Underpainting

Underpainting is a technique the old masters used to make expensive pigments more economical. A wash of red iron oxide was often applied before painting over it with transparent red madder. The iron oxide gave the madder depth and fewer layers were required to achieve good saturation. The same technique is applied to colored pencil for the same reason. Since colored pencil is applied in light layers, the goal of underpainting is to leave no harsh or visible lines. The lightest and most fluid wash is necessary to achieve this effect. Pan watercolor works very well for blocking in large areas like a background. Wetting the paper first helps to prevent lines. I think diluted liquid watercolor in a water brush would work really well. I have a small set of Neocolor II crayons and they are really vibrant. It doesn’t take much to get good saturation. Pencils work well for painting small areas, but they are more likely to leave lines. Use the side of the lead for applying as you would when layering colored pencil to prevent lines. Derwent Inktense isn’t used for underpainting because it dries on the surface of the paper rather than being absorbed into the paper and the binder is shellac which will dissolve with the application of most colored pencil solvents. I don’t recommend markers because you’ll be using the wrong type of paper. The quality of media you use is entirely up to you. Personally, I don’t think the quality or brand matters because you’ll be coloring over it. I recommend using a workable fixative over watercolor containing mica because the mica sits on top of the paper and layering colored pencil over it will cause it to move. Texture fixative is necessary if you want to use mica watercolor over colored pencil for a shimmery effect. So long as the media you choose works for you, that’s what you should use. As always, start with what you can afford while you’re learning.

I tested and compared all of the following brands and media using different solvents. I purchased everything cheap or open stock. I even tested my homemade watercolors. The paper I used is the Strathmore Paint Pad 100 Series. Different paper will give different results. I applied all of the pencils using the side of the lead. Using different pressure or applying multiple layers will also give different results. 

Watercolor Blending Comparison pdf

The watercolor blending comparison shows how watercolor travels with different solvents. Does the solvent fully dissolve the media? Do two colors blend to create a new color? Does the solvent dry quickly or slowly? How much solvent was necessary to achieve desirable coverage? Does the media leave harsh lines when it dries? 

The best solvents for each test are in bold red. 

Winsor & Newton Cotman Tubes

Colors tested: Cad Red Deep Hue and Cad Yellow Hue

Cotman, from the makers of Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolors, offers a comparatively inexpensive selection of good-quality watercolors. The Cotman line includes both traditional pigments and reliable synthetic colors that replace some of the more rare and expensive pigments used in the Professional Watercolors.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolors represent superb value and are compatible with acrylics and gouache to produce combinations of opacity and transparency. They have excellent tinting strength. $2.94 for 8 ml at Blick Art. The Cotman line is $10 cheaper than their professional line.

Winsor & Newton Cotman

Colors tested: Cad Red Deep Hue and Cad Yellow Hue

These high-quality yet affordable watercolor pans are lightfast and have excellent tinting strength. They also have good transparency and working properties. $4.19 ea at Blick Art. The Cotman line is $10 cheaper than their professional line.

Richeson Collegiate Semi Moist Metallic

Colors tested: Red and Yellow

This 21 set of Yasutomo pearlescent watercolors are available at walmart.com for $4.90 ea. at Blick Art.

Sargent Art Watercolor Cakes

Colors tested: Red and Yellow

Sargent Art brings the convenience of tempera to the world of watercolor painting. These cakes are brilliant and are offered in an extensive range of colors, giving students lots of exciting creative possibilities. Set of 36 for $9.08 at Blick Art. 

Crayola Semi Moist Watercolor

Colors tested: Red and Yellow

Crayola Educational Watercolors are bright, economically priced watercolors in semi-moist oval pans are easy to apply to a wide range of surfaces. $8.51 at Blick Art. Refills are available at 6 per color for $3.23.

My homemade watercolor palette contains a variety of translucent paints from commercial tubes, gouache paints from pigment, metallic paints from mica, skin tones from makeup and special color blends. If you followed my DIY Watercolor tutorial, this is the perfect opportunity to test your watercolors.

Water Soluble Crayons

Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Crayons

Colors tested: Scarlet Red and Yellow

Neocolors are soft enough to smudge with your fingertips, yet much firmer than oil pastels. Scrape off one or more layers of color to create an engraved sgraffito effect. They can also be combined with Caran d’Ache Pablo Colored Pencils. Best of all, they’re watersoluble. Set of 84 for $122.24 at Blick Art. Individual crayons are $2.25 here.

Faber Castel Gelatos

Colors tested: Red Cherry and Lemon Yellow

Faber Castell Gelatos are a new type of water soluble crayon made of gel. They are creamy, compact pigment sticks that glide easily onto paper, canvas, wood, and more. Infused with brilliant color, they can be used dry, or dissolved with water to create watercolor effects. Stamping with Gelatos Colors is easy, too. Just apply color to a stamp and apply the stamp to your surface, or apply a field of color and use a stamp to remove it! These acid-free , odorless, lightfast pigment sticks work wonderfully on flocked papers and embellishments, too, to create works of art that last. Their twist-up design keeps hands clean. Available in brights, iridescents, metallics, pastels and translucents. They are purchased in sets like the  Dolce II set of 33 for $46.41from Blick Art. Sets of 4 are $10.45. Sets of 15 are $24.66. There are a total of 52 colors available open stock for $2.45 each from Faber Castell.

Crayola Pearlescent Cream Sticks

Colors tested: Red and Golden Yellow

Crayola Signature Pearlescent Cream Sticks have a smooth formula that makes them perfect for both fine art and craft projects. These versatile art tools work especially well for edging, large area shading, and creating watercolor effects. They can be used dry — or you can add a bit of water for blending. They can be used on a variety of surfaces such as construction paper and painting canvases, even foam board.

The sticks have a creamy texture that helps them glide across surfaces, and the colors show up especially well on dark surfaces where their shimmer and shine really pop. $14.69 at Blick Art.

Pencils

Derwent Watercolor

Colors tested: Crimson Lake and Deep Cadmium

These professional-quality watersoluble pencils offer the freedom to switch from drawing to painting in an instant, with no change in tools. Use them to shade on dry paper, then quickly wash over with brush and water to get a blending effect. Derwent Watercolor Pencils can be used on wetted paper for intensified colors with softened edges, or wet the pencil first to create rich, textured lines. This is the 72 count set of Derwent Watercolor for $98.99 at Blick Art. Individual pencils are $1.64 here.

This is the Professional Aquarel Artist Water Soluble 72 count set for $33.53 on eBay. This is the set that I own and work with. It could be a dupe for Derwent Watercolor because the pencils are nearly identical.

Faber Castel Albrecht Dürer

Colors tested: Deep Scarlet Red and Dark Cad Yellow

Albrecht Dürer pencils contain the highest quality pigments for unsurpassed lightfastness. Color laydown is buttery smooth, and blending is effortless when wet. Color effects become permanent when dry. Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils are part of a unique color matching system that encompasses all Faber-Castell art and graphic products. Match the color index numbers of any two Faber-Castell products for color compatibility. Use them with other Faber-Castell pencils and drawing products in mixed media projects. This is the Faber Castel Albrecht Dürer set of 120 for $64.15 at Blick Art. Individual pencils are $2.34 here.

Cretacolor Monolith Woodless

Colors tested: Perm Red Dark and Perm Dark Yellow

Cretacolor's Aquamonolith Watercolor Pencils are woodless pencils from Austria. They're colored pencils made of pigments and binders wrapped in a thin layer of lacquer. Paint both fine lines and big surfaces with these unique aquarell colored pencils. This is the Cretacolor Monolith Woodless pencil set of 72 for $159.18 at Blick Art. Individual pencils are $2.60 here.

Derwent Graphitint Pencils

Colors tested: Meadow and Ocean Blue

Derwent Graphitint Pencils combine the character of a watersoluble graphite pencil with a hint of color. These exciting new drawing pencils are soft and smooth, and can be blended to produce an endless array of soft hues. Add water and the color becomes more vibrant. Colors can be modified or removed with a soft eraser or a brush and clean water. This is the Derwent set of 24 for $36.13 at Blick Art. Individual pencils are $2.99. These colors are muted rather than bright. There is no yellow. 

Derwent Water Soluble Graphite Pencils

Colors tested: 2B and 8B

Derwent Water Soluble Graphite Pencils are slim sticks of pure artist-quality graphite combined with premium clays, graphitone can enhance your next drawing project. Use it like a usual pencil for excellent detail or unwrap the easy to peel paper and set the graphitone on its side for broad strokes. Because it is watersoluble, graphitone can be used for line and wash drawings. The set of 4 (2B-8B) for $6.29 at Blick Art. Individual pencils are $2.79.

Water brushes aren't necessary, but they are convenient. Fill them with either water or diluted liquid watercolor. A six brush set sells for $8.99 on eBay.

Acetone dries rapidly without residue. I like Cutex Spa Formula. It may be used in place of water when using water soluble media.

Denatured Alcohol is pure ethanol that contains methanol to make it poisonous so people won’t drink it. It may be used in place of water when using water soluble media.

 99% Isopropyl Alcohol is 1% water. Try it with watercolor for more control and less water absorption. 99% alcohol is hard to find on shelves. I get mine from eBay for $8.95/8 oz.

Aqueous Ammonia is Ammonium Hydroxide in water. Use it in place of water or use it to make your water more alkaline to retain your paper’s acid free quality. Never mix ammonia with vinegar. Vinegar is acidic and ammonia is alkaline; they cancel each other out.

3% Hydrogen Peroxide is a mild optic brightener. It may bleach out erased color and whiten the paper where you use it. It is pH neutral and will not damage the paper. Never combine peroxide with ammonia or vinegar!

Ox Gall is the bile from cow bladders. It is a mixture containing cholesterol, lecithin, taurocholic acid, and glycocholic acid. It is a surface tension breaker that allows water to penetrate cotton. It is pH neutral. Ox gall was mixed with wine or grain alcohol and used by traditional watercolor artists to improve paint flow. It's hard to find real ox gall, but I found some on Etsy.

 

 Flow medium or Synthetic ox gall is used to increase the fluidity of watercolor. $9.68 at Blick Art. Synthetic ox gall is sold to watercolor artists because modern watercolor is synthetic. It is used in fabric marbling because real ox gall doesn't work with acrylic. Synthetic ox gall is the non foaming surfactant, lauryl amine oxide. It's available on eBay for $9.25/8 oz.

 

Triton X-100 (Polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether) is a non foaming surfactant that reduces the surface tension of aqueous solutions. It is used as a wetting agent to pre disperse pigments and force them to mix with water and water soluble solutions. It's available on eBay for $18.00/4 oz. When used as a watercolor Blending medium, it slows the drying of watercolors allowing more time for blending techniques. For maximum effect, dilute watercolors with it. A 2 oz. bottle is $5.66 at Blick Art.

Gum Arabic is a binder for watercolor. It will revert back to resin over time. When used as a painting medium, it increases watercolor brilliancy, gloss, and transparency, giving greater depth to each color. It slows down the drying time of paint, and can also be used for controlling spread when painting wet-on-wet. $6.15 at Blick Ar

Hand Sanitizer is made of alcohol and a gelling agent. The brand doesn’t matter so long as it doesn’t contain any additives or dye. This is about controlling how far the paint travels while evaporating quickly.

Aloe Gel is made of aloe, water and a gelling agent. The brand doesn’t matter so long as it doesn’t contain any additives or dye. This is about controlling how far the paint travels while evaporating quickly.

Vinegar is 5% Acetic Acid and 95% water. It has a pH of 2.5. Vinegar will break down the fibers of wood pulp and cotton. Your paper will no longer be acid free if you use it and therefore, you’re artwork will not be archival quality. It will also prevent the synthetic binder from adhering the paint to the paper. Why use it then? It may be useful for achieving certain effects. Play with it and see what happens. This is all about experimentation. The old masters used acidic materials. Egg yolks are acidic. Wine is acidic. Wood is acidic. Iron gall ink is acidic. Animal hide (parchment) is acidic. The level of acid varies with each medium. Do not mix ammonia with with acidic liquids. You can mix baking soda with them to make them more alkaline.

Wine has a general pH of 3 with light wines being more acidic than dark wines. The experiment here is about how the wine color stains the paper and alters the shade or tint of the watercolor.

Coffee has a general pH of 4.5-6.0 with dark roasts being less acidic than light roasts. The experiment here is about how the coffee stains the paper and alters the shade or tint of the watercolor.

Black Tea has a general pH of 4.9-5.5, just slightly higher than coffee. The experiment here is about how the tea stains the paper and alters the shade or tint of the watercolor.

Gum Arabic powder $7.15/0.25 lb at Kama Pigment. Add gum Arabic powder to wine, coffee and tea to bind it to the paper when using it as a watercolor.

Wine can be boiled down to a syrup because of the sugar present in the alcohol. However, sugar must be added to coffee and tea in order to reduce it down to a syrup. Once a syrupy consistency is obtained, remove it from heat and transfer to a pinch bowl. Add just enough gum Arabic powder to make a thick paste. You can use it as you would tube paint or pour it into a pan and dry it.

Blending and Solvent Comparisons

I tested and compared all of the following pencil brands using different blending methods and solvents. I own the Prismacolor set, Brutfuner and Crayola. I purchased the other pencils open stock. The paper I used is Canson XL Mixed Media. Different paper will give different results. I applied all of the pencils using normal pressure. Using different pressure or applying multiple layers will also give different results. 

Solvent Comparison Sheet pdf

 

The solvent comparison shows how a pencil reacts to a solvent in varying layers. How well does the solvent fill in the white space with color? How well does the solvent blend white with a base color? How well does the solvent blend two layered colors to create a new color? Did the solvent dissolve the wax? The Kleen Strip image shows the ideal application. The Pine Needle Oil image shows streaks and white space that requires further blending.

Blending Comparison Sheet pdf

  

The blending comparison shows how blending methods and solvents move colors that are beside one another. Does the white space fill with color? Does the color smudge, travel or bleed? Do the two colors blend to create a new color? All three examples show the ideal application using a dry blender, solid and liquid solvent. The colors travel and blend well without harsh lines. 

The best blenders and solvents for each test and pencil brand are in bold red. The best overall are the ones that worked equally well in both tests. The best universal blenders and solvents that work with all pencil brands are: aluminum oxide, Prismacolor white and cocoa butter. The best pencils are: Caran d’Ache Luminance and Derwent Colorsoft, Lightfast and Procolor. Caran d’Ache and Derwent are made with a soft wax or perhaps contain more oil making them softer and more responsive to blenders and non toxic solvents. They last longer because the color is more intense and saturated. They also sharpen easier and that saves the pencil as well. As much as we all love Prismacolor, they’re actually an introductory grade pencil. The wax is hard requiring a toxic solvent to melt the wax and increase color saturation because of the low pigment to wax ratio. I was disappointed with the limited blenders and solvents that worked with them. My favorite pencil overall for performance, responsiveness and color is Derwent Ligjtfast.

Prismacolor Premier

Colors tested: Scarlet Red, Canary Yellow and White

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are the most popular colored pencils in use. Each colored pencil features a thick, soft core made from brilliant, light-resistant pigments to ensure smooth, rich laydown and color saturation. The colors are easily blended, slow to wear, break-resistant, and waterproof. Each 3.8 mm core is enclosed in a round cedar casing that is lacquered to match the core.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends heavy layers; doesn’t melt wax.

Baby oil: Spreads; beads up; blends heavy layers.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; blends heavy layers.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Smudges; blends heavy layers.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends heavy layers.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Melts wax; blends heavy layers.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers.

Eucalyptus oil: Melts wax; blends heavy layers.

Pine Needle oil: Melts wax; blends all layers.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Melts wax; blends heavy layers.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Blends light layers.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills some space; doesn’t blend well.

Paper stump smudging: Smudges; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Smudges; fills space; blends well with finger.

Erasing: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Scraping: Fills some space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; blends well; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; lightens color.

Sort Kwik: Smudges; fills some space; blends well with cotton swab.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends well with finger.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends well.

Baby oil: Spreads; fills space; blends well with cotton swab.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; fills some space; blends.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends well with cotton swab.

Vaseline: Smidges; fills some space; blends well with cotton swab.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends okay.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills some space; blends well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills some space; blends okay.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Triethyl citrate, Pine Needle oil, Cocoa Butter, Aluminum oxide, Prismacolor blender, Prismacolor white.

Faber-Castell Polychromos

Colors tested: Deep Red, Cadmium Yellow and White

Part of a unique color-matching system that encompasses all Faber-Castell Art & Graphic Products, Polychromos Colored Pencils contain the highest-quality pigments for unsurpassed lightfastness. The buttery smooth color laydown offered by Polychromos pencils can be easily blended for layered effects, highlights, and transitions. Their break-resistant, water-resistant, smudgeproof 3.8 mm leads are encased in premium California cedar with Secureall bonding to resist breakage while providing sharp, fine lines and permanent, rich color. 

Dipropylene glycol: Smudges; melts wax; blends all layers.

Baby oil: Spreads; blends heavy layers.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; melts wax; blends all layers.

Vegetable Glycerin: Spreads; blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Melts wax; blends heavy layers.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends all layers.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Melts wax; blends all layers.

Triethyl citrate: Melts wax; blends all layers.

Eucalyptus oil: Melts wax; blends all layers.

Pine Needle oil: Melts wax; blends all layers.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Melts wax; blends all layers; roughens paper.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Melts wax; blends all layers.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills some space; blends okay.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Smudges; fills space; blends well with finger.

Erasing: Doesn't fill space; blends okay.

Scraping: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; doesn’t blend well.

White burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; lightens color.

Sort Kwik: Smudges; fills space; blends well with a finger.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well with a finger.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends okay.

Baby oil: Spreads; fills space; blends okay.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; fills space; blends well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; blends well.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends okay.

Vaseline: Fills space; blends well.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends okay.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills some space; blends okay.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends okay.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Smudges; fills space; blends very well; roughens paper.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Smudges; fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Vegetable Glycerin, Isododecane, Cocoa Butter, Aluminum oxide, Prismacolor white.

Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor

Colors tested: Scarlet Lake, Canary Yellow and White

Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor is like having a creamy crayon in a pencil. Offering the ultimate control on paper, these premium oil-based colored pencils lay down smoothly with no wax build-up. They're easily blended and overlayed for limitless hues and formulated with the highest standards of lightfastness.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends all layers well.

Baby oil: Blends all layers; beads up.

Liquid Coconut oil: Blends all layers.

Vegetable Glycerin: Spreads; blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well.

Vaseline: Blends all layers.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends all layers; evaporates quickly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well.

Eucalyptus oil: Bleeds; blends heavy layers.

Pine Needle oil: Bleeds; blends all layers.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Blends all layers well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills some space; doesn’t blend.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Erasing: Fills space; blends well.

Scraping: Fills some space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn’t blend.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space: doesn’t blend well.

White burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Smudges; fills some space; doesn’t blend.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends very well.

Baby oil: Smudges; fills space; blends well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Smudges; fills space; blends well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; lightly blends.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vaseline: Fills some space; blends okay.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Bleeds; fills space; blends very well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends very well.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends very well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Klean Strip OMSS, Dipropylene glycol, Cocoa Butter, Aluminum oxide, Erasing, Prismacolor white.

Caran D’Ache Pablo

Colors tested: Scarlet, Yellow and White

Caran D’Ache Pablo Colored Pencils are precision-crafted to delight anyone who appreciates the very best. Use them on paper, photographs — even wood! They offer exceptional covering power and superb lightfastness, ideal for shading, mixed media, and graded applications.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vaseline: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills some space; blends okay.

Paper stump smudging: Fills some space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends very well with a finger.

Erasing: Fills some space; blends okay.

Scraping: Fills some space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Smudges, fills space; blends okay.

White burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn’t blend; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends well.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; lightly blends.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vaseline: Fills space; smudges; blends very well.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends okay.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Eucalyptus oil, Pine Needle oil, Liquid and Solid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Vaseline, Prismacolor white, Cocoa Butter, Sort Kwik, Aluminum oxide.

Caran D’Ache Luminance

Colors tested: Permanent Red, Bismuth Yellow and White

Caran D’Ache Luminance pencils combine the smoothness of a permanent lead with excellent lightfastness. Every shade has been formulated using finely ground pigments chosen for their purity, intensity, and resistance to UV rays. Strong coverage and mixing capacity allow for intense applications, blending, and burnishing, while extreme softness enables subtle blending and gradations. Cases are made of environmentally friendly California cedar.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vaseline: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends all layers; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends heavy layers; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends very well.

Erasing: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Scraping: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Fills space; blends lightly.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn’t blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Smudges; fills space; blends okay; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Smudges; fills space; lightly blends; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends very well.

Baby oil: Spreads; fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; fills space; blends very well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; blends well.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vaseline: Fills space; blends very well.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends very well.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends very well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Pine Needle oil, Klean Strip OMSS, Liquid and Solid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Vaseline, Cocoa Butter, Prismacolor white, aluminum oxide.

Derwent Colorsoft

Colors tested: Red, Acid Yellow and White

These soft, smooth, velvety Derwent Colorsoft pencils can be mixed and blended to create an infinite spectrum of rich, vibrant colors. They're ideal for a wide range of drawing styles, from bold contemporary still lifes and portraiture to finely detailed work — fashion illustration, animal portraiture, and landscapes. The unique formulation is highly blendable and glides smoothly over a wide variety of drawing surfaces. They are acid-free and tested for lightfastness. 

Dipropylene glycol: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Smudges; blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends all layers; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Klean Strip OMSS: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills space; lightly blends.

Paper stump smudging: Fills space; lightly blends.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends very well.

Erasing: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Scraping: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn’t blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; blends okay; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; lightly blends; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends very well.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; lightly blends.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends well.

Vaseline: Fills space; blends well.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends very well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends well.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: D-limonene, Eucalyptus oil, Pine Needle oil, Dipropylene glycol, Liquid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Cocoa Butter, Prismacolor white, Aluminum oxide.

Derwent Procolor

Colors tested: Bright Red, Buttercup Yellow and Chinese White

These highly pigmented colored pencils have a smooth formulation and laydown, combined with a strong yet blendable 4 mm core that sharpens to a fine point for creating detailed layers. Ideal for blending, layering, cross-hatching, and other colored pencil techniques, Derwent ProColor Colored Pencils also feature a clean, no-dust formula.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Smudges; blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends all layers; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Klean Strip OMSS: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills space; lightly blends.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends very well.

Erasing: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Scraping: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; lightly blends; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; blends okay; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; lightly blends; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Fills space; blends well.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends very well.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; lightly blends.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends well.

Vaseline: Fills space; blends well.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends very well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends well.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Pine Needle oil, Dipropylene glycol, Liquid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Cocoa Butter, Prismacolor white, Aluminum oxide.

Derwent Lightfast

Colors tested: Scarlet, Sun Yellow and White

Guaranteed to be 100% lightfast for up to 100 years under museum conditions, Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils have thick cores that combat the effects of UVA light, assuring longevity of your artwork. These professional-quality, oil-infused pencils have smooth, creamy cores that lay down dense, opaque color and mix well with other media to create new colors.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends all layers; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends okay; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Klean Strip OMSS: Smudges; blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills space; lightly blends.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends very well.

Erasing: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Scraping: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; lightly blends; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; blends okay; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; lightly blends; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Fills some space; blends well.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends very well.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; lightly blends.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vaseline: Fills space; blends well.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends very well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends well.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Triethyl citrate, Pine Needle oil, Dipropylene glycol, Liquid and Solid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Cocoa Butter, Prismacolor white, Aluminum oxide.

Bruinzeel Design

Colors tested: Deep Red, Lemon Yellow and White

These colored pencils are crafted with extreme care to meet artists' exacting standards. The 3.7 mm wide-gauge, perfectly centered, and double-glued colored cores combine with the finest light cedar casings to make Bruynzeel Design Colored Pencils very resistant to breakage and a joy to sharpen. A balanced color range, with matching pigments between the colored pencil and watercolor pencil ranges, in addition to subtle color release and incredible lightfastness, make them a top choice for the discerning graphic artist, fine artist, designer, illustrator, or hobbyist.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends okay; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Klean Strip OMSS: Smudges; blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Fills space; lightly blends.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends very well.

Erasing: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Scraping: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn't blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; lightly blends; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; lightly blends; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Fills some space; blends well.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends very well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends very well.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; doesn’t blend.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vaseline: Fills space; blends well. Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends very well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends very well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends okay.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends okay.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Triethyl citrate, Pine Needle oil, Liquid and Solid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Cocoa Butter, Prismacolor white, Aluminum oxide.

Tombow Irojiten

Colors tested: Crimson, Firefly Yellow and Eggshell

"Irojiten" is the Japanese expression for "color encyclopedia." Available in 90 unique, natural colors, these beautifully crafted, artist-grade pencils possess qualities that have made them an all-time classic in Japan. Irojiten Colored Pencils have an elegant enamel finish and a rich, creamy texture that allows for smooth, even blending and easy layering with no waxy buildup. Pencils are sold in sets of 30 or open stock. There is no pure white.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Doesn't blend; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends okay; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Klean Strip OMSS: Smudges; blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends well.

Erasing: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Scraping: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn't blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; lightly blends; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Fills some space; blends well.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends well.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; lightly blends.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends well.

Vaseline: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends very well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends well.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: Triethyl citrate, Pine Needle oil, Isododecane, Kleen Strip OMSS, Dipropylene glycol, Baby oil, Cocoa Butter, Prismacolor white, Aluminum oxide.

 

 Brutfuner

Colors tested: #073 (Red), #004 (Yellow) and #024 (White)

Brutfuner is a Chinese brand that is advertised as an oil based professional quality pencil. The colors aren’t named, but the pencils are numbered.

They’re being sold on Facebook and advertised as the same quality as Prismacolor. I saw two fake reviews and pointed them out, and they blocked me. Buyer beware!!

These pencils are made of basswood that is prone to knots, making them difficult to sharpen.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends okay; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Klean Strip OMSS: Smudges; blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends well.

Erasing: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Scraping: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn't blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; blends okay; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Fills space; blends well.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends okay.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Fills space; blends very well.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vaseline: Fills some space; blends okay.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends very well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends very well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills space; blends well.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills space; blends okay.

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: D-Limonene, Eucalyptus oil, Pine Needle oil, Kleen Strip OMSS, Solid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Cocoa Butter, Sort Kwik, Prismacolor white, Aluminum oxide.

Crayola

Colors tested: Red, Yellow and White

Crayola colored pencils are an essential creative tool for kids. With thick, soft points, the pencils create brightly colored lines that are great for school projects and detailed artwork. Difficult to sharpen and lead breaks easily.

Dipropylene glycol: Blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Baby oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Liquid Coconut oil: Spreads; blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Vegetable Glycerin: Doesn't blend; evaporates slowly.

Solid Coconut oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Vaseline: Smudges; blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Triethyl citrate: Blends all layers well; evaporates slowly.

Eucalyptus oil: Blends heavy layers; evaporates quickly.

Pine Needle oil: Blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Blends heavy layers; evaporates slowly.

Klean Strip OMSS: Smudges; blends all layers well; evaporates quickly.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

 

Cotton smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Paper stump smudging: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Aluminum oxide: Fills space; blends well.

Erasing: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Scraping: Doesn’t fill space; doesn’t blend.

Lyra Rembrandt blender: Fills space; doesn’t blend.

Caran d’Ache burnishing: Smudges; fills space; doesn't blend; wax bloom.

Prismacolor blender: Fills space; lightly blends; wax bloom.

White burnishing: Fills space; doesn’t blend; dilutes color.

Sort Kwik: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Cocoa butter: Smudges; fills space; blends well.

Dipropylene glycol: Fills space; blends well.

Baby oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Liquid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends well.

Vegetable Glycerin: Doesn't fill space; doesn’t blend.

Solid Coconut oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Vaseline: Fills some space; blends okay.

Lacquer Thinner: 

Lighter Fluid: 

Medicinal Gum Spirits: 

Industrial Gum Spirits: 

Rubber Cement Thinner: 

D-Limonene: Fills space; blends very well.

Triethyl citrate: Fills space; blends well.

Eucalyptus oil: Fills some space; lightly blends.

Pine Needle oil: Fills space; blends very well.

Gum Spirits EO: 

Isododecane: Fills some space; blends okay

Kleen Strip OMSS: Fills space; blends very well.

Gamsol OMS: 

Weber Odorless Terpenoid: 

Silicone Brush Cleaner: 

B-12 Chemtool: 

Mineral Turpentine: 

Goof Off Pro Strength Remover: 

Best overall: D-Limonene, Triethyl citrate, Pine Needle oil, Kleen Strip OMSS, Solid Coconut oil, Baby oil, Cocoa Butter, Prismacolor white, Aluminum oxide.