Are EXPENSIVE Colored Pencils Worth It? Comparing CRAYOLAS to POLYCHROMOS

In this video I color an image with Crayola Colored Pencils, then color the same image with Polychromos Colored Pencils...see if it makes a difference to use a set of pencils that are $250 more expensive than Crayolas!

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[HeyItsTra]

I LOVE Norberg & Linden. I got 75 pencils for $28 on Amazon. They have colors and numbers on the pencils, which is great. They lay down WONDERFULLY - so rich and creamy and they don't break like Prismacolor does. Love, love, LOVE them. They look like the Castle Arts pencils, but they are better in my opinion. I'm so happy I took a chance on this set

[FernCurtis]

Hi Dea....don’t even know where to start! I have said it so many I started out with Crayola a little over 3-1/2 years ago and still to this day I believe that people underestimate Crayola pencils.... and 3 years ago I would get upset when I would see the comments, “ Crayola can’t layer”, “Crayola can’t blend”, “Crayola can’t I would sit there getting indignant and upset going, “if that were true, why am I able to do what you are are saying can’t be done?” It took me a good year and maybe a bit more to finally understand. Being light handed verses heavy handed, ....wanting instant gratification (not liking to layer)....verses being willing to “work” (liking/enjoying the layering process) for the results. As well as, what is our goal in coloring? Is it to just get color down or do we want to learn the different techniques so we can get the best results we can? Just to mention a few things, has so much to do with which pencils we are going to enjoy using. I learned early on how to do one layer after another with the Crayola pencils (and thus use many layers regardless of the brand, including Prisma Premier) and that is where so many fall short with these (Crayola ) pencils....you have to build light layers to get the maximum color out of them. I can, depending on the paper I am using, get 8-12 maybe even 15 layers out of them and when you can get that many is when you will get the maximum color out of them and you don’t need a colorless blender to burnish at that point...true, the color saturation will NEVER be the same as your higher end pencils, but you can still get beautiful results with them IF you’re willing to learn how to use them. Thing is though, how many are willing to layer like that? Most people aren’t and so they think the Crayola pencils are “crappy”. I have in the past, posted pictures I have done with just Crayola to prove the point and I would get, ‘you did THAT with Crayola?, how?” I would explain the process and inevitably I got, “I wouldn’t be able to do that, I want my results fast!” The sad thing about that is, those are the same individuals that are not quite as happy with their results even with the higher quality pencils because they just don’t want to take the time to learn how to use the pencils. Some individuals will never understand that the more layers one uses the more depth and more realistic your image is going to have and be. I see so many examples throughout the different groups of individuals getting Prisma, Schpirerr Farben or even the Polychromos and it looks like they used Crayola as though they were still a I guess that goes back to the question of, what is our goal in coloring to begin with? The thriftiness in me cringes though when I see that...it’s like, if you simply want to put color down for the therapeutic value and not get the full benefit of the higher quality pencils, why buy the more expensive sets, why not use a nice but less expensive set? But, that is me... and it’s not coming out of my pocketbook, so if someone wants the higher end pencils even though they won’t be using them to their full potential, that’s up to them. As for your two examples, I like them both, for different reasons...and yes, I still use the Crayola pencils and enjoy them, (in fact I have two different WIPS right now using just them) even though I have and love using the higher end pencils more. 😊

[gailreineke]

I like both. Like you, it really depends on whether one is just coloring for pleasure, etc., or for profit.

[DD-dd]

I really struggled with Crayola and other cheaper brands. Had a lot of trouble getting the results I wanted, and was frustrated.

I bought the 36 set of Polychromos and now I LOVE coloring! The blending and shading are effortless. Quality is worth it to me.

[kashleyky]

I like the crayola. Might took more work, but I think the colors are more vibrant! Thx for sharing!

[ajwspjs]

With the particular picture you chose to color I actually preferred the crayola one. The slightly less saturation seemed to fit the picture more than the polychromos...maybe because it was more whimsical. I have both and sometimes I chose the crayola when I want to mix colors or when I want to develop a color slowly...so that if it's the wrong color I can switch up early on without it affecting the outcome so much. I choose crayola when I want to experiment and work a fast mock-up. I choose crayola when I'm just playing around because...they're way cheaper and can take more abuse than the polychromos. But, I adore my polychromos...lol. They are fantastic!!! And, when I need some cheering up, or I want some eye-popping color and deep saturation...Polychromos are the ones I reach for. I do have Luminance...and I do love them, but not as much as the Polychromos. And as for Prismacolor...I got one of those wonky sets after rubbermaid took them over and more than half the pencils were off centered, so of course they break a LOT, and, when I checked the local art supply store for some new replacements, those pencils were also wonky. As a result, even though the pencils that ARE usable are beautiful, it's not worth the aggravation. I even pick crayola over prismacolor...lol.

[toughharley]

I choose Crayola's over oil based color pencils. I've tried faber castell at first I like it but the blending does take forever and there is a small window on what you can use to blend it.... recently I've invested in cezane color pencils and they are smooth with a hard lead and break resistance and light-fast as well which surprises me and it blends easily, I normally use prismacolor but wow I think I found a new love for cezanne.

[theresesprinkle]

I like them both. I think you did a great job telling us the difference.

[mindylafler]

I just finished a page with my Crayola set. It's 2 trees, a bit of grass, and a blazing background. The page is completely burnished. You can see the shine, and feel how the page is heavier, with that waxy finish.
That said, it is a beautiful page, to me at least. (I love trees.)

As for what you have done with the 2 images here...it is a split decision for me. I prefer the skin tones on the Crayola fairies, but the FC Polychromos bird is much nicer.
I have 18 Polychromos pencils. I bought the 12 set, then purchased open stock, 6 more colors.
That is the best part about the more expensive sets. Open stock availability sets them apart. I have spoken to Crayola about making an open stock area in their line of yellow box pencils. Nope! They repeatedly say that what they are doing is what they planned to do, and that is it. No open stock.
What breed of bird would you say that is?
Mindy

[marydimuro]

Loved this video! You explain things so well! I actually have both sets of pencils and do like the Crayola pencils when I’m doing a picture I don’t care much about. But your video was very eye-opening. Also, I really like that you used Polychromos pencils! Most colorists that I follow use prismacolor pencils but I really like the look of the Polychromos.

[melissascoloringandmulti-taski]

They both look great. I do like the more vibrant picture. Your professionalism made them hard to choose from.

[JT-pttt]

I'm a little late to comment, as I have just discovered this video, but thank you for this great comparison. I started with Crayolas, and after watching lots of reviews decided to splash out on a set of 24 Polychromos. What surprised me was the differences between colours and the hardness of the leads. The reds, oranges and yellows seem to be softer and the greens are often harder than my Crayola greens. In fact, I tend to use more of my Crayola green pencils than the Polychromos! I was interested to learn that it's more about laying down layers of colour and having patience with colouring than expecting an instant result with the more expensive pencils. So true! I seemed to believe that by buying artist's pencils it would somehow make my work instantly better. :) Going forwards I may well stick to student quality pencils. Thanks again for taking the time to make this interesting video. xx

[gemmacalimeri]

Very interesting! Thanks Lea. And I just put your book in my cart! Looks awesome.

[Judith-H]

The prismacolor 150 set in Germany is hard to get. It cost 205€ in Germany that's about 220$. And I saw an American Youtuber, she painted as many pages as possible with a prismacolor (8 pages) and with a polychromos (33 pages).
For me that is a huge price difference. The prismacolor should cost 1/4 of the price to be the same range. That was a very interesting video of her. I like prismacolor pencil. I like the arteza ones as well, but I love my faber castell polychromos and albrecht dürer pencils.

[ruthzablow]

Thank you, I like them both because each had its own beauty. Another cheap pencils I like to get is
Crazy Art. I like them because they have colors that I really don't see any place else. Those colors I really like I use a lot, even with the more expensive pencils. I am ready to get another set.

[tabbylynn]

I love crayola I dont feel so pressured when I use then to make everything perfect.. . .I dont feel like I'm wasting money... Love the video

[terilynn]

I like both an after you blended. It made it even more difficult to choose.. LOL 😂🤣😂. I'm not sure I'm a coloring on a budget kinda gal so I would choose the Crayola...💖🤗♥️🌻🦋🦄

[vashtiadajen]

So happy to have found your channel. Thanks for sharing and hope everyone is having a great day.

[deirdrelewis]

Honestly, I prefer the Crayola for the skin tones. I think it depends on what you want to achieve and can afford. Also, what is available in your country’. I can get Polychromos in Cape Town and I do own a few. The other oil based brand available is Lyra which is much cheaper. You definitely don’t need to spend a fortune to get decent results.

[karizmajade]

I really enjoy your videos Thank you for sharing, I like them both I enjoy using both sets🦋🤗🦋