I suggest that you use this grading system for all colored pencils, regardless of price. Then, after testing all the pencils, put them in performance order - (1) regardless of price per pencil, then (2) in order of budget friendliness, then (3) by lightfastness, then (4) by color range, then (5) by hardness of the "lead", etc. That would be another step in making your channel a handy resource for artists, professional, amateur and beginner.
She’s done this a ton of times, with ones like prisma caran d’ache, budget ones and the likes :) I love @coloringbliss and have been watching her channel for a few years. Steve and Jennifer really work hard and think of all these great things for us ❤
I think I realised that would have to happen I inherited a lot of my colour pencils from all over the where's and I didn't want to ditch them so I'll chart them up to give them a rating there are some good ones
This was a fun watch and surprising indeed. I'm sure I will watch it again, as I do with many of your videos. I also love that we can hear sweet Rose snoring in the background. I have tremendous respect for the work you two do. You buy almost everything you review, are generous with your giveaways, and present the unvarnished truth about each product you review - generally after doing a substantial amount of work to ensure a fair review. It's no wonder that everyone (myself included) flocks to your videos - they are fun and honest. Thank you both!
I’m wondering if their 520 set is identical to the 520 Brutfuner set - there seem to be quite a number of similarities, in packaging, looks, and shades.
I actually enjoyed my Kalour tbh. I had to return and re order a new set because my first set a few pencils were split down the middle. But for 20$ for 72, I used it in one of my coloring books, the pigment was great actually. And blend ability. I don’t mind them at all!
I know Lori, from Color My World (here on You Tube) spent a lot of time working with the makers of the StarJoy pencils to create those groupings so that it would help make it easier for the new colorists. I bought the set when it was first released. I also own the Soucolor which I keep out for general use and the grands when they are over.
I have lots of pencil sets from budget to high end. I enjoy trying new sets and purchased the Artisto set a few months ago. I love those pencils and would definitely purchase a larger set if they were to produce them. I also purchased their watercolor pencils. They are also very good for a budget set. Not quite as pigmented as my Albrecht Durer but still very nice. I would also purchase a larger set of those if they made them. Thanks to you and Steve for your hard work testing the sets so we don't have to. I very much enjoy watching your channel. You and Steve are so down to earth and fun. Blessings!!! 😊
Some of those brands came out since I bought all the sets of inexpensive colored pencils on Amazon, but back then, the two best sets I found, for my arthritic hands, were the Hifony followed by Kalour. The Hiforny work well with Prisma pencils and Kalour work well with Polys so I kept those two sets and donated the other sets to a school program.
P.S. Thank you for alphabetizing the list. Thank you for all the links. Thank you for timestamping each review. And thanks for all of your work - great job!
Star joy is my favorite set , I have the older set not the gold but they are so nice to use (oil based) they blend beautifully and last if you hand sharpen , I even bought 2 sets also the lady who helped design them put out a video showing how to use them , she said to do light layers first 😊 Thank you for all your hard work
I love when you do these comparison videos. All the tests you put the different mediums through are very thorough and informative. I thought I had enough budget sets, but now I just might need one more!
I have the Brutfuner 520 set, and have thought about the Kalours, and wondered if they are the same. I love my Brutfuner 520 set. They work so well on all different papers
I was eyeballing the 520 set myself. I have a Prismacolor set that I like and a Kalour set. But im always on the lookout for decent pencil sets that don't break the bank. I thank you for your financial sacrifice on our behalf. 😊
I got the Kalour 520 a few weeks ago and I am ADDICTED! I love them! They blend like a dream, are so creamy and I've had zero breakage (and I do long point, super-sharp sharpening). I really can't believe how in love with these pencils I am - I use them every single day! ❤❤❤
Thats true! I thought I heard someone snoring and thought it was my son downstairs. I am painting when listening and looking, I just missed her! I havent seen your videos for about one year but I really miss my coloring-books and it was so fun to ”meet” you and your husband again, and Rose of course!
Hi Jen & Steve & Rosie -- Very fun tests & results. Ty!! I broke my shoulder in TWO places, & am still recovering from that. Phoo huh?! So I've been drawing more, & coloring w/ my TomBows. Also wld like to categorize my drawings, & set up a proper filing system for everything. Between my work & supplies, it's all totaled into one big bunch of stuff! Will get there. I wanted to mention what good pencils PABLOS are. Not cheap but lovely. Sending love from Seattle! - Julie & Winnie 3-2024
Love this. I love the Amazon pencils. After getting caran d'ache Pablo's, I love them and now I am leaning more towards more oil base pencils, like Amazon's were impressive. Love this video, thank you. ❤
My brother has a set of the Schpirerr Farben oil pencils that he loves. The 96 set is around $44 right now. I've noticed oil pencils are growing a bit in popularity as there are definitely more budget options being offered now than there were even a year ago.
I have the Schpirerr Farben pencils and love them! I also am finding I lean more towards the oil based pencils, and harder wax based ones. I have Prismacolor and very seldom use them, to me they are messy and smudge too easily, and I have to sharpen them too often. I have the Pablos and love them!
Jennifer, You Rock! I have quite a few of the selection you showcased, but I was really surprised about the winner though. I am most definitely going to get me a set of those and add to my collection. Thank you so much for taking time out to do these types of tests. It is so greatly appreciated.
I have a challenge for you if you are interested. I've been challenging myself and like the results. I'm struggling with blending. So I hopped on Amizon and found all sorts of two-tone and tri-tone and even 4-tone colored pencils. Most of them are kind of cheapies. But I'd love to see a great colored page using only multi-toned pencils: Two-tone, tri-tone and/or four-tone pencils. The results are crazy neat I think. I was surprised with your results too, but just because pencils are cheap, still I see great results, lots of fun and they all manage to give decent results. I have a lot of those brands in my own supply.
Great video, thank you for your hard work. Looks like I have another set or two to add to the wish list. I love prismas but have to sharpen so much. I find myself grabbing my Kalours a lot. So I went big and added the 520 set. I love them. But organizing them and adding stickers to find the colors faster has been a labor of love. Interested in the Star Joy since they come in blends but noticed on your trial it mentioned it not being as easy to blend. Thank you!! Get the 520 so you can give us tips and tricks on them 😊
I really appreciate you listening to your subscribers. I have all these but the Staedler brand. I noticed on the Kalour in a round package are not the same quality as the 240 set. I am waiting for the price to drop on the 520 on Kalour. I do like the 240 set of Kalour. Thank you again for this video. ❤❤❤
Wish we got the same prices in the UK. On Amazon today, Wednesday April 3rd 2024, the Aristo pencils are 57.50 pounds sterling, which works out to $72.29 😮
I have really enjoyed this video and have just subscribed thank you. You have both worked very diligently and presented a lot of useful information for amateurs like me who need to work within a tight budget. God bless you both. ❤❤
Thank you so much for all your hard work I really appreciate it! My son's birthday is coming up on April 19th and we're both artists, and I think I'm going to get the H&B set, I love the case and the pencil quality looks fine and I'm sure he'll enjoy it (he's not a little kid- he'll be 34 😳😆), but he mainly does ink work so this should be fine. I have my 150 piece Prismacolor set , but just to let you know, my first colored pencil set that I bought as an adult was The Statler 24 pencil set a number of years ago. It's a little on the harder side and when you sharpen it you get a great point that doesn't break, and I did very well with it over the last number of years until I finally got my prismacolor set.
That's a lot of work and expense. Thanks for the time and effort to do this. I've tried all of these brands but two (H&B and "I Buy Em" brand. LOL Steve. Great call!) My all time favorite budget set is one that I have never seen mentioned on anyone's coloring channel. They're called Huhuhero and they only come in a 120 set. I've seen them for as low as $13 and as high as $22. They're on the firmer side, but they lay down color very easily and smoothly. They are very similar to Kalour (though they are not the same).
Which pencils have the best performance and range of colors in the set, without considering packaging, best value, or other non-pencil characteristics? I like layering pencils that can be sharpened and stay sharp for awhile, and also have a good range of colors in the set. Thank you for an interesting video.
Hi guys lovely video. I wish the prices were the same as USA hear on Amazon Australia.. I checked the prices and they are just so expensive the cheapest I found was Kalour 72 in the case for $32.99 and the premium is $48.46 it not to bad for budget pencils.. your video was very interesting I just wish you guys included prices from different amazon around the world.. thank you for sharing to guys.. Rose 🌹 looks relaxed and chilled too ❤❤❤😊😊😊xxxx
I wish we could include all the prices and availability from all the countries but it is just unrealistic…especially when you consider that the prices are changing daily. So complicated!!
Staedtler and Faber Castell have been the go to pencil brands in nz I have not used pencils before ive had some experiences with colour pencils like scratchy and yuck that made me realise i need to buy a lot of pencils to find the ones i like and can use I think your site has helped clear that problem up thank you Im looking forward to working with pencils 😊
hi Jennifer! How long ago did you purchase your Amazon Basics pencils? I bought a set during the black Friday sale for $15 and they were so strange and unpleasant to work with. I had heard such great things about these pencils but I think they have changed quality. This is what frustrates me about some of these budget brands, they can switch manufacturers after a review is posted. I have not tried all the brands you mentioned here but I did like the Artrsto!
Hi Lindsey! I was worried about quality changes too so we bought all of these sets brand new for this testing (including Amazon Basics) even though I already owned most of them. During the testing, I tried very hard to focus on just these twelve sets and not compare them to any others…like Prismacolor for example. It was an interesting experience. Amazon Basics was definitely not one of my favorites but they were not terrible either…very middle of this pack. Mediocre at best.
The Artisto in Amazon Australia are $114. For the 72 pencils (Australian)…just checked Amazon us and $29 us……which is 45. Australian……wow a big difference…our country is soooo expensive in any creative/artistic ….
@@shutterbird13 greed…lol. I’m actually trying to think what is cheap over here? not much anymore…..we have a beautiful country but getting expensive….I use to buy some stuff direct from USA but the postage is way to expensive now….suppose it’s getting like that everywhere…sign of the times..☹️
The fugal Crafter did a review. And Loved them. The closest to Prisma’s and I Agree..WITH You and Her. Will want a pack when I can..I Appreciate You and Your Husband So so much!! 🤟🙏🙏🙏🕊
My Gawd girl! Where do u come up with these tests? Fantastic review. What surprises me is u don't mention the softness of the core. I like me some soft cores. Prisma girl here, but this stuff is interesting 2 me.
I have the Kalour 240 set and I really like them. Prefer them to the Brutfuners. I also got a 72 set of the H&B pencils in the same case you got the Kalours in. Have to say I think the H&B and Kalour are exactly the same pencils. X
When I started recently using color pencils I started out with Crayola. Pretty bad. I upped my game to the Faber- Castell set of 120 polys. I’ve been doing commissions and in addition, upped my game to Duralar drafting film and Pastelmat. I was using smooth Bristol but now depending, I use all 3. I think, depending on the paper used, the color samples may not look the same.
Thanks for all your hard work. I'd love to see a comparison with the artisto set and Prismacolor because their quality is getting so poor. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to find something as good as Prismacolor but better production quality. Love your videos and Happy Easter.
What an undertaking! You and your husband and little Rose are a most wonderful and amazing team:)! My question is about barrel width which I think is the diameter you use your calipers to measure. Which pencil(s) might have a chunkier diameter than those in the black Kalour 120 set which you also may have tried. Just sent mine back - very first ever ordered and didn't think to measure before return to at least know what was "too skinny" for me. It felt uncomfortably narrow in hand, as though it was a wood drinking straw. I'd really prefer a thicker pencil where you don't need such a gripping fingers position. Many descriptions give the core measurement but I haven't noticed entire pencil body measurements for any of the ones I've read about from your testing. Thank you so much for all your hard work and any suggestion you have for a good budget class chunkier set.
Thank you for this wonderful and thorough review Jennifer. I've been looking at many of these sets and wondering which of them, if any, were worth purchasing. I am such a novice when it comes to coloring but your unboxing, swatching, and testing of all these budget pencil sets was interesting and educational for me. You've made it so much easier to select one of these budget sets of which to begin my coloring adventure. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Jennifer, you work really hard! It must have taken a long time to compare all of these colored pencils. I haven't used several of these brands, but I'm so impressed with the colors that are included in the sets. I can't remember if I've seen you testing Evazar London or Arrtx brands. Both of these brands have sets that cost less than $30. They are nice pencils. I would be interested in seeing what you think of them. Thanks for everything that you and Steve do for us!!
Artisto's watercolor pencils are also really pretty colors. Unlike some brands, the watercolor pencils are different colors than the regular colored pencils.
Thank you bunches. I have mostly Prisma, and a LOT of them. But I will try out a couple of your winner. just have never tried other brands, call me a colored pencil snob.
I am happy that I own the top 3, except for Artisto I own the watercolor version, and I'm not sure if there's a difference. I like all of these pencils a lot. My Artisto are definitely good budget pencils, but if I had to choose my own favorite under $30 budget pencil I'd choose Arrtx 72 set, I was able to get if for about $30 exactly on Amazon, sometimes the price goes down a little though!
Could I recommend that you review ways to put a label on pencils that don’t fall off or rub off? there are many of us newbies out there and we are so sick and tired of squinting and rolling and trying to find the name.
I totally agree with you. I wish more pencil manufacturers paid attention to this. I have put labels on some of my pencils, but I don't know how long they will last. I had to use my magnifying glass so I could read the labels on some of them. It's really frustrating.
I use Avery 5412 blank labels (5/16" x 1/2"). I hand write the numbers and then use a piece of clear, shiny tape to make sure it stays attached to the very end of my pencil. No squinting required and I haven't lost a single label yet. Bonus: If you number them 1 to whatever and you do that AFTER you've arranged them in the order you prefer, you'll will always know which pencil goes where (and which ones are missing if you set them aside to do on and off work in progress.)
i have the amazon prime pencils and they are nice for the cost. I have maybe one or two of those other brands in my amazon cart. But you listed several that I never heard of. That took a lot of work and time. thanks so much
There was no plastic sheet with the Artisto and the swatch sheet was smooth as glass. These pencils crumbled a lot, which stained the paper. I wound up returning them. Would you tell me what paper you used for swatching the Artisto and the other pencils in this video, please? I think I missed out on some very good buys, because the swatch sheets on all the budget pencils I ordered had no tooth at all. Why companies don't put their swatch sheets on paper with some tooth is a mystery to me. Isn't it better to spend a tiny bit more to supply decent swatch sheets with some tooth with their pencils, instead of saving that tiny amount and sending swatch sheets on paper that keeps the performance of their pencils from being seen and then losing the sale? In addition to the loss of the sale the company has to pay for the return postage as well. Why not send swatch sheets with a little tooth that would show their pencils performing at their best? I would have kept my Artisto if they had a swatch sheet that showed their performance and colors the way your paper did. Now, who knows when I could afford to buy them again? If I had had a decent swatch sheet with the 4 mm core Kalours, I probably would have kept them, too. Thank you so much for this video. I have been a Coloring Bliss member for about 10 years, so I could buy some decent colored pencil paper from you and Steve that you advise I use for colored pencil swatch sheets.
I know they're not included in your test but my favorite budget pencils are brutfuner square. I was considering buying the kalour set but many videos I've watched seem to show that brutfuner and kalour are the same.
Thank you for your effort; all the work you put into this, not forgetting the money. I'll stay with pencils made "on home turf" though. 120 pencils with a case, sharpener and coloring book - I wonder if the workers got paid at all or if they just got fed, something cheap of course? The more I learn about the work conditions in the countries where those "bargains" are produced the less tempted I am to buy them. But I don't want to devalue your testing, so thank you again for the video 🥰
Yes!!! We wanted to include the smaller set of prismacolor but we knew they would easily beat any of the other contenders. So we decided to run the comparison the way you see it.
Very interesting watch, thank you, I have just checked the price on Amazon UK, £56.99! Not so budget here sadly, oh well, I’ll stick to my BrutFuner pencils
