685]

Totally OT but what polish are you wearing? I buy a lot of indie polish (that's my ~weird thing~ that i buy too much of) and I am loving your purple- it reminds me a lot of Pretty Serious "Poltergeist Puddle"

[@SAGAR0606]

i have bought marko renoir 72 coloured pencils. is marko renoir and faber castell polychormos are same pencil? i mean to say both have same inner material?

[@anapopa4441]

I knew it ! I was ready to comment that the man in your portrait looks like Gerard and then you said that it actually is a portrait of him. 😍😍😍😍😍😍 I loved MCR (and still do)

[@ArtistJane]

Aha! You're the first that caught it with the thumbnail. :) I know how you feel ♥️

[@anapopa4441]

At least they're all following their dreams. Have you read Gee's comics?

[@ArtistJane]

Yes! I've read all of his comics :) I'm ready for the 3rd installment of TUA. How about you?

[@anapopa4441]

I especially fell in love with the DD series since I am a killjoy. He's living his dream and that makes me happy. Too bad Ilive in Europe and I couldn't go to comicon...

[@ArtistJane]

You make me want to go back and read all of them again!

[@stuartlittlefanclub2848]

I just bought prismacolor they were on sale for 5 lol and I'm still getting used to them I'm not sure if I like them or not. I hate the wax though but I just need to get used to the wax and them XD

[@CallistaHooper]

This is the color pencil review I needed. Thank you AJ!

[@ArtistJane]

+Cheryl Hooper (nyxinus) Thank you! Your comment made my day!

[@jeaninepotter8498]

Thank you for such thorough info!

[@dianaterrizzi6456]

I have a lot of different brands of pencils: Caron D'ache, Polychromos , Lyra, Prismacolor Premier, and many others but for me the best of them is the Prismas. I don't know if I'm just lucky or what but I never had a breakage while sharpening and I don't treat them gingerly. I find I can layer 4 or 5 colors and have no problems. But I respect your opinion. Your work is phenomenal!

[@ArtistJane]

That's great and thank you so much! I've had greater success with the prismas when they were owned and manufactured by Berol (basically the vintage ones you can still buy on eBay and second hand).

[@nataliegardner3908]

I really enjoy prismacolor pencils, I'm not much of a colored pencil artist and they work great for what I need. They are very controversial in the art community, it seems people really like them, or really don't! Haha good video

[@BeakerandBella]

They have a special place in my heart because they're the first artist-grade pencils I ever tried. They're so soft and buttery, I still like them, despite the known issues. I can burnish with them or blend with solvent. They do seem to wear down much faster than my oil-based pencils and they don't layer as well as my Caran D'ache. When I do use them, it's usually mixed with another brand; I can't give up my Polychromos black or Caran D'ache white. But think they're really great for professionals as well as hobbyists that don't want to spend a bundle.

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!

[@NotMister]

Love Prismacolor. Thank you for your review. Next time, when I use up my giant box I will have to try this out.

[@s1111rrah]

Would you happen to know if Prismacolors work well on Hobonichi paper?? Thanks

[@marisol90891]

u guys do knw they have a spray for the wax...so u can layer them..and avoid the wax...i just knw its prsima brand but i dont knw wht its called

[@ArtistJane]

+marisol escobedo I have heard there is a Prisma brand, but I haven't been able to find it. I've used Krylon Workable Fixativ to see if maybe any of the haze was reduced. It did help, but didn't get rid of it entirely.

[@marisol90891]

they have them at walmart

[@mrrawrraine]

marisol escobedo using paint thinner can also help. It allows you to blend a lot of colors without having too many thick layers.

[@diannagreen6613]

I'm having a melt down trying to use my Prismacolor pencils . I used to love them back in the day . Now I feel like I'm using crayons . I thought it was the temp of my home or something . Thanks for sharing your story . Now I feel better and can buy something that will make art more relaxing again .

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!

[@shirleyfarmer7326]

Thank you for the comparison and info about the polychromes and hobein pencils. I bought my original set of prismas back when they were under the name Eagle, then they became prisma. After they were bought out and now made in Mexico, the quality has really gone down. My older pencils have held up, but some newer prismas, i have experienced breakage and uneven cores. I definately plan to try the polychromes. The oil base I’m intrigued to try. Thank you.

[@jamesfeeney7068]

I've found keeping them warm prior to use helps. They seem to acclimatize. I personally run quite warm so holding on to a pencil for a minute or so before use seems to soften the wax. But that could just be me. I will try the Faber castells though. I have a difficult time layering, as you mentioned. Can never get the depth in after. Great video! Thanks!

[@bumblebee1884]

6:03 HA! I KNEW IT WAS GEE! The entire time, I thought,"oh, that looks like Gerard"

[@pola943]

Basically just a fan account Princess Sameeeee

[@bigdawg7531]

SAME

[@notevelynaguirre]

Same :v

[@kiarak4948]

lucas likes art YESSSS👏👏👏

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!

[@kaiserkeller6189]

Could you do a video with a side-by-side difference of polychromos and prismacolour? Unless you already have a video like that, then please just leave a link :)

[@ArtistJane]

+Queen of Loserville I can definitely do one like that soon. I only use vintage Prismacolors from 90's and before that, but that video will be up later today or this week. In the meantime, Lachri Fine Art does have a Prismacolor vs. Polychromos video if you want to check that out. :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXmTpa1ng96phs0

[@carolyn6689]

Hello ..thank you for the info.I love Prismacolor but noticed too that they break so so much and I don't get very much use out of the pencil because of that ...then I'm off to the store for a new one 😑🤦🏻I didn't like the polychromos at first but actually think it is a harder and brighter pigmented pencil and it hasn't broke on me really.I'll def try some of the pencils you suggested.👍🏻✌🏻

[@cats.anddog3630]

Hey, what's better for hyper and semi realism? Caran D'ache Luminance or Prismacolor? In finding it hard to decide

[@jessicaamanda7955]

iv been using prismacolors for a while and i must say the breakages can be quite annoying when your on a deadline, however there is a pencil sharpener by Derwent that claps to your desk that minimalises breakages because it grinds the pencils and minimises stress on the lead when sharpening

[@dagmarsart]

Same for the Dahle 133!

[@ConnieFaye]

Absolutely love Polychromos, they work well with a lot of other mediums, watercolor, and markers too.

[@ArtistJane]

+Connie Faye Yes, they are quite versatile and amazing. Have you tried their Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils? Those are quite amazing as well.

[@ConnieFaye]

I'm not a huge fan of watercolor pencils, I mostly use tube or pan watercolor. I especially love PH Martin's Liquid Watercolor.

[@opal777]

It may have to do with humidity or lack of? I live in FL and have had no issues with my new set thus far.

[@kimleon-guerrero9980]

Thank you for the review and have a happy and blessed 2017. 💞

[@beecakes3062]

you can draw with anything. some of my most detailed work was with dollar store ink pens. its all about technique.

[@lovely627]

I never understood the craze about prisma colors I'm an artist that uses cheap supplies or things I get foe free but I did buy a 48 pack of prisma colors because I found them at the goodwill for a $1.50 and there pretty cool but I still wouldn't pay $100 even though I've now tested them out. anyway cool video

[@pamorale]

lovely627 using bad materials produces not lasting works, you can draw a decent piece but it will fade away over time, even paper is important. Learn about lightfastness, and take materials a little bit more seriously... Of course do it only if you care about your work...

[@lovely627]

Pablo Andrés Morales Muñoz well I have art pieces that I've made 6 to 7 years ago that still look perfectly fine and haven't faded just because I don't have hundreds of dollars to use on art supplies doesn't mean I don't care. it's just people think they need very expensive supplies to make good artwork and you don't always need to buy expensive things like all of the art I've done since even back when I was kid still look fine none of pieces have deteriorated now if I was doing a commissioned price then yea i would get better materials but as of now I see no reason to spend money I don't have on expensive materials I don't need

[@pamorale]

ok, it is your art not mine...

[@skramamme685]

+Pablo Andres Munoz Your comment is really patronising :\ Implying someone doesn't care about their art because they don't have the money to spend hundreds of dollars on their materials... wow.

[@piguu7226]

I feel triggered.

[@jilliancrawford7577]

It's nice to see someone point out the imperfections of such a popular product. I'm also glad I'm not the only one who had issues sharpening them. I always feared it was me, especially with others saying it's me, even though I would do my absolute best to be careful, but still find that only about 1/4th of it as useful because of how much breaks and that's before having to s harpen to get the fine detail you want.

[@ArtistJane]

+Jillian Crawford I totally understand. You're definitely not alone in reading comments and my experience. I'm hoping maybe someone from the company may stumble across this video. People who invest in their products should get their money's worth, and if enough people stop spending their money on these pencils, that'll be enough incentive (imo) to improve the quality of the product. If they were to use a double adhesive inside the wood casing like Bruynzeel pencils do, they'd reduce breakage. It's crazy.

[@janiesuper3222]

great! thank you! how do you deal with needing single pencils of your favorite brand, will you be able to buy them?

[@johnartgallery347]

Do like art? It's so amazing😍 I was impressed with your video! Keep up the good work 👍 Have a nice day 🧡👍 Absolutely stunning Beautiful! 🤩,happy to watch!😛👍😜👍 wonderful!888

[@tomatojuiceburger]

I've been half listening and half looking at the Gerard drawing. Welp, thanks for sharing this, I was gonna buy some prismacolor pencils this week.

[@mossboss9236]

Is that Gerard Way or am I crazy?

[@mossboss9236]

Oh, it is xD Sorry, I didn't get that far in before asking

[@auroraa7124]

Adrian Danae finally the comment I was looking for XD

[@danisnotontop8756]

Aurora a same here... hello, fellow fandom.

[@kurtcocaine794]

It is :3

[@yikeyway874]

ayyye

[@Familytoyreport]

Great information! Thanks for sharing!

[@sugarstripes5381]

If you were starting out to draw, what is the best recommendation out of the substitutes (for the prisma colour) you've mentions on your video? Sorry if that made no sense!

[@evrpurple8033]

Can you do a giveaway if your not going to use them anymore

[@ArtistJane]

+EVR purple I no longer own the set. It was sold on eBay ages ago, unfortunately. Perhaps I'll do a giveaway on a few of the vintage prismacolors I have. Maybe. We'll see.

[@rebeccabullock1960]

I just love the Holbien's too

[@KaliTakumi]

While it is true that they break a lot, they don't break much more than any other coloured pencils I've used. I just personally really like them because of my experience with various coloured pencil brands

[@SuffCrusader]

i really enjoy the verithins, but they are soooo hard to sharpen. i've tried m faber castell hand sharpener and my excellent pansonic electric sharpener but neither can get a really nice sharp tip on them. is there a way to sharpen them without them breaking so much? i've heard of people using sandpaper before but that's really tedious

[@ArtistJane]

+SuffCrusader Many have suggestions in the comments here for sharpening them, or repairing them. I gave up on the modern made soft core premier pencils, but maybe a pocket knife or craft knife might work. An electric sharpener may help as well.

[@jimmiecabowabo30]

How do u get rid of the haze and wat varnish and brand do I buy to fix it????? I draw portraits and I want my artwork to look the same after I'm done drawing them...

[@ArtistJane]

The best way to avoid it completely is to buy oil based colored pencils like Polychromos, Holbein, or any oil based colored pencils. If you don’t want to do that, the krylon matte finish or workable fixativ gets rid of some of that haze.

[@jimmiecabowabo30]

Ok soo a fixtave will help remedy that as well??? And I was given a set of prisma colored pencils for Christmas soo I would feel terrible buying a new set of pencils but if I finish a portrait and spray it immediately after I complete it would that help as well ????

[@fennecfox2]

I think Prismacolour is just okay. The same thing happened to me. At first I was like "woah!! These are amazing!!" because it mainly my first time using a higher end pencil crayon. A few months in, I didn't like them for my main artwork. I still used them from time to time but not as my go-to pencil crayon. Leads breaking all the time, I also found them hard to layer or achieve what I wanted. Also, they are expensive where I live and the soft ones run out fast.

[@ArtistJane]

+Slushy Snowpup I'm sorry you've had negative experiences with them, but it sounds like you make it work for you and make the best of the situation. I hope you find a pencil replacement that works out much better for you!

[@TedJ47]

I do agree that the Prismacolor Premier soft colored pencils run out fast. This is my biggest gripe about them.

[@BeakerandBella]

Oh boy, do they wear down fast. I like to experiment with textured papers meant for pastels like Canson Mi-Tientes or sanded paper and they wouldn't last a second. But when I'm using bristol smooth and burnishing they work really well.

[@nokiot9]

Carandache are gorgeous pencils too. Not as many colors. But they're amazing. Glad you know ur stuff. So many people say "prismacolor is the best-" and go recommending it to people that don't know any better.

[@ArtistJane]

Thank you! I appreciate it! I try to just leave it open to people as far as their personal preference, but in my opinion the modern made Prismacolors are a waste of money. Sometimes if they haven't used any other brand, then Prismacolors are the best they've used so far.

[@kkdraws9052]

Is there a problem with shipping cause I can barely find the markers

[@tarableday]

yo i need help, Im finally about purchase a large set of expensive coloured pencils bc uk art n stuff. At first I was fixated on the 72 set of prismas (120$ canadian+tax). But now I kee reading reviews and shit and idk if i should get polys instead. Honestly, the pencils breaking doesnt bother me so much as the wax bloom. (Currently have black and white prismas). The only thing is polychromos are so much more expensive for less.. (150$ for 60). And now im conflicted af

[@isabellaolori5750]

I really enjoy my prismacolors they work well for me. I've had mine for about 2 years now, I use a sharp hand sharpener and take my time sharpening to prevent breakage which I find works well.

[@rianna6740]

Alice Lovz Art it depends on the set you have.If you have the 150,they are amazing for realism but if you have the 12,24 or 36 i believe it’s harder to achieve realism

[@Summer-vp3dt]

I recommend smart color art colored pencils

[@douglasbriel6103]

I have a dreaded death grip on my pencils. Are some better for not damaging paper? I know I need to relax my hand. lol.

[@deseriemeyers7156]

I am not sure if it is this video that you mention this.. but I remember buying my Caran d' Ache open stock pencils on Amazon with no problem, not sure about more recently but I live in the United States and didn't have an issue when I had to replace

[@tomaaron6187]

Hint: I buy coloured pencils at the thrift stores. Just got an unopened box of 72 Prismacolors for $3, Usually over a hundred loose pencils of various brands ( Fabre C, etc) for $2. My favourite are ‘Laurentien’ brand. Best of all, I often come across older sets at thrift stores.

[@kateo846]

Someone once told me that if you put your Prismacolor down after using it, and you can hear it make contact with your desk, you are likely to have broken it inside somewhere. Gawd, I hope not! But having said that, I have always remembered the comment and I treat mine like a newborn baby - just in case lol

[@ArtistJane]

+Kate O lol it's highly likely since the cores are so soft! I wouldn't doubt it.

[@Dicedealer64]

ANd if they do break, put them in the microwave for a few seconds. They let sit for an hour. This melts the wax slightly and then they solidify again. Problem solved.

[@ByPennyMorgan]

Great video,, love my Caran D'ache Pablo & Luminance 6901 pencils. One point I think confusing many is understanding "Bloom" which is the milky haze that forms over your surface due to waxes rising. This haze can be wiped off , or prevented with commercial fixatif. "bloom" is often confused with what happens when fill the tooth of the paper, and can't get any other layers on ( pressing really hard onto fairly smooth paper will cause this rather quickly) basically burnishing. Many cheap pencils are less pigment more wax causing that annoying wax sheen not to be confused with "bloom"

[@BeauSC4Ever]

Though I am much more focused on pen and ink, i have enough experience with them that I agree with you on both the "waxy" haze and on the crumbling-in-the-sharpener. Good video! Thx!

[@heartsaliveart]

I had the same problem with breakage. I use polychromos now.

[@ArtistJane]

+Michelle Earl I adore polychromos. Some of my favorites!

[@lilacwings2001]

i got prismacolor the day i watched this video and im being honest, i kinda hate them. they kept on breaking like every two seconds and when i sharpened them the core thing kept on getting stuck in the sharpener. also that painting of Gerard is great

[@ArtistJane]

+Emosnowflake Thank you! :) I'm very sorry to hear about your pencils. I've experienced the same issues, clearly. I know it's hard when it's a gift; maybe you could return them as a defective item and get a different brand you'd like?

[@lilacwings2001]

Southpaw Creative Arts I'll have to look into that

[@88feji]

+Jane Bush Hi Jane, how do professional watercolor pencils (Derwent, Prismacolor, Staedtler, FaberCastle etc) compare to the Faber Castle/Holbein oil-base color pencils in terms of color brilliance and layering ability ? If I buy the watercolor pencil, I do not inend to wet it, I just prefer to use it as a purey pencil drawing ...

[@judythnelson5365]

Thank you for your input. Very helpful.

[@Tattooedgaymer]

I have issues with the wood splitting. I have used all kinds of sharpeners and it happens every time. I also don't like how they look on paper, not as nice as people say imo.

[@ArtistJane]

+LolitaDoChan I agree with you. In fact, I'm doing a vintage Prismacolor review, and the wood even looks different, feels different, etc. The wood in the old Prismas from the 90's and before felt a lot stronger and held up better/performed better.

[@mr.chrisrodriguez4331]

I have been using prismacolor for almost 10 years, and I have had maybe 3 of my pencils totally break and not even sharpen. I have had over 300 prismas. So it barely happens.

[@jayteadesigns]

What do you think about the Berol Prismacolor pencils? I got a 48 easel box of them a while back and I think they are great. Also, you can often find the Berols on eBay.

[@ArtistJane]

+jayteadesigns I adore them! The quality is by far superior, and I was lucky enough to get ahold of some on Craigslist. I'll be doing a video on them soon! It brought back a lot of memories of using them in college.

[@bevannamagicalraggybear8727]

When you started to talk about the leads breaking. I've gone through so many due to breakage, I've also had 2 empty ones!!! I don't enjoy using them, they've become a chore to use. I always think OK, it's been awhile, I'll give it another go. Grrrrr!! I want to enjoy my art, especially in the creative experience of making it. So, I've also changed over to Faber-Castell. I know just what you mean about the wax bloom. Thanks..

[@littleteemo6131]

Feeling much better now :D I'm from Germany. I grew up with Farber Castell and i just love them. Now i know I'm not alone :).

[@ArtistJane]

+Little Teemo I absolutely love Faber-Castell. I have their pencils, markers, graphite, and they are top notch quality. They've never disappointed me in performance.

[@artbytessiejo7218]

Don't feel too bad. They aren't American made anymore. They now make them in Mexico, and they break like crazy now.

[@jonandrews2076]

very sad ha. we have some to i just about fliped when isaw thaw that :(

[@LonitaFraser]

There is a workaround for the breakage issues, which involves heating them for a minute or two by moving a heated hairdryer over them to remelt the binders

[@nokiot9]

Lonita Fraser you've never actually owned a prismacolor pencil have you? Next time a pencil breaks every two seconds when sharpening cut the case open. It's NOT broken inside. The core is misaligned

[@LonitaFraser]

I've owned Prismas for years, thanks; and feel no need to cut them open when they break. Reheating them, and sharpening with sandpaper rather than a sharpener (because that promotes the breakage of a misaligned core), works just fine.

[@sherigilmore9141]

Yes you are very right,I've been through a lot of the dark blues and especially the greens they break like crazy and it drives me crazy because of the cost of them.

[@aselle1709]

How often do you change your sharpeners?

[@boredgrass]

@ Holbein white layering: I search for 40 years for a white coloured pencil that I can use for strong reflexes, like on waves or the light patterns under water, and found nothing. The best I found, polychromos, allowed for perhaps 20 to 30% strong highlights. (I should mention that I layer a lot.) Would the Holbein allow to layer wave reflexes of sky or direct sun onto the blue of the water? Your description makes me think of oilpastels.