Finally got around using my
Michael's gift card (Thanks Toni & Tori!) remaining from my X-mas loot.
Latest additions to my sketching tools collection. I can never have enough
Sakura Pigma Sensei sets, for I can use up my favorite 0.6 mm pen within 4 hours of continuous use when speed sketching at
public events.
Also picked up several lighter hues of
Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers to complement my travel sets of gray markers. My original
Prismacolor marker set was rather heavy on darker hues and lacking light base colors. Lately I have been relying more on my
Copic Sketch markers, but given their higher retail value I prefer to limit their use to controlled environments like a studio. The recent release of the
Prismacolor Manga set of 12 double ended marker caught my attention, so I selected several of the colors included in this set from the open stock rack to use in my regular field
sketching kit.
This shot shows the differences between the new markers and my older markers. The barrel graphics have been updated, so it is a bit easier to tell the nibs apart at a single glance (the broad base of the black triangular
Prismacolor logo corresponds to the broad nib size, and the opposite vertex clearly points towards the fine nib). The current fine nib itself has been redesigned to be wider and without the metal sleeve of of the previous marker version. The latter had an annoying tendency to dry out in no time, so I hope the new fine nibs will have a longer useful life.
Using both nibs to draw a reference color chart for the new markers and the set of French Greys.
Coloring
test doodle.
The
Prismacolor double ended markers are fun sketching and coloring tools. They lay down color smoothly and can cover broad areas quickly with their versatile broad nibs that can readily produce 3 different line thicknesses by simply turning the marker. While their color coding and barrel markings might not be as permanent and durable as the ones on the
Copic Sketch markers, they are still fairly functional for their expected useful life. Ultimately they are fairly nice disposable markers since they can not be refilled, and their nibs are not replaceable.
Got this Prismacolor Premier Portrait Set of 24 colored pencils on clearance for under 10 bucks at a store closing a while back but did not get around to reviewing until now.
Color chart drawn on Global Art Flexi-Sketch sketchbook. The pencils have a fairly smooth lay down, but they also have a tendency to crumble a bit. It was necessary to brush off the lead debris several times while drawing these color chart. If using the pencils at home on a flat surface, the plastic trays that they are packaged in are an adequate storage option.
If you plan to use them on the go in a field sketching kit, it would probably be more practical to transfer them to a pencil wrap where each pencil is secured individually in its own elastic loop and the whole set can be kept chromatically arranged under any working conditions.
This Prismacolor Portrait Set is a handy selection of colored pencils for drawing and coloring faces. Leads are soft and creamy, but they can also be easily damaged if the pencils are dropped on the floor. The light umber pencil in this set was probably damaged during transport. Its lead kept breaking off after repeated sharpening attempts with different sharpener models (electric and handheld). At least I was able to sharpen it with a utility knife saving about 50% of its original length. Most of my Prismacolor pencil sets have had a couple of duds with extremely brittle leads that rendered entire pencils unusable. Yet they are often easy to replace since many stores carry this brand in open stock. They are worth trying if found on sale or at clearance prices.
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