Melissa B Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Do you find that there is a big difference between Crayola $1.99 and art store brand $14.99 colored pencils? I need to buy a set of colored pencils for dd 9. She is artsy, but she is also nine! Is it worth the extra money at that age - or no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I went a head and splurged for quality markers and pencils. We bought the big box of prismacolors and ds (and I) both loved it. They have lasted and lasted. There are certain ones that get used more and there for need to be replaced, but you can buy individual replacements of the name brand pencils. Also, we bought a set of water color pencils and they were loads of fun too. They were purchased as a part of a course, and I don't remember what the brand was, but I think they got them through dick blick. Our experience with art supplies has been that quality makes a big difference in performance and thus enjoyment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 My ds 7 is artsy too. We have a set of the crayola and a set of really good ones. Crayola ones are for everyday use. The expensive ones are for special projects. I do see a difference in the quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooooom Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 They do last a long time. We bought our first box at age 5. My kids are 14 now, and we are on our 3rd set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alte Veste Academy Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 She is artsy, but she is also nine! Is it worth the extra money at that age - or no? The others are right when they say there is a huge difference and the more expensive ones last longer. However, I look at my kids and see how their personalities will play a bigger part in the materials I buy them. My perfectionistic son has NEVER left a cap off one of his expensive markers and always puts them away properly in their case when he's finished with them, but my daughter... Oh. My. I would not hesitate to spend the money if I know that the materials will be appreciated and properly handled but I would not if I knew they were destined to be left on the floor to be chewed up by the dog. Only you know your daughter. My daughter knows she has to earn the privilege of the nice art materials. My son knows to hide his fancy markers. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kisa in CA Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 But I have found Prang on Ebay pretty reasonable. I'd go with Prang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristineinKS Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I would say yes, though that is probably partially because of the many years I spent studying Waldorf education (in Waldorf schools, children use artist quality materials from the earliest ages). Also, my family is German, and growing up, I was only ever given quality Lyra & Stockmar materials. I developed a passion for art from an early age, though whether it's because of the materials I can't say for sure. There is absolutely a difference between student grade and artistan products. Many artist-quality products will last much longer and contain more pigment, thus producing more vivid colors. You can also do a lot more with them. Allowing a child to use the best materials will generally enable a finer finished product which will encourage their creativity (or that's the theory anyway!). We use Lyra & Artemis pencils (and sometimes Caran D'Ache for watercolor), Stockmar and Stone crayons & paints, etc. Provided that you teach your child to respect the quality supplies, many of them will last for a very long time, thus providing a return on your investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaof2andtwins Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 We prefer Prang for everyday use. I get mine from Miller's Pads and Paper. I used to be able to get the locally, but I can't anymore. For art projects we have Prismacolors. Crayola frustrate me. I can't sharpen them without having the tips break repeatedly. Jennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveBaby Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 We splurged on a box of prismacolor pencils this fall. They make a huge difference! My children often request the "good' pencils because they see the difference as well. I probably won't spend the $$ on the cheap ones anymore, but save for the good ones. Honestly, the way the color lays down w/ the prismacolor is just yummy! Even my husband and I have had more fun drawing w/ the children using the good pencils. The pencils are put up though and aren't to be used w/out permission. They've handled them really well though so they are now allowed to use them w/out me being right there to supervise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 We've used the good quality Prang, available through Rainbow Resource. The cheaper Prang pencils (and other locally available sets) just weren't worth it. The better quality pencils last longer, are easily to use, don't break easily, and have a richness of color unequaled. The cheap pencils have such hard "lead" that they leave only a pale color on the page; they break easily, and don't even feel right in your hand to encourage you to want to use them. Cheap pencils aren't worth it if no one is willing to use them. Warmly, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 You can definitely see the difference. Prismacolors are much richer, creamier. They go on smooth and can go from loose granular to dense saturate without a hiccup. The end wear better, they're sturdier, just all around a better product. That being said, Prang are okay, better than Crayola hands down, and they're way cheaper. My daughter is artistic as well, but she uses Prang for now. Paper matters too. Just saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Absolutely. Berol Prismacolor puts lots of color on the paper while the cheap ones...just don't. And that's the point, after all :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langfam Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 :thumbup1: Prismacolor!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I got prismacolor for my 6 year old, we don't let the 3 year old use them. He gets the crayola pencils and doesn't even realize he's missing out. They are much nicer, and have some lovely colors. My daughter enjoys them. (She also likes it that they are just hers.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 We have PrismaColors for "school" stuff, two really cheap brand sets that are almost all worn out, one set of Crayolas that my daughter uses for "everyday" coloring, and one new set of erasable Crayolas that we really like for certain projects where we like to be able to erase and recolor. Each has its own use and purpose. We will definitely go through a set of Prismacolors in one school year or less. Several are down to nubs already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 We like the Lyras too, although we also have some Prismacolor and Caran D'Ache too. The color goes on much better, darker and bolder. They don't sound scratchy either. Since they are thicker than normal, they also haven't broken (ever) even though we've had some of them 10 years. It's definitely worth it for me. I haven't bought the drugstore variety in years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa B Posted January 24, 2009 Author Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thanks! I thought as much. DD is artsy and will take care of them, so we will probably go with Lyra or Prismacolor. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 The Prismacolors are so MUCH better than the Crayola. I 'paint' portraits with colored pencil, and you just cannot achieve the color or coverage with the cheapies. If you visit our blog you can see what the good ones can do :) Definitely worth the money. I also advise to invest in an electric pencil sharpener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homemama2 Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 It's funny that this is posted today bc I spent probably half of our art time sharpening and sharpening our Crayola's. Finally I told my ds to forget it and we ran to the store and bought an electric sharpener bc I figured that was the problem....maybe I should buy some better pencils....:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Our experience with art supplies has been that quality makes a big difference in performance and thus enjoyment I agree. And nicer colored pencils have much richer color to them. Merry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Buy the better stuff. I took a watercolor painting class and bought the cheap paint and cheap brushes and cheap paper and I couldn't get my paintings to look anywhere near as nice as the people in the class who bought the good stuff. It wasn't a matter of talent at that point. It was the materials. My passion for painting waned, and looking back, I think it was because I couldn't get the desired result because of poor materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akmommy Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 It is definitely worth spending the extra money on Prismacolor and the Prang Professionals aren't to bad either. My kids never liked using colored pencils until we invested in the better quality ones. Prismacolor markers are very nice too. My oldest is an artist and I just about had heart attack when I saw the price of the set of markers she wanted for Christmas. Copic, even nicer than the Prismacolors, but you definitely pay for the quality. We paid $160 for a 36 peice set:ohmy:, but as a serious she takes very good care of her materials so we see it as an investment in her future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 We like the Lyras too ...It's definitely worth it for me. I haven't bought the drugstore variety in years. Another vote for Lyra from our household. We started with the LYRA WALDORF SUPER FERBY PENCIL set of twelve and have since added pencils a few at a time as stocking stuffers or for a new school year, etc. They are my teen's favorite pencils and get a lot of use. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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