Electric Pencil Sharpening for Art Pencils – School Smart Sharpener Review

Electric pencil sharpeners can tear up softer art pencils in a heart beat. School Smart is one of the highest user-rated sharpeners. I put it into action and review its performance for sharpening softer art pencils like watercolor pencils or colored pencils. If you're looking for a dependable electric sharpener thats kind to art pencils, this one is a contender.

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Picking great watercolor paper. A great place to start.

Introduction to the Mind of Watercolor

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[GeorgeDeep]

Just a little added tip - Best way to keep the blades nice and fresh is after sharpening 5-10 soft lead pencils (especially wax based colored/watercolor pencils ) is to sharpen a few graphite pencils, even if just standard #2 pencils. The wax used in non-graphite pencils melts and sticks to the blades when heated in electric sharpeners and over time can result in poor sharpening. The graphite is a natural lubricant and cleans the blades in the sharpener.  Thanks for a great review Steve! When my sharpener goes I'll have to give that one a try!

[LayneTinsley]

I've been drawing and painting for only a couple of years now and absolutely love it. I started with watercolor when my sister asked me to take a class with her. I naturally took to drawing just so I could make the decent form of what I wanted to draw. Then started playing with acrylics. I have gone all over the place since starting my art journey. My graphite and charcoal art had become my favorite, the most aggravating has been sharpening my pencils. ANY sharpener (handheld or electric) has resulted in consistent breakage that I wouldn't even try to get a nice sharp point anymore. Until... I bought the sharpener you suggested and even my "soft" charcoals have a nice long point. I know it may seem ridiculous to use an episode to talk about a sharpener, but suggestions on how to take care of our tools and supplies have such a value. Now I don't feel like pennies or quarters are being thrown away. I do spend that little extra on quality pencils, paints, brushes, etc. and part of the unsung magic is in the equipment or processes that help you to enjoy them longer and with minimal waste. Thank you for the sharpener suggestion, I bought it, and I'm thrilled to be working with sharp pencils. Lastly, love, love, love all your videos. Very funny, very engaging, and you make it look so easy. Thank you for letting the rest of us play with our watercolor paints with you.

[mindofwatercolor]

@ Adam – Thanks for the input and experiences. Good additional info. And thanks for watching as always!

[coldmountainpix]

I just made the decision to buy a whole bunch of prismacolor soft core and I was looking at all the different people that had youtubes on how to sharpen and I knew you would give me the best advice! :) Thanks! and thanks to Reese too!

[ArtalaCarte]

Your videos are all so good and fun!! Thanks

[redbeard]

Your reviews have pretty much filled my stockings and my Christmas presents!

[adamw]

I bought the derwent electric sharpener at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. It was great for about a week, you know I honestly did not think derwent would put their name on junk. I was wrong. Same with xacto. So I went back to hand sharpening. I am going to try this one though. One reason I don't use my prismacolor colored pencils as much is due to sharpening. I tend to have the same impatience malady you do as well. I will still sharpen pastels and charcoal by hand unless someone finds an electric sharpener that either wont chew those up, or clog the sharpener. Thanks for the tips and please keep the videos coming!

[karendriggins]

New to colored pencils. Bought the School Smart sharpener. Excellent! Well built. Perfect long points. I'm using Prismacolor Premiers. Thanks for the review.

[diconlon]

Wow, I was surprised you answered my question so quickly. The sharpener looks good. Thank you.

[KevinSpecialty]

Great product review!  I actually work for the manufacturer of the School Smart brand, and you taught me something new today.  I'll be sure to share that new insight when I meet with art teachers for Sax Arts & Crafts.  Thanks!

[deyodie]

Thank you for the tip on sharpner.i have been through three. Hope this one will last.

[TheBicycleLadyThings]

Hi Steve! Just curious, How do you like your School Smart Electric Vertical Pencil Sharpener? How has is done over the past 3 years since you first recommended it?

[blovesafoster]

The thing is with electric be sure to sharpen graphite pencils in it regularly to clean blades and keep them sharp. I think this is why they don't suggest sharpening the soft leads

[scmassey]

I just found your videos. I am ready to learn to paint and I think your videos will be very helpful. I have a horrible problem with colored pencils breaking with sharpening. I just purchased this one from Amazon. Thanks for the tip!

[NeedartnowFAD]

Awesome review and thanks for sharing. We burn through a lot of pencils each day here in the studio and have a bunch of sharpeners, but most of them are the ones you sharpen from the front and like you said - they slowly move across the desk as you sharpen and it is a pain in the rear... I think I may have to give this one a try!

[lOwlEyesl]

Thank you for reviewing pencil sharpeners! Ive been sharpening by hand because I just haven't been able to find an automatic that does a good job with watercolor pencils.

[trueblu]

I'm sold. Thanks for the excellent review.

[pjlewisful]

I fell in love with "ART sketch electric pencil sharpener" by Zmol (JY-012) from Amazon. I'm one of those artists that you mentioned who like a long led showing which this gave me beautifully but it also has 4 settings for rounded, medium, blunt, etc. I did jam it up trying to sharpen a charcoal pencil, however. I tried everything to un-jam it to no avail. THEN, I read the disclaimer warning about charcoal pencils. I love it so much that I'm buying a new one plus another kind on Amazon that's just for charcoal, etc. I'll let ya know how that works later.

[thatisartnotpffft]

Hope it's good for over a million uses, 'cause I think I'll like it! Just ordered one. Tkx for the review. Btw I'm not too lazy, but just like a quicker way to sharpen as well lol.

[jimhartlageart]

I'm hoping to find something that will work from the tube and the pan for when I go outdoors - - maybe I'll go with Schmincke instead.  Thanks for the info.