Derwent Coloursoft colored pencil review and speed drawing w/ Lachri

A full review of the Derwent Coloursoft set of 72 colored pencils plus a speed drawing demonstration so that we can really see these pencils in action. I also talk a bit about how they compare to Prismacolor Premier, Faber-Castell Polychromos, and Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils.

The dolphin painting that is supposed to be this week will be up next Wednesday. I was having audio issues. Sorry about that!

New painting videos Wednesdays at 3pm CST

Time lapse and speed painting tutorials and demonstrations by award winning artist Lachri. Learn how to paint portraits, surreal landscapes, pets, lions, tigers, and birds...pretty sure a Wizard of OZ reference should be made right about now. Get tips and watch techniques for working in acrylic and oil paint, carbon pencil, graphite and colored pencil.


This video was shot using the Canon VIXIA HF G20 HD camcorder.

[EnzFab]

That was a brutal review. I am a big fan of coloured pencils as a medium and I love most of them. I think we should keep in mind that not all coloured pencil artists are going for realism, and many use these for colouring only like in adult colouring books, there is also abstract art, and art that is more painterly in style that you can accomplish using coloured pencils. If you want realism, I agree, do not use these pencils, but I think there is a whole artistic world out there outside of realism where these pencils would excel in. But that's just my opinion.

[taifa]

I bought them and I was disappointed at first, until I used a bit of rough paper and it works pretty good <3 I use them for portraits and i usually lay a layer of dry pastels for a nice base, then work with the pencils on top, it gives a really soft looking texture.
I use rough paper that is usually either tan or coloured and it works great <3

[attheranch]

I love that you’re so honest in this review!
I have found a good use for them though. They feel like they are halfway between colored pencil and pastel pencil, so I use them on top of a work that’s already covered adequately in other brands. I can get a lovely slightly fuzzy look with them that I can’t get with any other pencil. Don’t use them to try to cover the paper or with OMS.
They are excellent for getting a soft fuzzy look over other pencils😀

[eviebear]

Personally, I think these work best for portraits . I have 6 especially for portraits and I use them with my Derwent artists pencils . It works great

[chizhang]

I had a set before seeing this vedio and really worried that my set would go to waste. But after several attempts to try I discover this colour pencil goes really well with copic markers! It blends really well with copic marker. And glazing above markers looks really well too! I would love to see you try this out when you have time.

[amatistslang]

I've been using the Derwent coloursoft a few years now (72 set). And at the beginning of this year I bought the polychromos 120 set I did indeed notice the difference between them. But must say that the Derwent Coloursoft isn't that bad. You have learn to work with these pencils they have their own way of blending and stuff like that. For blending I found the rubbing alcohol works quite well but the best way I found blending these pencils is with the lightest or darkest colour( for example blending green would be with a super dark or a super light green). And if you want to work realistically the best way is to combine more brands of colored pencil.
But when It comes to Polychromos vs Derwent Coloursoft. Polychromos would win. (I haven't tried Prismacolor yet)
(Just my opinion no hate please)

[catherinehascake]

Before you start thinking Derwent makes bad quality pencils, and they are so horrible from watching this review, I wish to tell you that Derwent Coloursoft is indeed not like typical colored pencils, and they are also a lot cheaper than Polychromos. It might not be the best pencil for Lisa's style, but they aren't that bad. I don't know if this is a misunderstanding between British English or something. But, I think for them colored pencils are pencil crayons. There are 2 types of Derwent colored pencils. One is the Coloursoft, which *is* like crayons. The other kind is called Derwent Artist Pencil. On Blick, they listed Derwent Artist Pencil under Drawing and Sketching I believe. Derwent Artist Pencils are also more expensive than their Coloursoft series, and you *can* achieve a smooth look with it. If you want to compare Derwent Artist and Polychromos, then Polychromos are definitely smoother than Derwent, but Derwent is also cheaper than Polychromos, so.... Derwent Artist pencils, however, is still considered soft compare to student grade pencils. If you want me to pick, my choice is Polychromos for my serious drawings, but if I just want to doodle, and color on my sketchbook, I will definitely use Derwent. I mean after all, Polychromos is a little expensive to waste, and Derwent Artist is wonderful pencil that are more affordable. As for pencil quality, I don't have breakage issue with Derwent Artist pencils, and I'm *not* concerned about lightfast.

[covid-inthistogether]

Lisa, just watching you color is helpful and inspiring!  What a huge difference between the two pencils.  I went out and bought the polychromos pencils after I saw your review of them, and was so happy to get them.  You have probably saved an enormous amount of people from wasting their money getting these!

[michaelparry]

Lisa, I paused the video when you were inviting others to watch your critiques, speed drawings, vlogs, etc. to comment. When I played it and viewed your post scripted part, GREAT !. This is why you have a great group that follows your work. You are so entertaining. I think I liked the last part best. Again, thanks so much for all you do.

[gittevandevelde]

I turned out beautiful though? I've had these pencils for years and, okay, I never made amazing stuff with them, simply because I can't draw that well, but don't have a lot bad things to say for what I do. I kinda like them.

[chomsky]

I have used coloursoft pencils....they are actually pretty good in terms of blending, coverage and erasing. I just spray some workable fixative and just layer away. One thing people should know is that Coloursoft functions more like pastels (think Carb - Othello pencils), less like Prismas. On a good toothy surface Coloursoft stuff works and works well with other pastel brands, and I like how good an opacity they have IMHO. I think some of folks here should grab a few and try them out...they arnot particularly expensive either.

[jillwhatley]

Oh my goodness! LOL I totally agree about the Derwent Coloursoft pencils. My set is still brand new...I felt so guilty because I RARELY used them, but now I don't. I wasn't impressed with them and thought maybe it was just me. Everyone I've talked to about them loves them. Thank you for this review Lisa!!!

[suebouch]

I love the Derwent Coloursoft pencils... although I am not an artist doing my own work at this point but rather someone who enjoys coloring. I think the pencils dryness reminds me of pastel pencils and look great on dark paper, etc. My current favorite is Caran d'Ache Pablo (set of 120) although I have collected several brands to play with hoping someday to create my own art. I preventing found your channel and enjoy your videos. thanks for sharing your art, your opinion, and your personality. have a great day!

[dianehoweart]

I have never worked in coloured pencil, but have watched all your videos so know what is possible. Thank you for your honest review of these pencils. I will not be wasting any money on them when I do want to try coloured pencils. I bet you save a lot of people from disappointment and frustration by being so honest. Thank you  :-)

[josephinewinter]

thanks for doing the review. Derwent are the most affordable here (polychromos is almost £2 each even in big big sets they're £1) so that's it, but it's very nice to know how what you can get your hands on compares with what's out there, so you can know what you want in future

[thisisridiculous]

For someone who doesnt have a lot of money to spend on, well, anything, your product reviews and critiques are amazing and help me to make more educated decisions on my purchases rather than totally guessing, so thank you!

[stiltevoordestorm]

A friend of mine uses these pencils and he makes really detailed work with them. He also doesn't have that 'crayon look' at all. And... he makes really realistic work from eyes for example.

[lordemandibula]

Hello! I am relatively new in colored pencil world and your videos are helping a lot. I am trying various brands to see what they can offer and I want to say my experience with the colorsofts went a lot diferent then yours. In fact I found they very opaque and blendy and they burnished and covered as good as the polychromos. The white pencil specialy was even a bit more opaque then polychromos. When I saw this video I almost abandoned the idea of buy some to test but other reviews were saying good things so i decided to try. Course I am testing just small pics and not using thinner and stuff you but i liked them as much as the polychromos. Thanks for keeping this so helpfull and entertaining channel!

[michaelparry]

Lisa, first of all thank you very much for all of the reviews that you have done over the past months. It is so important to 'say it as it is'. There are several of your followers who are on limited art budgets, and an investment into poor quality supplies is a very poor move. Your words help to guide in the purchases. Now, Lisa, even though you were very frustrated with these "cra##@" pencils, you were able to create a great looking drawing. (not what you wanted, but it turned out great). Thanks for this review.

[careyclapp]

LOL! I'm a new fan and subscriber, loved your frank and funny review of these pencils! I grew up in the Waldorf tradition and went to the Waldorf School though high school. Derwents were what we used in school and were my first intro to colored pencils. They were ok to learn with but I found out right away they were way too hard and hurt my hand to get the application and look I wanted to my work. I saved up and bought a set of Prismacolors, I loved them so much but would cry when sharpening them as they broke so much, and this was 40+ years ago! I still have some of those cherished pencils left. Anyway thanks for all you share :)