Name: ICHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-05T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-07T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Bourbonnais, IL

Tagged: art, colored pencils, Drawing

This topic has 14 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 9 months ago by Mandi.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)

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July 24, 2013 at 5:37 pm
crazy4boys
Participant
I have an aspiring artist who has asked for better quality (and more colors) colored pencils. Any recommendations on brand, type, etc? And best places to buy them without breaking the bank?
Thanks!
July 24, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Kayla
Participant
The ones we used in college were Prismacolor. They are not cheap. But they do carry some at michaels so if you can use a 40% off coupon that’s helps. They are really soft so they blend really well. I love them. And you can buy individual colors if you use one up
July 24, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Tristan
Participant
We do Prismacolor too, with a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby (they offer a new coupon to print on their website each week and it is often for 40% off).
July 24, 2013 at 6:20 pm
missceegee
Participant
I prefer Ticonderoga with core-lock, but I believe they were discontinued unfortunately. I also like Lyra. Prismacolor are nice but I find the lead breaks easily when dropped as happens at my house.
July 24, 2013 at 6:36 pm
suzukimom
Participant
If you can find them, we love Staedtler! The have ones that have a coated lead so they don’t break.
July 24, 2013 at 6:42 pm
Karen
Participant
How do you all sharpen your colored pencils?? I’ve found that my regular pencil sharpener (X-acto, I think – got it at Staples) makes super sharp points that always break off—or the lead breaks off in the sharpener and renders it useless until my husband works his magic and gets it out.
We are still using crayola, as I’m afraid to get expensive ones because of breaking, losing, and sharpening.
July 24, 2013 at 6:49 pm
erin.kate
Participant
Lyra and Prismacolor are our favorites. We use a Lyra Sharpener and Prismacolor Sharpener. 🙂
July 24, 2013 at 6:59 pm
HollyS
Participant
We went with Lyra because of the price difference (compared to Prismacolor). It came with a sharpener. I’d love to get some of the giant lyra pencils from RR…they look great for younger DC or filling in large areas of color. We also use the cheaper ones like Crayola…especially if I’m not supervising them. I try to save the nicer ones for nature journals or art lessons.
I like to buy art supplies when Hobby Lobby has them on sale. I also buy some from Rainbow Resource.
July 24, 2013 at 7:05 pm
Monica
Participant
Prismacolor and Prang are both quality colored pencils.
July 24, 2013 at 7:55 pm
missceegee
Participant
The large Lyra pencils are fabulous. However if they get dropped, my dog will eat them. How weird is that?
July 24, 2013 at 8:07 pm
crazy4boys
Participant
My dog eats everything we drop. He’s especially fond of erasers but loves a good crayon or colored pencil as well.
July 24, 2013 at 8:32 pm
missceegee
Participant
My dog never eats or chews stuff other than expensive Lyra pencils.
July 24, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Kayla
Participant
As for sharpening. We use just the little hand held one for colored pencils
July 24, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Angelina
Participant
Staedler here in our home as well, they were a gift two years ago and have lasted well. They don’t seem to sharpen so pointy that they break easily. We use an electric pencil sharpener on them, though not sure if this is “right”. (?)
I am still chuckling over the dog comments, especially the dog that prefers only the expensive pencils! Our dogs (2 labradoodles – age six months) are into erasers at the moment 🙂
July 25, 2013 at 1:25 am
Mandi
Participant
We LOVE the Lyra giants http://www.amazon.com/Color-Giants-Lacquered-Millimeter-Assorted-3941181/dp/B00524DZWO/ref=sr_1_3?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1374715297&sr=1-3&keywords=lyra+colored+pencils
I honestly had to see it to believe it. I was skeptical b/c of their size but had heard how great they were. As soon as we got these my kids gave up markers and crayons and use these all the time. I suggest getting a couple of the wooden extenders, as ours are down to nubs and it extends the life of them. I am trying to hold out until we start school to give them the new set.
I was also surprised at the detail they could do w/ such large pencils. We’ve never had one break. We got this sharpener http://thewoodenwagon.com/woodentoy/arts_and_crafts/ACST200.html with extra blades and it works great.
These pencils are wonderful. 🙂
Mandi