Best Colored Pencils for Portraits
The best colored pencils for portraits are not always easy to find. There are many options out there, and it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your needs because each artist has different preferences. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to! In this article, we will review five of the best-selling colored pencils on Amazon in 2023 that are perfect for portrait artistry.
What Are Colored Pencils for Portraits?
Colored pencils are a must-have for any artist’s toolbox. They provide an inexpensive and accessible way to make beautiful art, even if you don’t have experience with other types of media like paint or charcoal. Colored pencils come in countless colors and can be used on various surfaces such as canvas, wood panels, or plain paper.
When it comes to portraits, colored pencils can be a great medium for capturing the likeness of your subject and adding color and life to the finished piece. Many portrait artists use colored pencils as their main medium, due to their versatility and ability to create realistic results.
Types of Colored Pencils
Before you buy colored pencils for portraits, it’s helpful to understand the different types available. There are three main categories of colored pencils: wax-based, oil-based, and watercolor.
Wax-based colored pencils have a waxy exterior and come in many colors with vibrant results. However, they can be difficult to blend and are not suitable for all surfaces.
Oil-based colored pencils have a creamy exterior which makes them easy to layer on top of one another without much blending needed. The downside is that they cannot be used with water, so you will need an oil-cleaning agent if you want to correct mistakes or change colors.
Watercolor colored pencils are the newest type of colored pencil, and they work similar to watercolor paints. They can be blended easily with a brush and added to wet or dry surfaces.
Benefits of Colored Pencils for Portraits
There are many benefits to using colored pencils for portraits. Here are some of the most important:
- They come in a wide range of colors, so you can create realistic skin tones and hair colors.
- They are easy to use and don’t require any special skills or training.
- They can be used on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, wood panels, and paper.
- They are less expensive than other types of media like paints or charcoal.
- They come in a variety of hardness levels, so you can choose the one that’s best for your needs.
- They blend easily with other mediums like watercolors and graphite pencils.
- Why Choose the Best Colored Pencils for Portraits?
There are many benefits to using colored pencils as your main medium. Here are some of the most important:
- They can be used on a variety of surfaces, making them versatile and easy to use.
- Many artists use this type of pencil because it’s affordable and accessible.
- The colors are vibrant and realistic, making them perfect for portraits.
- They can be blended easily with other mediums, allowing for more creativity and variation in your work.
Now that you know a little bit about colored pencils, it’s time to choose the best set for you!
You may also like: Best Colored Pencils For Realistic Drawing
The Best Colored Pencils for Portraits in 2023
Now that you know a little more about the different types of colored pencils, let’s take a look at five of the best ones for portrait artistry.
1. SEMINOLE 25085R for Prismacolor for Premier Colored Pencils
The SEMINOLE 25085R for Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils is a great option for those who want to start their own coloring book or add some new life to old drawings. This set comes in 24 different colors, each of which has been specifically chosen for portraits.
Additionally, the pencils are non-toxic and certified safe to use by the ASTM D-9400 safety standards! The Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils also come with an attached eraser so that you can easily correct mistakes!
2. Dyvicl Skin Colored Pencils Skin Tone Pencils
DyviCl Skin Colored Pencils are the best colored pencils for portraits. DyviCl Skin Colored Pencils colors are designed to match skin tones that can be found in people of all races and skin types. These skin tone pencils were created by a team of artists, doctors, dermatologists, chemists, and engineers who wanted to create an art tool that could accurately capture the many different hues of human skin.
The result is a range of colors with three different undertones (warm, cool or neutral), which will suit any artist’s needs when it comes to drawing portraits.
The pencils themselves have a soft lead that makes them easy to use and the wide barrel provides a good grip. They also sharpen well, which is important for creating detailed portraits. The colors are rich and vibrant, and they blend easily to create realistic skin tones.
3. Black Widow Skin Color Pencils for Portraits
Recently, I found myself in the middle of a heated argument about which are the best colored pencils for portraits. Well, I know it sounds silly to have an opinion on something so superficial as skin color, but this is one of those things that can really make or break your portrait.
Not only does it affect the mood and realism of your piece, but also whether or not you will be able to sell your work at all. Thankfully there are some great options out there if you’re looking for high-quality art supplies!
The Black Widow Skin Color Pencils by Prismacolor are one option that may be worth checking out. They come in 12 different shades that range from pink to brown with many variations in between for shading purposes. They are also made with a blend of paraffin and beeswax to make them have greater color laydown.
4. Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils Set
Castle Art Supplies 120 Colored Pencils Set is the best set of colored pencils for portraits. The set includes 24 basic colors, 24 earth tones, 24 bright colors, and 24 pastels. These are great for drawing realistic pictures that are true to life.
The pencils have a smooth texture that makes them easy to blend together on paper or canvas. They come in individual color boxes with lids for convenient storage and organization. Each box contains 12 pencils (3 each of 4 different colors). This set has everything you need to draw beautiful portraits!
5. Caran d’Ache 6902 Coloring Pencils
Caran d’Ache is a Swiss company that specializes in quality art supplies for artists of all levels of experience. Their extensive range includes watercolor paints, oil paint, charcoals, pastels, and yes… colored pencils!
Their most popular line is their Artists’ Color Pencils which come in 72 different shades with varying degrees of transparency. The core product is made from natural pigments rather than artificial ones so it has excellent lightfastness (doesn’t fade) plus no less than 15% wax which gives the pencils their smoothness and resistance to breakage.
The Caran d’Ache 6902 Coloring Pencils are a part of this range and have quickly become one of the most popular options for artists wanting to work in colored pencils. They come in 24 shades, each with excellent lightfastness and vibrancy. The lead is also encased in a wooden barrel for extra protection, making them ideal for artists who like to travel with their supplies.
What to Consider Before Choosing the Best Colored Pencils for Portraits
When choosing the best colored pencils for portraits, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Skin Tone:
One of the most important aspects of any portrait is capturing the skin tone accurately. This means choosing a set of colored pencils that have a wide range of colors to choose from, as well as shades that can be mixed together to create realistic skin tones.
Vibrancy:
The best colored pencils for portraits should be as vibrant as possible. This is especially important for portraits of people because skin tones can be difficult to work with and require a lot of precision in order to look realistic.
Durability:
The best colored pencils for portraits should not break easily or leave behind patches of lead on the paper surface when sharpened (which causes problems later on when coloring).
Variety of Sizes:
If you are looking for colored pencils that can be used to create different effects in your work, then choose ones with a variety of sizes. This will give you the freedom to shade small areas and also cover larger sections at once if necessary.
Price Point:
There’s no need to spend a fortune on the best colored pencils for portraits. In fact, there are many affordable sets that come with a wide range of colors and other features that make them perfect for this type of artwork.
Lightfastness:
The best colored pencils for portraits should have excellent lightfastness. This is because you want your work to last as long as possible without fading or losing its vibrancy, even when exposed to the sun.
Erasability:
Colored pencil artists usually like to layer their work in order to achieve certain effects. This means that it’s important for the best colored pencils for portraits to be erasable so mistakes can be corrected without ruining the entire piece.
FAQs
How do you sharpen colored pencils?
There are many different ways to go about sharpening your colored pencils depending on the type of lead (hard or soft) and its composition. The best way is usually by using a high-quality art knife, but there are other options available for artists who prefer something more traditional like an actual pencil sharpener.
Are colored pencils permanent?
Colored pencils are considered to be semi-permanent because they will fade over time if exposed to the sun, but this depends on their quality and composition. The best way to keep your artwork looking vibrant for as long as possible is by keeping it out of direct sunlight.
What is the difference between colored pencils and markers?
The main difference between colored pencils and markers is that markers are considered to be more permanent because they are not as susceptible to fading over time. They also come in a wider range of colors, but this can sometimes lead to them being less vibrant than their colored pencil counterparts.
Do colored pencils need to be sharpened?
A: Yes, all colored pencils will eventually wear down and require sharpening. However, this is not always the case with softer types of lead because they can sometimes become rounded or even break off if applied too heavily.
How do I fix colored pencil mistakes?
Colored pencil mistakes can often be fixed by using an eraser. However, this will not always work and sometimes the mistake can only be corrected by starting over completely from scratch.
In Conclusion:
When it comes to choosing the best colored pencils for portraits, there are a few things that need to be considered. These include lightfastness and durability as well as a variety of sizes and price points. The above review should give you a good idea about which sets will work best in your own artwork.