Artlicious Distinct Colored Pencils & Sharpener, 50-Count

For children, colored pencils are a cornerstone of fun activities. They are used at home and at school to make whimsical pictures, complete homework and doodle aimlessly. However, in addition to being popular with kids, colored pencils are now also part of an adult pastime. These days, you’ll find adults — professional artists and beginners alike — creating beautiful works of art using colored pencils. Available in dozens of colors, the pencils are used for drawing, sketching, shading and coloring.

It’s more than just creating pretty pictures. Coloring uses both sides of the brain. The logical side of the brain helps people to color inside the lines, while the creative side is involved in selecting colors. People also improve their fine motor skills while coloring, especially while working on intricate patterns and detailed drawings.

The act of coloring actually enables the frontal lobe to open, which is the part of the brain that controls organizational and problem-solving skills. This improves the level of focus. It allows people to concentrate on the physical action of coloring in the moment while putting other thoughts aside. This can be very relaxing for people who feel stress and anxiety. In fact, coloring can help relax the amygdala, which is the fear center of the brain. In some people, coloring can actually create a meditative state by calming and focusing the restless mind.

For people who have experienced trauma or are currently going through a traumatic time, coloring can help them control the body’s stress activation area, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. This enables people to develop better coping mechanisms and higher levels of resiliency, which can help them navigate difficult experiences.

In addition to having many health and wellness benefits, coloring is also a great way to have fun and use your creativity. Many people find coloring enjoyable because they get to pick different hues, create eye-catching patterns and drawings and focus on an entertaining activity.

• Regardless of whether you’re a professional artist or just dabbling in coloring, you’ll want to check the number of colors you get in a package when purchasing a set. For those that create intricate patterns and unique designs, you may be looking for a wide range of colors. If you already have many colored pencils and are just looking to add on a few additional ones, a smaller range of colors might work for you. The Arteza Professional Colored Pencils, 72 ct comes with 72 unique colors. On the other hand, the Crayola Presharpened Colored Pencils Set, 36-Count comes with 36 different colors while the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, 150-Count comes with 150 unique colors.
• “You can buy colored pencils in sets or singly,” says our resident arts and crafts expert, Amy Markham. She’s an art educator and the creator of the art podcast Starling. “If you use one color more than the others in a set you can easily replace that one without having to purchase an entire set again,” she notes.
• It can be frustrating when the core of the pencil breaks while coloring, and you have to pause your activity to sharpen your pencil. That’s why a break-resistant core is important for many coloring enthusiasts. The Arteza Professional Colored Pencils, 72 ct specify a break-resistant core. Other sets of colored pencils have a thick and robust lead core, which makes it difficult for them to chip and crack.
• The core of your colored pencils also determines how useful they are for different drawing effects. “Hard-core pencils are best for creating sharp lines and drawing in details,” says Markham. “They are also great for lettering and outlines. Soft-core pencils are best for shading, blending and layering.”
• There are two main techniques for using colored pencils: layering and burnishing. Layering is generally used at the start by coloring different colors on top of one another to create unique shades and tones. Burnishing involves additional layering and blending the layered colors until the appearance is smooth and shiny. For many artists and coloring enthusiasts, being able to layer, shade and blend colors is a vital factor when choosing coloring pencils. If the lead core is too hard, then the pigment won’t blend in and shading will not be smooth. The Arteza Professional Colored Pencils, 72 ct have a soft core designed to glide smoothly across the paper, while other models feature ultra-smooth and even color laydown. The Castle Art Supplies Colored Pencils Set, 72 ct has quality lead that is designed for an easy laying down of color.
• Having a box or case to store your colored pencils makes it easy to manage the clutter that can come from having dozens of pencils. The Arteza Professional Colored Pencils, 72 ct comes in a metal durable, double-hinged storage tin case. The Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, 150-Count comes in a standard packaging box, while the Crayola Presharpened Colored Pencils Set, 36-Count comes in a peggable, see-through window box.
• For many people, professionals and novices alike, affordability is an important factor to consider when making a purchase. The Crayola Presharpened Colored Pencils Set, 36-Count is a low-cost and very affordable option, while the Arteza Professional Colored Pencils, 72 ct and the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, 150-Count are both higher in price.