Thank you so much for using them in an actual book. So many "reviews" are just swatching, whch tells you basically nothing.I was quite disappointed in them, I haven't used them but just the first impression.. I expected more from Arrtx. They don't match the dry pencils, have no names, and are obviously a rebranded generic pencil with no real planning or development.They don't seem too bad in use though, I've found that while you can get some really nice budget dry pencils, the watercolor options are usually really bad with either terrible dilution, a weird thick chalky texture and opacity, or both. these seem to be a step above for dilution and relatively transparent. I agree they seem like they are lacking pigmentation, especially in comparison to the casings.
I have most of the artist quality brands and have tried several budget brands. I love the inktense, although the color palette is sometimes lacking.. too many similar shades, not enough light colors, not enough natural colors.. and they aren't watercolor, but rather ink which is both a pro and a con. My favorite actual watercolor pencil is the Albrecht Durer, excellent 120 color palette and outstanding build quality, easily sourced open stock, with a fair price. The Supracolors are very similar, with some lovely unique pastel, beige, and olive green shades available. I prefer the AD in texture, slightly softer, but the Supras are also available open stock and make a good addition for the extra colors. I don't suggest the Museum Aquarelles, beautiful pencils but way too expensive without a huge difference in performance to justify it, and the palette is limited. The Derwent watercolor get lower reviews because they are not as bright, but this is by design and not a flaw, they give a very traditional water color look and are quite soft. The build quality isn't the greatest though, the cores have never given me trouble but the casings are so rough Derwent should be ashamed to put their name on them. For a budget pencil I suggest Kohinoor Mondeluz, which are very affordable in the original cardboard packaging if you can find it, soft, and very nice quality. They are an artist quality pencil in their home country. Only 72, although a very good balanced palette, and much harder to source open stock. The Mondeluz are terribly underrated IMO, and I enjoy them every time I use them. Be aware regarding the tins.. they were repackaged for international sale with an unnecessary capped end, and marked up significantly.. but are the exact same pencils. I got my cardboard 72 set on Amazon for less than $50, and there are multiple smaller themed sets out there for as little as $10 if you would like to try them.
Thank you so much for using them in an actual book. So many "reviews" are just swatching, whch tells you basically nothing.I was quite disappointed in them, I haven't used them but just the first impression.. I expected more from Arrtx. They don't match the dry pencils, have no names, and are obviously a rebranded generic pencil with no real planning or development.They don't seem too bad in use though, I've found that while you can get some really nice budget dry pencils, the watercolor options are usually really bad with either terrible dilution, a weird thick chalky texture and opacity, or both. these seem to be a step above for dilution and relatively transparent. I agree they seem like they are lacking pigmentation, especially in comparison to the casings.
What is your favourite brand of water colour pencils?
I have most of the artist quality brands and have tried several budget brands. I love the inktense, although the color palette is sometimes lacking.. too many similar shades, not enough light colors, not enough natural colors.. and they aren't watercolor, but rather ink which is both a pro and a con.
My favorite actual watercolor pencil is the Albrecht Durer, excellent 120 color palette and outstanding build quality, easily sourced open stock, with a fair price. The Supracolors are very similar, with some lovely unique pastel, beige, and olive green shades available. I prefer the AD in texture, slightly softer, but the Supras are also available open stock and make a good addition for the extra colors.
I don't suggest the Museum Aquarelles, beautiful pencils but way too expensive without a huge difference in performance to justify it, and the palette is limited.
The Derwent watercolor get lower reviews because they are not as bright, but this is by design and not a flaw, they give a very traditional water color look and are quite soft. The build quality isn't the greatest though, the cores have never given me trouble but the casings are so rough Derwent should be ashamed to put their name on them.
For a budget pencil I suggest Kohinoor Mondeluz, which are very affordable in the original cardboard packaging if you can find it, soft, and very nice quality. They are an artist quality pencil in their home country. Only 72, although a very good balanced palette, and much harder to source open stock. The Mondeluz are terribly underrated IMO, and I enjoy them every time I use them. Be aware regarding the tins.. they were repackaged for international sale with an unnecessary capped end, and marked up significantly.. but are the exact same pencils. I got my cardboard 72 set on Amazon for less than $50, and there are multiple smaller themed sets out there for as little as $10 if you would like to try them.
@ thank you for putting in so much detail in your answer 😊