Luminance 6901 Coloured Pencils - comparative prices for open stock

I've had a bit of a splurge on Luminance 6901 Coloured Pencils by Caran d'Ache!  Here's my haul from Monday's Private View of the Pastel Society Exhibition at the Mall Galleries 

Caran d'Ache Luminance Coloured Pencils
£2.49 each from open stock at the Pastel Society Annual Exhibition!

I've been building up my stock of Luminance Coloured Pencils slowly - because they are expensive.

I love their intense pigmentation, the way they go down and the degree of coverage I can get without effort.  However most of all I love the fact they are the only accredited lightfast coloured pencil range on the market - as in "meets the International 6901 Standard".

For me, if you're producing coloured pencil artwork for sale you must use lightfast pencils which will not fade - guaranteed!

If I have to choose, I prefer a pencil which meets an accredited technical quality standard on lightfastness rather than one where I have to rely on the quality assurance of the manufacturer. I see my preference reflected in the way other media has changed in recent years - and so it will come to pass it will happen to coloured pencils too - in time.

Caran d'Ache Display Stand
at Pastel Society Annual Exhibition
at the Mall Galleries

However there's no getting away from the fact that Luminance 6001 pencils are expensive.  I don't mind that so much - quality costs etc.  However it does mean I'm building a collection from open stock rather than laying out a huge sum to buy the whole range.  [ Note: I've listed the comparative prices from different suppliers at the end ]

So when I see pencils for sale at a much reduced cost (£2.49 per pencil ) I stand in front of the display stand and work out how many I can buy without making my eyes water.

Turns out on Monday night it was rather a lot - see the pic at the top.

These are very much "me" colours - i.e. the colour palette I like to work with so my new collection both provides back-up pencils and some new colours I've not worked with before.

This is the complete colour chart for Luminance Pencils

I may just have to go back and get some more - that's if you don't beat me and get there first!

For more about the different brands of Coloured Pencils see my website Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists.

Note: Caran d'Ache are sponsoring the Pastel Society Annual Exhibition - hence the display stand of coloured pencils and pastel pencils etc in the Mall Galleries.  It also has other Caran d'Ache products and Luminance 6901 pencils in tins.

Comparative prices for Luminance 6901 Pencils in the UK

Comparative prices for Luminance pencils bought as individual pencils from open stock are listed below together with indications as to postage costs for pencils bought online.

Product	Luminance 6901 coloured pencils | OPEN STOCK
Recommended retail price:  £2.99 or £3.10 Depends on who is quoting it!
Name of Retailer	Face to face £ price	Online £ price	£ postage
Amazon		£2.70	Various options
Jackson Art	£2.70	£2.70	Free over £39
Artifolk		£2.69	Free over £10
Pencils4Artists		£2.55	£1.95
Mall Galleries	£2.49		n/a

Note:  The Mall Galleries price only applies for the duration of the Pastel Society Annual Exhibition which ends on 22 June.  Caran d'Ache are the 2013 Sponsors of the Pastel Society Exhibition.

Derwent announces NEW helical pencil sharpeners

I'm a huge fan of pencil sharpeners with helical blades.  These are the ones which have a helical blade - that's the one where the cutting edge of the blade spirals around a core.  The reason I like them is because they cut cleanly, efficiently and very effectively.  The best points I've ever got have been produced by a pencil sharpener with a helical blade.

Three years ago Derwent produced a battery powered helical pencil sharpener which I did not recommend.  There were just too many problems (see (Product review: Derwent Battery Operated Helical Pencil Sharpener) 

However having been through that experience, I know they were working hard to understand why the problems had occurred.  As a result, although I've not see one yet, I'm confident that this next batch will be much better.  This time they've kept the helical blade but gone for the old fashioned hand crank rather than batter power.

NEW Product - Derwent Helical Pencil Sharpener - Super Point and Super Point Mini
I've not seen one yet.  This is what you need to look out for.

NEW! Derwent Helical Pencil Sharpener - Super Point and Super Point Mini
(note the hand crank i.e. NOT battery powered)

Features and Facts

Features common to both sharpeners

• each sharpener has a durable helical blade.  This SHOULD enable you to sharpens pencils to fine points typically used for fine detail work.
• both sharpeners can take pencils up to 8mm in diameter 
• Shavings are collected in a transparent sliding tray reservoir.  Derwent says this is easy to empty. 
• each sharpener comes with a desk clamp.
• both pencil sharpeners come with a hand crank (the old ones had battery power)

I haven't got a clue what this mean "The extendable front plate has a self feeding mechanism which stops when the pencil has reached a superb point." as there are no photographs to demonstrate.  I think it means it has an auto-stop.

Super Point Manual Helical Sharpener

• made of black metal which makes this both heavier and more robust
• Super Point costs £21.95

Super Point Mini Helical Sharpener

• lighter and a more compact shape
• Super Point Mini costs £14.95

Beware of trying to buying these sharpeners on Amazon.  

• The ones listed at present are the battery powered versions which I covered in my review - which simply are not reliable and do not work well.  
• Look for the date the battery was introduced.  If it's not 2013 then it's one of the old ones.

Product reviews of Pencil Sharpeners

Below you can find my product reviews of pencil sharpeners.  I tend to err towards only reviewing products that I either do or do not recommend.

• Product Review: KUM Automatic Long Point Pencil Sharpener - An excellent manual pencil sharpener for those who like their pencil leads to have a long point.
• Product Review - Round Solid Brass Double-Hole Pencil Sharpener - This is my favourite handheld sharpener. It is well designed, easy to hold, performs double duty and its weight means that it doesn't get lost easily. The compact size also means it fits easily into pencil cases.
• Product review: Derwent Battery Operated Helical Pencil Sharpener - I've tried two and neither have worked properly. I've also heard from a fair few fellow pencil artists of various degrees of experience who have also tried this sharpener and also had problems. I'm not happy and I know Derwent is trying to find out why the problems are happening. This is NOT a recommended purchase.
• Product review: Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener - a very efficient and effective pencil sharpener which can, with care, be used with coloured pencils. Needs to be fed pure graphite sticks periodically to be kept really happy. It works well with all brands of pencil. I find the oil based brands achieve the best points.

The Favourite Watercolour Pencils Awards! (2012 Brand Poll Results)

This post is about my Annual Poll to determine the best brand of Watercolour Pencil on the market from those available to purchase at the beginning of the year.

Once again Faber Castell is the market leader in terms of both market share and the favourite watercolour pencil.

The Favourite Watercolour Pencils Awards 2012

1. Favourite Watercolour Pencil in 2012 - Faber Castell Albrecht Durer
2. Favourite Woodless Watercolour Pencil in 2012 - Joint Winner: Cretacolor Aqua Monolith & Derwent Aquatone
3. Favourite brand of Watercolour Media in 2012 - Faber Castell

The results also indicate that wood pencils are more popular than woodless pencils and that the market for woodless pencils appears to be shrinking over time.

Results of the Annual Poll on Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists

This poll was first introduced in 2010 when 144 people voted. 125 people voted in 2011 while only 64 people voted in 2012 on my 2012 POLL: What's your favourite watercolour pencil?.  The poll is now closed.

Here's a table of the results over the last 3 years

FAVOURITE	2012	2011	2010
Watercolour Pencil	Faber Castell Albrecht Durer	Faber Castell Albrecht Durer	Faber Castell Albrecht Durer
Woodless Watercolour Pencil	Cretacolor Aqua Monolith & Derwent Aquatone	Caran d'Ache Neocolor & Derwent Aquatone	Caran d'Ache Neocolor & Derwent Aquatone
Brand of Watercolour Media	Faber Castell	Faber Castell	Derwent and Faber Castell

Below is a table indicating the actual numbers across all products for the percentage market share - of those people who responded to the poll.

It's very clear from this relatively small sample that Caran d'Ache and Derwent's results have reduced while Faber Castell has grown its share of the market.

A growing interest in Faber Castell is to my mind entirely consistent with more and more coloured pencil artists becoming aware that the favourite watercolour pencil is the Faber Castell Albrecht Durer. It's way out in front of the rest.  I'd always expect growing awareness of what people like and recommend to influence the buying patterns of those trying new media for the first time.

Table: Manufacturers percentage share of respondents

Watercolour Pencil Manufacturers	2012	2011	2010
(all brands)	%	%	%
Caran d’Ache (all brands)	9.4	18.4	20.9
Cretacolor	3.1	3.2	1.4
Daler Rowney	4.7	0	0
Derwent (all brands)	18.8	27.2	34
Faber Castell Polychromos	40.6	32.8	34
General’s Kimberley Thin Lead	6.3	0	0
Lyra Rembrandt	1.6	4.8	4.9
Sanford Prismacolor	7.8	6.4	4.9
Staedtler Karat Aquarell	4.7	2.4	0
Royal Talens van Gogh	3.1	4.8	0
	100	100	100

We do however need to remember that the results in part are ALWAYS dictated by the fact that not all brands are well known or easily available in local art shops.  However all are available from online suppliers (see below for links to Art Suppliers in the UK and USA) and I'm trying to enhance awareness via the 

I'm minded to ponder on the fact that CPSA banned from use of the Caran d'Ache Neocolor II for their main international exhibition in 2012.  To my mind it is to all intents and purposes exactly like other woodless watercolour pencil type media.  I have yet to come across a convincing argument as to why this medium is not allowed other than the fact it uses the word 'pastel' wjile others describe it as a crayon - while being neither a soft pastel nor an oil pastel!  Could it be a question of language?

Those using watercolour pencils will be interested to know that the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) also tests the lightfastness of all watercolor pencils and provide the results in their CPSA - Lightfastness Test Result Workbook Version 6

A new poll is now open and you can find it here - 2013 POLL: What's your favourite watercolour pencil?

Links:

• UK Art Shops & Online Art Supplies
• USA: Art Supply Stores & Online Art Supplies
• Art Supplies Around The World - Resources for Artists

How to vote for the best coloured pencils in 2013

I like using different brands!

This is an invitation to coloured pencil artists to VOTE for your CURRENT FAVOURITE BRAND of:

• Artist Grade Coloured Pencils and 
• Watercolour Pencils. 

You can find two BRAND NEW 2013 Opinion Polls about coloured pencils for 2013 on my website Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists

The links to the polls are below

• 2013 POLL: Which is the best brand of artist grade coloured pencil?
• 2013 POLL: What's your favourite watercolour pencil?

This is a brand new poll - so even if you have voted before in previous years you can vote again.

The purpose of having an Annual Opinion Poll is to identify which are the most popular coloured pencils in 2013.

This enables:

• artists to change their votes if they have been experimenting with brands which they've not used before
• new brands to be reflected in the poll.  
• voting to reflect changing preferences as to existing and new brands of coloured pencils
• feedback to the manufacturers about your preferences.  Hopefully this provides an incentive to continue to provide continued improvement in the quality and lightfastness of products available in the marketplace

Don't forget to check all the options before you vote. The coloured pencils are listed in alphabetical order. 

If any of the marketing people from the different pencil manufacturers are reading this and note that their new brands are NOT included please contact me with the date your product is/was made available in the marketplace AND on your website.

The results of the two polls about your favoured brands of artist grade coloured pencils and watercolour pencil in 2012 will be published tomorrow.

Brands of Artist Grade Coloured Pencils

The brands listed are all those which were available at the beginning of 2013.  Not every brand is included.  For example, they exclude those which are most suitable for children/school students rather than fine art.

You can find out more about the different brands in

• Artist Grade Coloured Pencils - Brand Information
• Coloured Pencils - Colours and Lightfastness
• Watercolour Pencils - Brand Information

The brands of artist grade coloured pencils included this year are

• Blick Studio Artists 
• Bruynzeel Sakura 
• Caran d'Ache - Luminance (6901) 
• Caran d'Ache - Neocolor II 
• Caran d'Ache - Pablo 
• Cretacolor Karmina 
• Derwent Artist 
• Derwent Coloursoft 
• Derwent Drawing 
• Derwent Studio 
• Faber Castell Polychromos 
• Holbein Artists 
• Koh I Noor Polycolor 
• Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor 
• Mitsubishi Uni 
• Prismacolor Art Stix 
• Prismacolor Premier 
• Prismacolor Verithin 
• Soho Urban Artists 
• Talens Van Gogh (6901) 
• Tombow Irojiten 
• Utrecht Premium

VOTE for your favoured brand of artist grade coloured pencil?

Brands of Watercolour Pencils

The brands of watercolour pencils identified for the 2013 Poll are: 

• Caran d'Ache Supracolor Aquarelle 
• Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle 
• Caran d'Ache Museum 
• Cretacolor Aqua Monolith (Woodless) 
• Cretacolor Aquarell 
• Daler-Rowney Artists' Watercolour 
• Derwent Aquatone (Woodless) 
• Derwent Graphitint 
• Derwent Inktense 
• Derwent Watercolour 
• Faber Castell Albrecht Durer 
• General's Kimberley Thin Lead Watercolor 
• Lyra Rembrandt Aquarell 
• Sanford Prismacolor Watercolor 
• Staedtler Karat Aquarell 
• Talens Van Gogh Watercolour 

VOTE for your favourite watercolour pencil

Derwent Carry-All (product review)

This is a preliminary review of the NEW Derwent Carry-All which I have yet to take out with me.  This review relates to what it comprises, how it's made and what I can and cannot get it in it.

Derwent Carry-All
(left) front view with shoulder strap attached
(right) opened up showing web pocket for accessories and pencils in a "leaf"; 
space for sketchbook is underneath the pencil leaves
(note: it doesn't come with any art materials - it's just a very big empty pencil case on a strap)

I think the Carry-All has distinct potential but for me it's a "near miss".  I'm awarding it a B+ for a good effort but could do better. 

The reason why?  Two reasons

• I'm confused as to who it is for
• My personal preferences for what I need - I think I would have been tempted to use it an awful lot more - and hence liked it a lot more - if it had just been 25mm taller.  I'll explain why.

I think the dimensions for this carry-all probably started with 'the pencil'. In that context it’s size makes complete sense as it’s well set-up for carrying pencils and I can imagine it will be a very useful bit of kit for those attending classes and workshops.

However if you started from the perspective of who else might want to use it then I think Derwent might well have given some more thought to the size.  It’s not big enough to take an A4 sketchbook or most panoramic sketchbooks so one’s limited to carrying an A5 size sketchbook or a smaller Moleskine sketchbook.

The size aspect is what’s going to limit my use of this holdall.  I was ever so disappointed as I tried every which way to get my A4 sketchbook into it.  That's because if I'm using a smaller sketchbook I then also downsize how many pencils I carry around with me.  I can get a small sketchbook and mini pencil wrap in my handbag.  (see Making a Mark Reviews: Product Review: Derwent Pocket Pencil Wrap 24 May 2010)

Here's the breakdown of what I found.  I'll also report back once I've used it 'in the field'.  I'll also be asking Derwent about the size issue as the Carrry-All I have is nothing like the dimensions on their website.

Product: Derwent Carry-All

Summary Review: It's a well-made rather large pencil holdall on a strap.  I find this product promising but confusing. I’m not clear who the target consumer of the carry-all. Storage emphasis: It’s great for people who want a good way of keeping their pencils and other bits of kit neat and tidy and all in one place at home. Mobile with pencils: It’s great for those who just want to carry a lot of pencils and a bit of extra kit around from A to B without lugging a great big pencil box or tin around. However if that’s all they want to do then I’m puzzled as to why the Derwent pencil wraps - which take 30 pencils each - would not work better? Sketching: HOWEVER It’s undersized for the serious sketcher and oversized for a small sketchbook or anybody with a more minimalist approach.  If this bit were fixed it would still serve the other two pencil uses equally well.

Technical Details: The Derwent Carry-All is described as “a pencil storage solution” with the scope to store “up to 132 pencils and more”. size: the product details tell me it should measure 8" square and 6.5" deep (220mm x 220m x 170mm) which would make it an ‘almost’ cube. HOWEVER the one I’ve got is 220mm wide, 275mm high and 130mm deep - so I’m now wondering if there are different sizes. (Mine is 25mm short of an A4 sketchbook - very frustrating!) material: made of a sturdy grade of fawn canvas (same as that used for the pencil wraps); the trim is dark brown. Feels robust. strap: optional shoulder strap in fawn/dark brown canvas. The strap clips are diagonally opposed and not fixed to the centre of each side as that’s where the zip goes. I’d have liked a more padded shoulder grip hand grip: comfy padded carrying handle/grip with velcro fasteners (if not using strap) pencil storage: product details say it comes with 3 pencil “leaves”; each one is supposed to be capable of holding 44 pencils. Mine came with just 2 leaves and I think I can get 24 pencils in each side (2 per elasticated slot) making 48 pencils per leaf and 96 pencils in total. I guess the scope to hold “up to 132 pencils” is related to the three leaves it’s supposed to come with exterior pocket with velcro tab Interior web pocket - big enough for incidentals (erasers, sharpeners, viewfinder etc) Interior elastic band - looks as if was designed for a very fat sketchbook. Too big to hold my Moleskine secure.

Who should buy this? people who sketch (but work out when you’d use it first) pencil artists needing a neat storage solution for the home pencil artists attending workshops suitable for all makes of coloured pencils - I tried them all!

Who should not buy this? people who like big sketchbooks

Highlights: appears to be robust materials and well made

Think Again? decide first what method of transporting pencils works best for you and your own personal needs

Manufacturer / Distributor: Derwent / Cumberland Pencil Company

Suppliers: supplied to me by Derwent as a test item to review; available from Derwent retailers Online Retailers include: Society of Amateur Artists; Jackson Art

Interestingly it's also big enough to take an iPad - but then if I was sketching with my iPad I wouldn’t need the pencils! :)