I will preface this review by saying I am not a professional artist. I use these pencils to color in rubber stamps or stencils when making greeting cards as a hobby, or with adult coloring books to relax. That said, these pencils are very nice quality and a genuine pleasure to use. Definitely a positive example of 'you get what you pay for,' these pencils are an indulgence for a hobbyist and a great tool for the more advanced artist.
These pencils blend incredibly well, and without any special tools or techniques, making it easy for even beginners to create smooth color transitions for shading or gradients. Because they blend so well, it's really worth getting the full 150 color set, which provides a great range of colors without duplicates. They are a softer pencil, with tips that round off quickly, but you can still color in tiny areas or create sharp details if you want. I find I rarely need to sharpen the tips, even when working on intricate details. However, because of their softness these pencils are not the best choice for younger children, or anyone with a mobility issue that means they cannot vary the amount of pressure used.
As far as longevity, the nice thing about pencils is they never dry up. For the occasional user, these will last a long time. Obviously the more you use them the faster they will be used up, but they do seem to last a good while. Prismacolor also sells pencils individually so if needed you can replace your most used colors.
If you're looking for just one set of tools to use with coloring books, I would get these rather than markers, pens, pastels, etc. - I bought mine in 2016 and still use them! I can throw them in a bag to take along when I travel and not worry about them leaking, melting, or breaking apart, and they are versatile - by blending and layering colors you can achieve many different effects with just one set of tools.
| Manufacturer | Newell Rubbermaid Office |
|---|---|
| Brand | Prismacolor |
| Item Weight | 1.54 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 8.15 x 1.15 x 10.25 inches |
| Item model number | 3599TN |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Assorted |
| Closure | Snap |
| Grip Type | Contoured |
| Pencil Lead Degree (Hardness) | 2H |
| Material Type | Wood |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | 72 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Point Type | Fine |
| Line Size | 0.7mm |
| Ink Color | Assorted Color |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 3599TN |
