How do Polychromos compare with Prismacolor Premier?

Polychromos has a harder oil-based core that holds a sharper point and smudges less. Prismacolor Premier is softer and lays down opaque color faster but needs more sharpening and can bloom.

Are Polychromos water-soluble?

No. They are oil-based and not water-soluble. Faber-Castell's water-soluble line is Albrecht Dürer.

Are the leads break-resistant?

The 3.8mm leads are thick and SV-bonded to the cedar casing, which helps them resist breakage under normal sharpening and pressure.

Will the colors fade over time?

Faber-Castell rates the pigments for high lightfastness, so finished work holds color well when kept out of direct sunlight.

What comes in the set?

All 120 Polychromos colors in a metal tin, from whites and creams through yellows, reds, violets, blues, greens, earths and greys.

Is this set good for beginners?

It works for beginners willing to learn layering, but the firm lead and full-range outlay suit committed hobbyists and artists better than casual users.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Artist Colored Pencil Set of 120

Q: Where is the Faber-Castell Polychromos Artist Colored Pencil Set of 120 cheapest?

At The Merri Artist - merriartist.com, for $225.00, as of our latest check.

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What reviewers say

Artists and reviewers widely praise the Polychromos for consistent pigment, sharp point retention and clean layering. Many compare it favorably to Prismacolor Premier for detail work, though some find the harder lead slower to build rich color.

What people mention

Lead hardnessMixedReviewers say the firm core excels at detail but takes more pressure to build deep color.
BlendingPraisedUsers report smooth layering and blending with no waxy film.
Point retentionPraisedArtists note the pencils keep a sharp point far longer than softer rivals.
BreakagePraisedOwners report the thick leads and bonded casing hold up well to sharpening and pressure.
ValueMixedMany call the 120 set a long-term investment, while some find the outlay steep.

About the Faber-Castell Polychromos Artist Colored Pencil Set of 120

The Faber-Castell Polychromos Artist Colored Pencil Set includes 120 colored pencils in a metal tin. The pencils use high-quality pigments for lightfastness. The color goes on smoothly, and it blends and layers easily without waxy build-up.

Each pencil has a thick 3.8 mm lead that is break-resistant, water-resistant and smudge-proof. The color is permanent and rich. The lead sits in a premium California cedar wood casing. SV bonding strengthens the lead against breakage, and the pencils hold a point well and draw sharp, fine lines.

Set size

120 Polychromos artists' color pencils

Case

Metal tin

Lead thickness

3.8 mm

Casing

California cedar wood with SV bonding

Lead properties

Break-resistant, water-resistant, smudge-proof, lightfast

Whites and creams

#101 White, #103 Ivory, #102 Cream

Yellows and oranges

#104 Light yellow glaze, #205 Cadmium yellow lemon, #105 Light cadmium yellow, #106 Light chrome yellow, #107 Cadmium yellow, #108 Dark cadmium yellow, #109 Dark chrome yellow, #111 Cadmium orange, #1

Reds and pinks

#117 Light cadmium red, #118 Scarlet red, #121 Pale geranium lake, #219 Deep scarlet red, #223 Deep red, #217 Middle cadmium red, #126 Permanent carmine, #225 Dark red, #133 Magenta, #142 Madder, #226

Violets

#135 Light red-violet, #194 Red-violet, #134 Crimson, #160 Manganese violet, #138 Violet, #136 Purple violet, #137 Blue violet, #249 Mauve

Blues and turquoises

#141 Delft blue, #157 Dark indigo, #247 Indanthrene blue, #151 Helioblue-reddish, #143 Cobalt blue, #120 Ultramarine, #140 Light ultramarine, #146 Skyblue, #144 Cobalt blue-greenish, #110 Phthalo blue