Holbein Colored Pencils Review (Professional Artist Test) final my edits
Introduction
I have worked as a colored pencil artist for over forty years, with experience ranging from children’s book illustration to formal portraiture. My work has appeared in art shows, books, magazines, and a range of commercial applications including greeting cards, posters, and licensed products.
This review evaluates Holbein colored pencils from a professional illustration standpoint, with particular attention paid to layering behavior, blending response, and compatibility with other colored pencil lines.
Why This Review
Most available reviews of Holbein colored pencils focus on swatching or general hobby use. While useful, they rarely address how the pencils perform in value tests under sustained, layered application—conditions often required for professional illustration work.
In researching these pencils prior to purchase, I found little documentation addressing that specific use case. This review is an attempt to fill that gap.
Materials and Test Conditions
Pencils Tested:
- Derwent Drawing Pencil — Smoke Blue
- Holbein Artists’ Colored Pencil — Horizon Blue
- Holbein Artists’ Colored Pencil — White (OP 500)
- Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor — Aquamarine
- Prismacolor Premier — Indigo Blue
Surface:
- Stonehenge paper
Method:
A monochromatic portrait study using four blue tones plus white. This limited palette allowed for controlled comparison of value range, layering behavior, and blending compatibility across brands.
First Impressions
Holbein colored pencils are among the most expensive on the market, raising an immediate and reasonable question: do they justify the cost?
In handling, the pencil is nearly the same size, albeit slightly narrower, than a Derwent Drawing Pencil. This width pencil remains comfortable for extended use. The most notable characteristic, however, is the application.
The Holbein Horizon Blue exhibited an exceptionally soft, velvety laydown—surpassing even the Derwent Drawing pencil, which has long been one of my preferred tools for smooth applications and delicate gradations. The result is a controlled, refined layering experience, particularly well suited to gradual tonal development.
Because of this softness, a light hand is essential. These Holbein pencils reward patience and restraint; heavy pressure will wear them down quickly and works against their strengths.
Layering and Blending Performance
Used as a light-value tone (approximately 2–3 on a value scale), the Horizon Blue performed well as both a base layer and a transitional color between darker values.
The pencil integrates smoothly with softer brands and can be layered effectively in thin applications. However, compared to Prismacolor Premier, it appears less suited to dense, heavily compressed layering. This is likely a function of its softness and will require further testing across a broader color range to fully confirm.
Blending results were strongest when paired with similarly soft pencils. Harder pencils, such as the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor used in this test, proved less compatible, as their firmer cores resist the gentle layering approach that Holbein favors.
Comparison Notes
- Derwent Drawing Pencil: Comparable softness, though Holbein offers a more refined, velvety finish.
- Prismacolor Premier: Better suited for dense saturation and darker value compression.
- Lyra Polycolor: Significantly harder; less effective in blended transitions within this test.
This places Holbein in a distinct category: not as wax-heavy as Prismacolor, and not as firm as oil-based pencils like Lyra or Polychromos, but occupying a softer, more nuanced middle ground.
Best Use Cases
Based on this initial test, Holbein colored pencils appear particularly well suited for:
- Portraiture
- Botanical illustration
- Faunal subjects
- Architectural and sculptural studies
In general, they favor controlled, low-pressure layering over aggressive color saturation. Artists working in subtle tonal ranges and refined surface development will likely benefit most from their handling.
They may be less immediately suited to work requiring bold chroma or rapid coverage, though a broader test range would be needed to fully assess this.
Value and Practical Use
Given the cost, Holbein colored pencils are best approached as selective, high-end tools rather than a general-use set.
For my own practice, a full set is difficult to justify without a project specifically suited to their strengths. However, building a curated selection from open stock is both practical and appealing.
Their performance in this limited test was strong enough to warrant further exploration.
Discover some of my original hand-painted new pulp artwork.
Visit Lucina Press.