How to Buy Color Pencils For Children
Tips on choosing color pencils
In today’s market there’s many color pencils to choose from. This can make parents or adults confused as to which ones are the right choice. After spending many years teaching children I’ve come to understand which ones work best for certain types of projects. The truth is there is no right or wrong color pencils to use.
It comes down to budget and how important quality is for you. So I want to share how to buy color pencils for children in this blog. Professional artist choose which works best for their own style. Which ever pencils work best for you is the right choice! However, I do have some great advice to help understand the differences and the best to invest in for a beginner artist.
When I was a little girl my mom sometimes sat-down with me and enjoyed coloring my coloring book pages. We used Crayola crayons which at that time were satisfying to me. They were perfect and I didn’t know the difference until I became an artist. All I remember is the wonderful time and great memory. So try not to worry too much on which are best. You have to go through a few sets to see the difference.
Color Pencils Range in Cost
Factors Influencing the Price Range of Color Pencil Sets ($5.99 to $69.99):
• Student or Professional Grade: Student-grade pencils are generally more affordable and suitable for beginners, while professional-grade sets are pricier due to higher-quality pigments and manufacturing processes.
• Wax or Oil-Based: Wax-based pencils are common and typically less expensive. Oil-based pencils, known for their smooth application and blend-ability, often come at a higher price.
• Variety of Color Selection: Sets that offer a broader spectrum of colors, including specialized hues and shades, will usually cost more than those with a limited palette.
• Pencil Count (12, 24, 36): The number of pencils in a set directly impacts the price. Larger sets with more pencils will naturally be more expensive.
• Thick or Thin Pencils: Thicker pencils may contain more pigment and offer a different handling experience, affecting the cost. Thin pencils are typically less expensive but may not offer the same richness of color.
• Packaging (Cardboard or Metal Storage Tin): The type of packaging also plays a role. Sets in durable metal tins often cost more than those in basic cardboard packaging due to the added protection and aesthetic appeal.
Whats the Differences Between Student & Professional
High quality color pencils are considered professional artist grade, and low quality are usually student beginner grade. Professional color pencils are rich in pigmentation which can layer and darken easily, which experienced artist prefer. Professional pencils blend and burnish colors easily, another feature professional artist enjoy.
These pencil cores are stronger and the leads don’t break as easily as student grade. Student grade is usually lower in quality in all these features above, therefore making the price much lower. Student grade is perfect for beginning coloring and doodling projects. I only recommend buying professional artist grade for young students producing many drawings and showing high interest in this medium.
High quality artist grade color pencils can be made by brands like Prismacolor, Lyra. A medium cost range can be made by companies like Faber-Castell, Lyra or Staedtler. Student grade color pencils are made by companies like Crayola, Prang, Rose Art and Lakeshore.
What color pencils are made from
Color pencils are made with a wax, or oil binders combined with pigment for color. Wax and oil binders behave differently on the surface of paper. Wax-based binders are generally hard at the tip and waxy. Oil-based binders are typically soft at the tip and creamer and smug easier. Usually it comes down to the artist trying both wax, or oil out on several projects before a preference is preferred over the other.
The Best Quantity Of Pencils To Buy
I recommend starting children out with a good pencil count of either 12 or 24. If quality is important investing in 12 quality pencils will give your child a good color selection. You can also see if they gravitate to this medium and if you should expand his or her color selection.
Otherwise if you want a set around for occasional coloring I recommend a 24 count student grade, which is decent in cost and can function for all coloring occasional projects. If you are trying to support a quality visual art program regularly, then I recommend medium to professional grade.
Happy colorful day!
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