Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils The most lightfast brand of colored pencils, that will resist fading for over 100 years!

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils are widely considered to be the finest professional colored pencils on the market. The vegetable oil-based pencils exhibit a richness of color and smoothness that is unparalleled by any other brand, without the ugly wax bloom that develops with layering, like other popular brands on the market. The barrel houses a 3.8mm diameter, SV bonded lead that is both water-resistant and smudge proof, with the bonding providing breakage-resistance with accidental dropping or rough sharpening.

With a color range of 120 open stock colors, 100 of those have a 3 star lightfastness rating (7-8 on the Blue Wool Scale). Why is this important? Until the Colored Pencil Society of America approached the ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) about developing lightfastness testing for colored pencils, there was not a set lightfastness rating in place for the product. A standard was passed in 2003 and testing began (D6901), and found most brands terribly lacking— most of which did not produce lightfastness beyond 25 years. With 100 colors at the top of the lightfastness ratings, Faber Castell has been dedicated from the start to provide a truly fine art, professional quality colored pencil!

The expanded color range matches both Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencils and Polychromos pastels for multi-media techniques. Pencils work beautifully on textured and smooth papers, sanded pastel papers and boards, wood, and even fabric.

Please note: The pencil barrel’s labeling may vary in appearance within sets and individual stock due to a rolling manufacturer design change. The quality and formula of the Polychromos pencils remain unchanged.