Faber-Castell Polychromos
Break-resistant, brilliant colors and lightfast: Polychromos colored pencils from Faber-Castell have been impressing with their high quality since 1908.
Polychromos: artists' colored pencils with high quality standards
The long-established company Faber-Castell produces more than 2 billion wood-cased pencils every year. The Polychromos colored pencils have been part of this since 1908. Their name is derived from the Greek words poly for many and chroma for color. In view of the fact that the range of colored pencils comprises 120 different shades of color, this is a more than appropriate name.
The Polychromos artists' colored pencils are characterized above all by their high color brilliance and lightfastness. The highly pigmented, 3.8 mm thick oil crayon lead is velvety soft and intensely colorful.
You can overlay several layers of color in your work, for example to create color gradients or make your drawings look more vibrant. However, it is important to remember that Faber-Castell Polychromos are smudge-proof and waterproof. Not only is it not necessary to fix your finished work, Faber-Castell even expressly advises against it so that the different layers of paint do not bleed through. If you want to intentionally smudge your color applications, the company recommends the following option: Dissolve the pigments of the Faber-Castell Polychromos using kerosene oil and a brush. You can then blend them.
Interesting fact: As with all wood-cased pencils from Faber-Castell, the leads of the Polychromos are also secondary glued. This means that they are not only bonded to the barrel at certain points, but over their entire length. You benefit from less lead breakage and good sharpenability of the pencils.
Tip: To prevent the lead from breaking while you are sharpening your Faber-Castell Polychromos, you should make sure that the blade of your sharpener is really sharp.
The pencil in detail
Faber-Castell Polychromos are round in shape. This makes it easier for you to turn the pencils in your hand. To prevent lead breakage, however, you should be more careful than with triangular or hexagonal pencils that they do not roll off the table. The barrel is painted in the same color as the lead. This makes it quick and easy to find the shade you are looking for. In addition to the brand and product name, the color number of the respective pen and its lightfastness are also printed on the barrel. One star stands for limited lightfastness. Two stars indicate a pen with high lightfastness and three stars a model with maximum lightfastness.
Practical: The color numbering of the Art & Graphic products from Faber-Castell is uniform. A Polychromos colored pencil in cobalt green with the number 156 therefore has the same shade as a Pitt Artist Pen B with the same designation.
Single pencil or set?
As the Faber-Castell Polychromos are available individually, you can put together your own individual color selection. If you find it difficult to choose from the large range, you can also select a set of 12, 24 or 36 colored pencils. With the Faber-Castell Polychromos set of 120, the entire color spectrum of the range is available to you in one go in an elegant, wenge-stained wooden case.
Quality meets sustainability
The topic of sustainability characterizes the company's entire product range. The Faber-Castell Polychromos, which are manufactured in Germany, are no exception. The wood used for the colored pencils comes from certified, sustainable forestry. The shafts are coated with an environmentally friendly water-based lacquer. As Faber-Castell owns around 10,000 hectares of its own forests, which bind around 900,000 tons of CO₂ and offset the company's CO₂ emissions, the production of the Polychromos coloured pencil is climate-neutral.
Which drawing surface is suitable for Polychromos colored pencils?
Which paper you choose to draw on with Faber-Castell Polychromos depends, of course, on your personal style and requirements. Precise, clear lines come into their own on very smooth papers. However, it is more difficult to superimpose different layers of color and the color abrasion is also greater on paper with a grainy surface. The pigments adhere better to the surface. In addition, textured variants automatically bring more movement into your picture.
In general, it is advisable to simply test different papers and see which one suits you best. Consider whether you want to combine your colored pencil drawings with ink or watercolor, for example, or lighten individual areas by using an eraser. To ensure that you can enjoy your work for a long time, it is advisable to make sure that the chosen painting surface is acid-free and resistant to ageing when selecting a block or sheet.
Particularly interesting: Faber-Castell Polychromos have a special luminosity due to their high pigmentation. If you choose a colored or dark background instead of a white one, it comes into its own particularly well.
Cool plus: Faber-Castell Polychromos are not only impressive on paper or cardboard. You also have the option of using the colored pencils on wood, stone, leather and brushed metal.
Faber-Castell Polychromos - colorful all-rounders
Whether you want to fill areas with color or draw intricate details, the Faber-Castell Polychromos are there for you. They are suitable for both graphic and artistic work and can be used for coloring coloring books as well as portrait drawing. If you work with strong pressure and hold the pen upright, the color application is particularly intense. A flat pencil that glides easily over the paper creates an even surface that does not show any individual strokes.
Experiment to find out what is possible with Polychromos colored pencils. Hatch, layer different colors, mix the pigments with kerosene oil and be inspired by different surfaces.
Tip: You can find general information about the colored pencils in the Faber-Castell range on our Faber-Castell colored pencils page.