I never thought that colored pencils would take my breath away but the Caran D’ache did just that. Up until this point I have used primarily Prismacolor Premier pencils and don’t get me wrong prismas are pretty excellent but in order to broaden my horizons I decided to save my dollars and splurge for these bad boys.
Now let’s dive into these fellas and why they are the shiz! First when I opened the box you could tell right away that they are quality. The box is lined with foam that cradles each pencil in its own little slot keeping it safe from the world around it. The packaging indicates these bad boys are precious and are made of quality materials. The design of the pencil is also something inspiring. You can tell the designers put a lot of thought and effort into making a visually appealing pencil.
Now I know it doesn’t come down to looks but I have to admit… they were impressive. I almost feel like I have to put on an evening gown to be worthy of using this pencil.
Upon first inspection I found that the barrel is larger than others I have used. It makes for a more sure hold and less strained fingers not to mention a thicker diameter lead. The lead is an interesting texture. Being used to the uber soft nature of prismas these ones took a bit to get used to. Blending is very easy with prismas and at first the Caran d’ache the pencils didn’t seem to do it with much ease but after I gained some knowledge of how it behaves the colors mix splendidly well.The pencils are a mix of oil and wax making this unique combination the perfect blend between soft and hard. This 76 pencil pack also comes with 2 blenders which I never used with prismas but now I find that having the oil and wax compound of the caran d’ache the blender is a very useful tool.
With other pencils my biggest complaint is the delicacy of the lead. If you even think it might break it probably will. With the Caran d’ache I have not had that experience the pencils are very sturdy and robust. I have yet to break a tip. The wood also seems to be of a very high quality. It doesn’t break and crumble when sharpening it.
This set has about half of the colors prismacolor premier has but how has time to use all those colors. I have been able to get all the desired effects from the Caran D’ache with the 76 colors. And let me tell you. They are beautiful and vibrant. The saturation is palatable and delicious to the eyes.
These pencils so far have ticked every box but there is one wee downfall that I am sure with time I can figure out how to manage. Blending is on point, color richness as well, where the struggle is keeping a refined point for detail work. In an effort to work through this my next quest will be testing a large selection of sharpeners to see what helps keep the refined tip.
One of the main reasons to venture to the higher quality Caran D’ache offers is something they call lightfastness. This is how long an image keeps its color integrity before it starts fading by facing the elements. These fine pencils last a blooming 100 years before they even start to lose their luster. So if you are trying to make it as an artist and want your art to last through the ages the Caran D’ache is where your dollars should go. Yes, they cost a limb or your first born child but they are worth the investment. I mean I am smitten and it’s just been a few weeks.
To sum it up if you are wanting the best pencil in the industry this is it. If you are just getting into it stick with prismacolor premier.
FAQs
The colour lays down so quickly that I can create one in a day or 2! The only downside to this is that you burn through your favourite colours very quickly, but it is worth the price of an extra pencil or two to save all of that valuable time and get more artwork made!
Why are luminance pencils so expensive? ›
Over time, colour fades and tarnishes to a yellow colour, however, if the pigment you are using has been treated for lightfastness, this is not going to happen for many years, which is one of the reasons the Caran Dache Luminance pencils are that little bit more expensive.
Why is Caran D'Ache so expensive? ›
The biggest reason that these pencils are expensive is something that probably isn't relevant to most amateur or beginner colorists, and that is the lightfastness rating. Lightfastness refers to how long your artwork will last over the years when exposed to sunlight.
What are the best Caran Dache pencils? ›
Our range of LUMINANCE 6901® pencils is valued by art and design experts for superior lightfastness. This collection is unique in that it is the only collection of any brand to contain 81 colours rated Lightfastness I (LFI), the highest level of resistance according to the international standard ASTM D-6901.
Is caran d'ache better than prismacolor? ›
I've been guilty of assuming the Pablo pencils were oil-based in the past… but have confirmed that both the Caran d'Ache Pablos and the Luminance are wax-based. They are NOT as buttery smooth as the Prismacolors, but they are great at blending, and the core is much stronger.
What is the most expensive Caran D'Ache pen? ›
Caran d'Ache 1010 Diamond Edition- $1.28 million or £1.04 million.
How many Caran Dache luminance pencils are there? ›
Following the launch of 24 new Luminance 6901™ colours, Caran d'Ache now proposes all 100 colours in a complete assortment, including 8 shades unique to the Caran d'Ache colour chart.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive colored pencils? ›
And while color intensity has less to do with the price (there are a lot of very bright student-grade pencils), the more expensive professional-grade pencils have richer colors.
What are number 1 pencils? ›
1 Pencil (B Grade): Higher in graphite, softer, prone to smudging, and ideal for artistic or bold writing. No. 2 Pencil (HB Grade): A balanced mix of graphite and clay, offering versatility for writing and drawing, making it a popular choice for schools and offices.
Can you mix polychromos and luminance? ›
The luminance performs quite nicely for layering this way. Both pencils can be used together, which is how I personally choose to work.
Luminance are very high quality, softer, deeply pigmented wax-based lightfast pencils by Caran D'ache as well, in a slightly larger diameter.
What is the difference between Polychromos and luminance? ›
The polychromos are oil based pencils. Their leads are harder than the wax based luminance. This means that polychromos are ideal for really fine detail. The luminance on the other hand being wax based are a softer lead.
Is Carandache a good brand? ›
In summary, Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Permanent Pencils are a high-grade product and, in the hands of professional coloured pencil artists, would be certain to improve their work.
What paper is best for luminance pencils? ›
In general, any hot press watercolor paper works well with colored pencils. Next you have the Legion Stonehenge Paper, whose vellum (medium) texture is very popular with colored pencil artists. Lastly, I recommend the Strathmore 500 Bristol Board, which is perfect if you like a smooth texture.
