If you are a stamper, card maker, scrapbook artist. journal maker, or mixed media artist, then colored pencils should be part of your stash. While some sets can be pricey ,there are very reasonable alternatives. They are an investment that will yield back hours of fun and craft enjoyment.
So the obvious use would be on coloring books ! Those of us who love to color, love the idea that colored pencils can be more forgiving than markers. Unlike markers, you do have a chance to erase if you color lightly enough.
Stamped images are another place where colored pencils can be an effective tool. You don't have to use any special inks if you are using colored pencils. You don't have to be concerned that any inks will run over the image.
Digi images can also be completed with colored pencils. It's the perfect way to get a great deal of detail with very few supplies.
You know those little tiny stamped images, we all love. They are often very difficult to color. With a sharpened colored pencil, you can get into the tiniest spaces and still shade and blend.
I have the Cricut Design Space program. There are a lot of images to print and color. I love to spend time grabbing my pencils and have a ball making cards and images for my art journals.
Other Reasons Why Colored Pencils Are Good For Crafters
- They are very portable-you can carry a small pouch of colored pencils when you travel or just every day.I get tired waiting in my doctor's office. I love to have a small book and a few pencils to pass the time away.Perfect for a plane trip too.
- They are not expensive-yes there are expensive if you invest in real artists pencils, but there are plenty of sets that are not that expensive. Several pencils come as singles. So you can try them out. Do your research and decide how much you are willing to spend. The only thing that I would tell you is that if you start out with a really cheap set, your results may meet your expectations.
- They are easy to learn -unlike other markers and pens, colored pencils are relatively easy to learn. With a few blending techniques you can get good results. If you want to go further, you can learn some additional techniques to take you even further.
Masking tape can be used to hold down your paper while you work on your projects
Where To Get Free Images
There is a wealth of free images for you to harvest for your own use, if you know where to find them. For the most part, these images are for non commercial use. That means that you cannot use them to make things to sell. Many of these images are covered under what is called an Angel Policy.
The first way to search for images is to go to your favorite browser and type in the kind of image you would like to see. You could specify flowers or specify the type of flower you are looking for.So you could specify daises-images to color. Next go the the images and download the images that you would like. Print them on your computer and you are all set.
If you have a machine like a Cricut, or a Scan and Cut, you have a wealth of images and projects where you can use your colored pencils. For Cricut users, there are over 30,000 images many of them just for coloring. Some you can print and also cut them in the Cricut computer program. Take time to browse your machine's system. You may be surprised at what you find.
Finally, do not overlook any stamp sets that you might have. Stamping is fun and coloring images with your colored pencils is both relaxing and rewarding. If you have the matching die set, you can get a perfectly colored and cut image.
Free images sized correctly and colored with your colored pencils can be used for all kinds of paper crafts. Think about greeting cards, art journals, altered books, planners, and scrapbook pages.
You will need to print them on good card stock or water color paper, depending on what you plan to do with the finished project.
Types Of Colored Pencils
Oil Based Colored Pencils
The oil-based pencil is harder and does not have a waxy feel. Their cores have a thick coating which helps to prevent breakage. Oil-based colored pencils use a vegetable-based oil binder to hold together the pigment within the colored pencil’s core. Oil-based colored pencils are resistant to water. They don't leave the waxy crumbs on the paper that the wax pencils do.
- Faber-Castel Polychromos colored pencils are recommended for their high quality. They are available in different size collections or as singles.
- Polychromos colored pencils have a hardcore. 120 colors are available in sets and as singles.
- Caran d'Ache Pablo colored pencils, if you want pencils that feel softer and creamier- more like waxed-based colored pencils- than Faber-Castell brand. See the color chart for this collection
- Lyra Rembrandt PolyColor are available in 72 colors. The consistency is a cross between a Pablo and Polychromos pencil. in a set of 120 colors.
Wax Based Colored Pencils
Wax-based pencils are the most common type of pencils on the market. The core inside the pencil casings contains pigments bound by wax. The drawings have a creamy texture as a result, which makes them easy to blend. The downside to wax pencils is that they are very prone to breakage and wear down quickly.
- Prismacolor They contain high wax and blend very smoothly. They are best known for their creamy and soft consistency. The drawbacks are that they require frequent sharpening since they wear down and break easily. They also create bloom, a thin, powdery film of wax that appears on the surface after application. Prismacolor Premier is their artist grade line. It has 150 colors. Verithin pencils have the hardest, thinnest, and lowest wax content cores of any colored pencil. They are valuable for producing layouts, cleaning up edges and working for small areas.
- Derwent Pencils have thick cores and are available in 72 color ranges. They are moderately hard. The artist's pencils are available in a set of 120. Their studio pencils come in a set of 72 or you can buy them in smaller boxes. Not as bright as the Prismacolor or Polychromos. See the Derwent Color Range
- Spectrum Noir comes in five tins with 24 colors in each tin. Each tin is sold separately. They are considered a wax and oil blend. There are 120 colors are available. Each tin has a complete family of colors that are meant to blend seamlessly. See the Spectrum Noir Color Chart
Water Soluble Colored Pencils
The strength of these pencils is that you can blend them with water
- Faber-Castell Albrecht Duerer water-soluble colored pencils come in a range of 120 colors. They are the only brand in this category that completely dissolves when water is added.
- Caran d'Ache Supercolor II soft pencils have the same 120 color range and have the softest cores of any water-soluble colored pencils. They dissolve nicely when water is added.
- Caran d'Ache Neocolor II resemble crayons but are highly pigmented wax pastels. The texture is creamy, intense, and dissolves easily. Because of their high waxy content, you can only sharpen them by hand.
- Lyra Rembrandt-Aquarell pencils have the same core hardness as the Lyra Polycolor oil-based line.
- Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils come in 36 colors that match the popular Premier colors. However, these watercolor pencils have a drier and chalkier feel.
Other Non-Classified Colored Pencils
- Chameleon Color Tones have 50 shades in 25 pencils. That is to say that each pencil has two colors that enable you to shade without too much thought. Considered artist quality pencils, I could see only one drawback to these. You may run out of your favorite colors fast, and they are not replaceable as singles. Still a good idea for those who don't color very much. They are reasonably priced
Oil Based Colored Pencils
The oil-based pencil is harder and does not have a waxy feel. Their cores have a thick coating which helps to prevent breakage. Oil-based colored pencils use a vegetable-based oil binder to hold together the pigment within the colored pencil’s core. Oil-based colored pencils are resistant to water. They don't leave the waxy crumbs on the paper that the wax pencils do.
- Faber-Castel Polychromos colored pencils are recommended for their high quality. They are available in different size collections or as singles.
- Polychromos colored pencils have a hardcore. 120 colors are available in sets and as singles.
- Caran d'Ache Pablo colored pencils, if you want pencils that feel softer and creamier- more like waxed-based colored pencils- than Faber-Castell brand. See the color chart for this collection
- Lyra Rembrandt PolyColor are available in 72 colors. The consistency is a cross between a Pablo and Polychromos pencil. in a set of 120 colors.
Wax Based Colored Pencils
Wax-based pencils are the most common type of pencils on the market. The core inside the pencil casings contains pigments bound by wax. The drawings have a creamy texture as a result, which makes them easy to blend. The downside to wax pencils is that they are very prone to breakage and wear down quickly.
- Prismacolor They contain high wax and blend very smoothly. They are best known for their creamy and soft consistency. The drawbacks are that they require frequent sharpening since they wear down and break easily. They also create bloom, a thin, powdery film of wax that appears on the surface after application. Prismacolor Premier is their artist grade line. It has 150 colors. Verithin pencils have the hardest, thinnest, and lowest wax content cores of any colored pencil. They are valuable for producing layouts, cleaning up edges and working for small areas.
- Derwent Pencils have thick cores and are available in 72 color ranges. They are moderately hard. The artist's pencils are available in a set of 120. Their studio pencils come in a set of 72 or you can buy them in smaller boxes. Not as bright as the Prismacolor or Polychromos. See the Derwent Color Range
- Spectrum Noir comes in five tins with 24 colors in each tin. Each tin is sold separately. They are considered a wax and oil blend. There are 120 colors are available. Each tin has a complete family of colors that are meant to blend seamlessly. See the Spectrum Noir Color Chart
Water Soluble Colored Pencils
The strength of these pencils is that you can blend them with water
- Faber-Castell Albrecht Duerer water-soluble colored pencils come in a range of 120 colors. They are the only brand in this category that completely dissolves when water is added.
- Caran d'Ache Supercolor II soft pencils have the same 120 color range and have the softest cores of any water-soluble colored pencils. They dissolve nicely when water is added.
- Caran d'Ache Neocolor II resemble crayons but are highly pigmented wax pastels. The texture is creamy, intense, and dissolves easily. Because of their high waxy content, you can only sharpen them by hand.
- Lyra Rembrandt-Aquarell pencils have the same core hardness as the Lyra Polycolor oil-based line.
- Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils come in 36 colors that match the popular Premier colors. However, these watercolor pencils have a drier and chalkier feel.
Other Non-Classified Colored Pencils
- Chameleon Color Tones have 50 shades in 25 pencils. That is to say that each pencil has two colors that enable you to shade without too much thought. Considered artist quality pencils, I could see only one drawback to these. You may run out of your favorite colors fast, and they are not replaceable as singles. Still a good idea for those who don't color very much. They are reasonably priced
Making The Decision-Wax Based Vs Oil Based Colore
Getting Started With Colored Pencils
If you are a stamper, card maker, scrapbook artist. journal maker, or mixed media artist, then colored pencils should be part of your stash. While some sets can be pricey ,there are very reasonable alternatives. They are an investment that will yield back hours of fun and craft enjoyment.
So the obvious use would be on coloring books ! Those of us who love to color, love the idea that colored pencils can be more forgiving than markers.Unlike markers, you do have a chance to erase if you color lightly enough.
Stamped images are another place where colored pencils can be an effective tool. You don't have to use any special inks if you are using colored pencils.You don't have to be concerned that any inks will run over the image.
Digi images can also be completed with colored pencils. It's the perfect way to get a great deal of detail with very few supplies.
You know those little tiny stamped images, we all love. They are often very difficult to color. With a sharpened colored pencil, you can get into the tiniest spaces and still shade and blend.
I have the Cricut Design Space program. There are a lot of images to print and color. I love to spend time grabbing my pencils and have a ball making cards and images for my art journals.
Other Reasons Why Colored Pencils Are Good For Crafters
- They are very portable-you can carry a small pouch of colored pencils when you travel or just every day.I get tired waiting in my doctor's office. I love to have a small book and a few pencils to pass the time away.Perfect for a plane trip too.
- They are not expensive-yes there are expensive if you invest in real artists pencils, but there are plenty of sets that are not that expensive. Several pencils come as singles. So you can try them out. Do your research and decide how much you are willing to spend. The only thing that I would tell you is that if you start out with a really cheap set, your results may meet your expectations.
- They are easy to learn -unlike other markers and pens, colored pencils are relatively easy to learn. With a few blending techniques you can get good results. If you want to go further, you can learn some additional techniques to take you even further.
Masking tape can be used to hold down your paper while you work on your projects
Free Colored Pencil Classes
- Free Colored Pencil Classes
There are about 9 different classes that you can take on this page - FREE Copic Coloring Class
Beginners Copic Class with tutorials on Blending, Shading, Skin, Hair, and Lightsource. Includes Spectrum Noir, Promarker, and other Alcohol Marker brands!
Where To Get Free Images
There is a wealth of free images for you to harvest for your own use, if you know where to find them. For the most part, these images are for non commercial use. That means that you cannot use them to make things to sell. Many of these images are covered under what is called an Angel Policy.
The first way to search for images is to go to your favorite browser and type in the kind of image you would like to see. You could specify flowers or specify the type of flower you are looking for.So you could specify daises-images to color. Next go the the images and download the images that you would like. Print them on your computer and you are all set.
If you have a machine like a Cricut, or a Scan and Cut, you have a wealth of images and projects where you can use your colored pencils. For Cricut users, there are over 30,000 images many of them just for coloring. Some you can print and also cut them in the Cricut computer program. Take time to browse your machine's system. You may be surprised at what you find.
Finally, do not overlook any stamp sets that you might have. Stamping is fun and coloring images with your colored pencils is both relaxing and rewarding. If you have the matching die set, you can get a perfectly colored and cut image.
Free images sized correctly and colored with your colored pencils can be used for all kinds of paper crafts. Think about greeting cards, art journals, altered books, planners, and scrapbook pages.
You will need to print them on good card stock or watercolor paper, depending on what you plan to do with the finished project.
Update: Cricut now has coloring pages that you can print if you have the Design Space app on your computer.
Free Coloring Pages
- Coloring Pages - JudyClementWall
Free downloadable coloring pages by Inkspirations artist/illustrator Judy Clement Wall - Coloring Pages for Adults - Free Printables – Faber-Castell USA
Click to download free printable coloring pages for adults (and kids!). Choose from Christmas and winter coloring pages, butterfly coloring pages, mandalas and more. Faber-Castell colored pencils and markers are the perfect art supplies to use with y - For Adults Archives - Trail Of Colors
- Adult Coloring Pages · Download and Print for Free ! - Just Color
Discover our 1,500+ Free Adult Coloring pages : various themes (50+), artists, difficulty levels. The perfect Anti-stress activity for you !
Types Of Colored Pencils
There are basically two types of colored pencils.
Oil Based Colored Pencils
The oil-based pencil is harder and does not have a waxy feel. Their cores have a thick coating which helps to prevent breakage. Oil-based colored pencils use a vegetable-based oil binder to hold together the pigment within the colored pencil’s core. Oil-based colored pencils are resistant to water. They don't leave the waxy crumbs on the paper that the wax pencils do.
- Faber-Castel Polychromos colored pencils are recommended for their high quality. They are available in different size collections or as singles.
- Polychromos colored pencils have a hardcore. 120 colors are available in sets and as singles.
- Caran d'Ache Pablo colored pencils, if you want pencils that feel softer and creamier- more like waxed-based colored pencils- than Faber-Castell brand. See the color chart for this collection
- Lyra Rembrandt PolyColor are available in 72 colors. The consistency is a cross between a Pablo and Polychromos pencil. in a set of 120 colors.
Wax Based Colored Pencils
Wax-based pencils are the most common type of pencils on the market. The core inside the pencil casings contains pigments bound by wax. The drawings have a creamy texture as a result, which makes them easy to blend. The downside to wax pencils is that they are very prone to breakage and wear down quickly.
- Prismacolor They contain high wax and blend very smoothly. They are best known for their creamy and soft consistency. The drawbacks are that they require frequent sharpening since they wear down and break easily. They also create bloom, a thin, powdery film of wax that appears on the surface after application. Prismacolor Premier is their artist grade line. It has 150 colors. Verithin pencils have the hardest, thinnest, and lowest wax content cores of any colored pencil. They are valuable for producing layouts, cleaning up edges and working for small areas.
- Derwent Pencils have thick cores and are available in 72 color ranges. They are moderately hard. The artist's pencils are available in a set of 120. Their studio pencils come in a set of 72 or you can buy them in smaller boxes. Not as bright as the Prismacolor or Polychromos. See the Derwent Color Range
- Spectrum Noir comes in five tins with 24 colors in each tin. Each tin is sold separately. They are considered a wax and oil blend. There are 120 colors are available. Each tin has a complete family of colors that are meant to blend seamlessly. See the Spectrum Noir Color Chart
Water Soluble Colored Pencils
The strength of these pencils is that you can blend them with water
- Faber-Castell Albrecht Duerer water-soluble colored pencils come in a range of 120 colors. They are the only brand in this category that completely dissolves when water is added.
- Caran d'Ache Supercolor II soft pencils have the same 120 color range and have the softest cores of any water-soluble colored pencils. They dissolve nicely when water is added.
- Caran d'Ache Neocolor II resemble crayons but are highly pigmented wax pastels. The texture is creamy, intense, and dissolves easily. Because of their high waxy content, you can only sharpen them by hand.
- Lyra Rembrandt-Aquarell pencils have the same core hardness as the Lyra Polycolor oil-based line.
- Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils come in 36 colors that match the popular Premier colors. However, these watercolor pencils have a drier and chalkier feel.
Other Non-Classified Colored Pencils
- Chameleon Color Tones have 50 shades in 25 pencils. That is to say that each pencil has two colors that enable you to shade without too much thought. Considered artist quality pencils, I could see only one drawback to these. You may run out of your favorite colors fast, and they are not replaceable as singles. Still a good idea for those who don't color very much. They are reasonably priced
Colored Pencil Brands
Name Of Brand | Number Of Pencils Per Pack | Pros | Cons | Price Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Steadtler Ergosoft | 24 in standup easel | Non slip grip , Uses .3mm lead | Wears down quickly. Not the smoothest for coloring | $17.50 |
Colorit Premium Colored Pencils For Adults | 48 colors in the pack in a travel case | Vivid color pigments | Some of the cores are not centered making them difficult to sharpen | Not available. Will update |
Cra-Z-art Colored Pencils | 72 | Nice amount of colors. Good for school use | Not great for blending, Not the most vibrant colors | $5.97 |
Crayola Colored Pencils | 24 | Good for artists at any level | Some pigment colors are difficult to get in the tooth of the paper. More prone to breaking, | $5.23 |
Creative Art Materials Caran d'arch Luminescent Colored Pencils | 20 | Easy to blend and layer. Pigment is intense. Very smooth and fade resistant | Colors may feel more like pastels | $49.99 |
Derwent Colored Pencils | 24 per pack. Different color packs available, Total of 72 different colors in the collection | Break resistant. Packaged in a tin. Colors are vibrant and bright. | Little more expensive to blend | $34.19 per pack |
Faber- Castell Polychromos Artists Colored Pencils | 120 colors in the pack. There are other packs with less colors available, | Resistant to breakage, Very fade resistant. Easy to blend | Pencils are not as soft or smooth as others | $205.50- There are other combinations available |
Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencils | 24 colors in a pack with an easel stand | Designed for beginners, Highly pigmented smooth and soft colors | Not highly break resistant | $14.39 |
Sargant 12 Pack Colored Pencils | 12 per pack- up to 52 colors available | Designed more for children's use. Has 3.3mm lead that will cover larger areas quickly. | Not really designed for any type of serious coloring | $4,49 |
Making The Decision-Wax Based Vs Oil Based Colored Pencils
Before making a decision on which colored pencils to buy there are a few things to consider. Things that will make your crafting easier and a more pleasant experience. Here are a few things to consider before you make your colored pencil purchase.
Wax Based Pencils-The Pros
- Wax-based pencils are generally easier to erase. than oil-based pencils
- They are a softer pencil than the oil-based version.
- They layer nicely and burnish quickly
- They are easy to blend, layer, and mix
- They are more reasonably priced than the oil-based pencils
Wax Based Pencils- The Cons
- The waxy binder can evaporate over a period of time This creates a waxy film that can be removed with a damp cloth,
- Since they are softer the core tends to break easier
Oil Based Pencil- Pros
- Are harder than wax pencils so they tend to break less often
- They keep a sharper point for a longer period of time
- Do not have the waxy bloom that the other pencils produce.
Oil Based Pencil- Cons
- Are pricier than the wax-based pencils
In the end, it all depends on how much you want to spend and how far you want to take your art. It is a personal choice.
Watercolor Pencils-Popular For Paper Crafts
Watercolor pencils are a type of art supply that combine the properties of both colored pencils and watercolor paints.
They look like regular watercolor pencils, but the pigment inside is water-soluble. This means that when you add water—usually with a brush—the color dissolves and spreads like watercolor paint.
They are easy to take with you. Best of all, they color like colored pencils but when water is added they look for like a painting than colored pencils would. And they are far less messy than watercolors are.
Best Paper To Use With Watercolor Pencils
The best paper to use with watercolor pencils needs to handle both dry pencil and water without warping or tearing.
- Watercolor Paper-This is the best overall paper for watercolor pencils. You can go with either cold press (textured) or hot press (smooth) The weight should be At least 140 lb. (300 gsm). If you are unfamiliar with paper weight, you can usually find the weight on the packaging or the pad cover. It is designed to absorb water, so it won’t buckle easily. The hot press is smooth while the cold press has some texture to it.
- Mixed Media Paper-The weight of this paper is about 90–140 lb. (190–300 gsm). It is made for both dry and wet media; great if you're doing light water washes and want smoother paper than cold press.
How You Can Use Watercolor Pencils
- Dry use means that you use them as you would a regular watercolor pencil. They work for details or shading.
- Add water. Use a wet brush to activate the pigment. They tend to blend well, create a painted look and soften lines.
Shopping For Colored Pencils
Be a smart shopper! Since you are going to make an investment, do it the smart way. Once you have decided the brands you are interested in, ask to google. Type best prices on......(whatever brand you are researching). Compare prices in different locations. Factor in shipping costs too! Take into consideration the current tariffs in your pricing.
What Should You Look For In Colored Pencils
- Type Of Core
- Color Range
- Barrel Shape
- Ease Of Blending-You want a colored pencil that will blend without much effort. Soft care pencils blend easier.
- Ease Of Layering
- Color Integrity
- Price
- Durability
- Water Resistance
When starting out or changing brands of colored pencils, start small if you can. Buy a couple of compatible colors to the ones that you own, Use the pencils to see which ones that you like as you use them.
Get the best quality pencils that you can. Quality does not have to be expensive. The fact is that low quality pencils will frustrate you with the results. There are different grades of pencils from student to artist quality. if you are just starting out, student grade pencils are fine. Just get the best you can afford.
Buy in sets whenever possible. You will generally get a better price in sets rather than buying individual. Some colors will get used more than others, so those should be bought as individual replacement pencils.
Often your craft box stores will have sales on the best pencils. If they will accept those lovely 40% coupons, then go for it !
Watch around the going back to school sales. They will often have sales on colored pencils then too
Buying Colored Pencil Tips
- If you are just starting out, stay away from oil-colored pencils, they can be more difficult to work with.
- If you are having trouble finding the right set for you, you can often find colored pencils sold individually
- You can add more shades for your colored pencil collection, buy individual pencils from other brands
- Use small circles to create texture on your colored pencil images. Create light circles without lifting the pencil from the paper. Then add additional light circular layers on top till you reach the desired texture level. This technique is also called scrambling.
Colored Pencil Swatches
Whenever you start using a new brand of colored pencils make sure to create a colored pencil chart. Some brands include it with their sets. No matter what you are coloring it gives you a valid color reference point. It helps you get to the next level in your coloring.
It is important to have color swatches to refer to, especially if you have more than one type of colored pencils as I do. Have swatches will enable you to see ahead, exactly what a color will look like. Most colored pencil manufacturers have swatches available. So right after you buy your pencils, check your web browser to see if the swatches for your brand are available.
Why would you want to have color swatches?
- You may want to mix colors from two different sets of pencils, and you will have a reference to turn to
- You may not have all the colors in a particular set, so this way you will know what you have
- You may have to replace a pencil from a set and need to know the name or number
- Makes blending easier
How To Hold Your Colored Pencil
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Choosing The Right Paper For Colored Pencils
Paper Tips For Colored Pencils
- Use rough watercolor paper to create textures for colored pencils. It is the most resilient paper for erasing, both wet and dry. One drawback, however, is that it can easily wear down the colored pencil point
- Hot press papers are very smooth and less forgiving to work with. Their tooth is fine and shallow, yet harder and more water resistant than other watercolor papers. These papers don't tolerate repeated layering of colors or much correction, wet or dry. They are not the best paper for colored paper techniques.
- Don't limit yourself to just white paper! Consider using colored paper, especially pastels. They give you a ready-made background.
Tips For Using Paper Stumps
Paper stumps (also called blending stumps or tortillons) are great tools for blending colored pencils, especially for softening edges, smoothing gradients, or creating a painterly look
Supplies
Colored pencils
Paper Stump (also called a tortillon)
Sandpaper block or emery board (to clean the stump)
Optional: Odorless mineral spirits (for solvent blending)
Using The Paper Stump
- Apply your colored pencil in light to medium pressure.
- Use multiple layers for richer color—this gives the stump something to blend.
- Avoid very light applications; there needs to be enough pigment on the paper.
- Rub the stump in small circular motions or gentle back-and-forth strokes over the area you want to blend.
- This softens harsh lines and spreads the pigment into the paper's texture.
- You can also blend between two colors to create a smooth transition.
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