Let’s see how Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils compared to Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils when used side-by-side. Since both brands are on the expensive side, this is valuable information if you’re considering either one.
Like most artists, I have a long list of items on my To Be Purchased list. Top on that list are colored pencils.
Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils are among my most desired colored pencils. I’ve wanted to try these oil-based colored pencils since first learning of them years ago.
Caran d’ache Luminance pencils are also high on my list and my curiosity was first sparked by this video review.
But neither set is inexpensive, so which to choose first?
Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils Compared to Caran d’ache Luminance Pencils
The following review comparing these pencils provides a basis on which to make a decision. The review is provided by Emmy Kalia on YouTube. Emmy’s YouTube channel and her web site feature tutorials in colored pencils and graphite with a special focus on human subjects. Some of her most interesting videos are about drawing hair and skin tones.
Here’s Emmy.
My Thoughts on Emmy’s Comparison
As I mentioned above, this video is very interesting, as well as being informative.
I’m most interested in the ability to draw with an eraser after laying down color with both pencils. I’ve found some ways to lift color with Prismacolor, but it’s nowhere near as easy as Emmy makes it look in this video.
Drawing with a knife—a process known as sgrafitto—is also intriguing. I’ve done a little of this with Prismacolor pencils but have never been very happy with the results. Perhaps I’m just using the wrong pencils!
But what about choosing which pencils to buy first?
My heart was still set on a set of Polychromos after watching this video. I’ve been wanting those for years and finally got a full set in 2017.
But I’m once again drawn by the prospect of being able to draw light over dark and you can’t do that with Polychromos. So Luminace are still on my To Be Purchased list.
If you’ve used either of these pencils, share your thoughts on why you would—or wouldn’t recommend them to another artist.
More Information
Caran d’ache Luminance Pencils web site.
Morning, Carrie! I use almost every brand of readily available colored pencils including Polychromos. A few years ago I went completely lightfast with my pencils and thus had to buy Luminance/ Pablo for the first time in order to plug color gaps – pinks, purples, etc. – that my other brands could not supply. Since then I have continued to add to my range of Luminance due to my growing appreciation for their quality. You get what you pay for IMHO. It is true they allow light-over-dark application better than other brands and the color laydown is nice and smooth and easily blended or burnished. As you know I work primarily on canvas with solvents – Luminance is a star in this type of work – it handles solubility very well indeed. I’m not about to give up on my other brands (including Polychromos) anytime soon they each have their own merits and drawbacks but Caran d’Ache is way up there, including their Watercolor-based line of Albrecht Durer pencils. BTW this is not a troll comment – I have no financial interest in any pencil company I just LOVE pencils! Cheers!
John,
Thanks for your lengthy response. I’m certain your fellow readers will be interested in the pencils you use and why you use them.
I’ve heard from other artists who use a variety of pencils for various reasons. This is one area where I’m a little behind the times, I’m afraid. I use primarily Prismacolor pencils out of necessity, but also have a couple of sets of Faber-Castell Art Grip pencils and water soluble pencils.
No way I’d consider your comments troll-ish!
Thanks for reading and for starting the conversation.
Hello again Miss Lewis! I’m far from a professional, but I recently treated myself to both of these sets of pencils. Until then I only ever used Prismacolors. The biggest difference I found was the amount of color you get from the first stroke! I was used to having to apply 3-4 layers before getting true color. Both Polychromos and Luminance put out a lot of color with a light touch!
I like to do nature pictures (birds and landscapes and that kind of thing) so the colors work very well. Lots of greys and neutral “pale” colors. Sorry I’m not sure how else to describe them. Great for skies and trees and animal fur without having to use 6 different pencils.
Because of the price difference, I save the Luminance for special projects like gifts.
I’m no professional, but I bet a master like you would paint wonders with either brand!
Hope you’re feeling better.
🙂
John,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on these pencils. An artist doesn’t have to be a professional to know how pencils respond to paper. Your thoughts are intriguing. Especially regarding the pale colors.
Not over my cold yet, but getting there. These things just take time!
Carrie
Hello Carrie!
I’m a little late to comment but I truly hope Santa surprised you with a set of Caran D’ache pencils.
I’m also like John and have a variety of colored pencils. I started out with a 150 boxed set of Prismacolor and was very happy with those, in fact I still am. I have a set of 120 Derwent Artists’ pencils, a full set of Polychromos, a tin box of Marco Raffines and recently acquired a full set of Caran D’Ache Luminance Pencils. Each one of these brands has something to offer and have a place in my work. The only one I’d give up without a thought are the Marco Raffines but I keep those around to give to friends who come over and want to do some drawing or coloring and they have no idea the other brands might be better. Lol. I love the creaminess of Prismacolor and the huge range of colors they offer. The major con for me with Prismacolor is that they wear down faster than anything else. Derwents are a bit dry and scratchy but they also offer colors that are unique and desirable as well as blending nicely with any of the other lines.
Polychromos are a completely different experience to the wax based pencils. The first time I put one to paper, it gave me a chill! Even though they aren’t as creamy as Prismacolor, they lay down pigment almost effortlessly. A lot of colors, although not all, have better coverage. I had no difficulty in blending them with other pencils in the line or with Prismacolor and Derwent. The first time you draw with Polychromos, you know you’re working with something very special.
And now to Caran D’Ache. They are everything Polychromos pencils are with a little extra. For sure you have the ability to layer light colors over dark which is a huge bonus. The colors again lay down beautifully but in some cases they are too opaque which isn’t conducive to subtle shading. If you are selling your work, these pencils offer lightfastness on a level much higher than most of the others which is an important consideration.
So, in my windy and overlong opinion (LOL), if you are budget conscious, stick with the Polychromos which aren’t a bargain themselves. They do cost significantly less than Caran D’Ache with a lot of the same attributes. Caran D’Ache cost approximately $6 per pencil although they’ll last at least twice a long as a Prismacolor pencil. Polychromos has a larger selection of colors; 120 vs 76 in the boxed set (and in that set of 76, there are 2 whites, 2 blacks as well as a blender). They also last significantly longer than the wax based media and require little effort to put down pigment.
Best – Annie
Annie,
Thank you for the information! Your comments on how the more expensive pencils compare to one another and to Prismacolor is beyond price. Thank you!
Carrie
Another late-comer to the discussion-).
I am another one that has tried many brands and have been dithering whether to buy Polychromos again after selling them a while back. But first I need to point out John’s error He put:
‘Caran d’Ache is way up there, including their Watercolor-based line of Albrecht Durer pencils.’
Caran D’Ache do not make Albrecht Durer water colour pencils; it is Faber-Castell who make them. I thought I would just point that out. Caran D’Ache do however make the excellent Supracolor ll which I adore.
The comments although few have been very helpful in my thoughts. I originally sold them partly due to finding them a bit ‘hard going’ due to weakness; and partly down to funding other pencils :-O. I have toyed with the idea again after remembering how nice they feel in the hand and also having a try out in Hobbycraft where they sell them singular. I am still on the fence though. Apparently they are not brilliant for going over with lighter colours/white which is something I do do a lot of. Also I believe they are not as pigmented as others such as Pablo. The money saved could go towards the new 50 set of pastel tone Holbeins that have just come out; although it means ordering from Australia at the time of writing this (I am in the UK). Maybe a compromise with a smaller set of Polychromos for when just wanting chill and not be too bothered about blending and layering do you think? If so which size? they say with any colouring pencils a minimum of 36. But will that be enough as my ‘go to’ set to replace my cheapo Marco Raffines? It could be a good idea as my ‘go to’ pack has got bigger and bigger which certainly doesn’t make it ideal if I go on a bus or tram anywhere. Decisions decisions 🙂
Pauline,
It does seem like we’re always faced with decisions, doesn’t it? I got my first Polychromos pencils this summer, and they were still new in the box when I was thinking about trying a different kind. Shame on me!
I’ve taken time to use the Polychromos by themselves and with other pencils over the last couple of months, and I’m very happy with them.
But there are still other brands I’d like to get my hands on if at all possible.
Polychromos are harder because they’re an oil-based pencil, so have less wax in them. They’re great for holding a point and for drawing details, but I still prefer wax-based pencils for the initial layers.
But you’re right. There are so many types of pencils to try, I could be buying new pencils every month and never get to the end of them!
Carrie
In regards to the comparison between Polychromos and Luminance, I personally find it hard to compare oil-based to wax-based pencils. Although there may be some oil and some wax in each, or many similar binders, etc., Luminance has been touted as a wax-based pencil. Having both in my arsenal of colored pencil brands, I find they lay down quite differently. I definitely feel I can get that rich color saturation far more quickly with Luminance. 😉