I will say that here in Japan the full set of the Holbein colored pencils are 24,898 yen which translates to roughly $248.98 USD. I can buy Holbein pencils open stock at my local art store here in Okinawa for 219 yen, or $1.98 USD depending on the day. Yen rate changes daily so that's something to keep in mind.. I honestly don't know why Holbein is so expensive stateside. It doesn't just apply to their pencils, it applies to everything. I can buy 15ml tubes of their watercolor for 547 yen depending on the series which is just under $5 USD whereas American vendors charge upwards of $10/15ml tube... and the soft white Holbein pencil is where it's at. It's so much better than their normal white.
I love the soft white but the pastels and metallics are some of the best in the industry as well. I like the pencils a lot but they are different than anything else and I am not sure comparing is the best test. I think people use what they like.
I ordered the soft white pencil and it’s on its way (I had to pay a lot more than $1.98 to get it). Thanks for sharing the prices there in Japan…very helpful and interesting Information. It’s what I was suspecting. I am envious of your access to art supplies there in Japan.
This is why you are my absolute go to when I have swatching concerns. You are the only artist I know whom constantly swatches on white, tan, and black paper. 👍❤ it is a real game changer when you add that extra touch
I’m not a colorist but a nature journaler who prefers colored pencils over watercolors. I’m learning so much from watching your channel. I appreciate all the work you both put in to produce these top quality videos. Thanks!
I don't think that 2012 is out if date if they have not changed their formula. It is terribly expensive for companies to do astm testing and I bet all of the brands tests are old because the results shouldn't change if the formula is the same.
Agreed Lindsey…I wish they would publish a more current version on their website. The only place I can find this chart dependably now is on the Blick website…strange. I don’t understand why it is so hard for some companies to make this information readily available, especially when they pay so much money for the clout of the rating.
@@ColoringBliss maybe the results hurt their sales? Kinda like if you have great grades but dake the SAT and do poorly if the college doesn't require sat why would you send the scores. Sometimesmes have the pigment info and lightfast rating isn't good for the brand. It's good for customers tho!
Thank you for the great comparative tools and all your work. I know I am biased towards pencils that are a blend of oil and wax instead of being dominant in one area, and for that, I enjoy using Holbein better than either Prisma or Poly Chromos. I truly only like using Prisma with Poly Chromos together. I just find it really hard to use Prisma by itself, though I have finally mastered better technic for both Prisma and Poly Chromos so I like them better now than I did when I first started. But my favorite pencils are Luminance, Holbein, and Lightfast (in that order). I was very frustrated with Prisma when I first started for the poor pencil quality, and the waxy mess that can build fast without a light hand so in my search I found Holbein and fell in love with them. Also, when I was younger my art experience started with oil pastels so moving to Holbein was like muscle memory -a very easy transition. Holbein is unique in that they are a blend of oil, wax, AND fat which makes them unique. Many people who have done reviews do not like that fat component but I do because of my oil pastel experience. I layer a lot differently than you do I guess (I crosshatch, and then use ovals on my last few layers rather than color only vertically, and then I use an OMS ). My experience is they layer better than Prisma, but they are very close. Artist Jane Bush reached out to Holbein and got a response in regards to the lightfast issue. You might like to watch her video, she uses Holbein a lot and is very bias towards them but I am ok with people loving their pencils on either side, I am very passionate myself. Holbein is run by chemists so I am fairly satisfied with the response and many Japanese artists use and like Holbein. Also from what I have read these expensive industry lightfast tests are bias themselves. I have heard that even pencils like Poly Chromos that have the tests behind their name are not really performing over time the way the test says they should so not sure if I trust all that testing. I am currently very annoyed that Blick is charging so much for them so until they reduce the price I will only buy them from Amazon Japan. Finally, I will say that pencils are so specialized so I appreciate having so many options to meet my needs. I see them as tools, not good or bad but a tool for what I need.
I like them both for different reasons. There are some in between colors and favorites both ways and I basically use them over my Polychromos to make my picture creamy then for details like eye lashes I go back to the Polychromos. They all compliment each other just as if one had Prismas and Polychromos.
I want to throw in a vote for Luminance vs. Derwent Lightfast. It is very rare to see a direct comparison between those two brands because they are both high-end pencils, and VERY few people own both...but they are direct competitors!
Back in the day prismacolor used to make a lightfast set. When they discontinued that and then made the 150 set - 12 of the 18 new colors that were added were from the lightfast set :)
I got my 150 Holbein set from Amazon Japan as it seems to be a bit more reasonable....still, they are pretty pricey! Love this video Jennifer and Steve!
Thank you for your review and test between the two. I did the test in the Netherlands and than it is a draw. Because for us both pencils are very expensive and the best way to buy them is on line. Sadly I do not like the Prismacolors. They are to soft for me and I think they smear to much. Fantastic colours though. I have not given up on them yet, I will keep trying to colour with them.
I love your videos, Jennifer and Steve. The picture hanging up behind you, what did you use to make that? I would love to try and recreate it if that is alright with you. I would love to know maybe the technique and medium you used.
The Pablos are oil based and even though the Lightfast say oil they really lean wax because I use them everyday. Pablo is a harder lead and better to compare to Polychromos because only these sets could be used on drafting paper. Lightfast doesn’t fit well in that area.
All this time I just assumed the OP stood for Oil Pencil. I enjoyed this review, thanks for all the hard work you do into bringing these videos to us. Always enjoy hearing your thoughts on coloring supplies.
That is scary. I wonder how much was really changed. I know that my other pencils blend well but the Holbein felt like an oil slick and wouldn’t blend nicely. It nearly messed up my commission. But for coloring why not? Thank you for your fun swatches!
Melody…yes most colored pencils are a mix of both wax and oil. They all make their own formulas and that’s what is so fun about trying different brands!
A Faber-Castell and Caran D'ache Pablos stand off would be a good comparison to do. I love both sets of these pencils and they layer and play well together too.
Can you do a Prismacolor vs. Brutfuner comparison? I love both of them and would be curious to see how they stack up against eachother. Those Holbein's had me tempted I must say. However, that price point is ridiculous! I can't justify purchasing them, especially after seeing the comparison stats. Great video as always!! ✌🏾🙏🏾❤🙂
My closest art store in the city finally got the Holbein's in the smaller sets and also sell them individually so I got to try them on different papers (I brought my own chart on my own paper to complete my Luminance individuals LOL). As soon as I picked up the Holbein I could feel the difference... They felt a bit more solid and heavier than other pencils - and when using on my different papers they seemed to give immediate full coverage of pigment. Really loved the sampling I did so I broke down and finally ordered the full set from Japan! Currently waiting on them excitedly here!!! Also waiting for my final Polychromos & Luminance pencils from Cult Pens in the UK as my art store didn't have a few colours I needed to complete my collection. Really can't wait for the next couple weeks and I'll be complete my dream full collection of pencils. 😁 Thanks for this wonderful video.. Always great work you both do.💖
Thank you for this very fun and interesting video. I learned a lot today. A white pencil extravaganza comparison video would be very welcome. Yes please.
In step 5 where for the layering process, is it possible that the paper absorbs the oil, causing the oil to sink into the paper, and the wax lays upon the paper?...and could it also be the same with the water test in #6...oil and water will not mix, therefore the Holbein repels the water...I know that the wax should do the same thing...just some thoughts my mind is pondering...
Thank you for doing the comparison video. I did managed to test it out while watching the video and I must say is I really agree that Holbein is a better choice. Although for price value and availability, they have these two brands available in Singapore but in terms of price value, both brands with the largest amount set has similar prices. It's a real game changer especially in my plans for saving up to buy the best color pencils to use for adult coloring. When I first bought the individual colors for prismacolor, I notice that there were cracks appeared on some pencils and I carefully avoid those in contemplation of the comparison testing. After this video, I'm definitely hoping to own the Holbein largest set of colors in around 6 months time.
I have both and I prefer the prisma colors. I find that I have to sharpen the Holbein to much. It’s harder to keep a sharp point and they don’t seem to layer like my prismas.
Thanks especially for the tests on black paper. I also want that opacity on black, and the Prismas seemed the clear winner. I wish they were less shiny though.
Could the blending issue with the Holbeins be because they are more oil based? I’ve always heard that more waxed based pencils blend while more oil based pencils layer? Curious!
This comparison was so helpful!! I am a hardcore Prisma girl, but picked up a single white Holbein based in a friend’s recommendation. And that made me curious about Holbein’s overall. Thank you so very much for this!! 💖💖💖
Thank you for the fun and interesting vid! I have full sets of Prismas, Polys, Holbein and Tombow Irotijen. Holbein is my fav, Polys next, then Irotijens and least fav Prismas. I find Prismas too messy, smeary, waxy and they leave way more debris than any of the other pencils that I own. I'm constantly having to brush off the paper w/ Prismas but not with Holbeins, so your results are puzzling to me. I am a self-confessed pencil addict and have other brands as well, but IMO Holbeins are heaven to work with and worth the extra bucks.
I would love to see prismacolor comparison against Derwent lightfast, and prismacolor against koh i noor woodles pencil (the one behind in the softest pencil competition) 😍
Thanks for this most informative and interesting video. Really helpful. One question: you noted early on that the color of the Holbein pencils closely resembles the actual color of the pencil. Do you feel this is also true for the Prismacolors?
Thanks for this video! In regards to lightfast info, Jane Bush ( Artist Jane Bush) posted a video about 2 weeks ago with a document from holbein explaining their lightfast info and what method they use etc. Just thought Id mention it if anyone is interested as I have seen many people upset about their lightfast or their lack of lightfast info. Anywho, have a great day!
Thanks Danielle. I have since watched Jane’s great video. I wish Holbein had made that document available on their website so I could have found it. I do a ton of research before doing videos like this, but tend to focus my research on the individual company websites or sites like Blick (I generally stay away from TH-cam as a credible research tool).
Oh yes! Head to head comparison are amazing! Could you do Indra Creative Pastel tones vs Marco Square C820? Or the that Holbein Pastel set you have vs the Marco Square C820? 😊 And, is there any other brand (besides Holbein that sells pastel tones colored pencils open stock?)
Regarding the letter “O” and “P” on the Holbein pencils: perhaps “O” = opaque and “P” = pastel? I noticed one of your Holbein sets is a pastel set. Just guessing here.
Yes to this battle!! I just bought the big 72 set of Lyra Rembrandt so my twin girls can use it alongside their prisma Colors for all their school art projects this coming school year. I'm going to break out my own prismas and play with them together as well. (I also recently bought the square brutfeners and the pastelowes) I'm on a pencil kick again!
It's true that these Holbien pencils can make you droll. They are gorgeous and the colors and how they perform. Although both Holbien and Luminance are sets I would love to have, and could purchase right now I would not dream of doing it. My husband and I work too hard for that to be a loving thing to do. In the end I most care about how beautiful my pictures look. When I see them come to life on the page it really is such an uplifting experience. I have a lot of pencil sets with complete color ranges for those sets. That is fantastic. Most are budget or midrange. I do have 4 sets that are high end. But my pictures all look as nice no matter which I use. Sometimes I just have to work a bit harder to make that happen.
Hey Jennifer and Steve :) Loved to watch your Prismacolor VS Holbein’s colored pencils !!! Maybe you could try a couple of battles with these brands next : - Faber-Castell Polychromos VS Castle Arts Colored Pencils; - Water Soluble Castle Arts VS Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer; - Steadtler Ergosoft VS Steadtler Noris Club - Prismacolor Premier VS Prismacolor Scholar; - Derwent Coloursoft VS Derwent Drawing; - Derwent Inktense VS Derwent Lightfast; - Crayola Classic Colored Pencils VS Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils; - Crayola Classic Colored Pencils VS Crayola Signature Colored Pencils; - Crayola Classic Colored Pencils VS Crayola Color Escapes Premium Colored Pencils… A couple of ideas for now hehehe Take care xx Annie 🌻
I enjoyed this video. I received 7 Holbein colored pencils in my Paletteful packs subscription box a couple of months ago. I am not sure I like them. I see that I have to sharpen them often.. The colors I got are Rose, yellow, sky blue, cherry blossom, lettuce green cobalt blue, and wisteria. They are a thick pencil. The cost is ridiculous. I have a lot of pencils but most are small sets except I do have gh 150 and 72 set of Prisma's. Of course I purchased the 72 set first, a stupid move on my part. ugh.
There are adults and kids who wet (lick!!) the tips of their pencils prior to writing (!!) which could present be a toxicity problem depending on composition of the cores.
I’m curious how noticeable the differences are between the old formulation and new formulation. If you ever get the same set in the new formulation that you have in the old formulation I would love to know how they compare. Using the old formula for this video along with the new one made it a bit confusing to know just how the new ones that you can actually buy are as far as pigmentation and coloring texture.
@@ColoringBliss You will probably be very happy to find out that the Supracolor and Pablo lines have matching colors, if you're not already aware. I remember how ecstatic you were to find out that Albrecht Dürer and Polychromos match!
I’m guessing OP stands for Oily Pencil but I could well be wrong… only a guess. I would like to try them but waaaay too expensive for me. Maybe one day. Until then, nice to see how they handle so thanks for the upload ✨🙏✨
As far as lightfast ratings go, as long as Prismacolor's formula hasn't changed, 2012 is current. And, at least they're honest that many/most of their pencils don't use lightfast pigments. I think I'd give them the nod.
Your scientific approach and encyclopedic knowledge make you my go-to site for colored pencil information. You and your partner make learning a pleasant experience. Thank you!
Have you reviewed the prismacolor scholar pencils anywhere? I’m trying to decide what to buy for my birthday. I’m stepping up from childhood crayola lol I saw that the art was can dissolve with sealant or mixed media, which I enjoy, so I’m wondering what would you recommend I upgrade to that is affordable and pigmented and blends well?
Hi Jennifer I was just wondering if you have any advice or suggestions if you have ever carpal tunnel pain what can you suggest to help with that as I have caused my main hand to have carpal tunnel pain which has stopped all my colouring and crafts. I’m right handed so I am trying to teach myself to use my left hand to colour which is very slow going and I want to just use my main hand but I need to let it heal ☹️. The whole 150 set of Holbein is $700-800 in Australia to buy. The 12 set is $50-60 here too that’s why I’m wishing for them one day but I can’t justify the cost
I don’t own Polychromos or Holbein but wouldn’t this also be a good comparison? Both are expensive and the same type (oil based). Comparing Prisma with Holbein seems a bit unfair. I have the Prismas and I like them but I tend to prefer softer oil based pencils.
No, actually Holbein performs way more like Prisma than Poly Chromos because Holbein is soft like Prisma. I am not sure where people are getting that they are oil dominant, pencils their Japanese website says they are a "mixture of oil, wax, and fat" (holbein.co.jp/english/0423.html). I have both Poly Chromos and Holbein and they are night and day different.
I agree that a Polychromos and Holbein match up would be interesting. I think any colored pencil match up is fair using this chart but some match ups aren’t worth doing because the outcome would be obvious…like Crazyart against Polychromos…everyone knows who will win that. But 2 different types of pencil, with different experiences when used, from 2 different countries…who will win that battle? Now that is more interesting to me.
The crumb test surprised me! I thought there are more crumbs with oil pencil than with wax. Well, at least that’s how it is with my Polychromos vs. prismacolor.
Thanks! I just watched Jane’s video. It was great. I WISH companies would make this information more available on their websites. Also…I’m wondering about the fancy ASTM seal on the Luminance and Lightfast pencils…why do they get a seal and Holbein doesn’t? I’m confused 😐
Also the OP is just to distinguish it from other product codes. I'm not sure exactly what it stands for but their Gouache uses G. I'm assuming the P is for pencil. But yeah its so their colour codes are different per product and not really important for your swatching
Even not all pro artists need to worry about lightfastness. The only people who should worry about that are those who are actually selling their original picture to others, or who want to preserve the pictures for themselves. Anyone who is doing art for reproduction or who just doesn't care as much about that shouldn't worry as much. I know that's kind of obvious, but I think we need to start challenging the whole lightfast = pro thing. It really doesn't. Lots of pros reproduce their work. Anyway, I haven't finished watching the video, but Holbein's are my favorite colored pencil. You can't go wrong with Prismacolors, though. I never had serious breakage issues with them and I've used them a lot.
Neil…you are so right about reproduction work. The expensive Copic markers are not lightfast but used by thousands of professionals for digital and print reproductions. That’s just 1 example
I'm not sure what this says about me and I really dont care, but once someone says that it's a Japanese-made product, I'm buying it. Especially art related products. I have some holbein pastel colored pencils and I LOVE them. They're different but great and if you're used to using prismas or luminance or polychromos, there is a learning curve. But they're amazing in their own way. If I could afford an entire set I'd buy them in a heartbeat.
![Luminance vs Lightfast [BEST Colored Pencils]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wx4X9VJ20m0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Unboxing the FULL SET of HOLBEIN Colored Pencils! [My First Impressions]](/img/n.gif)
I will say that here in Japan the full set of the Holbein colored pencils are 24,898 yen which translates to roughly $248.98 USD. I can buy Holbein pencils open stock at my local art store here in Okinawa for 219 yen, or $1.98 USD depending on the day. Yen rate changes daily so that's something to keep in mind.. I honestly don't know why Holbein is so expensive stateside. It doesn't just apply to their pencils, it applies to everything. I can buy 15ml tubes of their watercolor for 547 yen depending on the series which is just under $5 USD whereas American vendors charge upwards of $10/15ml tube... and the soft white Holbein pencil is where it's at. It's so much better than their normal white.
I love the soft white but the pastels and metallics are some of the best in the industry as well. I like the pencils a lot but they are different than anything else and I am not sure comparing is the best test. I think people use what they like.
I ordered the soft white pencil and it’s on its way (I had to pay a lot more than $1.98 to get it). Thanks for sharing the prices there in Japan…very helpful and interesting Information. It’s what I was suspecting. I am envious of your access to art supplies there in Japan.
Yeah I got them from Amazon JP and it ended up being (pre-shipping) less than $190.
This is why you are my absolute go to when I have swatching concerns. You are the only artist I know whom constantly swatches on white, tan, and black paper. 👍❤ it is a real game changer when you add that extra touch
I’m not a colorist but a nature journaler who prefers colored pencils over watercolors. I’m learning so much from watching your channel. I appreciate all the work you both put in to produce these top quality videos. Thanks!
So interesting to hear what you do with your art tools! Welcome and I’m so glad to hear that you are finding value here.
I don't think that 2012 is out if date if they have not changed their formula. It is terribly expensive for companies to do astm testing and I bet all of the brands tests are old because the results shouldn't change if the formula is the same.
Agreed Lindsey…I wish they would publish a more current version on their website. The only place I can find this chart dependably now is on the Blick website…strange. I don’t understand why it is so hard for some companies to make this information readily available, especially when they pay so much money for the clout of the rating.
@@ColoringBliss maybe the results hurt their sales? Kinda like if you have great grades but dake the SAT and do poorly if the college doesn't require sat why would you send the scores. Sometimesmes have the pigment info and lightfast rating isn't good for the brand. It's good for customers tho!
Thanks!
I agree with Lark, below. Let’s see Luminance and Lightfast🤩🥳
Ok! I added it to the list
How about The Luminance and Holbeins.
@@lauramcdougal3952luminance better !
I absolutely LOVE how your little fur baby has her/his own place on your art desk ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you for the great comparative tools and all your work. I know I am biased towards pencils that are a blend of oil and wax instead of being dominant in one area, and for that, I enjoy using Holbein better than either Prisma or Poly Chromos. I truly only like using Prisma with Poly Chromos together. I just find it really hard to use Prisma by itself, though I have finally mastered better technic for both Prisma and Poly Chromos so I like them better now than I did when I first started. But my favorite pencils are Luminance, Holbein, and Lightfast (in that order). I was very frustrated with Prisma when I first started for the poor pencil quality, and the waxy mess that can build fast without a light hand so in my search I found Holbein and fell in love with them. Also, when I was younger my art experience started with oil pastels so moving to Holbein was like muscle memory -a very easy transition. Holbein is unique in that they are a blend of oil, wax, AND fat which makes them unique. Many people who have done reviews do not like that fat component but I do because of my oil pastel experience. I layer a lot differently than you do I guess (I crosshatch, and then use ovals on my last few layers rather than color only vertically, and then I use an OMS ). My experience is they layer better than Prisma, but they are very close. Artist Jane Bush reached out to Holbein and got a response in regards to the lightfast issue. You might like to watch her video, she uses Holbein a lot and is very bias towards them but I am ok with people loving their pencils on either side, I am very passionate myself. Holbein is run by chemists so I am fairly satisfied with the response and many Japanese artists use and like Holbein. Also from what I have read these expensive industry lightfast tests are bias themselves. I have heard that even pencils like Poly Chromos that have the tests behind their name are not really performing over time the way the test says they should so not sure if I trust all that testing. I am currently very annoyed that Blick is charging so much for them so until they reduce the price I will only buy them from Amazon Japan. Finally, I will say that pencils are so specialized so I appreciate having so many options to meet my needs. I see them as tools, not good or bad but a tool for what I need.
I would like to see Lightfast and Luminance.
I like them both for different reasons. There are some in between colors and favorites both ways and I basically use them over my Polychromos to make my picture creamy then for details like eye lashes I go back to the Polychromos. They all compliment each other just as if one had Prismas and Polychromos.
Would love to see another Battle of the White Pencils please
I want to throw in a vote for Luminance vs. Derwent Lightfast. It is very rare to see a direct comparison between those two brands because they are both high-end pencils, and VERY few people own both...but they are direct competitors!
The Holbein soft white pencil is better than the Holbein white, it’s more opaque. It is my favorite white pencil.
Agreed! The best white ever!
Ok!! I just added it to my Blick shopping cart
@@ColoringBliss I have the soft Holbein but still prefer the Derwent drawing pencil.
Back in the day prismacolor used to make a lightfast set. When they discontinued that and then made the 150 set - 12 of the 18 new colors that were added were from the lightfast set :)
Interesting 👍
White pencil battle would be awesome to see especially tested on both toned and black papers
Whenever I buy new supplies my favorite part is swatching! Lol
Oh yes!! Swatching bliss ❤️❤️❤️
I got my 150 Holbein set from Amazon Japan as it seems to be a bit more reasonable....still, they are pretty pricey! Love this video Jennifer and Steve!
Thank you for this information! I was curious about the Holbein but my goodness the price point.
yes, big agree, we need a new WHITE-OFF Challenge, good thinking!
Thank you for your review and test between the two.
I did the test in the Netherlands and than it is a draw. Because for us both pencils are very expensive and the best way to buy them is on line.
Sadly I do not like the Prismacolors. They are to soft for me and I think they smear to much. Fantastic colours though. I have not given up on them yet, I will keep trying to colour with them.
Yes new battle of the white pencils! Black too!!
Wouldn’t comparing faber vs holbeins be more accurate, because they are both oil based?
I love your videos, Jennifer and Steve. The picture hanging up behind you, what did you use to make that? I would love to try and recreate it if that is alright with you. I would love to know maybe the technique and medium you used.
Great job and I am glad I have my full set of Prisma pencils. I would love to see a challenge between Derwent Lightfast and CaranDache Pablo pencils
Great idea! I added it to my list
The Pablos are oil based and even though the Lightfast say oil they really lean wax because I use them everyday. Pablo is a harder lead and better to compare to Polychromos because only these sets could be used on drafting paper. Lightfast doesn’t fit well in that area.
@@jenniefrench1338 actually the pablos arent oil, they are wax…caran d’ache told me they make no oil based
pencils…just an FYI…:)
All this time I just assumed the OP stood for Oil Pencil. I enjoyed this review, thanks for all the hard work you do into bringing these videos to us. Always enjoy hearing your thoughts on coloring supplies.
That is scary. I wonder how much was really changed. I know that my other pencils blend well but the Holbein felt like an oil slick and wouldn’t blend nicely. It nearly messed up my commission. But for coloring why not? Thank you for your fun swatches!
I read somewhere that they use oil in Wax pencils like Prismacolor to bond and keep the wax from drying and cracking and vice versa.
Melody…yes most colored pencils are a mix of both wax and oil. They all make their own formulas and that’s what is so fun about trying different brands!
A Faber-Castell and Caran D'ache Pablos stand off would be a good comparison to do. I love both sets of these pencils and they layer and play well together too.
Derwent Polycolor also belong in that category, in my opinion. They all react very similarly to solvents so I tend to use them together.
Love these tuts....Ty for all yr efforts.
Can you do a Prismacolor vs. Brutfuner comparison?
I love both of them and would be curious to see how they stack up against eachother.
Those Holbein's had me tempted I must say. However, that price point is ridiculous! I can't justify purchasing them, especially after seeing the comparison stats.
Great video as always!!
✌🏾🙏🏾❤🙂
Good battle suggestion. I will make a note of it.
I love these types of long videos! Thanks for posting!
Loved the battle!!! Would like to see Windsor and Newton vs Prismacolor battle
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you always take care to include LIGHTFASTNESS info and chat about it. Thx. 🌸
Wonderful thorough comparison, thank you. My prismas win again.
Nice tip, the black alcohol pen for testing in black...
I would find a comparison of Caran D'Ache Pablo and Faber Castell Polychromos pencils, very helpful. Thank you.
My closest art store in the city finally got the Holbein's in the smaller sets and also sell them individually so I got to try them on different papers (I brought my own chart on my own paper to complete my Luminance individuals LOL). As soon as I picked up the Holbein I could feel the difference... They felt a bit more solid and heavier than other pencils - and when using on my different papers they seemed to give immediate full coverage of pigment. Really loved the sampling I did so I broke down and finally ordered the full set from Japan! Currently waiting on them excitedly here!!! Also waiting for my final Polychromos & Luminance pencils from Cult Pens in the UK as my art store didn't have a few colours I needed to complete my collection. Really can't wait for the next couple weeks and I'll be complete my dream full collection of pencils. 😁
Thanks for this wonderful video.. Always great work you both do.💖
Thank you for this very fun and interesting video. I learned a lot today.
A white pencil extravaganza comparison video would be very welcome. Yes please.
In step 5 where for the layering process, is it possible that the paper absorbs the oil, causing the oil to sink into the paper, and the wax lays upon the paper?...and could it also be the same with the water test in #6...oil and water will not mix, therefore the Holbein repels the water...I know that the wax should do the same thing...just some thoughts my mind is pondering...
Oooo very interesting theory. I would love to be an art chemist…if my brain could do the science 😂
Do the “white battle “ yuss
Thank you for doing the comparison video. I did managed to test it out while watching the video and I must say is I really agree that Holbein is a better choice. Although for price value and availability, they have these two brands available in Singapore but in terms of price value, both brands with the largest amount set has similar prices. It's a real game changer especially in my plans for saving up to buy the best color pencils to use for adult coloring. When I first bought the individual colors for prismacolor, I notice that there were cracks appeared on some pencils and I carefully avoid those in contemplation of the comparison testing. After this video, I'm definitely hoping to own the Holbein largest set of colors in around 6 months time.
New White and Black battle, please.
Thank you so much for your comprehensive review.
I love these tests you do. Do you have a video on mitsubishi? Oh and I love your necklace.
I have both and I prefer the prisma colors. I find that I have to sharpen the Holbein to much. It’s harder to keep a sharp point and they don’t seem to layer like my prismas.
Thanks especially for the tests on black paper. I also want that opacity on black, and the Prismas seemed the clear winner. I wish they were less shiny though.
Could the blending issue with the Holbeins be because they are more oil based? I’ve always heard that more waxed based pencils blend while more oil based pencils layer? Curious!
It’s definitely a formula issue…I wish I could be an art supply chemist…that would be fascinating
@@ColoringBliss I agree! It would be so interesting to see how it all works.
Thanks !!! Is it possible to compare cretacolor mega and luminance caran d ache ?
This comparison was so helpful!! I am a hardcore Prisma girl, but picked up a single white Holbein based in a friend’s recommendation. And that made me curious about Holbein’s overall. Thank you so very much for this!! 💖💖💖
You need to get the Holbein soft white for the white pencil battle!
I’m adding it to my Blick shopping cart right now 😂
@@ColoringBliss Yey!
you can get holbeins now directly from Japan Amazon =) I was able to get the full set of 150? or something for 150$ USD.
i just checked, cost was $214 plus $32 shipping.
Thank you for the fun and interesting vid! I have full sets of Prismas, Polys, Holbein and Tombow Irotijen. Holbein is my fav, Polys next, then Irotijens and least fav Prismas. I find Prismas too messy, smeary, waxy and they leave way more debris than any of the other pencils that I own. I'm constantly having to brush off the paper w/ Prismas but not with Holbeins, so your results are puzzling to me. I am a self-confessed pencil addict and have other brands as well, but IMO Holbeins are heaven to work with and worth the extra bucks.
I would love to see prismacolor comparison against Derwent lightfast, and prismacolor against koh i noor woodles pencil (the one behind in the softest pencil competition) 😍
Thanks for this most informative and interesting video. Really helpful.
One question: you noted early on that the color of the Holbein pencils closely resembles the actual color of the pencil. Do you feel this is also true for the Prismacolors?
Thanks for this video! In regards to lightfast info, Jane Bush ( Artist Jane Bush) posted a video about 2 weeks ago with a document from holbein explaining their lightfast info and what method they use etc. Just thought Id mention it if anyone is interested as I have seen many people upset about their lightfast or their lack of lightfast info. Anywho, have a great day!
Thanks Danielle. I have since watched Jane’s great video. I wish Holbein had made that document available on their website so I could have found it. I do a ton of research before doing videos like this, but tend to focus my research on the individual company websites or sites like Blick (I generally stay away from TH-cam as a credible research tool).
Oh yes! Head to head comparison are amazing! Could you do Indra Creative Pastel tones vs Marco Square C820? Or the that Holbein Pastel set you have vs the Marco Square C820? 😊
And, is there any other brand (besides Holbein that sells pastel tones colored pencils open stock?)
I think you should do a quality control element as well tbh
Regarding the letter “O” and “P” on the Holbein pencils: perhaps “O” = opaque and “P” = pastel? I noticed one of your Holbein sets is a pastel set. Just guessing here.
Have you done Polychromos vs. Prismacolor? I would really like to see it.
Yes, several years ago I did that head to head battle. I wonder if I would feel the same way now that I have more years of experience.
Love prismacolor. Battle of the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor vs Prismacolor...
Oooo Interesting. I added your suggestion to the list. Thanks.
Yes to this battle!! I just bought the big 72 set of Lyra Rembrandt so my twin girls can use it alongside their prisma Colors for all their school art projects this coming school year. I'm going to break out my own prismas and play with them together as well. (I also recently bought the square brutfeners and the pastelowes) I'm on a pencil kick again!
@@stephanie_smith I bought the 36 but now I want the bigger set
I'd like to see a headtohead between Prismacolor and Caran d"Ache
Holbein are mostly oil based pencils like polychromos .. so maybe we can compare them with the polychromos or Pablo caran d ache ?
Do you have a link for that gorgeous pen you are using? If not could you give me the info on it? Also is the paper listed still your favorite?
Pablo vs. Polychromos would be interesting
Great idea. Adding it to my list.
I agree. I would like to see a comparison of Poluchromos vs Pablos .
It's true that these Holbien pencils can make you droll. They are gorgeous and the colors and how they perform. Although both Holbien and Luminance are sets I would love to have, and could purchase right now I would not dream of doing it. My husband and I work too hard for that to be a loving thing to do. In the end I most care about how beautiful my pictures look. When I see them come to life on the page it really is such an uplifting experience. I have a lot of pencil sets with complete color ranges for those sets. That is fantastic. Most are budget or midrange. I do have 4 sets that are high end. But my pictures all look as nice no matter which I use. Sometimes I just have to work a bit harder to make that happen.
Is there a good color pencil paper that is 8.5”x11” for printing the color pencil battle worksheets? Or do you start with a 9”x12” and trim it down?
We have a link to my favorite colored pencil paper that works fantastic in printers…in other words…standard size! No cutting!!
@@ColoringBliss Thank you! Love your videos and website :)
Hey Jennifer and Steve :)
Loved to watch your Prismacolor VS Holbein’s colored pencils !!!
Maybe you could try a couple of battles with these brands next :
- Faber-Castell Polychromos VS Castle Arts Colored Pencils;
- Water Soluble Castle Arts VS Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer;
- Steadtler Ergosoft VS Steadtler Noris Club
- Prismacolor Premier VS Prismacolor Scholar;
- Derwent Coloursoft VS Derwent Drawing;
- Derwent Inktense VS Derwent Lightfast;
- Crayola Classic Colored Pencils VS Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils;
- Crayola Classic Colored Pencils VS Crayola Signature Colored Pencils;
- Crayola Classic Colored Pencils VS Crayola Color Escapes Premium Colored Pencils…
A couple of ideas for now hehehe
Take care xx
Annie 🌻
I totally enjoyed this head on comparison. I was wondering if you could do a head on between Colour Soft and Creyart
Colour Soft by Derwent and Crazyart?
@@ColoringBliss Yes.. Do you think that will work?
Really like your breakdown.
Thanks I have both full sets, I love them both, next battle prisma en fc polychromos please
Yay white pencil battle!
I enjoyed this video. I received 7 Holbein colored pencils in my Paletteful packs subscription box a couple of months ago. I am not sure I like them. I see that I have to sharpen them often.. The colors I got are Rose, yellow, sky blue, cherry blossom, lettuce green cobalt blue, and wisteria. They are a thick pencil. The cost is ridiculous. I have a lot of pencils but most are small sets except I do have gh 150 and 72 set of Prisma's. Of course I purchased the 72 set first, a stupid move on my part. ugh.
Hello love your video. Can you shoe how they work with other color pencil brands.
Great video idea. Thanks.
There are adults and kids who wet (lick!!) the tips of their pencils prior to writing (!!) which could present be a toxicity problem depending on composition of the cores.
You should go to Amazon and look at the Mitsubishi Uni colored pencils!! They are from Japan
but do they have open stock?
I’m curious how noticeable the differences are between the old formulation and new formulation. If you ever get the same set in the new formulation that you have in the old formulation I would love to know how they compare. Using the old formula for this video along with the new one made it a bit confusing to know just how the new ones that you can actually buy are as far as pigmentation and coloring texture.
Does colored glitter pencils exist for the color enthusiast
Thank you for sharing the Health and Safety. I will be on the lookout for it in my unopened Holbein sets.
I would like to see a caran d'ache supracolor soft review! I have those pencils but I wanna see like a review of it because there's so many few
Ok. I will keep your request in mind. Thanks.
@@ColoringBliss You will probably be very happy to find out that the Supracolor and Pablo lines have matching colors, if you're not already aware. I remember how ecstatic you were to find out that Albrecht Dürer and Polychromos match!
I’m guessing OP stands for Oily Pencil but I could well be wrong… only a guess. I would like to try them but waaaay too expensive for me. Maybe one day. Until then, nice to see how they handle so thanks for the upload ✨🙏✨
I’m using Derwent Coloursoft and Procolour
As far as lightfast ratings go, as long as Prismacolor's formula hasn't changed, 2012 is current. And, at least they're honest that many/most of their pencils don't use lightfast pigments. I think I'd give them the nod.
Agreed
Your scientific approach and encyclopedic knowledge make you my go-to site for colored pencil information. You and your partner make learning a pleasant experience. Thank you!
Have you reviewed the prismacolor scholar pencils anywhere? I’m trying to decide what to buy for my birthday. I’m stepping up from childhood crayola lol I saw that the art was can dissolve with sealant or mixed media, which I enjoy, so I’m wondering what would you recommend I upgrade to that is affordable and pigmented and blends well?
Well done with this video. Fantastic ❤ Subscribed 😊
Hi Jennifer I was just wondering if you have any advice or suggestions if you have ever carpal tunnel pain what can you suggest to help with that as I have caused my main hand to have carpal tunnel pain which has stopped all my colouring and crafts. I’m right handed so I am trying to teach myself to use my left hand to colour which is very slow going and I want to just use my main hand but I need to let it heal ☹️.
The whole 150 set of Holbein is $700-800 in Australia to buy. The 12 set is $50-60 here too that’s why I’m wishing for them one day but I can’t justify the cost
I don’t own Polychromos or Holbein but wouldn’t this also be a good comparison? Both are expensive and the same type (oil based). Comparing Prisma with Holbein seems a bit unfair. I have the Prismas and I like them but I tend to prefer softer oil based pencils.
No, actually Holbein performs way more like Prisma than Poly Chromos because Holbein is soft like Prisma. I am not sure where people are getting that they are oil dominant, pencils their Japanese website says they are a "mixture of oil, wax, and fat" (holbein.co.jp/english/0423.html). I have both Poly Chromos and Holbein and they are night and day different.
I agree that a Polychromos and Holbein match up would be interesting.
I think any colored pencil match up is fair using this chart but some match ups aren’t worth doing because the outcome would be obvious…like Crazyart against Polychromos…everyone knows who will win that. But 2 different types of pencil, with different experiences when used, from 2 different countries…who will win that battle? Now that is more interesting to me.
Hello. Can someone tell me which brand is better for someone extremely allergic to dust. ? What brand sheds the least? Thank you 🙏🏼
The crumb test surprised me! I thought there are more crumbs with oil pencil than with wax. Well, at least that’s how it is with my Polychromos vs. prismacolor.
I was very surprised too. Must be a different binder going on in the other formulas.
Love the Colored Pencil Battle 🙂
That’s cool but prisms colors are cheaper than Holbein. That’s prob the most important for me lol two points doesn’t negate this fact for me
Which white was the Holbein!?! The soft white is the really soft one!
Artist Jane Bush and Lachri have info on the lightfast question of Holbein.
Thanks! I just watched Jane’s video. It was great. I WISH companies would make this information more available on their websites. Also…I’m wondering about the fancy ASTM seal on the Luminance and Lightfast pencils…why do they get a seal and Holbein doesn’t? I’m confused 😐
Ive herd its their in house light fast testing!!!
Can't wait..!!
Also the OP is just to distinguish it from other product codes. I'm not sure exactly what it stands for but their Gouache uses G. I'm assuming the P is for pencil. But yeah its so their colour codes are different per product and not really important for your swatching
Even not all pro artists need to worry about lightfastness. The only people who should worry about that are those who are actually selling their original picture to others, or who want to preserve the pictures for themselves. Anyone who is doing art for reproduction or who just doesn't care as much about that shouldn't worry as much. I know that's kind of obvious, but I think we need to start challenging the whole lightfast = pro thing. It really doesn't. Lots of pros reproduce their work.
Anyway, I haven't finished watching the video, but Holbein's are my favorite colored pencil. You can't go wrong with Prismacolors, though. I never had serious breakage issues with them and I've used them a lot.
Neil…you are so right about reproduction work. The expensive Copic markers are not lightfast but used by thousands of professionals for digital and print reproductions. That’s just 1 example
I'm not sure what this says about me and I really dont care, but once someone says that it's a Japanese-made product, I'm buying it. Especially art related products. I have some holbein pastel colored pencils and I LOVE them. They're different but great and if you're used to using prismas or luminance or polychromos, there is a learning curve. But they're amazing in their own way. If I could afford an entire set I'd buy them in a heartbeat.
Holbein actually has two whites. One is actually more opaque than the other :)
Thanks Laura…I will order the second white so it can participate in the battle
Hi I love all your videos can you do watercolor art ideas and techniques ❤️
Me gustaría que también los hubieras comparado con Policromos, ya que ambos son a base de aceite. excelente review.