****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
First of all let me start out by saying that although I am not a professional artist, I have several family members who are and I know the difference between top quality, artist quality art supplies and the, lack for a better word, cheap art supplies. I have fallen into the adult coloring world that is so popular now, but I have colored all my life. The only difference is where I used to buy kids coloring books and a huge box of Crayola Crayons, now I buy adult coloring books and colored pencils. Like a lot of other people, I started with Crayola colored pencils. Crayola makes the best "crayons" I thought well, they must make decent colored pencils. Well ignorance is bliss, so they say. I had always heard of the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils and how amazing they were. So, after doing some research I broke down and bought the 48 pc set. Wow! I couldn't believe how buttery smooth they were! I thought nothing could get better than these babies! I was already familiar with several of the brand names, Prismacolor, Faber Castell, Derwent, but I never realized just how many brands of colored pencils were out there, all claiming to be soft, blendable, smooth color lay down, etc. So I began my research into all the different brands, read reviews on all the different brands, talked to my dad (the artist in the family) about all the different brands and learned a lot. I already had the Prismas, so I now I was dying to try the FC Polychromos. So I went to our local art supply stores which are either Michael's and Hobby Lobby. I didn't want to splurge on a huge set quite yet, so I found a 6pc set of the Polychromos, I didn't want to buy only one or two of the colors, so, after looking at the open stick, realized that I would save a couple of bucks if I bought the 6pc. When I got them home, and started to color with them, I fell instantly and utterly in love with them. Now I knew what all the ruckus about, these are absolutely and utterly, the best colored pencil ever! No breakage, no barrel cracks, even after sharpening them. So, I immediately ordered the 36 pc Studio Set in a box. I like the box instead of the tin, it seems sturdier somehow. I haven't picked up my Prismas in over a week, except to move the tin! I am now saving up for the 120 pc set, maybe my husband will get it for me for Christmas?! I will still use and love my Prismas along with my other less expensive but good quality brands. I love the Staedtler Triangular pencils (72 pc) and my Michael's brand (Artist Loft), but I will reach for my Poly's the most. You ask yourself, "can I justify paying that much for colored pencils"? YES! Start saving and when you can, SPLURGE! They are worth every penny, and what others are saying is 100% true. These are the best pencils ever! 5+ stars!!!UPDATE: I have since purchased the 120 pc set of Polychromos. I have found that I reach for these more than any other pencil. No breakage, no shrinkage from usage and the color lay down is amazing!
