The pencils come in choices of an attractive sturdy box or a beautiful wooden case. Both choices have the pencils comfortably placed in embedded grooves which means they are well-protected and also easy to identify and grab. The pencils themselves have a colorless outer barrel except for the base which is stamped in the matching color. Here 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 Thanks to their blendability and versatility, Luminance colored pencils are suitable for various techniques and styles, from portraiture and wildlife art to botanical illustrations and abstract compositions. Their smooth application and vibrant colors make them an excellent choice for artists working in different genres and mediums.

The soft, creamy cores of Luminance colored pencils make blending and layering an absolute pleasure. This feature allows you to achieve smooth color transitions, create depth and dimension, and mix colors with ease. Artists who prefer to work with wax-based pencils will appreciate the exceptional blending capabilities of Luminance pencils. 2. Fade-resistant Artwork The color can also be controlled into fine details, making it great for high-resolution areas of your piece as well. One important note that is worth mentioning is that the variety of colors available is a bit polarized, as the Luminance collection focuses on bright colors. Because of that, you might have to look elsewhere if you are after some dull grays or subdued earth tones. The range of 100 vibrant and natural colors offered by Luminance is appreciated, although some artists, like myself, wish there were more color options. It's worth noting that the pencils mix well, but some colors can be a bit transparent.Luminance pencils are known for their break-resistant cores, which make them an excellent choice for artists who might have a heavy hand or are prone to dropping their pencils. The sturdy barrels protect the cores, ensuring that they remain intact even if the pencil takes a tumble. 3. Vibrant and Opaque Colors In summary, Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils offer numerous benefits that make them an appealing choice for artists who value smooth blending, vibrant colors, longevity, and durability in their art materials. While they come at a premium price, the advantages they provide make them a worthwhile investment for those who want the best from their colored pencils. Techniques and Styles that Work Best with Caran d'Ache Luminance Pencils As you dive into the world of Luminance colored pencils, you'll find that they offer a unique experience that sets them apart from other colored pencils on the market. With their soft, creamy cores, they make blending and layering a breeze, while their superior build quality ensures that they remain break-resistant and easy to sharpen. While these outstanding features come at a premium price, many artists swear by their quality and consider them well worth the investment. Features and Characteristics of Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils The second difference was that these did not seem to build up as much of a wax bloom as primsas which did allow for more layering. They sharpen to a MUCH finer point than the prismas can, and again with no breakage, which allows for more detail work. I wasn’t expecting to get the kind of detail with a wax based pencil as I was with these.

The big question everyone asks me is “are they really worth the cost”. I really think that they are. First, being lightfast is huge, but on top of that, they seem to last longer than the Prismacolor premiers. I found myself burning through Prismas like crazy. In part because of breaking leads and splitting wood casings, but in part because the lead is a bit softer. The Luminance pencils still had the great smooth blending that I expect from a wax-based pencil, but a smaller amount appears to go quite a bit further, so the cost per square inch of paper they can cover doesn’t seem to be that much higher than pencils like Prismacolor.The build quality of Luminance pencils is also very good. The barrels protect the cores effectively, and the cores are not brittle, making these pencils break-resistant. Additionally, the ease of sharpening due to the soft wooden barrels is another advantage that I really like. Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils boast several unique features and characteristics that make them a favorite among artists. Let's take a closer look at what sets these pencils apart from the competition. 1. Smooth Blending and Layering As an artist, I've found that many of my fellow artists appreciate the Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils for their exceptional performance and quality. Here's a brief overview of what artists, including myself, think about these pencils:

Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils are a high-quality, professional-grade line of wax-based pencils designed for artists who demand the best performance from their materials. These premium colored pencils are known for their vibrant colors, exceptional lightfastness, and smooth blending capabilities. They were first introduced by the Swiss company Caran d'Ache, which has been producing top-notch art supplies since 1915. 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.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. 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 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