Colored Pencil Studio Exploration
Understanding how common K-12 studio materials respond in practice is essential to an art educator's knowledge base. This understanding will allow me to teach artistic techniques with greater confidence in the desired outcome.
For this exploration, I compared three brands of colored pencils. I compared Crayola, Posca, and Prismacolor colored pencils on smooth marker paper. I don't have much experience with colored pencils and stopped using them after middle school. During this exploration, I learned a lot about the material and am excited to share my findings and experiments with you all. Through swatching, pressure tests, detail work, blending, and personal artworks, I explored how each brand performed.
Crayola
When most people in the United States think of art supplies for children, they probably think of Crayola. This classic brand has been a classroom staple for decades, but is it the best box to reach for? Keep reading to find out.
36 Colored Pencils | $6.57
Paper and Color Exploration
This was the first brand I tested during my exploration, and I was immediately unimpressed. The Crayola pencils had a waxy consistency and felt scratchy on the paper. I started by testing them on rough multimedia paper, but I didn't like the feel or results, so I quickly switched to smooth marker paper. These colored pencils were less pigmented and far less smooth than the other pencils I tested, and the quality varied by color. The black was notably less rich than the black pencils from the other brands.
While testing different techniques, I found the pencils worked well enough, but the results didn't blow me out of the water. They produced a good tonal range when I tested out gradients, and they layered well. The tips were durable and didn't wear down quickly, which I appreciated.
Smooth Paper Swatches
Strengths
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The gradients looked fine.
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Layering was reasonably effective.
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The colors did not smudge when rubbed.
Limitations
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The scratchy feel made them less enjoyable to use.
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Color payoff and smoothness were weaker than the other brands.
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Quality was inconsistent between colors.
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They did not produce much of a painterly effect.
Classroom
Considerations
I would consider Crayola a useful, budget- friendly option for everyday K–6 projects. However, I think it would be beneficial to explore other kid-friendly colored pencil options because I did not find these enjoyable to work with. My set was labeled for ages 3+ and is AP certification and nontoxic labeling.
My Takeaway
Overall, I was disappointed with these pencils. I did not enjoy their scratchy, waxy feel or the inconsistent quality between colors. However, the gradients looked fine, and the layering was not bad. I think further research is required to determine the best elementary school friendly option that does not sacrafice quality.
Posca
This globally renowned brand is well known for its markers and paint pens, but do their colored pencils also live up to the hype? Keep reading to hear my thoughts.
36 Colored Pencils | $28.39
Paper and Color Exploration
Immediately upon opening these colored pencils, I was impressed. The trays were arranged into cohesive color palettes, which immediately inspired me. When I used them for the first time, I noticed they felt a little chalky at first, but they produced smooth, even color with good saturation. The tips are durable but need frequent sharpening. I did notice some saturation and color inconsistencies in a few hues, but nothing that lessened their appeal. I appreciate the fun shade range, but I do wish there were more neutral colors for creating realistic skin tones.
Smooth Paper Swatches
Strengths
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The tips were sturdy and sharpened evenly.
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Lines were very smooth.
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Stippling was effective.
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The pencils produced a nice gradient range.
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Colors layered well over one another.
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Blending was seamless and created a painterly effect.
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Strong saturation was easy to achieve.
Limitations
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Smudging softened the outer edge of a mark, but it did not soften the solid area of color.
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Not super budget-friendly
Classroom
Considerations
I really enjoyed these colored pencils and think they should have a place in my future art room. I think they are age-appropriate for older elementary students, as well as middle and high school students. Their price tag is a little hefty, but the quality and ease of use make them a great classroom contender.
They are labeled for ages three and up but do carry some toxicity risks, so I would be cautious about which age ranges are allowed to have access.
My Takeaway
I enjoyed the smooth coverage, saturation, and seamless blending of these pencils. Their painterly effect appealed to me, and the color palettes in the packaging inspired me before I began drawing.
Prismacolor
Prismacolor is an iconic American brand that got it's start in 1938. They are well known for their quality and dependability but, are they classroom qualified?
36 Colored Pencils | $36.00
Paper and Color Exploration
The Prismacolor pencils provided smooth, consistent coverage and strong pigment. This was not surprising considering their price tag. Some colors felt creamier and softer and required more frequent sharpening, while others felt harder. They worked well on colored paper, and the white looked vibrant on dark paper. I also liked the color selection.
Smooth Paper Swatches
Strengths
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The tips were much sharper than those of Posca and Crayola, allowing greater precision.
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They worked well for fine details.
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Colors blended easily with one another.
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Gradients looked smoother and richer.
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The pencils sharpened nicely.
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They performed well on colored paper.
Limitations
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The tips wore down easily.
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Softness varied between colors.
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The black was not as vibrant as I expected.
Classroom
Considerations
These colored pencils are undeniably high quality and have what it takes to create beautiful artwork; however, the price point is pretty high, especially for a public school art room. That being said, I think they are the best option for high-level art education. I would consider these for a high school art room.
My Takeaway
Drawing with these pencils was satisfying. I enjoyed their smooth coverage, precision, color selection, and rich gradients. Although the tips wore down easily, they sharpened nicely and were effective for fine details.
Applying the Materials: Personal Artworks
Curious Spirit
Posca Colored Pencils
This spooky friend was so much fun to create using the Posca colored pencils. I was able to achieve high saturation areas and very faint saturation. The colors layered nicely, and I was able to create a lot of texture. I felt at ease while creating with these colored pencils because I didn't have to wrestle with them to get the look I wanted; overall, it was a great experience using Posca.
An Apple a Day
Posca Colored Pencils
This was my first piece using Posca colored pencils, so it was a bit of an experiment. It was very easy to create cohesive color palettes using these pencils. I also found that small details were achievable for someone like me, who doesn't primarily work with colored pencils. Shading was nice, and the saturated lines didn't require much pressure. Overall, it was a great first attempt that inspired many other small artworks throughout this exploration.
Pumpkin Pal
Prismacolor Colored Pencils
This was the first piece I created using Prismacolor pencils, and I had so much fun. These colored pencils blend and layer beautifully. It is so easy to achieve tiny details and textures. I found that these pencils have a painterly effect that I find charming. These are great colored pencils, but I did find myself reaching for the Posca instead.