Colored pencil

[4] The use of wax-based media in crayons can be traced back to the Greek Golden Age, and was later documented by Roman scholar, Pliny the Elder.

Wax-based materials have appealed to artists for centuries due to their resistance to decay, the vividness and brilliance of their colors, and their unique rendering qualities.

[6] Other notable manufacturers include Bruynzeel-Sakura, Cretacolor, Derwent, Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth, Mitsubishi (uni-ball), Schwan-Stabilo, and Staedtler.

Core durability, break and water resistance, and brand popularity are also notable features of artist-grade colored pencils.

[8] Student-grade colored pencils also tend to cost significantly less than their higher-grade counterparts, which makes them more accessible for children and students.

[11] The oil binder imparts unique characteristics such as a smoother finish, enhanced durability, and the ability to create fine details with less wax bloom compared to their wax-based counterparts.

This composition facilitates superior blending and layering capabilities, allowing artists to achieve subtle color transitions and complex depths in their artwork.

The pencils are known for their vibrant colors and are versatile enough for use on a variety of surfaces, making them a favorite among professionals for applications requiring precision and longevity.

A variety of colored pencils
Colored pencils manufactured by Schwan-Stabilo
Colored pencil drawing displaying layering (mug) and burnishing (spoon) techniques