![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBu257FzTS9zHmDANYPf6JjAIcEDTItmzIE9Mx8pYtmellJG3q1HovakImi7BNUkNvDNdTpSJtn6FJ0J1u4hpcvnpz0wDPIhyLBc6WGE4ia4HLDWJLNVeHexXSZmcNDN_1VEOgNeldA/w258-h400/Chromaflow+tin+lid.jpg) |
I like the parrot. |
It’s always fun and exciting to open a fresh set of colored
pencils and use them for the first time. I try to adjust my expectations based
on a variety of factors – where they were manufactured, their price, the
maker’s reputation, reviews by others, how they smell, how they look. Sometimes
I have learned an intriguing fact about them – for example, a European
manufacturer is distributing the set only in the US and not within its own
country. How interesting! Bring ‘em on.
Although the basic set of 12 doesn’t include hues I would
choose according to the CMYK-based primary triad I have been experimenting
with, I still like using a primary triad to make initial sketches because it’s
a good test of blending capability.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t2yuVaq021f4tcq0ngd4soVnG5qG-2dodR0f0K4I3zLNxh6G0U57xh8jFlKBuj5KF6wC08xlbLs2PAp0Talt67mAEAHLYLSTD7crpheTjKKk-gngwRkpuVwKc2Ou2roIE5fvf9v9xQ/w260-h400/Chromaflow+pencils+in+box.jpg) |
The basic set of 12 colors |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ajmwwEM-QEdqxwtjb9X52nXXcYVW4U6Xqk8K0EObh0Ov0sh983IJ06z0BLs4idPVOpfNQIwsKioCmCsUOMJgD1FvNN6o0puDcOT6wB44ihVA9lGKmblimCugzA3lN2i88m_rsWdFpQ/w640-h364/closeup+of+Chromaflow+tin.jpg) |
For the USA market only |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbI6zDkdzK1bE7JBSfBQsl1FvDUbiCrdXHANO92rayS-v6hNQUfK4qFuSSDfE22V4J2xR9lut4KJDmOCgAadZI2DHE8iOuGFZKwh_fL6m7cMtclUmNYr24F_de_f2P8f0izvL7adc5g/w640-h392/Chromaflow+pencil+end+caps.jpg) |
Attractive, asymmetrical end caps that are Derwent's trademark |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3AmMRQtOJWemd-SBsP1vbOtimN3fy2vMRxQ3Mm_jJsORFn9te60_snLePhz-mte85kmALAz5gx1H-IwQs7FzUexd_IKqu0nA8brnH-GqFBYt3xKutLLYeok3hO-Dz1nJiftAMEi-9g/w306-h400/Chromaflow+pencil+tips.jpg) |
Two out of three of my triad pencils have off-center cores. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM2ZSM7wqvOJes8QmWBwRjtldKsKG5rY1d57C_A8S-t8QY7gGmk5MrlfhLSbKRaan5HTPl3ERRvlxoXU70oZIgiAq-xGMYRN6ZI_zjdyAplwS6qFXivPdc30gfQDBAjp1jS0ap4i9-Q/w400-h334/10-13-21+Chromaflow%252C+Zeta%252C+tomato.jpg) |
10/13/21 Derwent Chromaflow pencils in Stillman & Birn Zeta sketchbook |
The new pencils are on the harder side, but as a big fan of Faber-Castell Polychromos, I don’t hold anything against a hard colored pencil if it is
richly pigmented. Unfortunately, these pencils do not seem to be, but I keep
going with my sketch. Using light pressure, I apply a few layers of pigment. I
start to notice that it’s becoming more and more difficult to see that
additional pigment is transferring from pencil to paper. I remain patient as
long as possible, trying to apply more layers. Now I’m getting frustrated, so I
start to press harder, which doesn’t help. I’m using my favorite Stillman
& Birn Zeta sketchbook, whose smooth surface typically takes hard colored
pencils beautifully, but now I’m getting angry because I feel like I’m drawing
on waxed paper.
Three-quarters of an hour later, I stop – I’ve had enough. I
admit, sometimes I enjoy the challenge of fighting with a difficult pencil,
but this wasn’t one of those times. Now you might look at this sketch and
think, “Well, she eked out some decent color there . . . maybe those pencils
aren’t so bad.” But I had to work dang hard to get even what you see there.
That is what it’s like to use a low-quality colored pencil
with low pigment content.
Whoa, Tina – that’s harsh! And this made-in-Britain Chromaflow
set is from Derwent, a highly reputable UK colored pencil maker!
But that’s just it: These are not Crayola or Rose Art
pencils (and they certainly aren’t priced like those kids’ pencils: My set of 12 Chromaflow was $14.99 at Blick). I know that Derwent makes some very fine
colored pencils. In fact, I am currently having a love fest with Derwent’s artist-quality Lightfast line, and I have long appreciated the company’s Drawing Pencil collection for life drawing, so I know they make high quality
products. (Derwent’s low-end Artist and Studio pencils are more in line with
Chromaflow’s quality, and those I do not love.)
That brings up another matter: How many low-end, low-quality
colored pencil lines does one manufacturer need? And now a new one just for the
US market!
I try to find one positive thing to say about any product I
review. In this case, I love the drawing of the parrot on the tin. But I’m
certain it wasn’t made with Chromaflow pencils.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jy5TDQ0b8XHSwQXmgcoP7VTBgW7X-6yRzbmuqBaZD1P-BLojmngXktgjo0GQaTdGYtuFSywJF1JzaM-TXMGfabtgoW8GjWoIF_n_V1EiLxxxT2Xu2o-e-Gm_lCrvOPNHaYWY6qE6zA/w546-h640/Chromaflow+sketch+with+pencils.jpg) |
Save your money. |