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I just recently started stamping but am having trouble finding a way to color that I like. After reading up, I am really interested in using colored pencils with gamsol or another odorless mineral spirit. Usually when I read about this technique, it's in use with Prismacolor pencils. They are really pricy though! The only pencils I have right now are the cheapy ones from Walmart. (Roseart I think.) So I am considering getting the Prismacolors, but I want to be sure they are really worth it! What is your experience with them? Worth the $$? Do they last long? Also, what set would you suggest -- the 72 count or the 120? The frugal side of me says to just get the 72, but then I figure, if I am going to spend the $$, bite the bullet and get the bigger set! But is 120 overload? Will I really use all those colors? HELP! WWYD? TIA for any help!
I don't have any advice for regarding whether they are worth it or not - I don't like the look of pencils so have never purchased. However, if you decide you are wanting to go that route you can get the set of 72, 120, or 132 for about half of list price here: http://www.dickblick.com/zz205/08/. Dick Blick is nice to work with. HTH
__________________ Stephanie King My blog - Paper Crafting & Engineering Did I meet you on the Stamping Cruise with Emily, Gina K, and Nichole?
I think the Prismacolor pencils are worth it. I never really enjoyed coloring stamped images until I finally tried the Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol. I purchased the set set of 48, but added the 'new color' set of 12 to it later to match more SU colors, plus I picked up a couple individual pencils here and there. I used Michaels coupons to buy the pencils to appease my frugal side!
__________________ Alice
[COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"]>^..^
Prismas are worth every dime if you want your work to really pop! Ebay has the best, unbelieveable prices on the all quantities, but you have to follow an auction for a few days before you buy. Sometimes great prices on "buy now." The beginning set of 12 on ebay is usually abt $5.00 as compared to $20 in an art store. Start with the 12 set and see if you like them.
I haven't used Coptic markers, that is the new craze, but see Gina K's blog for examples of how finished Coptic work looks, that might be another way.
I, also, have the Wal-Mart colored pencils and the Prismas. There is a BIG difference and Prismas are worth the money. Use the Michael's coupon. 120 I think is overload as it has a lot of shades of one color. You could go with the set of 48 then add individual colors as you want. Be sure to get the Premier which is the soft lead.
I really think they're worth the money. My coloring looks better than I ever thought it would. And as I practice more, I become more and more happy with them. Here's a thread that compares Prisma pencil colors with SU colors. Maybe you'd like to get a few Prismas in your favorite SU colors, along with some odorless mineral spirits and some stumps, to play with before you invest the big bucks.
I bought my Prismacolor pencils (120) at Dick Blick two summers ago. I certainly haven't regretted my purchase. In fact, I've added the new colors they released...24 more. If you watch the sales and coupons at Dick Blick you can get a very decent price.
Browse the galleries, find the style and coloring method you like...then invest in the best tools you can afford. There really is a difference.
I love, love LOVE my Prisma color pencils. I've really gotten into the shading that you can do with pencils. I've never had much success with shading and markers. The magic that Gamsol does for my cards is incredible. I just recently upgraded from 36 pencils to 72 and I am GIDDY with delight at my shading possibilities! I hope this helps
BTW: Dick Blick site really is great. I highly recommend it.
I was really unsure about spending that money on pencils myself. I have just recently bought the 72 color set in a tin. WOW!!! What was I waiting for? Love em'.
I had the 24 set and HAD to get the 72. I used a coupon and fortunately had gift card for Michaels. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these pencils. I recommend them over anything!
OK....don't start with a set! Michael's sells them individually - buy 2 or 3 and see if you like them. If not, you've spent less than $5 and can move on to the next thing. If you love them, you have a few to play with until you get your set!
__________________ Work is for people who don't know how to stamp.
AllI can say is..You get what you pay for....I love mine! I'm a huge watercolor person, but I find myself reaching for my prismas more often!! You won't be sorry...
I think so...I always come back to my prismas (and I even own copics!)...they are a cinch to use and you get awesome results....I am going to do a tutorial on my blog very soon with them because they are just THAT easy!
I think so...I always come back to my prismas (and I even own copics!)...they are a cinch to use and you get awesome results....I am going to do a tutorial on my blog very soon with them because they are just THAT easy!
I have the Copics,also...still prefer the pencils.....
I definitely think Prismas are worth the money. I have the 120 set, but got them several years ago for next to nothing. Even if I would have paid a lot more, they would still be worth it. I tried a few Copics and didn't even like them. I know they are the rage right now, but I really prefer the Prismacolor pencils. I say try a few to see if you like them, then buy the largest set you can afford. You will never wish you had another color, shade, etc if you do.
Good luck!!
I love mine too! You asked if they last long? You will have to put them in your will, they last a really really long time. Hobby Lobby also carries them individually if you want to try them first. I have the 120 piece set and it's my favorite stamping item.
__________________ Debbie
I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end. - Margaret Thatcher
I have just started using this technique and love the results! Nice bold colour and easy to blend. I just bought the 12 pack plus some pinks to start. But I can walk to my art store so i figure I will collect them a few at a time so I won't really realize how much I am spending.
I think so...I always come back to my prismas (and I even own copics!)...they are a cinch to use and you get awesome results....I am going to do a tutorial on my blog very soon with them because they are just THAT easy!
Totally agree. They are super easy to use, even for us non-artist people. Much easier than markers; I have Copics and they are fun, but demand lots of practice. I really do not think they are for everyone, but I think Prisma pencils are. I have a pack of 72; seems to do the trick for all my color needs; I think 120 is over-doing it. Can you borrow from a stamper friend to try them out??
Love my prismacolor pencils---got them at Michaels with a 50% coupon. I think the 48 color set is the minimum I'd get. Type of paper makes a difference---Georgia Pacific white cardstock from Walmart works.
I love my Prismacolor pencils! There are many different ways to use them other with Gamsol. Actually I never use Gamsol as I prefer to use my blender pen with watercolor pencils if I want to achieve that effect.
IMO, you should always buy the best *tools* you can afford. You can find ways to save on paper, ribbon, embellishments, etc. But why spend an hour making a card to have it look like it was colored by my daughter, ykwim? Cheap pencils look like cheap pencils and I don't know if there's a way to compensate for that, at least I haven't found a way! I would also check Jerry's Artarama as well, and I actually would recommend buying in a set because you will save money over the long haul versus buying a few here or there and then if you do end up deciding you like them an want to purchase a set you will have duplicates. HTH!
I think the Prismas are totally worth it! I did not enjoy coloring very much until I got mine and started using the Gamsol Magic technique. My coloring has really improved and I am excited to do it now! I started with a set of 48 and have added from there, I now have about 90 and want more! I say go for the big set. You can use color families to blend and create shadows. I was thinking about getting copics, but after practicing with my prismas I decided I didn't need them!
__________________ Dorothy- Stamping keeps me sane!
No need to start with the huge set. Just get a few and try them out. I just buy them loose, I don't think I have more than 20 and that's plenty for me. Just get what you want and what you can afford!
Regarding tutorials, if you go under Resources you can find it under magic pencil. You can also google it as well.
__________________ Aimee mom to two girls & one cool dog! My blog
OK.....here's another question. I purchased a set of Prismacolor "Verithins" because I heard that I should be using Prismas. Since then I've read that I really should have gotten a different set, called "Premiere" I think....does it really matter or will my set of Verithins work ok???
I just posted a tutorial on my blog about these. I love mine. They give you a very different look than markers. They are so easy to use and they make you look good, KWIM?
Hugs,
Gina K.
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
I love my prismacolor pencils. Because they have a wax base, you have to use mineral spirits or gamsol to blend, otherwise they will become cloudy. I think they are definately worth the money. The biggest box I have ever purchased was the 48 count box. I find I use the same colors over and over. Verithin pencils are for detail work (such as outlining). They don't work the same as the regular prismacolors.
the prismacolor premier are well worth the money. Check on e-bay, the 120 set can usually be had for less then 65, including shipping. I got my daughter a set of 48 for Christmas and there simply are not enough colors in her set to do a lot of the shading she wants to do with the House Mouse stamps we use. There are NO gray's in the 48 what so ever. I have just recently started using OMS and it works great. I also use the Lyra Rembrandt Splender for blending without using OMS. I like the Lyra much better then the colorless blender that prisma has.
__________________ Lisa C., Mom to 3 great kids, 3 super dogs and an cat that thinks she is a dog! My Gallery
I agree with the other Prismacolor enthusiasts. After seeing the gorgeous shading done on some of the cards here on SCS I had to run out and get the set of 48. I quickly realized that I HAD TO HAVE MORE! I used a 50% off coupon for one set and got a good deal on eBay for the other. Well worth the investment!
I think that Prismas are definitely worth it and I just have the small box (not the smallest but the next size up; can't remember exactly how many right now). There are some from every color family and you can mix them to get the color you want if you don't have it. Don't get me wrong...I want the largest box, I am just saying that you don't have to start with it to get "good" colors.
__________________ Alycia Wife to Kevin, mother to E (7 years), P (4 years), and L (22 months)
I totally agree with everyone else...Prisma Premier pencils are worth the money and there are places around (dickblick.com, ebay, Michael's on sale) to find good deals. I teach coloring with Prismas at my LSS and can vouch for their beautiful waxy feel - definitely a big step up from Rose's. Be sure to invest in a good sharpener as well. I really like the Dahle sharpeners: they're old-fashioned manual ones but you can adjust the point from blunt to very sharp. You can find them at dickblick.com also.
Buying a pencil or two to try them is worthwhile. You can also buy a set of 12 then add more individually as you can afford them. You can find the list of the colors in each size set here . Again, a source is dickblick.com (No, I'm not affiliated with them ;-) )
I really love the Prismas! When I first started stamping and hearing "colored pencils", I figured it was -- are you ready for a laugh -- map colors!! No, no, no! Prismas can actually look like watercolors when you are practiced at blending. Another thing you can use to blend with is baby oil! I actually like it better than Gamsol. If you want to see how beautiful a Prisma can look, buy some Beckett Expression cardstock (I get mine from Marco's Paper, as they come twice a year to the Grapevine Stamp Convention and will always put together a goodie package with a little discount and no shipping!) Prismas are stunning on that cardstock. Come to think of it, you can also get the Prismas at Marco's by the set or one at a time, plus if you sign up for their email newsletters, you receive a 5% discount. Wherever you get them, good luck and have fun with your coloring!
__________________ My only regret is there aren't enough hours in the day to comment on every submission, as they all have their own beauty! ~Jamie
Are Prismacolor Pencils really worth the $$?
