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This set of 20 Kokuyo Dual Color Pencils came in a plastic case. |
You all know of my love for rainbow pencils. I’ve tried
many, and while I love them all in principle, some are mostly a colorful
novelty and not recommended for use. A long-time favorite has been the seven-color one made by Camel that is sold under various brand names (CW Pencils carries a custom version of it). Soft and richly pigmented, it is
also unique in being a true rainbow arranged in a wheel so that each hue could
be used independently (sort of, in theory; I wouldn’t bother, though). I reach
for it most often when I want a rainbow pencil to use and not just ogle with
heart-shaped eyes.
I may now have a new favorite – not necessarily to replace
the Camel but to use in a different way: Kokuyo Dual Color Pencils. Made
in Japan, the Kokuyo set includes 20 pencils (an alternate set includes 20 mini-size pencils). Each core is made of two hues mixed in a checkerboard
fashion revealed by the unfinished end. (I’m not ashamed to admit that I squealed
with delight when I discovered the ends!).
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Thick, soft cores |
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Checkerboard cores! |
The attractive barrel is also unique: Half the unvarnished cedar
(wood type unstated, but my nose says it’s cedar) is painted with a geometric
pattern. I have lately seen more pencils, both colored and graphite, with a
half-painted natural barrel that I find fresh and modern.
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A half-painted, natural wood barrel. |
The Dual Colors call to mind two other rainbow pencils in my
collection, both Czech-made by Koh-i-Noor: the Tri-Tone and the Magic.
With three hues in the Tri-Tones and two or more hues in the Magic pencils,
each core swirls the colors together. The Kokuyo Dual Colors, however, are much
softer than either.
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Kokuyo Dual Color, Koh-i-Noor Tri-Tone and Koh-i-Noor Magic pencils |
In making my scribbled swatches (made in a Stillman &
Birn Epsilon sketchbook), it was easy to reveal the two tones by rotating
the pencil as I scribbled. I wouldn’t bother trying to isolate the individual
hues; these are meant to be used together. Pencils containing analogous hues or two
shades of the same hue work best; complementary pairs are less appealing. And I
don’t have much need for the one containing two shades of similar
grays.
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Swatches made in S&B Epsilon sketchbook |
Although these pencils are fun to use in the typical unicorn-rainbowy fashion (by that I mean gleefully and without regard for precise color
application), they can also be used in another way: allowing the dual tones to
work together harmoniously to add richness. When I saw this potential, I picked
out three pencils that came closest to the CMYK primary triad that I
have been exploring lately – a yellow/orange, a magenta/yellow, and a
blue/violet – and sketched a peach. I’m not sure the triadic part of the experiment
worked as it typically might, but if I were choosing colors in a more
conventional manner, I could easily see using six or seven pencils to capture this peach with a
range from yellow to violet. Here, I’ve done it with three; I probably could have done it without the yellow/orange. The
soft cores layered beautifully in a Stillman & Birn Zeta sketchbook.
And somehow it’s more fun to use two colors in one stick that mix without
effort. |
8/7/21 Kokuyo Dual Color in Stillman & Birn Zeta sketchbook |
I repeat: I love rainbow pencils. And I especially love
these.
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8/14/21 The hand is baaaack! |
The one thing that's always bothered me about multi-colored pencils is that you lose control over the color. These dual-tone pencils look like they have lots of potential.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure about that, if controlling the color is your goal... I think all rainbow pencils work best if you use them with reckless abandon. ;-)
DeleteLove how the peach came out with these. The checkerboard cores are so cool!
ReplyDeleteI know -- I love the cores, too!!
DeleteOrdered a Set today, Tina! Arriving first day or so in Sept! I just realized I must have been born a Charter member of the ==AMA== -- ART MATERIALS ANONYMOUS! What 'got' me was your report on the softness of the core! Wow! such a temptation should not go wasted!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like them! Have fun!
DeleteThe combination of colors makes an ordinary 'drawing'one filled with surprises! That is what fills me with anticipation!
ReplyDelete