My recently completed tiger picture called
'Out of the Shadows, Burning Bright'

If you are a coloured pencil artist like myself, then I’m sure you have heard about Derwent releasing their Lightfast range with the first 36 colours in 2018 and now the next 36 have been released in June 2019.  There is also a wooden box set of 100 due to be released, although I’ve not seen a date for these as yet.  I have to say from the outset, that I have an addiction to new art materials, particularly coloured pencils!  I’m like a kid in a sweet shop, so I have been very excited waiting for the release of these next 36 pencils.  I was very restrained when the first set became available and I only bought a few to try.  Since then, I have gradually been collecting them all.  I did however, have some questions about them;

• What are the new set of 36 colours actually like? 
• What would the range of colours across the 72 be like? 
• How would they preform?
• Would the new set of 36 be available as a tin of 36 without having to buy all 72? 
• I know they are called Lightfast, but how lightfast are they really?

In this blog, I shall be looking at all of these questions and giving my own opinions on them.    

Are these new set of 36 pencils available to purchase as a separate set?

First of all the good news is that you are able to purchase these second set of 36 pencils in a separate tin or as individual pencils.   Prices vary depending where you purchase them.  On the Derwent’s own website, a tin of 36 is £109.99, a tin of 72 is £229.99, a wooden box of 48 is £169.99 and individual pencils retail at £3.20 each.  If you shop around then there are some shops offering these at cheaper prices.  For example, Cult Pens have a tin of 36 for £73.69 and a tin of 72 for £149.  They also offer individual pencils for £3.20 but they currently have an offer on of 3 for 2.  If you are just looking for individual pencils then I can personally recommend the lovely Emma Kerridge who runs the coloured pencil shop online.  She offers individual Lightfast pencils at £2.90 each and gives any members of the UKCPS a 10% discount.  I have always had an excellent service from her and never had any problems with pencil leads breaking with all the brands I have purchased from her. (Prices correct at time of writing June 2019)

First Impressions

The new tin is the same picture as the first set of 36 pencils. The only difference appears to be a sticker on it saying 36 new pencils. The picture on it is by the very talented Jessie Lane and shows what can be achieved with these pencils. I’ve got to say, I was so excited when these arrived and I couldn’t wait to open them and try them. First impressions were.......
 

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