HolbeinArtist Colored Pencil 150 Colors Op945

I barely know where to begin in my description and love of these pencils. Firstly, I can't believe i spent so much on colouring pencils, but i will lay the blame firmly at the feet of my brother, who knew i salivated over the sight of these, and encouraged me to buy them, in fact, practically forced me to buy them...his exact words? "If you want them, get them" see? How could i go against him? Anyway, the review......They only took about a week to get them, all the way from Japan, which i was pleased with. They arrived in perfect condition, in an Amazon box with bubble wrap. The pencils are housed in a cardboard box, and it also has a bendy, but strong transparent plastic case to protect the box. For the price, i would have expected a tin, but as i didn't expect to keep them in the original packaging, that wasn't a concern. The pencils look incredibly like Faber Castel Polychromos. Practically identical, but the cores are noticeably different. I am fortunate enough to own the Polychromos, and the Prismacolor sets, and i would put the hardness of the cores to in between these two. Softer than Polychromos, but harder than Prismacolor, but it's the range of colours that is so impressive. I thought the other makes were good, but these surpass them. The colours graduate effortlessly from one pencil to the next, much like Polychromos, but it's the whole tray of pastel colours that took my breath away. From the palest shell pink, to horizon blue, and ice green. Simply wonderful. This set comes with 6 fluorescent colours, green, lemon, orange, red, opera, rose. Will these be used? I didn't think so, but i have, just a small amount in a colouring book. There are also 6 metallic colours, silver, antique silver, bronze, pale gold, gold, and copper. I have found most metalic pencils a let down, but these are better than some I've tried, but still, nothing to rave over. The silver is pretty good, a few layers and it's pretty shiny. I am also impressed with the fact that there are 2 blacks, lamp black, and black, there are also 2 whites, soft white, and white. I've not seen that before i don't think. The choice of greens are outstanding, there's about 22, and that's not counting the pastel greens. The greys are also good, warm tones and cold tones, with a good selection of beiges. These pencils, considering their softness, also sharpen like a dream, no breakages yet. The names of the pencils are also a thing of beauty, names like strawberry, azalia, tiger lily, carnation,willow green, cherry blossom and so on, lots of flowery, fruity names. These pencils, in use are a joy, i managed 14 light layers to build up a good effect with them on one picture, and I'm sure more layers could be added.I have only three negative things to say. The first is not unique to these pencils, and thats the writing on the barrels, they have gold lettering, beautiful, yes, but sometimes difficult to read unless you twist it to get a certain light. I am also not very impressed with the choice of browns, only 3, then you're into the terracotta tones. That disappointed me. I would have got rid of the fluorescent and metalic colours to make way for a bigger selection of browns. The last negative is, these are not available open stock in the uk where i live, but i have found someone online in japan who sells them individually, and does post to the uk, so it's not 100% negative. So, in all, I'm glad i bought them, and would highly recommend them to anyone who "has to have them". To all you fellow pencil addicts out there... These are perfect for stroking, sniffing, and taking selfies with, yes, i have a problem, but I'm happy! Don't judge me until they're in your possession, then you'll know what i mean!.

Superb colored pencils! Lots of beautiful pastel colors, metallic ones are also quite good and shiny. Although neon colors are not so good, a little bit too hard for me and scratchy on the paper, plus they're brittle. Not a lot of browns also. Lays down pigment very well, no hard pressure needed, goes on paper like butter, blends together really well, but layering might be difficult if you use more pressure it burnishes after 3 layers or so, so be lighter on these. I would compare them to UNI colored pencils on their hardness and general performance. Softer than Polychromos, but harder than Luminance and Prismacolor pencils. Color range is really unique. I like them, but I think they're way too priced for what they are. Still, I'm happy with my purchase.

I cannot believe I paid this kind of money for colored pencils! I received these today and I already think they are amazing. The number of pastels in this set is great, unlike the major colored pencil makers who seem to concentrate on medium or darker colors. There is a set of six colors called luminous that are like neons. Their colors really pop on the page. There are colors that I wish I had before in other sets but finally I have them in this one. They lay down easily and feel creamy when coloring. I have a good batch of PrismaColor Premiers which also feel very creamy and these excel that set. The set came in a very nice paper box but I also bought a separate case because I like to travel with my pencils. There is literature inside giving a full list of the color names and numbers but it is in Japanese. Whether you are a professional artist or an amateur, you should find these pencils a joy to work with, once you get past the price.Color list of 150:011 Cherry Blossom019 Snow Pink022 Pink024 Coral028 Salmon Pink031 Carnation040 Rose042 Carmine043 Signal Red044 Scarlet046 Vermilion047 Tiger Lily048 Orange051 Strawberry052 Madder Red054 Light Red057 Burnt Sienna059 Autumn Leaf060 Wine Red062 Crimson076 Ash Rose080 Burgundy086 Chocolate093 Mahogany096 Cinnamon097 Brick098 Cocoa099 Brown116 Ivory120 Peach122 Jaune Brillant123 Flesh127 Cream131 Apricot134 Naples Yellow140 Tangerine142 Marigold143 Sunflower145 Dandelion147 Canary Yellow149 Lemon153 Yellow Ochre165 Mustard171 Cork173 Beige175 Sand180 Burnt Umber182 Sepia184 Raw Umber187 Olive Drab189 Olive Green192 Tan194 Khaki195 Olive Brown198 Olive Yellow222 Lettuce Green225 Cobalt Green227 Jade Green228 Ice Green235 Emerald Green240 Chartreuse Green242 Spring Green243 Fresh Green245 Summer Green247 Viridian248 Peacock Green251 Apple Green254 Evergreen255 Malachite Green262 Sap Green264 Holly Green267 Forest Green269 Triton Green270 Willow Green271 Opal Green272 Misty Green274 Mint Green275 Surf Green277 Celadon288 Fir Green290 Moss Green291 Leaf Green292 Cactus Green294 Jasper Green296 Bottle Green312 Horizon Blue321 Porcelain Blue323 Aqua324 Sky Blue326 Forget-me-not Blue328 Lavender Blue335 Cerulean Blue339 Smart Blue340 Peacock Blue343 Turquoise Blue345 Spectrum Blue347 Cobalt Blue348 Royal Blue349 Ultra Blue365 Navy Blue368 Prussian Blue371 Sky Mist379 Smoke Blue395 Saxe Blue422 Lilac429 Rose Pink430 Wisteria434 Mauve436 Fuchsia437 Cosmos440 Pansy441 Violet443 Iris446 Amethyst448 Azalea449 Magenta460 Indigo469 Bordeaux Red476 Sea Fog481 Grape486 Raisin495 Rose Grey500 White501 Soft White510 Black511 Lamp Black521 Warm Grey #1522 Warm Grey #2523 Warm Grey #3524 Warm Grey #4525 Warm Grey #5526 Warm Grey #6531 Cool Grey #1532 Cool Grey #2533 Cool Grey #3534 Cool Grey #4535 Cool Grey #5536 Cool Grey #6600 Gold610 Pale Gold620 Bronze630 Copper640 Silver650 Antique Silver700 Luminous Red710 Luminous Rose720 Luminous Opera730 Luminous Orange740 Luminous Lemon750 Luminous Green