Why do my pencils keep breaking when I sharpen them?
It is the best-known weakness of these pencils rather than a fluke, and it comes down to physics rather than a single bad batch: a soft core, which is what gives these pencils their smooth, blendable laydown, has less internal rigidity than a hard core and is more prone to snapping under the lateral force of sharpening. Drops make it worse, because the core can crack inside the barrel. Use a sharp, purpose-made pencil sharpener with a fresh blade, turn slowly and steadily rather than forcing it, and store the pencils in their tin. This trade-off is typical of soft-core artist pencils as a category, not unique to this brand.
Can I use these with water like watercolor pencils?
No. These are not watercolor pencils, so water will not dissolve or blend the color. That is a benefit for mixed-media work, because the color stays put when markers, ink or a damp hand go over it, but if you want painterly washes you need a separate set of watercolor pencils.
Will the colours fade over time?
Prismacolor describes the pigments as lightfast, which means they resist fading under normal light exposure over time, a genuine quality marker that distinguishes artist-grade pigments from cheaper dye-based alternatives, which typically fade noticeably faster when displayed or exposed to sunlight.
Should I buy the 36 or a larger set?
The 36-count is a good way to find out whether you like soft-core pencils. If you already know you do, a larger set is often better value than collecting several small ones, because the smaller Prismacolor sets overlap in color. Soft cores also wear down quickly, so frequent colorists tend to go through their favorite shades first.
Are these suitable for a beginner, or only for experienced artists?
They are a good choice for beginners. The smooth, soft-core blending is more forgiving than a harder pencil that demands more pressure and technique to get good coverage, and the jump in color and control is obvious even on a first coloring page. They are well suited to adult coloring books and art classes, so this is a reasonable choice regardless of experience level.
Is it worth paying more than a store-brand set of colored pencils?
For anyone who colors or sketches regularly, yes. The difference in smoothness, saturation and how much shading control you get is large, and it is the kind of upgrade people rarely reverse. If you color only occasionally, or you are buying for a young child who will press hard and drop pencils, a cheaper, harder set may make more sense.
