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February 8, 2013

You'd Know A Good (Colored) Pencil When...

We bought several coloring materials for our little one. Crayons and colored pencils of different brands that is. It's my first time as a parent to use them again, and sharpen them. I know it's kind of weird but after sharpening, I realized how frustrating some pencils can be. I'll tell you why by comparing three brands we currently have. The only point of comparison here is the fact that they are (regular) colored pencil, I don't know the counterpart type of this and that. I am not an artist, just a homemaker, and I don't know the terms so I am going to use my own. First off, did you know that pencils does not contain lead? Yes, they don't! The core is actually made of graphite. Now, let me start my comparison.

ROSE ART




Color Density
This pertains to how heavy or light the shade is as tested in white bond paper. I used blue (3 coats) to find the difference and Rose Art's is lighter than the other two brands.



Body 
The body I meant was called wood holders by Wikipedia. Rose Art's wood material is somewhat soft. It was a breeze when I sharpened it and I like that I didn't have to twist it that hard. The only thing is, I got a little sawdust, which I didn't with Faber-Castell and Crayola.
Price
I think Rose Art offers the cheapest colored pencil in the market. I am not talking about just the 3 kinds of colored pencil mentioned here, but overall.
Pointed Tips?
Yes! You can get pointed tips after sharpening. As I told you, it'll be light and easy to do it!

FABER-CASTELL





Color Density
I'd say I love it. It's perfect! I thought every single pencil brought out the best in each color, even the silver one. Oh, I love the smooth feel of it on paper too.
Body
The problem with this type of colored pencil is it's triangular. It's indeed nicer to hold than the regular ones but I think you'll need a special sharpener. I just used the regular sharpener and I tell you, it wasn't so easy. I had to rotate the pencil harder and had to switch hands. It sometimes stuck too because the wood is too hard that it won't let the sharpener perform it's job. Maybe that also caused some of the colored pencils' lead [actually graphite and clay] to break after being sharpened.  I also thought sharpening it caused me a twisted wrist, I'd suggest you rest after doing five.
Price
It'll cost you a bit more that Crayola but I think it's worth it, just buy the rounded ones so you won't have a hard time sharpening or you won't need to buy a special sharpener.
Pointed Tips?
Well, if you're going to use the regular sharpener, you might need to use the bigger hole so you can make pointed ones.



CRAYOLA



Color Density 
Crayola's density is very slightly darker in shade than Faber-Castell but I think it's still just right.
Body 
I don't know if it's because it's "fat" (they call it "made for smaller hands") so the wood material's, including the core itself, quality is almost perfect. You don't need extra energy to sharpen it, not so light, not so hard.
Price
The price is just right.
Pointed Tips?
Yes, you can, if you sharpen a little bit more. Look at the yellow colored pencil above, it's the closest thing I can get to "pointed".

Based on my findings, I'd say a good colored pencil (price doesn't matter) should not only give you the right shade, the wood holder should also be neither soft or hard but just right.

Choosing the colored pencil is really not something to worry about, maybe you just need to buy a good and strong sharpener (meaning the more expensive type) so you won't experience the same problem I did. Though the next time I go to the store, I think I'm going to think twice (just twice not thrice). If I'm short on a budget and maybe as gifts (because I've seen some nice packages), I'll choose Rose Art. If I'm doing a project, I'll get Faber-Castell and I'll get the rounded ones. If it's just like any other day and for my little one, I'll buy Crayola.

DISCLAIMER
I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post.
Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

9 comments :

  1. Same here sis. I do have problems with our color crayons/pencil today. Yesterday we went to National Bookstore to buy a colored pen for my daughters scrapbook...because I don't use colored crayons and pencil anymore. I don't like the outcome and it gives me disappointment.

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  2. Faber-Castell is really a quality brand for special use while Crayola is more of an everyday brand.

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  3. Thanks for the comparison you just did there! Thumbs up post, sis!

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  4. As usual, the more expensive ones are the better quality ones.

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  5. For art supplies especially coloring I would go for Fabe Castell but I am not a student anymore. I rarely buy coloring materials :)

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  6. wow i didn't know about that though i noticed that when i tried buying coloured pencils all your example apears to be the same. now i know the difference thanks! x

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  7. helpful tips when buying colored pencil. I prefer Faber- Castell , the shade is great, though it cost more than Crayola.

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  8. ive been a user of fABER CASTELL when i was still studying. your crayola is cute in there. ive never seen one like that before or maybe i was just too old to know such stuffs? Lol

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  9. This is one good new information for me. Although I am a full time Dad and sometimes, it's me who goes out with my kids to buy their school stuffs.

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts!