Article

Artist Review: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Wood Box Sets

Most artists agree that Prismacolor is the top of the line when it comes to colored pencils.

If you are an artist, you know that the better your raw materials, the better quality art you can produce. This is true even of a very basic art supply item, like colored pencils. Many of us have used some kind of colored pencil as children, but the colored pencils that professional artists use to create their drafts and final artwork are extremely different than the colored pencils we used as kids.

Using High Quality Prismacolor Pencils Gives the Best Result

Prismacolor Wood Box Set

Most artists agree that Prismacolor is the top of the line when it comes to colored pencils. Prismacolor colored pencils are not really made of pencil lead like the chalky colored pencils that are made by Crayola. Prismacolor colored pencils come in several styles, but the pencil core is much more similar to an oil pastel. Prismacolor colored pencils are soft at the core, and easy to lay down color for drafts of paintings or even final works. And if you are looking for the best gift to buy an artist who uses colored pencils, a Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Set makes a lovely gift.

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Sets

Prismacolor makes several different sized box sets of their colored pencils. And the sets come in a range of price points and boxes. Most of the regular colored pencil sets come in a tin box, but the wooden box sets are really nice, and the box is one that an artist will keep and refill the colors that he uses the most and runs out of.

Because Prismacolor pencils are used primarily by serious artists, Prismacolor pencils can be bought singly as well. The best place to buy single Prismacolor colored pencils is an artist's art supply store because they will have the best selection and prices. Art supply stores that supply professional artists sell in bigger quantities than school supply stores, so they charge less for their art supplies.

Designing with Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Many artists use Prismacolor pencils for their preparatory design work for just about any medium including tattoo artists, painters, jewelry designers, graphic designers, and even glass artists. The ability to lay down color, layer color, and blend color with the soft cores of the Prismacolor colored pencils makes them a perfect color design tool.

Prismacolor pencils are also helpful design tools for fashion industry designers who start with a drawing on paper before they move to pattern making, and sewing. As you can see, Prismacolor colored pencils are extremely versatile.

Prismacolor Pencils are Not for Kids

Prismacolor pencils are not made for children, and actually most children would get frustrated with them. The harder colored pencils made by Crayola are a much better for children's fingers as they learn to manipulate them.

Prismacolor pencils are made for serious art students and professional artists.

Sharpening Prismacolor Pencils

Because the Prismacolor pencils are more like an oil pastel than a lead pencil, you cannot use a regular pencil sharpener to sharpen them. Prismacolor provides a special sharpener for their pencils, or you can use an Xacto knife to sharpen them. If you follow the link in the first paragraph, you can see a video on DickBlick about how to sharpen Prismacolor pencils.

Other Prismacolor Colored Pencil Sets

If you are looking for a smaller gift for a serious high school artist, or just want more of a beginner set, there are several other Prismacolor Box Sets that will fit the bill. You can find several sets of just 12 pencils on up to sets of over 100, so there are a lot to choose from.

Prismacolor pencils are truly a delight to work with, and they work with a variety of surfaces and artist papers. A wonderful gift for any artist or designer.

More Artist Reviews

Artist Review: Winsor & Newton Artists Watercolor Chelsea Box Set
If you are looking for a watercolor gift set for a serious watercolor painter, the best choice is the Winsor & Newton Artists Watercolor Chelsea Box Set.

This page and all of my pages on Wizzley generate income for Lake Erie Artists Gallery and charities based on affiliate relationships with my partners, including Amazon, Google, eBay and others.

Updated November 8, 2014

Comments

GiannaDec 14, 2015

For Prismacolor set prices, I haven't been able to find cheaper prices than Amazon.com. Even with a half off coupon at big stores like Michael's or AC Moore, they were still around $50 more than online. For single pencils though, easier to buy at art supply stores.

GuestNov 7, 2011

I love my Prismacolor pencils!