Nearly everyone can think of a creative moment that includes Crayola. Crayola was started in 1885 by two cousins mixing pigments for paint. They’ve created a reputation for quality, inexpensive, and kid-safe art supplies. But, they didn’t start producing colored pencils until 1987.
Crayola colored pencils are good quality for anyone who has decided to begin drawing or coloring with colored pencils. There are a wide variety of colored pencil options from Crayola that include the 12-count and 24-count packages, with a variety of colors, and specialized color combinations like their Colors of the World line.
When looking for a good quality colored pencil, there are a few components of the pencil to consider:
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- additive combined with the pigment
- color coverage
- layering and blending
- durability
As we move through the explanation of each component, we will see just how Crayola colored pencils achieve their quality.
What makes a colored pencil?
When picking out a package of colored pencils, you’ll want to first find out which additive is mixed with the pigment, the color part of the pencil. Determining this will set the foundation for the other components we will learn about. The three types of additives are wax-based, oil-based, and water-soluble.
Wax-based
Wax-based colored pencils are produced by mixing wax into the pigment. A majority of colored pencil manufacturers use a wax-based additive since they can produce colored pencils inexpensively yet maintain durability.
When coloring or drawing with a wax-based colored pencil, the color tends to show up lighter on paper than what the pigment color looks like. Think about when using Crayola crayons. Colors, such as Pacific Blue, Violet Red, and Asparagus look to be dark colors. But when put to paper, the actual color is lighter than the appearance of the crayon’s color. Wax-based colored pencils work the same way. Yellows, oranges, and greens usually have a darker color pigment in the pencil than what shows on the paper.
Oil-based
Oil-based colored pencils are produced using an oil additive, typically vegetable oil. These colored pencils are pricier and have a softer core. The softer core allows for smoother coverage of the color on paper and colors are more true to the pigment of the pencil, compared to wax-based colored pencils.
There are a couple of things to be aware of with oil-based colored pencils. Because of the softness of the pigment core, the color can smudge when applied to paper. If the tip is pressed too hard to the paper, it will deposit crumbles on the paper. One way to keep from smudging your drawing is by watching your hand placement around your picture. If you end up with crumbles on your drawing, blow them off the paper instead of swiping with your hand.
The other thing to be aware of is sharpening oil-based colored pencils. The pigment core is delicate enough to break while sharpening. And before you realize it, you’ve sharpened half the colored pencil into shavings. It can be helpful to use a handheld pencil sharpener where you have more control over the sharpening process. The softcore also lends itself to the repeated breaking of the tip while you’re drawing. It can be frustrating since these pencils are a bit more costly.
Water-soluble
Water-soluble colored pencils are produced with an additive designed to dissolve in water. When using these colored pencils with water the effect is like a watercolor painting. For this reason, they are also known as watercolor pencils. However, if you want to start working with watercolor techniques, these pencils offer a less messy way to begin. Another important point to keep in mind with water-soluble colored pencils is that they are best used with watercolor-specific paper since it is designed to hold up better with water.
So, which additive is in Crayola colored pencils? Crayola gets a star for using a wax-based additive. From what we now know about wax-based colored pencils, this additive is key to a quality colored pencil.
Check out the colored pencils we recommend HERE!
Do they draw well?
The next two components we will learn about will tell us what quality we get when using the colored pencil. These two components are color coverage and layering and blending.
Color coverage
Simply put, color coverage is how evenly the color attaches to the paper. If you’ve ever colored something with a crayon or pencil and saw the paper through the color, this is an indication of poor quality color coverage. Here, the price of the pencil does matter. Before you frown, Crayola has got you covered. Crayola colored pencils offer continuous and smooth color coverage.
Layering and Blending
Layering and blending are both important and simple techniques, that take practice for adding depth to your drawings. First, we will learn about layering. This technique is putting one color over the other to create a different color, highlight other colors, or make your subject pop. Think about drawing a sun. Sun is not just yellow. By layering various shades of yellows, oranges, and white you can create a more vibrant sun.
When layering with colored pencils, you want to use a darker color first and then a lighter color. Try practicing on scrap paper so you don’t mess up your original drawing. If you are drawing or coloring on paper that itself is colored, this can distort the color you see on the paper.
Now let’s learn about blending. This technique allows you to create a smooth transition from one color by smudging the edges of the colors you are using together. Let’s look at our sun example. When using our yellows, oranges, and whites, we wouldn’t just put the colors right next to each other like in a rainbow drawing. We would want them to blend into each other in a smooth transition from the yellows to the oranges creating a more realistic representation of the sun. The white would be blended as a way to give a highlight to the sun.
Another way to blend your colors is with a tool designed for this purpose. Aptly named, a Blender, it is a colorless pencil used specifically to create that smooth transition between your colors without changing the shade of the colors used.
Back to our sun example. To achieve a more dimensional look to the sun, you would take the Blender and use it in the same way as the colored pencils. Depending on the look you are going for, you can color all of the subject or part of the subject with the Blender. Be creative!
Crayola-colored pencils earn another star for their ability to layer and blend. This is great for the beginner who wants to develop their skill with these techniques yet still not spend more money on the pricier colored pencils.
It does not matter who you are or how much money you may have, no one wants to purchase something only to find out it is poorly made and money has been wasted. For this reason, the durability of colored pencils is just as important as the components we’ve already learned about.
Durability
The making of the casing (wood part) and pigment stick (color + additive) determines a colored pencil’s durability. When constructed poorly, the pigment stick is not held securely within the casing. This causes the pigment stick to easily break at the tip while drawing or when dropped on a hard surface.
When the tip breaks, we use the sharpener. If you are using an electric or crank sharpener, this lack of durability can cause the colored pencil to continuously sharpen until there is nothing left but shavings. As we learned above, it is common for oil-based colored pencils to perform this way.
Crayola gets another star for durability. When looking at the tip of Crayola colored pencils, you can see how the casing sits tight against the tip of the pencil. This indicates, that when sharpening or drawing, the pigment stick will not break as frequently as the oil-based colored pencils.
Now that you know the components of what determines a good quality colored pencil, you can apply this knowledge as you continue to create and explore with colored pencils. Knowing Crayola makes a good quality colored pencil, you can let your imagination loose and confidently begin your colored pencil journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I erase my mistakes with colored pencils?
If you try to erase colored pencil markings, the color will not completely come out of the paper like a lead pencil. But, Crayola makes Erasable Colored Pencils and you can be sure of their quality.
Do I have to use specific paper for my colored pencils?
No, you do not. You can use any type of paper to color and draw with colored pencils. Have fun with textured or colored paper, mix and match papers. And, yes, Crayola has paper too.
Having trouble being inspired?
That’s alright, it happens to everyone. It only takes one spark to light up an idea. Look at the shapes, patterns, and designs around you. Copy one onto your paper and then create the first thing that comes to mind.
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