High-quality pigments: Prismacolor Premier colored pencils are known for their rich, vibrant colors that are easy to blend and layer. The pigments used in these pencils are of high quality and have been tested for lightfastness, ensuring that artwork created with them will last for years to come. I don’t think one is objectively better than the other. While oil-based colored pencils tend to be more expensive, there are also premium wax-based pencils like the Caran D’ache Luminance colored pencils. These colored pencils are excellent for blending, shading, and writing and come with a non-slip grip. In my opinion, it all comes down to personal preference. Some people like the buttery, velvety texture of wax-based colored pencils. Others like a harder core for more detailed coloring. If you can get past the price then you may want to try this type of colored pencil because in a lot of cases they are definitely worth the money if you know what you are buying and learn how to use them. Firmer or Harder core

The number of pure pigments used in conjunction with binders and extenders determines how well your colors will hold up over time. What Our Editors Say “These oil-based colored pencils are surprisingly good, given their price point. We were expecting a more inferior quality, but this brand surprised us with its quality core that is soft to apply and easy to blend. This means that artwork created with Prismacolor Premier pencils will retain its vibrancy and color for years to come. Wax-based colored pencils are usually softer, and oil-based colored pencils are usually harder. This means that wax-based pencils can be layered and erased easily, and create a buttery surface that allows for blending and layering. However, the softness of wax-based colored pencils means that the core breaks easily. As an artist, I can’t assume to know what will work best for you with your colored pencil art but can only go with my own experience.It's important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if oil-based colored pencils are the right choice for you and your projects. Conclusion These are your more common style of colored pencil and are what you will typically find in the stores. They do come in an artist-grade or a student-grade pencil and are also considered to be more affordable. They're also free from most common allergens, including latex, gluten, egg, dairy, soy, peanut, and tree nut. The artist-grade colored pencils are the highest quality and should definitely be your choice if your budget allows for it. They are superior to student-grade pencils in every way and contain a higher pigment content, which gives a richer and bolder color finish. Less wax bloom: Wax-based colored pencils can develop a hazy, white film called wax bloom over time. Oil-based pencils don't have this issue, keeping your artwork looking fresh and vibrant for longer.

Generally, the more pigment the better the lightfast rating. This means that the colors will hold up better through time from the elements especially when it comes to UV rays. The ease with which an oil-based pencil dispenses color and cover means that it does not require multiple rounds of layering or a fixative substance. That being said, the ease with which it dispenses color also means that one stroke dispenses a lot of that color, making them far less durable than a wax-based colored pencil. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, these artist-grade pencils will help you create beautiful works of art. What You Should Know We will go over a few of these binders to point out some of the key differences between wax and oil-based colored pencils in the next few paragraphs. Being one of the most affordable sets and having the most pencils makes these pencils a good choice for a colorist on a budget. These are very comparable to the Magicfly 72 colored pencil set above, except there is no lightfast rating.One of the decisions you would need to make as an artist when choosing your colored pencils is whether to choose oil-based or waxed-based pencils. There are quite a few differences between the two, so understanding the differences will help you make a better choice. 1. Binder Oil-based colored pencils will require a solvent that will break down the oil in the binder and core of the pencil to achieve the best results. Many articles say to use baby oil or alcohol. Baby oil will work on wax-based pencils but not oil-based colored pencils and the results are mediocre at best. So you're ready to try out oil-based colored pencils, but where do you start? Here are two of my favorite brands of oil-based colored pencils: Faber-Castell Polychromos My goal was to review as many oil-based pencil sets as I could find with verification of actually being oil-based. If you're working on a limited budget, you can start with a few colors in one set, then build your collection later. Oil Colored Pencils FAQ 1. Do oil-based colored pencils smear? Yes, but not in a bad way. The smear factor of oil-based colored pencils means you can blend and layer them without issues. Because these colored pencils contain wax and oil for binders, they have a unique ability to get into the paper fibers for a painterly effect when blended with solvents. 2. What is the difference between oil-based colored pencils and regular colored pencils?

Using solvents with oil-based pencils can help you to achieve an oil painting effect by giving you the ability to blend using brush strokes. Once dried you can add more layers on top to build depth and add detail. There are only 2 different sets available in this brand of oil-based colored pencils. They are 72 and 96. I was unable to find any information on the lightfastness but that does not mean they are not. Fine Tune Details and Redefine Last: Plan for the small details, but don’t bother putting them on paper until the end. Otherwise, you’re bound to blend them out. The buying decision can also hinge on how you plan to use them. From everyday workhorses that can be used again and again, to beautifully crafted models that might be saved for special works, coloured pencils vary enormously in quality.Oil-based colored pencils will also not develop a wax bloom over time, which is a big bonus for many artists. Are All Colored Pencils Oil-Based? Did you know that not all colored pencils are created the same? Traditionally, a true colored pencil utilized either wax or oil-based binder to hold the pigment together and allow it to spread easily. While wax-based colored pencils are more prevalent, oil-based colored pencils certainly have their place. PROFESSIONAL QUALITY: High-quality pigments are intense and vibrant, perfect for artists and students looking to improve their skills. These pencils produce vibrant colors that are perfect for adding depth and detail to your drawings.