The Ultimate Guide to Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Expert Review

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Source: maria mercedes on flickr.com

Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils are a popular choice among artists and designers for their high-quality pigments, smooth color laydown, and durability. They are known for their rich and vibrant colors that resist fading over time, making them suitable for artwork that will be displayed for a long time. With a range of colors and shades available, these colored pencils offer versatility for a variety of artistic needs.

The sets come in different sizes and packaging options, from small sets of 12 to large sets of 120 pencils. Some sets come in tin boxes or wooden boxes, offering a sturdy and organized way to store the pencils. Additionally, some sets include additional items such as graphite pencils, sharpeners, and erasers, providing added value and convenience for users.

The Polychromos pencils are also break-resistant, water-resistant, and smudge-proof, making them durable and long-lasting. They have a smooth color laydown, which allows for easy blending and layering. These features make them a popular choice for professional artists, designers, and hobbyists alike.

In this article, we will explore the features and benefits of Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils and sets from a user’s perspective. We will also examine the various sets available and their differences, as well as some tips for using these colored pencils to create stunning artwork.

About Polychromos Pencils

The Polychromos pencils are made in Germany and are part of Faber-Castell’s premium line of colored pencils. They are well-known for their high-quality pigments, which are resistant to fading and produce rich and vibrant colors. The pencils feature a unique oil-based lead that is both water-resistant and smudge-proof, making them ideal for both dry and wet techniques.

Additionally, the Polychromos pencils are known for their break-resistance, which is achieved through a special bonding process that makes the lead more durable. This allows artists to use the pencils with more pressure without worrying about them breaking, which is particularly useful when layering and blending colors.

The sets come in a variety of sizes and packaging options, with some sets including additional items such as graphite pencils, sharpeners, and erasers. These extra items can be very useful for artists who want a complete set of tools that they can use for their artwork.

Comparison with other competitors

One of the main competitors of the Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils is the Prismacolor Premier colored pencils. These pencils are also known for their high-quality pigments and smooth laydown. However, they are known to be softer and more prone to breakage than Polychromos pencils. The Prismacolor Premier pencils are also known to be more affordable and widely available in retail stores.

Another competitor of the Polychromos pencils is the Caran d’Ache Luminance colored pencils. These pencils are also known for their high-quality pigments and lightfastness. However, they are more expensive than Polychromos pencils and have a waxier texture, which some artists may find less desirable.

In terms of packaging, the Polychromos pencils are often compared to the Derwent Coloursoft colored pencils. The Coloursoft pencils come in a wide range of colors and are also known for their smooth laydown. However, they are less lightfast than Polychromos pencils and are also known to be softer and more prone to breakage.

Benefits and Drawbacks of the Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils

After conducting research and analyzing user reviews, we have identified several benefits and drawbacks of the Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils. These colored pencils are highly regarded in the art and design communities for their quality and versatility, but there are also some potential drawbacks to consider before making a purchase.

Benefits:

  1. High-quality pigments: Polychromos pencils are known for their high-quality pigments, which produce vibrant and rich colors that resist fading over time.
  2. Smooth color laydown: The pencils are designed to have a smooth color laydown, which makes them easy to blend and layer.
  3. Durability: The pencils are break-resistant, water-resistant, and smudge-proof, which makes them durable and long-lasting.
  4. Versatility: The pencils come in a variety of colors and shades, which makes them versatile for different artistic needs.
  5. Packaging options: The sets come in a variety of packaging options, including tin boxes and wooden boxes, which offer a sturdy and organized way to store the pencils.

Drawbacks:

  1. Price: Polychromos pencils and sets are generally more expensive than other colored pencils on the market, which may be a drawback for some users.
  2. Limited color selection: While the Polychromos pencils come in a variety of colors and shades, some users may find the selection to be limited compared to other brands on the market.
  3. Wax bloom: Some users have reported experiencing “wax bloom” with the Polychromos pencils, which is a buildup of wax on the surface of the artwork. This can be addressed with careful handling and storage of the artwork.
  4. Hardness: Polychromos pencils are known for their hardness, which may make them more difficult to use for some users who prefer a softer pencil.

More About Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell is a leading manufacturer of high-quality art supplies, writing instruments, and stationery products. The company was founded in 1761 in Stein, Germany, by a cabinet maker named Kaspar Faber. Over the years, the company has grown and expanded its product range, becoming a household name in the art and writing world.

Faber-Castell is known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. The company uses only the finest materials in its products, ensuring that they are both beautiful and durable. Faber-Castell is also committed to using sustainable materials, such as certified wood and water-based varnishes, to minimize its environmental impact.

Today, Faber-Castell is a global company with operations in over 100 countries. Despite its size and global reach, the company remains family-owned and operated, with the eighth generation of the Faber family currently at the helm. Faber-Castell continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in the art and writing world while remaining true to its commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.