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As a coloured pencil artist, I’m always curious about new brands entering the market, as well as popular ranges I’ve yet to explore myself. With so many options available, not every pencil suits the way I work. I rely on materials that support realism, whether I’m building soft transitions, refining anatomical detail, or layering for tonal depth. The pencils I choose have a direct impact on the results I can achieve, so I’m selective about what earns a place in my studio.
Alongside this website, I also run a second one that offers a wide range of articles and tutorials for artists at all levels. In early 2025, I revisited one of the most popular articles on that site: an in-depth comparison of coloured pencil brands. I selected 18 ranges, including Derwent, Caran d’Ache and Prismacolor, and put each one through a series of practical tests to see how they perform in areas like blending, layering and opacity. Rather than relying on manufacturer claims or surface-level reviews, I wanted to see how these pencils behave under scrutiny.
The guide is designed for artists who want clarity when choosing materials, whether you're looking for the brand that offers the most suitable range for building soft transitions, refining detail, or working with complex layering. It’s not about picking a single winner, but about understanding which pencils suit which techniques. I’ve tested both well-known and lesser-known ranges on consistent surfaces, so you can see how they stack up across key criteria. If you're expanding your pencil collection or starting from scratch, this guide offers clear, practical insight from an artist with over 40 years' experience working in coloured pencil and includes the following brands:
You’ll also find links in this article to other content on the Step by Step Art website, including guides, tutorials and resources. It’s a good way to explore what’s available. If you find it useful, feel free to bookmark the site and check back from time to time as new material is added regularly.
Pigmentation and Coverage on Dark Surfaces
One of the first tests looks at pigmentation and coverage on black paper. This reveals how strong each colour appears when applied over a dark base, and how the core texture, whether soft or firm, affects opacity and control. For artists who rely on contrast or work on toned surfaces, this section is especially useful.
Article of interest: If you're looking to improve your coloured pencil technique or want to learn how to build realistic detail on textured paper, the Snow Leopard Eye tutorial walks you through it step by step. Click the image above to give it a go.
How Well Do These Pencils Blend?
The blendability test focuses on how smoothly each pencil transitions between tones. Using a heavyweight paper, I assessed how the core softness influences blending and whether the pencils allow for seamless tonal shifts. If you work with fur, skin, or subtle gradients, this test offers practical insight.
Article of interest: Need help with blending coloured pencils? This article breaks down the products designed to help you achieve smoother blends in your pencil work. Click the image above to read more.
Opacity and Core Strength Under Layered Applications
Opacity and core strength are also examined. I tested how well white pigment holds up when layered over darker tones, and how much smudging occurs during blending. A neutral grey base was used to ensure both light and dark pigments were fairly represented. This section is ideal for artists who need clean transitions or who prefer pencils that resist smudging during fine detail work.
Article of interest: Need practical storage for your coloured pencils? The KX Pencil Rack by Creations by Rod (Kent, UK) offers a smart, space-saving solution. Click the image above to read the article and find out how you can purchase one.
Which Brands Handle Layering Best?
Layering capacity is another key area. I trialled each brand to see how well they perform under multiple applications. Some pencils build beautifully without breaking down, while others struggle to maintain clarity after several layers. If you rely on layering to achieve depth and realism, this test will help you identify which brands support that approach.
Article of interest: Just starting out with coloured pencils? This beginners guide covers the essentials to help you get started. Click the image above to read more.
Finding the Whitest White for High-Contrast Work
The Whitest White test stands out for good reason. I used a black 300gsm paper to see which pencils produce the strongest results without any adjustments. What you see is exactly what the pencil puts down. The contrast is deliberately low to show how each one performs in real use. If you rely on white for highlights, fur texture or sharp accents, this section is worth a look.
Article of interest: With the right approach, even low-cost, unbranded pencils can produce strong results, especially when paired with the brightest white. The WHSmith colouring pencil article shows how. Click the image above to read more.
Click the image below to go to the full Comparing Coloured Pencils article. It covers the results in detail, showing how each pencil performed across the tests. If you're weighing up options or just curious to see how your favourites held up, it's worth a look.
Click through to read the article
As you read through, you’ll find links to individual articles for each pencil brand, so you can explore further a particular range catches your interest. It’s about finding the pencils that suit your way of working, ones that deliver when you need quality and strong, reliable colour. The resource will keep expanding as more brands are added, so feel free to bookmark it and check back now and then.
You can also visit the main pages on the www.stepbystepart.co.uk website, by clicking any of the images below. 
Do you have a go-to pencil for blending or layering?
Or maybe a favourite that’s not on the list? What makes your favourite brand stand out from the rest? Feel free to share your thoughts, questions or favourites in the comments below.
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For an artist, there is always a high level of excitement that comes with unwrapping a package filled with freshly acquired art supplies. However, the opportunity to receive a package containing coloured pencils from a discontinued line dating back to 2005 dwindles with each passing year, making it increasingly unlikely to acquire such coveted items.
Fortunately, auction sites like eBay occasionally list Berol Karismacolor pencils, and I was extremely fortunate to discover a couple of sellers who are currently selling off stock from a craft supply clearance, allowing me to acquire some brand new stock. It was quite a surprise to discover some of the rarer colours in the collection as well. Pencils, both coded and non-coded, plus some discontinued colours can be found through these sellers. Links can be found in the article link at the bottom of this page.
What are Karismacolor pencils?Karismacolor pencils were the European counterpart to the widely favoured Prismacolor Premier pencils. The original Prismacolor pencils debuted in 1938, while Karismacolor emerged in the late 1980s in England. In 1995, ownership of the company transferred and production shifted to the USA. The emergence of new European pencil brands likely contributed to the dwindling sales of Karismacolor pencils, and coupled with elevated shipping costs, led to their discontinuation in 2005. 
The Karismacolor pencils were originally offered in 72 colours, with each pencil prominently showcasing the designated colour name on the barrel. Over time, the colour palette expanded, and colour codes were introduced to align with the Prismacolor range. Throughout the production period, a total of 129 colours were created, but due to discontinuations, the largest available set consisted of 108 colours.
Can you still buy the Berol Karismacolor pencils?Should you wish to acquire some of these pencils, the links that direct to the sellers of the Karismacolor pencils can be found below. I have written a comprehensive article about these pencils, which can be accessed on my Step by Step Art website by clicking this link.
Please be aware that I am not affiliated with these sellers. I am aware of the challenges in finding these pencils, and having had a positive buying experience myself, I wanted to pass on this information to others.
If you have fond memories of the Berol Karismacolor pencils, please leave me a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
Whether you're a beginner seeking guidance on art supplies or an established artist comparing brands, the Step by Step Art website is your resource. It features a range of articles on different products and recommendations, with new content added regularly. To explore an article that catches your eye, click on the corresponding image. This action will open the page in a new tab, guiding you to the website.
Our website is designed to serve a diverse array of artists. We feature a variety of mediums such as coloured pencils, graphite pencils, acrylics, soft pastels, and others provided by contributors. We are planning to offer written step-by-step tutorials and mini-video tutorials for artists both in the UK and internationally. Additionally, you can request articles on particular subjects.
Through this website, you can reserve spots in pencil workshops with me. You can also access the latest newsletter for up-to-date articles, product reviews, recommendations, tutorials, and other art-related content that might capture your interest. If you think someone else might benefit from this post, feel free to tweet it, or drop a comment below with any inquiries or insights. I trust you'll find the resources offered here valuable. I have been creating pet portraits since the 1990s. Initially, I relied on physical photographs, which posed a challenge viewing any fine detail. The evolution in camera technology, which continues to improve year on year, provides me with high-resolution digital photos that I can zoom into, and allows me create the intricate detail you see in my work today. Nevertheless, my portraiture focuses less on mere photographic replication and more on delivering an outcome that achieves a harmonious balance of contrast and colour. By refining any imperfections, I aim to present a more natural and aesthetically pleasing portrait that will enhance your walls for many years to come. The article discusses a portrait that demanded much more than merely replicating the photo reference. It features Ern, a chocolate Labrador Retriever. The commission, intended as a birthday surprise for a husband, necessitated that the final artwork be a true representation of his beloved dog.  Introducing Ern the Chocolate Labrador... The photograph presented is a breathtaking capture, initially appearing to be the perfect reference image. However, it became evident that the mouth was not in a naturally relaxed state, presenting a distended appearance rather than a typical, relaxed posture. Furthermore, the intense sunlight resulted in both overexposed and underexposed areas of his face, and the intricate details in the neck region were obscured by dark shadows. Observe the change in his colour when he steps out of the sunlight in the images below. It's as if he's an entirely different dog!  First, correspond with and confirm important details.Discussing these details with the customer prior to beginning the portrait is crucial. After numerous email exchanges, the decisions were finalised. It was also requested to "give him a "normal mouth" I'd really appreciate it!" " Hi Kat, thank you for the lovely photos of Ernest. I've noticed that he has coppery brown fur in some images, but in others, his fur appears much darker. Which is his natural colour? " " His fur appears dark in the photos, typically when he is wet. However, he actually has a gingery tan colour around his ears and muzzle. One of the photos I sent was captured with a professional camera, which I believe showcases his natural colour more effectively. " " I like that photo, but I was unsure whether his colour might be too vivid, knowing the sun could have caused oversaturation. However, it's excellent that you've clarified this. "
Thorough research is crucial before commencing the portrait.To create a pet portrait from a photo needing significant alterations, I begin by searching online for pictures of the same breed in a similar pose and I will refer to them throughout the drawing process. In creating this portrait, I utilised approximately 15 different images, including some of Ern from provided photos and others found online. The search for 'matching' images can span a few hours, and often, I also need to edit the reference image. This is all done before I even begin the actual drawing process. Ensuring the accuracy of Ern's colour was a challenging task; however, the most complex aspect of the illustration was ensuring that the anatomical structure of his mouth was correct. Given that this gift is intended to be a surprise, I had to get this right. I even bribed our lovely black Labrador Haze, by encouraging him to pose in the garden. This allowed me to capture a series of images that provided valuable reference for ensuring that the detail was accurate. The time dedicated to the completion of this portrait was around 25 hours.  Thank you so much for all the hard work and effort put in to make the numerous photos I bombarded you with come to life! The portrait is just amazing, beautiful and captures Ern perfectly! If you are interested in a personalised pet portrait or any other subject matter, consider browsing my gallery to explore my work and the various mediums available. Feel free to visit the commissions page to request a quote, make a booking, or for direct inquiries, email me at [email protected]. If you have a question, please share them in the comments below. |
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Images and text within this website are Copyright of Karen M Berisford 2010 - 2025
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No content should be used, copied or distributed in any way without express consent from Karen M Berisford