Many colored pencil artists started out with Prismacolor as I did. If you’ve been using Prismacolor Premier for very long, you know how brittle that lead is. This can make getting a fine point on your pencils for detail work difficult (and frustrating). The lead on the Luminance pencils is stronger. I’ve not once had the lead break or crumble on me, making getting detail work quite easy in comparison to the Prismacolor Premier. I also found that I don’t get the wax bloom with the Luminance like I did with the Prismas. This allowed me to apply more layers with the Luminance than I was able to with the Prismas. That was a huge bonus for me. These colors blend great with both burnishing (applying a lot of pressure to the pencil as you layer to blend) and with odorless mineral spirits. I’m able to get a smoother look with these pencils than with any other brand I’ve used. I personally don’t like the grainy look that is common with colored pencils. I want my work to look like a painting and these pencils do great with this. These are also some of the most opaque colored pencils that I’ve used.

Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils are incredibly versatile and can be used to achieve various techniques and styles. Their unique properties, such as easy blending and layering, make them an excellent choice for artists who want to experiment with different approaches. We have come to that again… I hate blending, I have always hated blending. As I mentioned multiple times before, all these details I worked hard for, blended and gone… no, thank you very much. But, with luminance I found it impossible not to blend. And the funny thing is that I really loved the effect! So, I might keep experimenting with the pencils in the future, I feel there is more to be explored. Lightfastness Once I moved onto the detail of the flowers I saw the biggest difference. I do not enjoy small detail work with prismas because you’re constantly fighting to keep the pencil sharp enough. Then there is so much wax bloom that also hinders detail work if you’re layering a lot. I found getting the detail and maintaining control with the Luminance to be much easier. I spent more time working on the prisma piece than I did with the luminance because I was so unhappy with how those flowers looked. Even with the extra time, I couldn’t make them look as good as the ones done with luminance. Being that I am so detail oriented…this is a huge deal to me. Detail can be achieved with prismas, just not as easily.

Caran d’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils Review

Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils come in a range of 100 vivid and natural colors, offering artists a versatile palette to work with. While the selection might not be as extensive as some other brands, the available colors can be easily mixed to create new shades, thanks to their blendability. Most of the colors are highly opaque, allowing you to cover the white of the paper with ease. However, some colors might be slightly transparent, which is something to keep in mind while working on your masterpiece. 4. Matte Finish Another problem we’re seeing a lot now are the leads completely falling out of the pencil. Prismacolor claims they will replace the pencil when this happens, but those I’ve spoken with who had this happen, months later still have not received their replacement. I don’t know about you, but when I’m working on a project, I can not sit around waiting for replacement pencils on defective products.

Today We’re going to be comparing at two wax based colored pencils. Prismacolor Premier and Luminance from Caran d’Ache The premium build quality of Luminance colored pencils, including their sturdy barrels and break-resistant cores, means you can rely on them to withstand the rigors of regular use. You won't have to worry about constantly dealing with broken leads or replacing pencils due to damage. 5. Wide Range of ApplicationsOne of the most loved features of Luminance pencils is their ability to blend and layer effortlessly. Thanks to their wax-based, soft, and creamy cores, artists can easily create smooth color transitions and build up layers of colors without the struggle of dealing with hard or scratchy cores. Their easy blending capabilities make it possible to achieve a wide range of effects and textures, giving your artwork depth and dimension. 2. Break-resistant Cores Many people love the smooth blending and easy layering provided by Luminance colored pencils. In my experience, they are much easier to blend compared to other brands. The soft and creamy cores allow for seamless color transitions and the ability to create depth and dimension in your artwork.

We do wish that Caran d’Ache would consider expanding its line to include more dull colors but we understand why they decided to prioritize bright colors with this particular set. As you might expect, their naturally brighter colors such as yellow and orange pop which further help to make this set stand out. Usability and Durability – 5/5Here we come! Notoriously they are the most expensive pencils out there. In my country a 150 prismacolor set costs around 100€, a 120 faber castell set costs 160€ and a 76 luminance set costs 250€, which makes price per single pencil around 3.3€ which is just … surreal. Overall feel Luminance colored pencils' exceptional blending capabilities and vibrant colors make them an excellent choice for creating realistic artwork. Artists can achieve smooth color transitions and build up layers to create depth and dimension, capturing the fine details and textures found in real life. 4. Portraiture Many artists value the lightfastness of Luminance colored pencils, which ensures that the colors won't fade much over time. This feature is essential for artists who sell their work, as it increases the value and longevity of the artwork. In terms of lightfastness, both brands are highly lightfast, ensuring that your artwork will remain vibrant over time. Polychromos pencils come in a wider range of 120 colors, giving you more options to choose from. Price-wise, Polychromos are generally more affordable than Luminance pencils. 2. Prismacolor Premier vs. Caran d'Ache Luminance