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I recently saw a tutorial on using colored pencils and gamsol that looked really easy and thought to try it out! I picked up a pack of 24 colored pencils at the LSS then went online and realized that they also come in 36, 48, 72, 120 and 132 colors! Before I open the pack I have I'm wondering if I should take it back and get a larger size so I have them all in one container. What size gives me enough colors for shading? Do I need all the colors? HELP!
i read here that you should get the biggest set you can afford... i ended up getting the 48 color set on ebay because that's what i could get at the time but if i could, i would try to at least get the 120 color set but its all about what you can afford.
Ditto what twinkles said. Get as many as you can afford. But then you should be sure that you will like them. They are my favorite way to color, and easier to master than Copics, IMO.
Do you have an art supply store close by that might let you try them?
Good luck in your decision!
Yes - get the bigger size! I got the 120 and then years later bought a few new colors that had come out. They are a wonderful investment. You will fall in love with all the cool colors you can make by blending other colors together. They will also last you a life time. Just make sure you get the right kind, you want colored pencils, but not watercolor pencils.
__________________ Debbie
I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end. - Margaret Thatcher
i have the 48 set plus, a 12 set love them., should would love to get more. the more the merrier ;)
I also have some watercolor ones and love them too.
Feline Creative....I'm going to rock the boat here and say that I have the 132 and certainly don't use anywhere near all of them. I would stick with the smaller pack. Do you really need all the shades of the colors?
Personally, I don't see how any person (other than a true artist) would use them all. It is so easy to get great color shading and variation that the basic colors work just fine.
I you want additional color, then purchase them individually as you feel you need them. The stores run sales on them frequently enough to take advantage of the discounted price.
I also think that you should stick with the smaller pack. Make sure that you LOVE them ENOUGH to buy a bigger pack. Personally it wouldn't hurt my feelings to turn around and buy a bigger set when I could afford it and I knew I loved them enough to use them. If buying a bigger set later would hurt your feelings then I would buy more as you think you need them. Either way, start small. You can always add later!
I got a brand new sealed 120 set on Ebay for $52.00 delivered. Then I purchased a separate set of 12 to get to 132. They are awesome to work with..I just dont get much time to do it. I would certainly check EBAY FIRST. Great deals to be had.
blessings.
Hi Karen......I have the set of 72 and LOVE them - and wish I had gotten to larger set. I ordered mine from Dick Blick. I don't even know what they cost at Michaels - they may not be that expensive if you have a coupon.
Lynn
It is true that there are tons of colors that I never use in my full set, but the only way to find out which colors you will or won't use is to have them in the first place.
If I had to buy them all over again, I would pick several of my favorite patterned papers and pick colors that coordinate to start my pencil collection. The only way to do this is to buy open stock = more expensive. BUT, if you're not buying all the colors, it will probably be cheaper this way.
Thank you ladies for the great comments! I checked out Dick Blick as a couple of you noted and decided for that great a price to jump right in... and ordered the 132 piece set! I'm really excited and can't wait to get them!
Thank you ladies for the great comments! I checked out Dick Blick as a couple of you noted and decided for that great a price to jump right in... and ordered the 132 piece set! I'm really excited and can't wait to get them!
Hi Feline Creative,
There is a big thread here on SCS which I discovered the other day called "Prismacolor Chatter" which I have been reading thru. It's great for advice and tips. Better set aside some time to read it all :lol: - I think I am up to about page 23.......
The best prismacolor card examples are on heartprints.net
Sue Nelson (aka as SusieB on SCS) has tutorials and hundreds of cards with the directions to make each card. Also tutorials for her gamsol method. Check her out she is amazing. Oh, and order the big set from Dick Blick they were offering an additional savings last month. ~~ Carol
Location: Wishing I was not at work but I have to pay for my hobbies some how! LOL!
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I agree with everyone, get the biggest set that you can afford. If you get any set smaller than 72 you will not have any shades of gray. I would recommend buying a few of them individually or get them all in the set of 120. I love mine (set of 120)!!!!
I use the baby oil instead of gamsol. Don't know what - if any - difference there is in using that. You may want to check into that. Karen, I think you were smart to get the 132 set.....wish I had gotten the larger one.
Lynn
Prismacolor Colored Pencils
Prismacolor Chatter on SCS
