Colored pencils ?

[lesliespringer]

I am interested in getting colored pencils but I don't want to use a blending solution for them. Can I use prisma colored pencils without blending solution? I put these on my son list to get me for Christmas they are on sale at Amazon with free shipping

Are these a good colored pencil to start out with? Any other suggestions?

I'm a copic user, and trying to perfect my water coloring with zig clean color markers and I do blending with ink and blender pen,sometimes or with a water brush.

Thanks for your help!

[sbd]

There is a blender pencil that can be found in the art section of the big box stores. Prisma pencils are very good.

[Dorie95]

I use Prismacolors. I love them! Crayola pencils are okay but I find that the Prisma's are more vibrant and blend easier.

Alot of times I use my white pencil to blend. Do not have a blender pencil, the pencils are nice and blendable without, IMO.

Watched a lot of youtube videos to get tips and trick techniques.

[gregzgurl]

Prismacolor pencils have a higher pigment to binder ratio than, say, Crayola or similar, so they are much more vibrant. I bought a set of cheap colored pencils off Amazon and they are fun to play with, but I don't get nearly the rich color results from them that I do with my Prismas.

As Dorie95 said, there are lots of YouTube videos to show how to use colored pencils without a blending solution. The reason that I like using them with the solution is that you get a sort of watercolor look that way, with less mess and (I feel) more control than with actual watercolors.

I hear that Polychromos is another brand that people love, but I've never tried them, so can't speak to those.

[gregzgurl]

Coming back to add a HUGE thank you to Leslie for mentioning the sale on Amazon for Prismacolor pencils. I only have 24 or so and have been wanting more but the price point kept me from getting them (hence my exploration into cheap pencils). Santa is bringing me the 150 pencil set, as well as a zippered case to put them in and the Tgaal sharpener that was recommended by Dini and others in a recent thread. Great price and I'm SO excited! The grandkids will get to play with my cheapies...

[lesliespringer]

Thank you all for your help. I didn't get any notification for this thread

[Covington Crafter]

Dina has a nice tutorial Shading with Pencils Tutorial - Splitcoaststampers. I swear by Prismacolors and use a slightly lighter shade to blend. I only use gamsol if I want a very blended, almost paint look.

[lesliespringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covington Crafter

Dina has a nice tutorial Shading with Pencils Tutorial - Splitcoaststampers. I swear by Prismacolors and use a slightly lighter shade to blend. I only use gamsol if I want a very blended, almost paint look.

Thank you for the link

[Cook22]

The Polychromos work well for blending too, the thing is to build up layers and use card with a little texture, not ultra-smooth. Like Carla I only use any other blender if I want a different finish, not purely for blending purposes.
The very best ones I have for blending appear not to be made anymore :-(. I love my Couleur d'Art from Conte a Paris. Someone was very kind and sent me a set she found a couple of years ago, so I've been able to replace some of the shortest stumps of the most used colours from my original set, but some day they'll all be gone.

[AussieJenny]

There's a huge Prismacolor thread over in the tool and product talk forum, as well.

[CraftyMel2]

I know most here will recommend Prismacolor but I've found the Faber-Castell pencils to be the best. I've tried several brands, Prismacolor included, and still prefer the Faber-Castell for blending. If you go to an art store, and probably some larger craft stores, they should have open stock of both brands plus a few others so you can play with them and compare how they sit on the paper and how they blend. I don't need Gamosol or anything when I use the Faber-Castell, they layer well and blend wonderfully.

[bjeans]

Prismacolor was the required brand for classes/workshops for a color certification program and certain colors specified for color rendering (buildings/interior spaces). While I don’t like coloring, I can’t let them go. Part fond memories, part when I do have to color, they never let me down and easily mix colors.

I never found their blending pencil useful but that could be me. If blending solution odor is what you dislike - and my apologies if I missed something - there is an odorless blending solution that I like better than some of the alternatives.

A few times I had to color over black & white copies of photos using a bright white copy paper, and even then they worked well.

[JeanChaneyAZ]

I have every kind of colored pencils. Love them all, but my go to are the Prismacolors as they are available at my local Michael's for a quick and inexpensive new one (using a coupon). They all work well, and no blending solution is necessary. Keep adding layers to fill the tooth.

Just get comfortable with whatever brand you get and they will work for you.

[hugabear]

I like the Prismacolor Pencils best and I have used the following blenders:
Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth Polycolor - looks like a regular wood pencil with a pen eraser instead of lead - comes in a two pack - got mine at Michael's - in the art section - works with different types of colored pencils.
Artist's Loft Colored Pencil Blender - this is for wax type pencils - works good with Prismacolor - easiest and fastest to use - my favorite - sorry, I forgot where I purchased it.
Gamsol - comes in 4.2 fl oz bottle - works okay - messier used with Qtips - I put some in a cleaned out eye medicine bottle to make it easier to use with a Qtip.

[Gusterry]

I love my Prismacolor color pencils. I find using a blender, Gamsol or going without depends on the results I’m looking for. I find a light touch and layers with colored pencils works well. Also, if I’m using a paper with some tooth or texture, a sharp point and light touch will smoothly work the color onto my paper. I can use a more rounded tip with smoother paper. There are a number of good Youtube tutorials on coloring with pencils. Though much is over my head, I have found some of the best tips and techniques from the more “artist” style tutorial over the “crafty” style. Enjoy your new pencils!� ����

[JeanChaneyAZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugabear

I like the Prismacolor Pencils best and I have used the following blenders:
Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth Polycolor - looks like a regular wood pencil with a pen eraser instead of lead - comes in a two pack - got mine at Michael's - in the art section - works with different types of colored pencils.
Artist's Loft Colored Pencil Blender - this is for wax type pencils - works good with Prismacolor - easiest and fastest to use - my favorite - sorry, I forgot where I purchased it.
Gamsol - comes in 4.2 fl oz bottle - works okay - messier used with Qtips - I put some in a cleaned out eye medicine bottle to make it easier to use with a Qtip.

I got an empty Copic marker to put Gamsol in. Works wonderfully!

[Pampam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesliespringer

I am interested in getting colored pencils but I don't want to use a blending solution for them. Can I use prisma colored pencils without blending solution? I put these on my son list to get me for Christmas they are on sale at Amazon with free shipping

Are these a good colored pencil to start out with? Any other suggestions?

I'm a copic user, and trying to perfect my water coloring with zig clean color markers and I do blending with ink and blender pen,sometimes or with a water brush.

Thanks for your help!

I am a big copic user. And bought the Prismacolor pencils. I do use gamsol with them, but not all the time. I frequently color with a copic and then fine line items with the prisma pencil (something like a flower center, or something just to big to “polish”off with a copic.
I usually end up using the copics more because I like how easy they are to use. I don’t like lines from the pencil so that’s why I end up using gambol with them if I color strictly with them. But they are wonderful pencils!
,

[MN_Stamper]

I don't use any blended solutions with my Prismacolor pencils, but instead use multiple light to medium layers to create the look I want. I usually lay down a layer of Copic marker first to add to the richness.

[bjeans]

I used to use tortillions and stumps like these for blending with odorless Gamsol, with the sandpaper sharpener: Amazon.com: Stumps And Tortillions Set - 2 PACK

There are better prices/packs but this happens to show all of the pieces. And this little article might be handy.There are many others though and the pros out there might have better suggestions. I only color under duress, but familiarity with tools and blending methods has been useful.

The Only Methods You'll Ever Need for Blending Colored Pencil - Carrie L. Lewis, Artist

[jrtdma]

Have you tried googling I came up with many links

[dancingpurplecat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cook22

The Polychromos work well for blending too, the thing is to build up layers and use card with a little texture, not ultra-smooth. Like Carla I only use any other blender if I want a different finish, not purely for blending purposes.
The very best ones I have for blending appear not to be made anymore :-(. I love my Couleur d'Art from Conte a Paris. Someone was very kind and sent me a set she found a couple of years ago, so I've been able to replace some of the shortest stumps of the most used colours from my original set, but some day they'll all be gone.

Amazon.com: conte a paris Amazon has some things in this brand.

[dancingpurplecat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeanChaneyAZ

I got an empty Copic marker to put Gamsol in. Works wonderfully!

I did the same thing! It works great and so easy to use.

[lesliespringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrtdma

Have you tried googling I came up with many links

Yes I did. I wanted personal opinions from people that's why I posted my question.

Doing my googling I came across a video called why I don't use prisma pencils anymore. I lot of rambling and nonsense from this woman. I prefer opinions for SCSers with experience with these pencils

I don't like watching hours of videos when I can get the nifty gritty asking a question here

So I am getting the 72 pack of prisma pencils from my son for Christmas 😏

[contrapat]

Just to throw my 2 cents worth in- I am in love with Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils. When you touch your coloring with a damp brush, it's breath-taking to see what happens. I got mine through Dick Blick- sign up for emails and wait until the deal pleases you.

[gaylestamps]

When you get to the point of needing to replace individual pencils (or just want to create a custom selection) try DickBlick they usually have the best prices and they carry ALL the Prismacolor Premier colors.

[lesliespringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaylestamps

When you get to the point of needing to replace individual pencils (or just want to create a custom selection) try DickBlick they usually have the best prices and they carry ALL the Prismacolor Premier colors.

Thank you

[lylacfey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN_Stamper

I don't use any blended solutions with my Prismacolor pencils, but instead use multiple light to medium layers to create the look I want. I usually lay down a layer of Copic marker first to add to the richness.

This is my method too. I don't lay down a layer of Copic's first. Sometimes I do, it depends. When I first started learning about colored pencils from professional artists I learned layering. I never heard of blending solutions till I joined here. Then I learned about laying down a layer of alcohol markers/then colored pencils from the coloring book artists. I love those results.

[dini]

I've stayed out of the conversation, because there are too many angles to consider, and overthinking is my favorite 'excess' (you know, when a strength becomes a weakness...)!

This will be random, I promise.

I'm a professional pencil artist, but I color stamped images differently than I would color a realistic drawing of a dog.

I love Prismacolors for certain subjects (but not dogs or anything with hard-lined detail). They have a wide range of beautiful skin tones and neutrals, and they layer and burnish beautifully.

I tend to mix brands. For portrait work, I use Polychromos the most, along with Pablos (still working on filling in my set). For mixing brands, Prismacolors work the best for me as a base layer, with the harder oil based brands over top for the finer details.

You don't 'need' a solvent for any brand. Again, it depends on what you're coloring, and what kind of a result you want. Some solvents change the color of the pigment you've laid down, which is a grand disappointment if you've spend hours building up a perfect blended area.

I have another tutorial here where I talk more about pressure and blending, and show how to use another pencil for burnishing:

Pencil Monochrome Tutorial - Splitcoaststampers

Consumer Crafts has the best price on individual Prismacolors - $1.09 right now. >>>> Prismacolor Colored Pencils
They were carrying other brands, but those are now on clearance. Sad, since those were a better price too.

You've gotten some good advice here, and you made a good choice for your son.

[Bohodiva]

I prefer watercolor pencils such as Derwent Inktense since they are permanet when dry. They work well on fabrics that will be washed and dried. I also have the Prima watercolor pencils but I don't reach for them that often since coloring is not a technique I do often.

[lesliespringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dini

I've stayed out of the conversation, because there are too many angles to consider, and overthinking is my favorite 'excess' (you know, when a strength becomes a weakness...)!

This will be random, I promise.

I'm a professional pencil artist, but I color stamped images differently than I would color a realistic drawing of a dog.

I love Prismacolors for certain subjects (but not dogs or anything with hard-lined detail). They have a wide range of beautiful skin tones and neutrals, and they layer and burnish beautifully.

I tend to mix brands. For portrait work, I use Polychromos the most, along with Pablos (still working on filling in my set). For mixing brands, Prismacolors work the best for me as a base layer, with the harder oil based brands over top for the finer details.

You don't 'need' a solvent for any brand. Again, it depends on what you're coloring, and what kind of a result you want. Some solvents change the color of the pigment you've laid down, which is a grand disappointment if you've spend hours building up a perfect blended area.

I have another tutorial here where I talk more about pressure and blending, and show how to use another pencil for burnishing:

Pencil Monochrome Tutorial - Splitcoaststampers

Consumer Crafts has the best price on individual Prismacolors - $1.09 right now. >>>> Prismacolor Colored Pencils
They were carrying other brands, but those are now on clearance. Sad, since those were a better price too.

You've gotten some good advice here, and you made a good choice for your son.

Thank you so much. I plan just to use the pencils to color with. I have been seeing images colored on Kraft paper and I really want to give it a try.

Some people have said I need paper with tooth. I have Neenah #65 and #80. Also mixed media paper. And papertrey #110 and ginak #110.
Oh and Georgia pacific paper.
Is there another paper you would recommend?

Thanks. I appreciate your help.

I am a great admirer of your pet drawings. I follow you. When I get enough money I have 2 wonderful dogs that I would love to get portraits drawn. But then again if I didn't order so much from Unity I would have the money for one drawing. Silly me 😏

[lesliespringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohodiva

I prefer watercolor pencils such as Derwent Inktense since they are permanet when dry. They work well on fabrics that will be washed and dried. I also have the Prima watercolor pencils but I don't reach for them that often since coloring is not a technique I do often.

I have water color pencils. I seem to do better with a blender pen than a brush with water. Sometimes this just seems like to much work and I go for my copics. I want to just color, not to interested in blending I have seen lot of images colored on Kraft paper and want to give this technique a try

[dini]

I like to recommend this Bristol pad, because each sheet has a smooth side and a toothy side - if you're not sure which you prefer, you can test them both.

Canson XL Recycled Bristol Pads | BLICK Art Materials

I do my pencil portraits on matboard, which has a medium tooth and stands up to all my layers of fur, plus can take water media.

I have another pad to test (haven't had time yet) that Sandy Allnock recommended - it is this one:

https://www.dickblick.com/products/l...ng-paper-pads/

[lesliespringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dini

I like to recommend this Bristol pad, because each sheet has a smooth side and a toothy side - if you're not sure which you prefer, you can test them both.

Canson XL Recycled Bristol Pads | BLICK Art Materials

I do my pencil portraits on matboard, which has a medium tooth and stands up to all my layers of fur, plus can take water media.

I have another pad to test (haven't had time yet) that Sandy Allnock recommended - it is this one:

Legion Stonehenge Drawing Paper Pads | BLICK Art Materials

Thank you!