Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils review - Comparing Colored Pencils
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มี.ค. 2023
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Unboxing, swatching and testing the Caran d’Ache Luminance colored pencils!
In my quest for THE perfect professional artist-grade colored pencil set, I thought Faber Castell Polychromos would be the love of my life.
Catch the full playlist here: • The Great Colored Penc...
Call it cold feet at the altar, call me a runaway bride…but when it came time to commit to the Polychromos, I was suddenly plagued with doubt.
The only way I can be 100% sure I’m investing my art budget wisely is to actually test these colored pencils. I bet some of you are having the same doubts, so I thought we could spend some time in the months ahead thoroughly comparing all of the professional artist-grade colored pencils I can get my hands on!
Reference photo submitted to Pixabay by OpenClipart-Vectors:
pixabay.com/vectors/cat-kitte...
The links below are affiliate links on Amazon US. I may earn a small commission should you choose to use these links. Any commission earned through your purchase will go directly to sustaining and growing Art on the Creek. It will allow me to continue to create video tutorials and art supply reviews for you here on TH-cam. I can't thank you enough for your support! I hope this channel brings you as much joy as I have creating it for you.
Light Box
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Derwent Battery Operated Eraser
www.amazon.com/Derwent-Batter...
Derwent Battery Eraser Refills
www.amazon.com/Derwent-Replac...
Caran dAche Luminance Set of 12
www.amazon.com/Caran-6901-712...
In all, these 12 sets are the ones I will tesr. I’ll put all the videos in a playlist as they publish:
•Caran d’Ache Luminance
•Caran d’Ache Pablo
•Derwent Chromaflow
•Derwent Coloursoft
•Derwent Lightfast
•Derwent Procolour
•Faber-Castell Polychromos
•Holbein Artists’ Colored Pencils
•Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Oil-Based Colored Pencils
•Prismacolor Premier
•Prismacolor Verithin
•Blick Studio Artists’ Colored Pencils
Show Theme Music: Charles Shomo, Caffeine Creek Band "Forest Trail"
![Luminance vs Lightfast [BEST Colored Pencils]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wx4X9VJ20m0/mqdefault.jpg)
![[안방1열 직캠4K] 베이비몬스터 치키타 'FOREVER' (BABYMONSTER CHIQUITA FanCam) @SBS Inkigayo 2404707](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tn3bGHiBWkg/mqdefault.jpg)
I am a colored pencil junkie! All colored pencils are a mix of oil and wax but the predominant ingredient is what make a particular pencil oil or wax (most confusing sentence I've ever written lol). Colored pencils all have a coating in the core to help prevent breaking so sharpening before the first use will give you a better idea if the feel of a pencil. I absolutely adore the Luminance...the first time i used them I knew exactly why they are so expensive! THE Caran D'ache Museum Aquarelle are AMAZING waterdooor pencils as well.
Hi, Christine! Thank you so much for the info! As I continue to test these pencils I’m really feeling the difference in the varying oil/wax ratio blends! I’m sure the Museum Aquarelle are fabulous😍 Lol they are on my list too!!
I am so glad I found you. Your videos are amazing.
@jackiblair7932 Jackie thank you so much! I’m so happy you’re here ❤️
I treated myself to a full set of Luminannce pencils after spending a lot of time with Prismas. These were such a lovely experience. My problem is that I felt guilty using them but have decided I’m worth it! Be happy💕
Sue, you ARE worth it! The Luminance will be hard to beat, for sure💜💜
I was thinking about buying some too but I was thinking how I could maybe combine them with less expensive ones to make it more budget friendly.
I think that’s the best way to segue into an excellent pro line. Start with something like Prismacolor, and replace as needed with Luminance, for example. Have fun!
The nice thing about the video is that the both sides of the cat are truly amazing.
Thank you so much! They are very different pencils and perform in very specifically unique ways. I like characteristics of both of them, but I’m still undecided. I’m going to get back to this comparison after worldwatercolormonth is over, so watch the playlist and see how the rest of the brands compare!
I’m an amateur but I absolutely love using higher quality supplies. It took me a long time to justify the money I have spent. But I do make art every single day. I bought my granddaughter a student grade set of colored pencils and was so disappointed with the quality I went and bought her a much higher grade. She loves making art.
Hi Michelle! That’s so wonderful that you can share art with your granddaughter🥰 I agree-professional supplies will never make you a better artist, but they sure can eliminate a lot of unnecessary hurdles.
Thanks for watching and commenting! Happy creating, and have tons of fun with your granddaughter!
I’m really enjoying this! I don’t paint with colored pencils but this sure makes me want to! I do have the caran dache museum aquarelles and the faber castel albrecht durer. I bought them to compare and you can’t go wrong with either. I feel they are the best you can buy! I don’t have any experience with derwent so it will be interesting to see how they perform. Thank you for sharing this!
Hooray! Thank you so much I’m glad you’re enjoying this series! You’ll like tomorrow 🥰 this week’s review is the Albrecht Dürer Aquarelles!!❤️❤️❤️
fabulous comparison.....I love them both but that eye using the luminance is amazing
Thank you so much! It’s so interesting to see how they are so different…and where each type would be best used.
A while back i heard someone say that all Caran d'ache pencils are predominately wax based...they don't do oil based pencils...so Pablos..in spite of the feel of them , are also wax based. Personally the Luminance are my favourite coloured pencils...Polychromos takes second for me, and I have the full sets of both. I find that if I'm using both in a piece, the Luminance makes an awesome base layer, with the translucency of the Polychromos adding brilliance to the top layers. I don't tend to burnish, but i do use oms for amazing painterly effects. I have only the 18 set of Pablo and rarely use them. Great video, thank you 😊
Your take on both the Luminance and the Pablo’s is spot-on. As I continue through testing the brands for “The One True Pencil,” no surprise, I’m finding each has its merits.
I have always been interested in the wax vs. oil debate…most wax is a petroleum product, so in effect every pencil is an oil pencil! I’m sure it has something to do with ratios. I agree-Caran d’Ache is one of the better colored pencil manufacturers, and I am thoroughly enjoying this experiment!
Thank you for your insightful comments and I’m so happy you enjoyed this video👩🏻🎨🩷 Have fun drawing this week!!
Playing some more with the Luminance. They are Soo Smooth! An entirely different feel from the Prismacolor. Am feeling more and more the NEED for a wider range of colors!
That’s very good to hear thank you for checking in! I have been so frustrated with the Prismacolor crumbs & am looking forward to finding another “go-to.” I didn’t notice they broke all that much as is such a common complaint…then now as I’m trying the other brands, yes. Yes, tel he Prismacolor Premiers are prone to breaking. In my Liminance test, there wasn’t notable breakage. It want until I tried the others that I realized Prismacolor were more problematic than I thought! So…..I’m happy to hear you like the Luminance. I’m very much looking forward to comparing them to Polychromos and Derwent Lightfast! More comparisons coming in December💙
Going next week to compare Caran skin tone colors to my Prismacolors! I Hope there will be enough Carans that I can try them with a portrait.
Excellent! I hope they work well for you. I've heard from many colored pencil artists that they like to supplement the Luminance with the Pablos for fine details. Cheers and happy drawing!
I totally agree with your assessment! Are the Luminance necessary? I don't think so, and especially at that price point. But are they WORTH it? Ohhhh yes! They really are lovely. I bought the set of 12, and I've bought a few more open stock. I think I currently have around 17. But while I'm always tempted to buy more, I really want to stick with my limited range. Because to be honest, I do much better with a limited palette and mixing/layering my pencils. If I had a full set of any pencils, the choices would be too overwhelming. Oh but the Luminance have some very lovely muted, natural colors......
HUGE PROPS for limited palettes! I’d like to believe no one needs more than a set of 36 or 48…but please know I have the 120 set of Prismacolors😂🤷🏻♀️❤️ It’s pretty hard to justify the price of the Luminanace. But the way you’re doing it, I think, if it’s to be done, is the way to go. Start with 12 then fill in when whatever other brand you’re using runs out.
Mixing creates such depth & dimension…hard pressed to find a case against that!!
I’ll be resuming this series in October❤️🍁Happy arting!
@@artonthecreek I originally bought the 36 set of Prismas, but buying open stock, I'm probably up to around 70. Which is way too many, but -- colorz!!! So purty!!! Also, buying a few Prismas open stock is a great way to scratch the art-buying itch without a) breaking the bank and b) buying stuff you don't need and will probably never use. Looking forward to see what other brands you try out!
@@ritawilbur6128 thank you! I gotta tell ya, I truly enjoy collecting as much as creating. Each brand has their good uses…all with unique features. I always say I’m trying to find the 🦄 but truly, it’s a fruitless quest and I know it. 😂 If something doesn’t lay down as much pigment, then that’s exactly what you want for delicate, soft pieces. ❤️❤️❤️ Fun to connect with you here I hope you get the chance to see the ongoing comparison I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Amazing eyes. They’re both beautiful but I do like the luminance better too
Thank you , Barbara☺️ I didn’t think there would be that much difference! Those Luminance are pretty dreamy, aren’t they?
@@artonthecreek they are. I have some, they’re nice. When I get better at art I will use them more 😊
I love your work, my friend🥰
Years ago, I used Prismacolor and thought they were good, but I've heard several people say Prismacolor's quality has declined. I really like my Polychromos 12 pencil set, and would like to get one of their larger sets at some point. I was given a handful of Luminance pencils and I'm really impressed with them, too. That's a significant difference between the two sides of the painting. Thanks for this video series - it's so helpful!
Hi Irene! I’m so happy you are enjoying this series and finding it helpful😊 There is such a huge variance in the feel and pigment laydown-I had no idea the difference would be this notable! Im anxious to test the rest-so glad you like your Polychromos! The Luminance is a hard one to beat, that’s for sure💖
I love my polys I have old prismas when they where made Sanford at that time & I don’t care for them, to me polys are better, I’m not crazy about soft pencils, as a whole, I just got a set of uni by Mitsubishi, the same people that make the Posca pens, they are very nice but poly is still better, I never tried the Caran d’ache they are very expensive
@nedanashu5025 hi there! Thanks for watching and commenting. I’m amazed at the subtle differences in the brands-yet that can drastically change user experience! The Luminance are indeed expensive-so far I am finding that they are wonderfully soft but don’t crumble like my Prismacolors. I have a few Sanford left from my early days-they still work well. Over all, though, the crumbs are so infuriating to me! The Polychromos seem to be excellent for layering-I suspect I will land liking a combination of brands, to be honest. 😁 I have been very curious about the Uni Polycolors-I might add them to the list of my comparisons but haven’t been able to find a reasonable price in my area.
@@artonthecreek I got the uni from Amazon I like them, 100 set, $122 US dollars…but they are different, I like them but I don’t know how to explain what’s different about them probably lack of experience since I only tried a few brands. But I like them. No crumbling at all, Holbein crumbles I bought a few to try & for the price they shouldn’t, really annoying crumbs.
@nedanashu5025 ok thanks! That’s a decent price I will look for them. Holbein crumbles??? Nooooooooo. Shoot. I had high hopes for them. Perhaps they are the next ones I should test🤔😁
Hi! Got your note re more reviews. Great!
I have been at this colored pencil thing (Passionately!) for 23 years now. Having learned from Ann Kuhllberg and following her technique, I need a pencil that will hold a needle-fine point. Also, I do portraits, so when I look into another brand I will be looking at their selection of skin tones. (Probably open stock, since the sets include so many (delicious!!) colors I don't generally use.)
I will most definitely be tuning in to your next review(s)! Never having veered away from the Prismacolors, I am most curious after all these years to see how different pencils might affect the overall look of my work. P.S. At 80, I'm working towards being known as the Grandma Moses of Colored Pencils!
I’m thrilled with your “later in life” quest! We never stop learning, do we?! Teaching art via TH-cam in my retirement has been wholly rewarding. I wish you the best in your creative efforts and hope to hear from you again❤️👩🏻🎨
Thank you for this video I have kinda been debating between Caran d’Ache Luminance and Derwin, intense? I really saw the difference between the Pablo and luminance hands down the luminance win 🥇. They look so vibrant 💖.
And ,thank you for acknowledging people that do adult coloring books . I remember in college when I took art class they look down so much on coloring book’s. I am not an artist but after coloring a few years I began to take my coloring to the next level learning more about blending,shading ect… I have the Prismacolor Premier and yes they are wax’s and kinda messy but I learned . I also have the Faber-Castell Polychromos and the FC are my favorite right now. However I have heard so much about the luminance colors pencils I have been debating if I want to spend that much? They look lovely but it’s a hard call the set of 40 color pencils are up there at $121.50 vs the 72 pencil at $224.
And $306. for one hundred is kinda up there for me .
But I appreciate you sharing your knowledge on the luminance. And I will be thinking about which one I would like to buy.
You are a beautiful lady with so much talent and I thank you for sharing.
❤marina
Hi Marina! Thanks so much for watching & commenting! I’m very happy you found this useful. I am one to frown upon elitism in the art/education world. Whatever art supply works for you is the one that’s best for you! Still, it’s undeniable that professional quality pencils can definitely help any artist render beautiful pieces.
Enjoy your coloring!! Such a wonderful, relaxing way to spend time. Take care, and have a lovely, creative week!👩🏻🎨🩷
💖🌺
Hi, I am trying to solve a question I have about these pencils. I have 13 luminance pencils and I feel a little confused because everyone says they feel amazing, but mine all feel dry like pastel does. They are opaque and pigmented but they feel scratchy and dry. Only one color 739 feels creamy and waxy, like I expected them all to be, which makes me think the rest of the ones I have are somehow defective? I don't know. It's weird.
Hi Loati! Thanks for your question! That would drive me crazy & I’m so sorry you’re not experiencing the softness of the Luminance. I’m not a Caran d’Ache Representative, and I don’t claim to have any sure-fire solutions, but I do have a tip you can try and one to avoid. First, the one to avoid: PLEASE don’t put your pencils in the microwave! Microwaves vary, there may be metallic printing somewhere on the pencil, and hot spots may result.
Instead, I would set your pencils in the sun for awhile. If you don’t have a sunny day, lay your pencils on a towel or rag. Gently use a heat tool to pass over them while you roll them around with your other hand. That should soften the pencil cores and make them pleasant to use.
I’ve also seen where some artists will soak their pencils in hot or warm water…I’m not a fan of that technique because it can warp the cedar casing or make the pencil dry unevenly. Some use a mix of rubbing alcohol and water to soak, but again, I’m not a fan of soaking because of the warping risk.
If the sunshine/heat tool method fails, I would contact the company you purchased them from, send an email to Caran d’Ache, and work with both to see if you can get replacement pencils. The Luminance, in my experience and from what I’ve seen from other artists, should be buttery soft.
I hope that helps!❤️
@@artonthecreek Oh my thank you for such a thoughtful response, you are so kind! It makes me a bit sad knowing that my pencils are in fact not performing like they should. My polychromos are much softer than my luminance in fact, that's what made me suspect, since it is overall known that luminance are softer than polychromos, but harder than prismacolors.
I am afraid of doing anything to the pencils because they are expensive and I'd rather have a scratchy but pigmented pencil than ruining it completely.
Part of me wants to buy a small set next time to see if it's a problem with the open stock ones. Other part of me is afraid that they too will be scratchy.
I also feel perplexed that such an expensive company and line has so many inconsistencies with the quality of their product.
You’re so welcome! Please let me know how it works out! I do hope you get to really enjoy your Luminance!!
This is awesome
Thanks so much, Cameron! Hoping to add to the playlist in January!❄️⛄️
Good morning, so I see these tests were done 6 months ago. I’m curious if you ended up purchasing the large Luminance set? And, I don’t think I see a Polychromos test- your original dream pencil. Is that because you fell in love with the Luminance? I own Prismacolors but have always looked to these more expensive sets but never felt justified as a hobby/ sketchbook artist. However, you’re comparison of the two eyes was astounding, truly! As well, the fun and joy you had using them was really exciting to see! Thank you!
Hello! Yes…I have indeed been negligent in my duties!! I got busy with something and…well…other Art fun got in the way. I am still in the middle of the comparison, and am working on the next 2 brands as I write this! Thank you for your comments, and look for the next comparison video to come out very soon-I really want to finish this comparison test before holiday shopping season, and here we are in October! I need to FOCUS and get this test finished! I’m so happy you enjoy this series-thanks for your comments!🩷🤠
Thank you for showing. And you are right. Expensive and you let it in the drawer. Also do the same with clothes 🙈 I love the right part. I have all the pencils from pablo. So not buying the others. But maybe, maybe…..???
I have bought the prisma colours for trying to, did they bloomed?? Have you noticed this in your work??
(The Pablo are a b6 and de luminous are a B8. Therefore softer)
Hi there and thank you so much for watching & commenting! lol you are so right it applies to clothing as well! Re: the Prismacolors blooming…I’ve not experienced it but I know many artists have. I wonder if it’s because I typically blend with odorless mineral spirits? I just get so frustrated with how messy they are. Even if I use glassine to protect my work from smudges the Prismacolors seem to crumble and smudge excessively.
I know what you mean, too, about having enough pencils yet wanting more lol! I’m betting will find in this quest that some brands work for some things and others work in other applications.
It’s fun to test! Thanks so much for your comments!
Thank you!! ❤💐🌸
Tell me more about the mineral spirits.
Hi Beverley-thanks for watching and commenting! I haven’t rewatched this video and it’s been over a year, but it sounds like I was most likely talking about Odorless Mineral Spirits.
Utrecht makes the NOOD. Here are some affiliate links to similar brands to check them out:
amzn.to/3TAETGC
amzn.to/48WidoA
I hope that helps you!
Can the Luminance (or Pablo) hold a sharp point as well as the Prismacolor can, or are they too soft?
Hello again! In my experience, the Prismacolor are softer and break much more often than either the Luminance or the Pablos. Both of the Luminance and the Pablos hold a point better than Prismacolor.
Yikes! Bought a Small stash of Caran d'Ache - just a representation of the range of skin tones I need for a portrait. $5 Apiece!! I just tried them (wincing every time I had to whittle one down with the sharpener!), and found I really didn't have enough to provide smooth transition btwn colors. So...I really couldn't get an accurate read on how they perform. Guess I'll have to wait for Christmas money! Stay tuned! (I did, however, find that they do hold a good point.)
Yikes, indeed! That's a bit of a heartbreak - I'm sorry they were a struggle. As I try the different brands on different papers, I'm finding that I really like some combinations better than others. I know several artists who swear by a Luminance + Pastelmat combination...I have no idea if that's helpful to you or not; I just don't want anyone's process to be frustrating! Hope things go smoother this week. Literally! AND that Santa brings you the extra colors you need! 🎁
Have you found anything better than Prisma. ? I sold my 150 set on ebay last year . End of ths month Hopefully I will buy a full set of Polychomos 120 . I have the 60 set and enjoy them. Thank for the video
Hi Beth!😊 So far the Caran d’Ache Luminance if I were creating art to hang or a commissioned piece. I need to get the next comparison added to the playlist…I’m thinking that might be end of May or June before I get back to that project.
Truth be told-I keep a $1.97 Walmart sketchbook and a $5.74 set of Crayola colored pencils at my living room coffee table to practice while we watch TV in the evenings.
The Crayolas don’t crumble like the Prosmacolors! So for coloring book-type art for relaxation, I would use Crayolas! The pigments aren’t as saturated but their softness rivals Prismacolor! Who knew?!🤯
Here is the playlist if you are interested:
th-cam.com/play/PLR7d_Il9GxrQ1vvFx9fnCE4izAWhFb17A.html
@@artonthecreek Goood Luck finding somthing you are happy with xxx
Thanks! I’m pretty sure the Polychromos will be a dream come true🥰 The choice is hard though!
If I buy the set of Luminance, are there additional open stock colors? Compared to Prismacolor, what's included in this set doesn't sound like much of a selection.
Also, can the Luminance be combined (even layered) with Prismacolor?
Hi there, and great questions! The Luminance are indeed sold open stock, and yes, you may layer them and use them with any other colored pencil brand. The set of 12 Prismacolor Premiers are comparable in color range to this set of 12 Luminance. The links in the description should provide you with more information if you wanted to get them individually, open stock or in a different set configuration. I hope that helps! 🤠❤️ Thank you so much for watching and commenting.👩🏻🎨 have fun drawing with your colored pencils!
Thank you, Thank you!!
You’re so welcome! I can’t remember if I told you or not-I’m continuing this comparison series on Sunday the 15th & will (hopefully) continue through all the brands I am testing each following Sunday. I will put everything in this playlist of you are interested- th-cam.com/play/PLR7d_Il9GxrQ1vvFx9fnCE4izAWhFb17A.html&feature=shared
Oh I can't wait!
I've been at this (passionately) for 23 years now, and have never veered away from the Prismacolors. Having learned from Ann Kuhllberg, my work requires a needle-sharp pencil point. I do portraits, so I will be looking into the selection of skin tones in any brand. I am really curious to see how a different brand might affect the look of my drawings.
I really look forward to your next reviews. I will definitely stay tuned! @@artonthecreek
🤗
@@USAGEASTERMPLS the difference is amazing! I would suspect you might prefer an oil based colored pencil so that you could layer in portraiture. That’s just my suspicion…I’ve only recently (5years) dabbled in colored pencil…I actually prefer it to painting😂 I’ve mainly done very small birds & never on this channel…I thought the cat would be a good one because of the eyes, and the cherubic fairy as an alternate for those who enjoy adult coloring books.
It’s proving to be very interesting! I look forward to hearing your thoughts as the series goes on - thanks so much for tuning in!
I have tried various mineral spirits “odorless” and all smelled so toxic. I must be very sensitive to chemicals. Anyone else have this problem? Any options?
Hi there! I use Mona Lisa brand and can’t smell anything offensive. Smells are so subjective and different for everyone…I think Casein paint, for instance, smells like Pine Sol where many people don’t smell anything.
You could always try a colorless blender to burnish or maybe the Brush and Pencil Colored Pencil Blender Powder. I’ve not tried the powder, as it’s a slightly different animal, but I’ve not heard anyone mention an odor with it.
Good luck with your search!!
Thank you. I bought the caran dache colorless blender pencil and its amazing! Works great for me!
@juststartingover2735 they work very well in certain applications! I’m happy you like it😊
❤❤❤
Thank you!👩🏻🎨🌷