I think what I love about these pencils is the vibrancy of the color. I went for the whole set, because I know I'll use them all! Good price - plus I had a 5% welcome coupon from when I originally signed up with Hallmark. Brought my cost to $109 and free shipping to boot! Thanks Lindsay! It's always fun to watch your videos. I learn so much and I can just hear the smile in your voice!
Lindsay I have had these pencils since they premiered and you have given me such courage and inspiration to use them. I always learn so much from you. Thank you so much.
I LOVE these! One of the things I love best is that you just have to push the end of the pencil in the tray to get it out, but yet the tray holds them tightly. I just ordered all 4 sets a couple days ago and got them sooooo quickly. I am having so much fun playing with them. Thanks for reviewing.
Can't wait to try these pencils! Just ordered them after clicking on your link so you get credit for them. Thanks for the review and demo. Paula from Florida
I'm using that very stamp set to make a birthday card for my sister-in-law :) I made some extra flowers and leaves and cut them out so I can do a 3-D layering. I don't need them yet, but those pencils look like a good deal! Thanks for showing them!
I have 2-sets of the Spectrum Aqua's but don't have the pencils yet! Hoping to get some one day! I love the markers! I also have the Spectrum Alcohol Markers and I love them! Almost have all the sets to them just need one more seor pack and I'll have them all!
Lindsay, I so appreciate learning from you!!! I tend to work on my own and learn from online videos and I don't have any artistic training at all. I love to make cards and coloring is a passion that I know I need to spend some time on. I just purchased these Aquablend pencils from Spec Noir on a special price here in Canada, which is fantastic as generally we end up buying everything from the US and our dollar is so low, then lots of duty to bring them in. I found them for the same price in 2018 as you mentioned from Hallmark for the whole set, I paid $110 Canadian from our TSC, like HSN but in Canada. CC came to TSC and I bought these and some of their watercolor pads but I also bought some Canson at Michael's in Canada with a buy 1 get 1 free. I have such great memories of spending vacations in Bangor and traveling around to other places, Maine holds a special place in my heart. I'm originally from New Brunswick, now in Ontario, so crossing the border here means Buffalo. Thank you again for your FANTASTIC tutorials, I have a good friend in the southern states who loves your tutorials who told me about you, I knew who you were but hadn't watched and she's a painter and thinks what you do is wonderful. Thanks again for teaching someone like me who is starting from the very beginning but I want to be able to improve my coloring skills which are very basic at the moment!
Aww, thanks, you are so very sweet:) I just posted a new watercolor pencil tutorial with tons if tips you might enjoy today if you want to check it out:) have fun with those pencils!
thank you so much for doing this video. I have been thinking about getting these but was afraid to spend the money if they weren't any good. now I can treat myself!
I just ordered the Primary set!! thank you I cant wait to try them. Thank you for showing these to us I really like the website the only negative about it for me is that I'm from Canada so it costs more, but i will for sure order all the sets at some point.
Lindsay, I wondered if you've tried the Raffine watercolor pencils or colored pencils from Jerry's? I've been thinking of getting them, they are a good price, but not if they're not good. I wondered if you've tried them, and if so, what did you think of them? Thanks Lindsay! :)
thanks for reviewing! i was in the market for some, and was having a really hard time choosing what kind. after seeing this video, (and many others,) I decided on these ones. mine came today. love them! I ended up getting the whole set (on sale) thank u:-)
Thanks for the review. I have some inktense but was looking to expand my inventory so I have ordered the full set from Hallmark. I mentioned you so I hope you get your commission. I can't wait to try out the new pencils.
I know this is an old video. However i just recently bought all 4 tins. Im wondering what sharpener do you use for these pencils? I can see that they re a big thicker than others and some people mentioned them not fitting in a regular pencil sharpener. Any advice?
Hi Lindsay.. Love the video. I just found you. Yay.. I was wondering, what type of watercolor paper do you use. All the watercolor paper I have tried doesn't seem to flow like your does. I'll be watching you for your next video. Thanks.
Those look like really good watercolors. Love how the painting turned out! Thank you Lindsay how do you keep up with all the new products that come out during the year?
Very nice. I like these pencils. But how do you think they compare to the Ink Tense pencils? I'm going to purchase a new set and these two are in the running. So which do you think has the best brightest color?
+Bridget Willis both are good. Thevaquablend are lightfast 50-100 years. Intense will fade over time and are more expensive. They are both really nice to use tho!
+Amy He I think the basic 12 color Aquarelle has a better mix than any of the Spectrum sets, and I think it's a lot easier to get more translucent colors with the aquarelle. Just personal preference. I hope my comment didn't seem rude. I love these videos.
+Dee Dee I have a few of those and they don't seem very pigmented and the lead seems thinner but they are not bad pencils. I love the Faber Castell Albright Druer line, pricey tho!
+thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich that's exactly what I like about them. Imo water colors should be more translucent. The spectrum noir are too opaque for my taste.
+Dee Dee Oh you didn't seem rude! I was just wondering since I want to do as much research as possible before placing an order of watercolor pencils :)
Wow I'm so excited about these! I've been thinking of getting watercolor pencils (I was thinking Derwent because that seems like the best). If this is on par with Derwent then I'm completely sold! ^o^ Thank you for the review!
Hi Lindsay, I just bought two sets of these pencils from Hallmark Scrapbook.I love the vibrant colours but I'm having a lot of trouble getting the pencil lines to blend out and no luck with blending two colours together. I've tried colouring as lightly as I can but I still get hard pencil lines. I've tried both watercolor paper and cardstock. Do you have any advice? Could the pencils have dried out somehow or am I doing something wrong? Thanks so much!
Are you sure you got the Aquablend and not the colour blend? The colourblend (burgundy or black pencils) are wax based and if you want to dissolve them you need to use a solvent like Gamsol, mineral spirits or baby oil. The Aquablend (blue pencils) blend beautifully with the touch of a damp brush.
They are the aquablends. They do blend somewhat with water. But they seem a bit dry and scratchy when I'm using them and then there are lines from the pencil left behind in the wash that I can't seem to blend out. I wasn't sure if I was using them wrong or something :-)
what brand watercolor paper are you using? They have not been around long enough to be dried out and I wane 15 year old watercolor pencils that are fine. If you are using a decent paper and they are doing this I would contact Jodi at Hallmark scrapbook. Maybe there was a bad lot of pencils. Mine are very smooth and creamy.
sorry if this has been discussed before, but i think i read once that wetting the tip of watercolor pencils ends up ruining them? i was wondering if that's something you've ever noticed, because it's always scared me to the point of never trying it haha
No problem.. One thing though, I don't dip or dunk them; I just "grab" color with the brush from the tip just because I don't want the whole barrel of wood to get swollen from water and then risk the "lead" from detaching.
+pinecub I have never had a problem either, just don't plop them in your waterbucket and you should be fine unless a company specifally says not to and then do it at your own risk. I have used many brands in this way with no problem.
Hello, Lindsay. I really love your videos and thank you for all the helpful information. I wanted to note, however, Hallmark does not ship worldwide. I tried to make purchases using your affiliate links but Kuwait is not listed as a shipping destination. Looks like they ship to most of Europe, South Africa, some places in South America and the United States. Very sad. :(
I just bought the aqua blend in the primaries and they did not swatch out like yours. I'm very disappointed with my purchase and feel like I wasted my money.
I have respect for this company and everything she did in england, but A. These are made in china which i dont like and B. In your written review you said the manufacturer claims these have superior lightfastness 50 to 100 years, if thats the case why not print that on the packaging, you would think that would make them sell more by stating that, idk theres to much skepticism for me im sure they are fine and dandy but for the price you might as well get koh i noor mondeluz i feel they nailed it with artist quality for cheap and made in czech, very trustworthy brand koh i noor. This review has nothing to do with u really just the product
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I think what I love about these pencils is the vibrancy of the color. I went for the whole set, because I know I'll use them all! Good price - plus I had a 5% welcome coupon from when I originally signed up with Hallmark. Brought my cost to $109 and free shipping to boot! Thanks Lindsay! It's always fun to watch your videos. I learn so much and I can just hear the smile in your voice!
+Patricia Bowman good deal! They are really nice! You are going to enjoy them and you won't wait long, Hallmark is quick to ship:)
Lindsay I have had these pencils since they premiered and you have given me such courage and inspiration to use them. I always learn so much from you. Thank you so much.
Super helpful review. I am looking to upgrade my pencils...gonna check for these at my local store. TFS!
I LOVE these! One of the things I love best is that you just have to push the end of the pencil in the tray to get it out, but yet the tray holds them tightly. I just ordered all 4 sets a couple days ago and got them sooooo quickly. I am having so much fun playing with them. Thanks for reviewing.
Looking to buy a set of watercolor soluble pencils for my sister's birthday in May, these are at the top of my list now. Thank you for the review!
i use the complete set almost daily,they are really awesome; i specially love to mix the essentials and the naturals
Can't wait to try these pencils! Just ordered them after clicking on your link so you get credit for them. Thanks for the review and demo.
Paula from Florida
I'm using that very stamp set to make a birthday card for my sister-in-law :) I made some extra flowers and leaves and cut them out so I can do a 3-D layering. I don't need them yet, but those pencils look like a good deal! Thanks for showing them!
I have 2-sets of the Spectrum Aqua's but don't have the pencils yet! Hoping to get some one day! I love the markers! I also have the Spectrum Alcohol Markers and I love them! Almost have all the sets to them just need one more seor pack and I'll have them all!
Lindsay, I so appreciate learning from you!!! I tend to work on my own and learn from online videos and I don't have any artistic training at all. I love to make cards and coloring is a passion that I know I need to spend some time on. I just purchased these Aquablend pencils from Spec Noir on a special price here in Canada, which is fantastic as generally we end up buying everything from the US and our dollar is so low, then lots of duty to bring them in. I found them for the same price in 2018 as you mentioned from Hallmark for the whole set, I paid $110 Canadian from our TSC, like HSN but in Canada. CC came to TSC and I bought these and some of their watercolor pads but I also bought some Canson at Michael's in Canada with a buy 1 get 1 free.
I have such great memories of spending vacations in Bangor and traveling around to other places, Maine holds a special place in my heart. I'm originally from New Brunswick, now in Ontario, so crossing the border here means Buffalo. Thank you again for your FANTASTIC tutorials, I have a good friend in the southern states who loves your tutorials who told me about you, I knew who you were but hadn't watched and she's a painter and thinks what you do is wonderful. Thanks again for teaching someone like me who is starting from the very beginning but I want to be able to improve my coloring skills which are very basic at the moment!
Aww, thanks, you are so very sweet:) I just posted a new watercolor pencil tutorial with tons if tips you might enjoy today if you want to check it out:) have fun with those pencils!
Beautiful. You do amazing work. And always entertaining!
I love your reviews, they're very in depth. Would you consider doing a lightfast test comparing different watercolor paints?
thank you so much for doing this video. I have been thinking about getting these but was afraid to spend the money if they weren't any good. now I can treat myself!
I just ordered the Primary set!! thank you I cant wait to try them. Thank you for showing these to us I really like the website the only negative about it for me is that I'm from Canada so it costs more, but i will for sure order all the sets at some point.
Fun & inspiring!! Gonna go get my stamps, markers and pencils out!!!
Loved the review...so helpful and your project turned out perfectly! TFS
Lindsay, I wondered if you've tried the Raffine watercolor pencils or colored pencils from Jerry's? I've been thinking of getting them, they are a good price, but not if they're not good. I wondered if you've tried them, and if so, what did you think of them? Thanks Lindsay! :)
Great review and demo , love the stamps you used
wonderful markers, wheneva I do no-line watercolor, I lose my outlined image some, any tips? That the stampendous stamp set, right?
thanks for reviewing! i was in the market for some, and was having a really hard time choosing what kind. after seeing this video, (and many others,) I decided on these ones. mine came today. love them! I ended up getting the whole set (on sale) thank u:-)
Very nice! TFS. BTW: Hallmark blurb on these pencils says "Superior" lightfast rating of 50-100 years! Not too shabby!
wow!!! im impressed
Thanks for the review. I have some inktense but was looking to expand my inventory so I have ordered the full set from Hallmark. I mentioned you so I hope you get your commission. I can't wait to try out the new pencils.
+georgiabloomers you will love them!
Are they Spectrum Aqua as hard at the Derwents? I have found that the derwents are quite hard and sometimes difficult to get a gentle wash.
I LOVE watercolor pencils! Haven't had the chance to buy some, will check these out!
That stamp set is so cool!
Stampendous Build a Bouquet. Its one of my favorites!
How do these compare to faber castel albrecht durer
I know this is an old video. However i just recently bought all 4 tins. Im wondering what sharpener do you use for these pencils? I can see that they re a big thicker than others and some people mentioned them not fitting in a regular pencil sharpener. Any advice?
Hi Lindsay.. Love the video. I just found you. Yay.. I was wondering, what type of watercolor paper do you use. All the watercolor paper I have tried doesn't seem to flow like your does. I'll be watching you for your next video. Thanks.
Oh My, these look wonderful! I really think I need them :) I'll be buying one set at a time until I can get all 4 sets. Thank you Lindsay!
they were selling hear in uk and crafters companion them self said lightfast 50 to 100 years
Those look like really good watercolors. Love how the painting turned out! Thank you
Lindsay how do you keep up with all the new products that come out during the year?
+Jeanie Gregory I am very lucky, I am a media contact for many companies so they send products for me to review. It is a fun job allright!
+thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich That's even better!
Beautiful. Do you know if the aquablend watercolor pencils are the same or extremely similar to the Prima watercolor pencils?
the leads seems the same honestly
Thank you!
Thank you! Very informative with all your neat tips.
Very nice. I like these pencils. But how do you think they compare to the Ink Tense pencils? I'm going to purchase a new set and these two are in the running. So which do you think has the best brightest color?
+Bridget Willis both are good. Thevaquablend are lightfast 50-100 years. Intense will fade over time and are more expensive. They are both really nice to use tho!
Ok thanks so much for the advice.
Nice demo. I have to say I prefer the Faber-Castell Aquarelle Art Grip, which are similarly priced.
May I ask why you prefer it? :)
+Amy He I think the basic 12 color Aquarelle has a better mix than any of the Spectrum sets, and I think it's a lot easier to get more translucent colors with the aquarelle. Just personal preference.
I hope my comment didn't seem rude. I love these videos.
+Dee Dee I have a few of those and they don't seem very pigmented and the lead seems thinner but they are not bad pencils. I love the Faber Castell Albright Druer line, pricey tho!
+thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich that's exactly what I like about them. Imo water colors should be more translucent. The spectrum noir are too opaque for my taste.
+Dee Dee Oh you didn't seem rude! I was just wondering since I want to do as much research as possible before placing an order of watercolor pencils :)
Wow I'm so excited about these! I've been thinking of getting watercolor pencils (I was thinking Derwent because that seems like the best). If this is on par with Derwent then I'm completely sold! ^o^ Thank you for the review!
loved it!! i want to paint now
Hi Lindsay, I just bought two sets of these pencils from Hallmark Scrapbook.I love the vibrant colours but I'm having a lot of trouble getting the pencil lines to blend out and no luck with blending two colours together. I've tried colouring as lightly as I can but I still get hard pencil lines. I've tried both watercolor paper and cardstock. Do you have any advice? Could the pencils have dried out somehow or am I doing something wrong? Thanks so much!
Are you sure you got the Aquablend and not the colour blend? The colourblend (burgundy or black pencils) are wax based and if you want to dissolve them you need to use a solvent like Gamsol, mineral spirits or baby oil. The Aquablend (blue pencils) blend beautifully with the touch of a damp brush.
They are the aquablends. They do blend somewhat with water. But they seem a bit dry and scratchy when I'm using them and then there are lines from the pencil left behind in the wash that I can't seem to blend out. I wasn't sure if I was using them wrong or something :-)
what brand watercolor paper are you using? They have not been around long enough to be dried out and I wane 15 year old watercolor pencils that are fine. If you are using a decent paper and they are doing this I would contact Jodi at Hallmark scrapbook. Maybe there was a bad lot of pencils. Mine are very smooth and creamy.
I'm using Canson XL watercolor paper. I've asked Hallmark and I'll see what they say. Thanks so much for your advice!
Love the vids your work is amazing 💝
Very enjoyable video. You teach as you review; impressive. Many thanks :)
sorry if this has been discussed before, but i think i read once that wetting the tip of watercolor pencils ends up ruining them? i was wondering if that's something you've ever noticed, because it's always scared me to the point of never trying it haha
+pinecub I don't know about Lindsay, but I do it with my watercolor pencils (all brands I have) and I have never had a problem with them.
aygo cool, thanks so much!
No problem.. One thing though, I don't dip or dunk them; I just "grab" color with the brush from the tip just because I don't want the whole barrel of wood to get swollen from water and then risk the "lead" from detaching.
+pinecub I have never had a problem either, just don't plop them in your waterbucket and you should be fine unless a company specifally says not to and then do it at your own risk. I have used many brands in this way with no problem.
Hello, Lindsay. I really love your videos and thank you for all the helpful information. I wanted to note, however, Hallmark does not ship worldwide. I tried to make purchases using your affiliate links but Kuwait is not listed as a shipping destination. Looks like they ship to most of Europe, South Africa, some places in South America and the United States. Very sad. :(
+Nora Sutton I am so sorry. I did not know they had restrictions
ur so inspiring Lindsay ur so awesome
OOOhh I want these! They look very comparable to derwents inktense...
I learn so much from you Lindsay and thank you:-)
I finally got my AquaBlends for $99.95 from HSN with 5 flexplays. YAY!!! $20.00 per month for 5 months. (PLUS 8 PACK OF LETTER SIZE PAPER)
💕 Great video, thumbs up!
Just got a set for 11.99 at Tuesday morning :D
jay just ordered these,sorry to not order at hallmark but local order is cheaper due to shipping
they are really nice, happy coloring!
watch your vids . thank you for sharing your talent. hugs Marie from nh
Hallmarkscrapbook is more reasonable with a lot of their items, and I discovered them thru your videos!
Gotta have!
Pretty Lindsay :) thank you
I just bought the aqua blend in the primaries and they did not swatch out like yours. I'm very disappointed with my purchase and feel like I wasted my money.
I had no issues with them. Very smooth, with rich color.
I got a pack of these from Tuesday morning for 12.99 and I feel like a millionaire.
I paid 12.00$ for 24 at little store called Tuesday Morning
I have respect for this company and everything she did in england, but A. These are made in china which i dont like and B. In your written review you said the manufacturer claims these have superior lightfastness 50 to 100 years, if thats the case why not print that on the packaging, you would think that would make them sell more by stating that, idk theres to much skepticism for me im sure they are fine and dandy but for the price you might as well get koh i noor mondeluz i feel they nailed it with artist quality for cheap and made in czech, very trustworthy brand koh i noor. This review has nothing to do with u really just the product
"You don't have to run out there and buy every brand that's out there". Yes. Yes I do. You don't understand. I HAVE to! :p