Colored Pencils That Made the Cut

Top tier on desktop: Museum Aquarelle, Prismacolor, Supracolor

Regular readers of this blog are well aware of the massive downsizing I went through for the better part of two years. The biggest category needing culling was art supplies in general and colored pencils in particular. Some materials I gave away could be seen in photos from last winter’s gab & grab. Eventually I showed the bookcases, drawers and cabinets containing some materials that made the cut. I never wrote specifically, though, about which colored pencils I kept.

Whenever I started thinking about a functional way to discuss which sets I kept and why, it started feeling like an onerous task. You know me – if you get me started talking about colored pencils and all the nuanced uses for one type rather than another (and therefore justifying why I need so many), I could go on for weeks! But since I already have reviews of most of these pencils, I decided that simple lists including links to the reviews would be the most concise. If you’d like more detail, please read the reviews. The pencil brands are not ranked within categories (in fact, I diplomatically listed them alphabetically).

Top drawer

The easy part was the long-time favorites (which I’ve labeled as “top tier” and “secondary tier”). The more difficult task was rationalizing (to myself) the many pencils I’ve kept without good reason! I suppose I must resort to revealing irrational whims. So be it. Interestingly, writing this post has helped me determine which will be the next to go.

I should also note that the only vintage pencils I include are ones that I consider “users.” With those exceptions, vintage pencils aren’t nearly as good to use as most contemporaries in my top and secondary tiers. Even among my vintage “collectibles,” I gave away quite a few sets. The ones I kept are for qualities that anyone who collects anything might appreciate: They are fun, beautiful, unique or otherwise “special.”

The way I manage my entire inventory now is the same way I manage my clothes (with a finite number of hangers): A finite space is allocated to each category (“users,” collectibles, vintage), and when each space is full, I am not allowed to bring in anything new unless I get rid of something already there. At the Black Friday gab & grab, I gave away a few sets with that in mind (yes, something new! Stay tuned!)

 Top Tier

These are my tried-and-true favorites that you’d have to pry from my cold, stiff hands. As I reach for them most often, some literally occupy the “top tier” of my drawing table – on the desktop or in the top drawer. Except Polychromos, all are among the softest colored pencils I own.

Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle

Caran d’Ache Supracolor Soft

Derwent Drawing

Derwent Inktense

Derwent Lightfast

Faber-Castell Polychromos

Prismacolor (vintage and contemporary)

 

Secondary Tier

I still think of these as favorites, but only for specific purposes. Luminance used to be in the top tier but only recently got pushed down to the secondary tier when I realized I don’t reach for them as often as I do Derwent Lightfast (which I place in the same range of softness).

Caran d’Ache Bicolors (various holiday limited edition sets)

Caran d’Ache Luminance

Eberhard Faber Design Watercolor (vintage)

Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer

Holbein

Staedtler Karat Aquarell

Uni Pericia/Posca

 

Specialty

I don’t use these often, but I’ve found them to be best for their specific functions, so they were worth keeping.

Derwent Metallic 20^th anniversary set

Eberhard-Faber Design Spectracolor Doublecolor (vintage)

Koh-i-Noor Tri-Tone

 

Limited Editions or Otherwise “Collectible”

These I rarely use, but how can I let go of beautiful sets that are no longer available (or won’t be for long)?

Caran d’Ache limited edition sets (Oliver Jeffers, Cosmic Blue, Keith Haring, Germanier)

Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle leads

Palomino California Republic

Palomino California Republic Aquas

 

Irrational but Irresistible

These I rarely use, if ever, and yet I have sentimental or other irrational reasons for keeping them. The most irrational of all is that some come in fabulous packaging!

Blackwing Colors

Marco Tribute Masters Collection

Mitsubishi Uni

Tombow Irojiten

 

Probably Getting the Boot

I couldn’t quite bring myself to boot these yet, but given that I hardly use them (not even enough to review one) and can’t even think of an irrational reason for keeping them, they will probably not make the next cut.

Bruynzeel Design

Caran d’Ache Pablo

Caran d’Ache Prismalo 

Cretacolor Karmina

Derwent Coloursoft

Derwent Procolour

Schpirerr Farben

Irrational but decorative!

Better Than Shopping: Gab & Grab!

 

11/28/25 USk Seattle Gab & Grab at Northgate Branch Library

It’s become our annual thing: Instead of shopping on Black Friday, USk Seattle members happily swap art materials they don’t want for others that they do! Held at the Northgate branch library this year, our popular Gab & Grab was well-attended, and lots of grabbing commenced. It’s a fun way to de-stash, share with friends, and try new materials without spending a dime.

Despite last year’s major studio downsizing (see this post for images of some things I brought to the last Gab & Grab), I still managed to find quite a load to bring. And since I was committed not to take anything back home, I had time to step back (or actually step up onto a chair) and sketch the fun.

(Incidentally, with all the art materials I’ve de-stashed, I’ve been meaning to do a post about which products survived my massive cuts – the things I kept and why. It might still take me a while to figure out the best way to approach the subject, but it’s on my list.)

Let the grabbing commence!

Reverse Downsizing

 

11/25/25

When we were on vacation in New Orleans decades ago, Greg had picked up a jester alligator – exactly the kind of thing New Orleans is full of. Made from an actual preserved tiny alligator and about a foot tall, the figure is wearing a glittery jester’s outfit. It still has all its tiny, sharp teeth. Although it had always disgusted me a little, it was exactly the kind of weird thing that my spouse guy is attracted to. It had been displayed in his office all that time.

Last year during the peak of my downsizing activities, I did not hesitate to include the jester in the boxes of junk I was putting out on the driveway for my neighborhood’s  “free” garage sale event (like a regular garage sale except that everything must be free). A good friend had stopped by to “shop” at my house, and one of the things she left with was the alligator. I told her how we had acquired it, we laughed about it, and she said she knew someone who would love it.

Strangely, as little as the alligator appealed to me, I felt a pang of regret seeing it go. Although I had no problem getting rid of most of my spouse guy’s old junk, some junk seemed emblematic of his loveable quirks.

The jester now occupies a space on the mantel next to
my bronzed baby shoes and Greg's family heirloom clock.

Fast-forward to a few days ago. That friend is now downsizing herself to get ready for a move. I was helping her pack when I spotted the jester alligator, which I thought she had gifted. It was in a pile of stuff that was destined for giveaway. I took it back!

Sometimes reverse downsizing happens, and I roll with it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Downsizing, Phase 3, Completed!

 

11/13/25 Kevin, Evo and Kevin 2 after loading their truck with my junk (photo reference), plus my Top Pot Bismarck.

What a load off!

Compared to the big job last year (which required four visits from my dump truck guys), my attic haul-out was small potatoes. Still, it was immensely satisfying to welcome We Take Junk back into my house and watch 40 years of accumulation (partially) fill a truck.

Although the volume of stuff was smaller this year, there was one big difference: Instead of hauling from the basement straight through the garage and into the truck, Kevin and his crew had to carry all those bags and boxes down two flights of stairs. Again and again. Oof! They deserved Top Pot doughnuts and a big tip.

After the relief and satisfaction of seeing their truck pull out of my driveway for (I hope!) the last time, I went upstairs to take documentation photos of the half-empty attic spaces. And by “spaces,” I mean I could actually see much of the floor, uncovered by boxes for the first time since 1992. Of course, I could also see the many stacked boxes that still remain – for Phase 4.

One corner of the now-spacious attic, where I had not seen
that uncovered floor since 1992.

Although the prior work had been hard physically, most of it was relatively easy to toss (with a few exceptions). Scanning the labels on those boxes, I already felt the burden of the next phase, which will be the most difficult – all the stuff weighted with memories, nostalgia and emotional baggage.

The good news is that I’m going to take my time with Phase 4. I hope to remain in this house for eight to ten more years, at least. I won’t leave it all till the end, but I’ll take it one box at a time.

Meanwhile, the pumpkin cheesecake Bismarck was only the immediate reward. (For the record, I’m not a big pumpkin-spice-everything fan, but the filling in this Bismarck was more like a true pumpkin pie in cheesecake form! So good!) I’ll do a more thorough Phase 3 celebration soon.

The Last Space

About 20 years ago, I was making abstract paintings, collages and fiber works to sell in group shows and galleries. Everything had to be ready to hang to show, so I started using three-dimensional canvas-covered boards that didn’t need expensive glass framing. I sold some, but not enough to make a dent in my sizeable collection. They took up a lot of space.

After I decided to stop selling, I stashed them all. I didn’t have a plan, but I also wasn’t ready to dump them.

This week I began tackling the last space needing downsizing during Phase 3: The small attic behind my original studio where that old work has been all this time. One thing I’ve learned from downsizing these past two years is that much of what I held onto decades ago is now easy to let go of. I unceremoniously added the artwork to the heap that will be hauled away by my junk guy next week.

As the heap grew, I realized I still appreciate the process that was behind the work – without having to keep the work itself. That’s what made it easy to dump it. Making the work brought me to where I am today and will continue taking me on my creative journey. Whether that work exists is not related to the growth it represents. It was a good feeling to acknowledge that.

Actually, I didn’t get rid of everything. I saved four collages that I still like and that have meaning for me. Instead of putting them back in the attic, I went through the house and took down some other old collages that I had tired of long ago. I tossed those and replaced them with the ones I hadn’t seen in decades. They seemed fresh again.

Downsizing, Phase 3: Satisfying Progress

 

10/28/25 Macrina Bakery, Maple Leaf neighborhood

Downsizing, Phase 3, which began Oct. 12, is progressing apace. The attic space is much smaller than last year’s basement, so it’s satisfying to see results each time I work on it.

The “easy” part was filling eight large garbage bags with junk heading for the landfill. Compared to the basement, I did more of the bagging of small stuff myself this time. The attic space is narrow, and some areas require stooping to get into. I tried to imagine three large men maneuvering around in there, tossing junk into bags, while I got in their way trying to see if the stuff they put into those bags wasn’t something I wanted to keep. It was just easier and more efficient (though tiring) to do it myself. They’ll have plenty of large, heavier things to haul out without my help.

10/12/25 Although most of the junk I've been digging through has been pure drudgery, coming across Greg's collection of eyeglasses was amusing. It was like an optical fashion history of the past half century. I tossed most but saved a few newer pairs that looked in good condition to donate to Costco's eyeglasses reuse program. I also saved this pair -- the one he was wearing in 1985 when we met.

The less easy part was separating the recyclable paper – decades of magazines (for example, Consumer Reports going back to the '90s), catalogs, brochures, newspaper articles, greeting cards, letters – from sensitive papers that must be shredded. I filled my huge recycle bin so full of heavy paper that I had to ask a kind neighbor* for help rolling it down my sloped driveway. The bin weighs so much more than I do that it would surely drag me into the street! And that was not even all of it. I had four more shopping bags full of paper that, with their permission, I put into a different neighbor's recycle bin. 

Finally, I had to sort out many envelopes and folders of income tax records, home remodeling documentation and other necessary papers that must be retained (though I eventually plan to digitize all of those and shred the hard copies).

10/13/25

The hardest part will be (eventually) discarding photo albums, mementoes and other items that are filled with memories and sentimental value. I’m leaving those things for Phase 4. For the current phase, I’m focusing on organizing the load that will be hauled down two flights of stairs and out the door on Nov. 13. Nothing like pinning down a date with Kevin, my junk guy, to light a fire under me and get things done!

* An aside: I've been living alone now for nearly two years. Among the many things I've learned in that time, one is the importance of getting to know one's immediate neighbors and feeling comfortable asking for help when it's needed. Although I've always known most of them well enough for casual chit-chat in the driveway, none of us talked about personal things. Shortly after Greg moved to Aegis, I made a point of informing each family that I live alone now. I knew that I might need help someday, and it also feels better getting to know them. They have all been very kind and helpful. For my part, after those recent recycling bin favors, I was happy to offer my scheduled junk truck if my neighbors have unwieldy trash to toss in!

Downsizing, Phase 2: Done! Really Done!

 

This part of the livingroom has been transformed into my personal museum plus a much-needed utility table (at right). The desk at left, which I've had since I was a teen, blocks the fireplace that we stopped using decades ago for safety reasons. The drawers are filled with vintage pencils and contemporary stationery supplies. The two clocks on the mantel are family heirlooms: Greg's (on the left) and mine (on the right).

The last mile isn’t the longest. It’s the last 10 feet.

Despite being enough “done” with my massive downsizing project to celebrate with a trip to LA last month, I still had three boxes of randomness to contend with – all the dribs and drabs that I didn’t have a proper home for, yet wasn’t quite ready to get rid of. I’m still packing boxes that will go to Seattle ReCreative, where I’ve been donating art and craft supplies that weren’t ready for the last gab & grab. Most, though, wasn’t supplies; it was artifacts from my past that are just so hard to let go of. I finally managed to fit the vast universe of indecision into one box – and hauled it to the basement for further procrastination. “Someday” I’ll have to reopen that box, but that’s not bad for nine months’ work!

Although it's not as fun as my "museum," this utility table (formerly my drawing table) is something I have been wanting forever -- a dedicated space for my paper cutter, postage scale and shipping supplies. I used to have to haul each of these things out whenever needed, and then clear space on my drawing table to use them. Not anymore!

Meanwhile, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying displaying and arranging my remaining pencil collection – the part that actually sparks joy instead of just taking up space – and lots of personal memorabilia and family heirlooms. I’ll probably continue tweaking endlessly, as my intention is to rotate the vintage pencils on display with the ones stored in drawers so that they all get a chance to see the light of day once in a while. But as of today, I am really and truly done done with Downsizing, Phase 2! (Details in the cutlines.)

This image and the one below are the two built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace. My very judiciously culled books remain on the bottom shelves, and the upper shelves hold some of my more picturesque vintage colored pencil specimens. The rustic broom was handmade in Kyoto's last remaining craft broom shop (which has since closed).

I have a couple of vintage Japanese desktop drawers. . . .

. . . these drawers hold most of my remaining fountain pens . . .

. . . and yes, a whole drawer just for erasers!

The inlaid-wood tray was made by my maternal grandfather while he was incarcerated in Tule Lake internment camp during WWII. My family owns several other items that he made during that time. (In case you're concerned, the vintage and heirloom pieces are secured to the wall and mantel with museum putty. I do live in earthquake country.)

My childhood piggie bank, bronzed baby shoes and beloved Spirograph set (all pieces still intact)!

I'm not clear on who made the shogi (similar to chess) board and pieces (displayed in a drinking glass behind the board) -- either my grandfather or an uncle. I have fond memories of my dad playing this game in the evenings with our neighbor for many years.

These are mostly contemporary pencils that I don't use but that hold special interest.

Vintage stationery items, Century 21 World's Fair stamps, and my father's Eagle Scout ribbon are visible here.

A handmade teddy bear and some colorful vintage sets, plus a vintage Nicholson's Peerless watercolor set in front.

On the facing wall is the TV console and matching credenza (we got both pieces at our neighbors' moving sale years ago for a hundred bucks! So much storage space!). The drawers are full of my vintage colored pencil collection and watercolor supplies. Also visible: hand weights and yoga props, since this room is also my gym and yoga studio. On the wall is a beadwork piece I made in 2008. My plan is to move this large piece to a back hallway and replace it with several artworks I've purchased from urban sketchers. The hold-up is that I still have to get them framed.

Here's a peek inside the largest compartment, where vintage pencils must share space with the dang DVD/BluRay player, which I still can't quite let go of -- yet.

Bags o’ Bags

4/21/25 One of six bag o' bags

I’m willing to bet that you have a bag of bags – maybe more than one. Probably in a closet or other storage area, the bag is full of plastic and paper bags that once contained purchases and that you intend to reuse. I’m also willing to bet that the ones that are hardest to simply toss are the ones made of heavy paper and with strong, sturdy bottoms and two rope handles. I call them handle bags. Surely they will be just right for gifting someday, right? So you save them.

I just wanted to establish that we all have these bags of bags – before I show you mine.

After I finished Phase 2 of my big downsizing project, I decided to start on several minor areas that still need work. These are areas that I know I can finish in a couple of hours or less – a closet, a cabinet or a drawer. First up was the front coat closet, which is in my studio/office. I had planned to procrastinate on this one for a while longer, but I was motivated to do it now for one reason only: After still more downsizing after moving downstairs, I had three bins of stationery and art materials that could not find a home in the studio/office proper, yet I was not ready to get rid of them. I needed a small, limited amount of overflow storage area. The closet was a convenient location.

Aside from my coats and jackets (which I had previously downsized), the closet was jam-packed with bags – lots and lots of freebie, logo’d tote bags (every organization’s favorite tchotchke), higher-quality, purchased bags, backpacks, bag-in-bag organizers, insulated lunch bags – bags, bags, bags. What I thought was a two-hour task turned into two days because I had to downsize all the many bags I no longer needed (two boxes filled for Goodwill!).

The truly impressive part, though, was the number of handle bags in the closet. About a decade ago, I spent some time sorting, organizing and reducing the humongous collection. Like everything else, though, they continued to multiply.

Needless to say, the floor of this small closet was overflowing with handle bags. I wish I had thought to take a photo before I started cleaning, but I did remember to take one after I had pulled everything that was on the floor out into the studio for sorting. My intention was to recycle shabby handle bags, but most were so reuseable! The bright colors and sturdy handles! How could I possibly toss them?

The contents of the closet . . . mostly from the floor. 

St. Vincent DePaul and the Salvation Army are delighted to take reusable handle bags for their shoppers to use, and I had donated many then, but the last of these stores that was convenient to me has closed. I recently learned, however, that food banks also need handle bags for their customers, so I just donated a bunch to the one in the U District (along with some food).

My handle bags, which multiply faster than bunnies and almost as fast as colored pencils.

Most important, though, is that my small overflow of art supplies now fits tidily in the closet. (I will not let the closet become a new general art supply storage area! No, no, no! I’m saying it aloud here so that if it happens, you can shame me!)

Nice and tidy now. The three bins on the floor contain unused notebooks, miscellaneous pencils and pads of drawing paper. A small collection of remaining handle bags tucked in back.

By the way, if you think the Space Needle on that tote bag looks like a sketch I would make, you’re right! It’s a digitally printed tote bag from Rickshaw Bags (a service they stopped shortly after I got mine, sadly).

4/23/25 My reward at Rossellini's 

Two More Bookcases Filled

 

The second bookcase in my studio is the main storage area for art supplies. I tried to place as many things as possible vertically so that they could be pulled out without unstacking. Everything is at least visible, if not accessible without moving a few things.

My unpacking and organizing continue apace (a slower pace than I’d like, but at least it’s apace), and I’ve filled two more bookcases. The one in my studio (above) is all art supplies. It’s crammed more tightly than I wanted, and I still have to move things to get at others under them, but at least I can see everything without pulling things out – a huge improvement over my old studio!

Here's a closeup of the bookcase top: Some "decorative" colored pencils (and Bics!) and a few favorite mementoes.

The bad news: I still have a few bins of supplies that didn’t fit here. They were borderline during my downsizing process, so it probably means they’ve crossed over to the “give away” side. A little more hemming and hawing needed, and then out they go.

The last bookcase is in my bedroom (below). Ideally, it belongs in my studio too, but it won’t fit, and my bedroom had just enough space for it. This one stores all my filled and unfilled Field Notes and unfilled sketchbooks. On the right side of the second shelf are sketchbooks in progress and a couple of grab-and-go kits of certain supplies I use only when I know I’ll have the use of a table. Although the bookcase is well organized, it looks messy, so it’s just as well tucked away in the bedroom. The added bonus is that it’s super handy having quick access to those on-location items right next to where I’m putting on my shoes and grabbing my bag.

The bedroom bookcase holds mostly unfilled sketchbooks and Field Notes. On top are the survivors of my previously massive collection of childhood stuffed animals (most got downsized years ago from my parents' house).

What’s left? Organizing and displaying my vintage pencil collection! Savoring the experience, I’ve been working on that part a little at a time. It’s really the ultimate reward for my nine months of downsizing – making space for the things that bring me joy – so I’ve saved it for last. Sadly, I can see already that I won’t have room for it all, so I’ll have to do some downsizing of my collection, too. I already knew that, but I had procrastinated by moving it all downstairs anyway. I’m determined, though, not to simply stack boxes on the floor or jam stuff into nooks and crannies as I had done before. That method of “collecting” brings no joy. If I don’t have an appropriate space to store or display it, out it goes (I said it out loud here; please hold me to it!).

My Old Office Chair

 

3/15/25 Thanks, old chair, for your 30+ years of service! 

A couple weeks after moving into my new office/studio, I realized that my old chair was no longer comfortable. First I replaced the two foot rests (one at my PC, one at my drawing table), hoping that would do the trick. They helped, but something about the furniture and the fact that my chair was now on hardwood instead of carpeting somehow changed the ergonomics.

On the other hand, my new “dining” chair (which I had proudly assembled), which is actually an office chair, has been very comfortable. For a few days, I rolled it back and forth between the diningroom and the office, using it at both my computer and drawing work stations (the color temperature study I did last week was a chair-testing sketch) to see how it felt. I thought I might miss the arms on my old chair, but I didn’t at all. In fact, sometimes when drawing, the arms have gotten in the way, so an armless chair was better.

I decided it was time to replace my old office chair, now more than 30 years old, and I would have no problem choosing the right one: I got a second one identical to my “dining” chair (only the color is different). The best part: I already knew how to assemble it, so I wouldn’t have to sweat that part, either!

My new chair in the "office" side of my office/studio.

Compared to Greg’s office chair, I don’t feel much sentimentality toward my old chair. One arm is torn, and the upholstery is looking a bit thin in places. It has served me well and doesn’t owe me anything. I’ll probably put it out on the Buy Nothing group as I did with his chair. I couldn’t let it go, though, without a farewell sketch.

Drawing Table Unpacked

 

Ahhhh! It will never again be as clean and tidy as it is right now! I cherish this moment! On the desktop are my current first-tier colored pencils (Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelles, Prismacolors and Supracolors), brush pens, brushes, graphite pencils, other pencils, ballpoint pens. All those pots might look full, but I culled each one and filled a large baggie with duplicates, rejects or just meh items that will go to the next gab & grab or charity. The wood holders contain more graphite pencils and related tools and two fountain pens. An electric AFMAT sharpener on the left and Carl Angel Royal crank sharpener on the right.

Two weeks after the move, my drawing table is finally unpacked! A lot of general busy-ness kept me from unpacking as quickly as I wanted, but much to my relief, at least this primary point in my studio/office is done. (I’m still working on organizing and storing my supplies; stay tuned!)

My new drawing table (previously Greg’s PC desk; see above) is quite a bit larger than my old one (see end of post for photo) and also has nice drawers for storage. Since it’s intended for computer use, the table has a pull-out keyboard drawer to tuck away my tablet, pencil “valet” and current project when not in use. It probably looks jam-packed, but compared to my old table, it has a huge unoccupied space! My old table started out that way a decade ago, but somehow things kept creeping in – both on top and underneath – to the point of being out of control. I’m sure the desktop contents will evolve as I use different media, but I am going to do whatever I can to keep it from getting overcrowded again! (More details in the photo cutlines.)

The pull-out keyboard drawer holds my pencil "valet," tablet and current project (in this case, my class homework).

I just finished my final class assignments at my new drawing table! See below for setup.

The tablet is propped up on a box of colored pencils (see below) to bring the image closer to my eye level. The sketchbook is supported by the pencil case (not visible) and the edge of the tablet, which gives it just the right angle for drawing.

In the top drawer are second-tier Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, a few watercolor supplies, Caran d'Ache palette and a box of blending stumps (too many... I need to cull those).

Second drawer contains second-tier Derwent Lightfast and Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils, Neocolor I and II, and a few other pencils I use occasionally. (The largest, lowest drawer is, sadly, filled with file folders, not art supplies. This is an office as well as a studio.)

This side view shows my current sketchbooks in progress, mostly for desk-based work. My sketchbooks in use for urban sketching are stored elsewhere (you'll see them eventually).

BEFORE: My train wreck of a drawing table shortly before I packed it up for the move! Note that the working space is very small because so much stuff is crammed onto the surface -- not to mention under the table! Hardly any room for my feet on the footrest!