When it comes to coloring on a professional level, you need to choose your pencils carefully. Unless they are super-blendable and durable, they may not last for long, and the result might not be as satisfying either.

In this article, we will talk about the properties of the Polychromos, a line brought to us by Faber Castell. This is a brand that is highly recognized for its long-lasting products, and these pencils are highly sought especially by professionals.

About The Product

Considering that Faber Castell is one of the first brands that ever made colored pencils for professional artists, they had enough time to improve their technique. After years of research and improvements, artists may finally reap some benefits from using the Polychromos.

With Faber Castell, not only will you create a masterpiece, but you can also be certain that your work of art will last a lifetime – and then some. The company has been in the business for long enough to guarantee 100% customer satisfaction.

These colored pencils are generally used for drawing – coloring books and personal sketches alike. However, since they have an oil base and provide a high-quality finish, the pieces that were made with the Polychromos will look almost like an oil painting.

The line of pencils comes in sets of 12 (small set), 24, 36, 60, and 120 colors (which is the full set). You may also get them all individually, which is not applicable to most coloring sets.

The binder for these colors is oil-based, made from high-quality soybeans. This will allow the pigment to manifest itself much stronger, producing a highly vibrant color. Here is a summary of the features brought by the Polychromos:

• checkThey are oil-based colored pencils
• checkThey come in a cedar wood casing
• checkMultitude of color choices (12 to 120 pencil choices)
• checkUnique color matching system
• checkThey are blendable
• check3.8 mm lead
• checkThey feature a waterproof and smudge-resistant formula
• checkSV bonding to increase break resistance
• checkThey come in a metal case that is durable and compact

From what you can see, the Polychromos is a set that will be fitting for all artists, beginners and professionals alike.

The Results

The Polychromos uses more pigment than your average coloring set, which is why the color intensity is so deep. They are fairly translucent in nature – particularly the white pencil, which works much better when used as a foundation.

You could add more to the intensity of the color once you use them on their own; however, if you blend them, the colors will complement each other, resulting in a beautiful color.

Considering that they are oil-based and not wax-based, the colors will not bloom. This way, you can add more layers without worrying that a wax film will appear on the surface.

The cedar wood casing is very sturdy, and the pencils will not break as long as you take proper care of them. Since they have a firm core, the pencils are not prone to breakage when you sharpen them. Thus, you will enjoy their sharp point for longer.

Their smudge-resistant properties are also a proof of their high quality. Unlike other colored pencils with softer cores, you may use this set to color details and margins. Plus, they are resistant to fading, which means that every drawing will retain its vibrant color.

The lead is harder than the one in most wax-based colors, but the pencils still have a butter-like consistency. This makes them easy to blend – and unlike wax that blooms after a certain number of layers, these will not cause you such problems.

What Others Say

Many professional artists love these colored pencils due to the fact that they provide very rich colors. They also appreciate the fact that they use the actual pigment name on the pencil, making it much easier to distinguish the colors.

They also love the fact that the wax does not start to bloom – which is to be expected from oil-based pencils. Many coloring book fans also use them, particularly because of their abundance of colors.

There were, however, certain complaints about some of the colors being vaguely brittle – for example, the color red. That is, however, to be expected when it comes to oil-based colored pencils.

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What We Liked

We liked the fact that these colored pencils are easily erasable. Unlike other brands with stronger pigments, this one is erased like a charm – only leaving a small trace on the paper.

We also appreciated the fact that you have an abundance of colors to pick from. The 3,8mm lead is also fairly thick, which adds to the durability of the pencils. It will take a decent amount of time until you have to sharpen them again (this also depends on how much you use them).

Last but not least, we liked the fact that they blend very well. The colors will complement one another, resulting in rich colors that go beyond your standard selection. 

What We Didn’t Like

While the round casings are a good choice when it comes to comfort, they are not as spectacular when it comes to working on an angled table. They will slide off so fast that you will not even have a chance to catch them.

Buying Advice

Sold at around $3 per pencil, this Faber Castell is definitely not a cheap brand. Its quality is, however, undeniable, so you might want to look for sellers that offer a good price. You may find them in specialized art shops, or you may look for them online.

Source: fabercastell.com

​Amazon, for instance, may be a good option for you. Depending on the seller, you may even get a discount or free shipping. However, you should do some extensive research beforehand, because these offers come and go. 

Final Thoughts

If you have the budget for them, then the Polychromos are definitely a worthy investment. They’re easy to use, they don’t use wax that blooms, they are erasable, and the pigments are strong.

Our Rating

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