I purchased the 120 set of Castle Art colored pencils 2 yrs ago, on a special ‘deal’ from Amazon. I already have both largest sets of Prismacolor and Polychromos. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice and creamy the Castle Art pencils were - very comparable to Prismacolors in their laydown., although not quite as pigment dense. A noteworthy item though, is the paper being used. Thin, smooth paper produces poor layering results regardless what brand of pencils are used.
Dea, I just came across an absolutely WOW pencil that you have to try. These are Swukonart pencils for 48 pencils for $20 CDN. I was blown away as they are soft, smooth and very vibrant. The barrel is a thick 3.8mm barrel. They sharpened beautifully to a sharp point.
Thank you. That was a amazing comparison and really interesting. I do like both sets as well. But I love my polychromos pencils. Best regards from Germany
Polys are my fave...but it’s a very close competition with Luminance. I’d save...I think it’s worth it. But! The nice thing is you can try just a few and see what you think. Let me know what you decide! ❤️
Great video! I’ve actually gotten into alcohol markers recently. I would love to see you try them out. Ohuhu is a great alternative to the great, almighty Copics and they are less than a dollar for a BRUSH TIPPED marker. (By the way, I am not sponsored or anything, just recommending a product)
I’d love to try that actually! I’ve heard great things about Ohuhu. I think you just gave me a great idea for a new video. Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you! 🎉
I received the Castle Art pencils for Christmas but I was disappointed with them. I had heard that they were very soft and creamy but they are not. I agree with your assessment of the Arteza and Castle Art pencils. The Castle Art pencils had a lot of dust which I have not experienced with any other coloured pencils. It would be very interesting for a review and comparison of Amazon coloured pencils. I know that I had commented on the Amazon pencils before but, these are unbelievably awesome pencils. In a review, the colours in the Prismacolor 72 pencil set and the Amazon 72 pencil set are exactly the same. I would be interested in what you think of the Amazon pencils.
I had both!! Ended up giving away the Castle Art. Some of the colors in castle arts just didn't blend well. Just my inexperience opinion lol. Dea help!!! Of the three which of theses soft pastel pencils would you recommend? Koh-I-Noor, Stabilo Carbothello or Derwent. Thank you ma'am Happy New Year 🎉🎉🎉
It’s so true!! Just like some prefer Prismas to Polys and both are amazing. Let me think about your question and I’ll get back to you. Maybe I should do a video about it! Thanks for the question! ❤️
Hi Dea. Really glad to see this done. I have been wondering about the Arteza pencils. Still wondering if there is a difference between the "Expert" and the "Professional". Or, if they are the same, why the 2 different adjectives(?) for their descriptions. It sounds like I would love the Castle Arts packaging. If I am gonna get a tin container, I want it hinged together. That's a big deal for me. Just easier to keep the stuff from hitting the floor. I have found a discontinued pencil set that I think are even more opaque/pigmented than Prismacolor, softer too. Ticonderoga Core-lock is what they are called. I got a brand new, still in their plastic set of 12 on ebay for what I believe a great price. I am looking for a larger set to play with. Look them up. I think you would be really surprised by them. Big squishes. Mindy
Thank you for this interesting video. I wonder if the differences you felt were actually down to the barrel size and finish of the pencils? I have both of these, (actually I have a lot of pencil sets) and to be honest increasingly I’m thinking they are the same pencil, just either with a thinner or thicker barrel. . I’ve bought quite a few sets in the last week - H&B, Kalour, Artxx, Evazar - as gifts for various grandchildren, and whilst swatching them all they’ve felt the same - even the colours are all too often identical, and sometimes with the same colour name, like Brick red and army green. I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t just spent the last 4 days swatching them all. I now suspect my existing Arteza are the same as Kalour, Evazar (might have spelt that wrong) and possibly Artxx - same size barrels, feel and act the same. Ditto the Macaron pastel set too, currently sold by Efimeso but apparently identical to my Brutfuner macaron set. Even the slimmer barrel Brutfuner seem to me to be pretty much identical to my Castle Arts set. In fact last week I bought a set from Amazon (because they came in a lovely pencil case), marketed by by a company called Bajotien. Inside my ‘Bajotien’ set , unlike the photos in the original advert, the pencils inside were all labelled as Brutfuner! Today, when I followed the link to ‘my orders’ to check the name, I now see the set is now listed under the brand name Vizuna this week. They also seem to be sold under the brand name of Litchi, and I suspect Hiforny too. It’s starting to feel like there’s a factory somewhere churning out a ton of pencils that folk buy from then sell under their own name, white marketing I think it’s called. I’m certainly wondering why I’ve forked out for another set of Brutfuner when I’ve already got several hundred of them - their square pencils, their original round ones, the Macarons and the 520 set! They are all lovely pencils, and I like them very much. As I’ve bought this set as a gift for a grandchild I’ll be keeping them, but would be pretty annoyed if they’d been bought for me - I only need 1 of each pencil! Or am I imagining all this?
I was thinking of trying out the Castle Art pencils, even though I own the Prisma 150 and 72 set, schipirerr farben, Caran d ache, and a few other brands.
I really like them. There is a link below--BUT--there is also something to getting reaaaally familiar and good at using the sets you have. The more I use one set the better I get at producing art with it. On the other side of the coin--it's fun to try so many, and you can't beat their prices. xo
I really loved some of the barrel colors more than the lead Bec they were brighter and I had so much inspiration but I ended up a bit disappointed with the pinks
It's too bad about the recent finding about Arteza pencils not being water resistant. I didn't effect me, even though I'm a watercolor artist. Because I always use water mediums first and then pencils. I also haven't used Arteza pencils in years. I actually did go to look and buy a set for my coloring books to save my higher end pencils for my art. But now you can't buy them anywhere. Arteza took them down off Amazon and their website. I don't know if they'll reformulate to a water resistant formula or if they'll just label them with a little notice on them that they're water soluble.
Some Arteza sets cant be saved if you use a sprays to preserve the picture you color the Artezas run with water they are not the water color. Type they are the waxed based ones.
I just bought the Castle Art Gold set , flash deal on Amazon 🤞😉, but I'm planning on getting the soft touch next. I remember watching videos about the Arteza pencils and how their quality changed drastically over the years, so I'm still reluctant there. The pictures from your coloring book are beautiful, they have a magical and charming look, so cute! Showed it to my daughter, who is to everything "Kawaii" and she was absolutely enchanted. Where could we buy one? 😊😊
I had a 72 set of the castle art for $18 either 2016 or 17. Loved them for that price and bought another set of 72 less than a year later. But they more than doubled in price since then. If they had not gone up so high, I would buy them again. But for that amount, I would rather get prismacolor.
Those art supplies were such a dream gift when i was younger! still love them!
Yeeees! Also anything that was scented--those scented markers were like winning the lottery.
@@DeaLenihan true !! 😅
Dea thank you again for the two set chalenge. Loved it. I have both of these sets and I love both of them.
Thank you so much Terri. I had fun doing it. I like them both too and it was so hard to pic a fave!
I purchased the 120 set of Castle Art colored pencils 2 yrs ago, on a special ‘deal’ from Amazon. I already have both largest sets of Prismacolor and Polychromos. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice and creamy the Castle Art pencils were - very comparable to Prismacolors in their laydown., although not quite as pigment dense. A noteworthy item though, is the paper being used. Thin, smooth paper produces poor layering results regardless what brand of pencils are used.
Dea, I just came across an absolutely WOW pencil that you have to try. These are Swukonart pencils for 48 pencils for $20 CDN. I was blown away as they are soft, smooth and very vibrant. The barrel is a thick 3.8mm barrel. They sharpened beautifully to a sharp point.
This is not only informative but also very relaxing
Thank you so much. xo
I just bought the Castle Arts pencils and they now have color names on each pencil.
This was a terrific review! Very descriptive and thorough!
I already ha e and love Arteza, so now my next set will be castle art
Thank you. That was a amazing comparison and really interesting. I do like both sets as well. But I love my polychromos pencils. Best regards from Germany
Fantastic! I enjoyed watching and definitely love your honesty. Everyone's opinion will depend on what they prefer.🙂💟
100% They are both fantastic for the price.
great review, i have the castle art set, but would like the arteza - although they appeared to have exact same colours, maybe ill save for polys
Polys are my fave...but it’s a very close competition with Luminance. I’d save...I think it’s worth it. But! The nice thing is you can try just a few and see what you think. Let me know what you decide! ❤️
I have them both, but I liked the Castle Art better.
Same. My fave pencils are Polys and I feel like they are made to be like them even though they are wax
I bet you are very kind in real life, you seem very kind :)
Thank you so much ❤️ so do you
I second that
Thanks for an in depth and honest review xx
You’re so welcome! Thanks for watching and Happy New Year! 🎊
@@DeaLenihan Happy New Year to you too. xx
@@angelajclarkson thank you!
Great video! I’ve actually gotten into alcohol markers recently. I would love to see you try them out. Ohuhu is a great alternative to the great, almighty Copics and they are less than a dollar for a BRUSH TIPPED marker. (By the way, I am not sponsored or anything, just recommending a product)
I’d love to try that actually! I’ve heard great things about Ohuhu. I think you just gave me a great idea for a new video. Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you! 🎉
Has castle art changed the formula for their soft touch series since they first came out? The set I got when they first came out I really didn't like.
Good question! I'll have to ask--I will be happy to contact the company for you. Stand by!
Apparently they have...I had the same opinion and am still reluctant to try them again 🥰
@@be_a_bright_sparkle3687 me too
I received the Castle Art pencils for Christmas but I was disappointed with them. I had heard that they were very soft and creamy but they are not. I agree with your assessment of the Arteza and Castle Art pencils. The Castle Art pencils had a lot of dust which I have not experienced with any other coloured pencils. It would be very interesting for a review and comparison of Amazon coloured pencils. I know that I had commented on the Amazon pencils before but, these are unbelievably awesome pencils. In a review, the colours in the Prismacolor 72 pencil set and the Amazon 72 pencil set are exactly the same. I would be interested in what you think of the Amazon pencils.
I had both!! Ended up giving away the Castle Art. Some of the colors in castle arts just didn't blend well. Just my inexperience opinion lol.
Dea help!!! Of the three which of theses soft pastel pencils would you recommend? Koh-I-Noor, Stabilo Carbothello or Derwent. Thank you ma'am
Happy New Year 🎉🎉🎉
It’s so true!! Just like some prefer Prismas to Polys and both are amazing. Let me think about your question and I’ll get back to you. Maybe I should do a video about it! Thanks for the question! ❤️
@@DeaLenihan I am in a position to buy a set of soft pastels here very soon, so anxious to get input. I already have Polys and Inktense in my cart😂😂😂
I went for the Stabilo after watching The Art Gear Guide...I bought open stock of the others to try 🥰
@@be_a_bright_sparkle3687 thanks so much💖
Hi Dea.
Really glad to see this done. I have been wondering about the Arteza pencils. Still wondering if there is a difference between the "Expert" and the "Professional". Or, if they are the same, why the 2 different adjectives(?) for their descriptions.
It sounds like I would love the Castle Arts packaging. If I am gonna get a tin container, I want it hinged together. That's a big deal for me. Just easier to keep the stuff from hitting the floor.
I have found a discontinued pencil set that I think are even more opaque/pigmented than Prismacolor, softer too.
Ticonderoga Core-lock is what they are called. I got a brand new, still in their plastic set of 12 on ebay for what I believe a great price. I am looking for a larger set to play with. Look them up. I think you would be really surprised by them.
Big squishes.
Mindy
Oooo thank you for the tip! I’m going to do a comparison review! Thanks so my h Mindy-Happy New Year! 😍
i have never used arteza, so i learned a lot thank you
This was very helpful, thank you!!
Thank you for this interesting video. I wonder if the differences you felt were actually down to the barrel size and finish of the pencils? I have both of these, (actually I have a lot of pencil sets) and to be honest increasingly I’m thinking they are the same pencil, just either with a thinner or thicker barrel. . I’ve bought quite a few sets in the last week - H&B, Kalour, Artxx, Evazar - as gifts for various grandchildren, and whilst swatching them all they’ve felt the same - even the colours are all too often identical, and sometimes with the same colour name, like Brick red and army green. I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t just spent the last 4 days swatching them all. I now suspect my existing Arteza are the same as Kalour, Evazar (might have spelt that wrong) and possibly Artxx - same size barrels, feel and act the same. Ditto the Macaron pastel set too, currently sold by Efimeso but apparently identical to my Brutfuner macaron set. Even the slimmer barrel Brutfuner seem to me to be pretty much identical to my Castle Arts set. In fact last week I bought a set from Amazon (because they came in a lovely pencil case), marketed by by a company called Bajotien. Inside my ‘Bajotien’ set , unlike the photos in the original advert, the pencils inside were all labelled as Brutfuner! Today, when I followed the link to ‘my orders’ to check the name, I now see the set is now listed under the brand name Vizuna this week. They also seem to be sold under the brand name of Litchi, and I suspect Hiforny too.
It’s starting to feel like there’s a factory somewhere churning out a ton of pencils that folk buy from then sell under their own name, white marketing I think it’s called. I’m certainly wondering why I’ve forked out for another set of Brutfuner when I’ve already got several hundred of them - their square pencils, their original round ones, the Macarons and the 520 set!
They are all lovely pencils, and I like them very much. As I’ve bought this set as a gift for a grandchild I’ll be keeping them, but would be pretty annoyed if they’d been bought for me - I only need 1 of each pencil! Or am I imagining all this?
I was thinking of trying out the Castle Art pencils, even though I own the Prisma 150 and 72 set, schipirerr farben, Caran d ache, and a few other brands.
I really like them. There is a link below--BUT--there is also something to getting reaaaally familiar and good at using the sets you have. The more I use one set the better I get at producing art with it. On the other side of the coin--it's fun to try so many, and you can't beat their prices. xo
YES I needed this cause I have Arteza
What do you think of the Arteza? I think it truly comes down to preference. They are so close
@@DeaLenihan I actually really like them except the fact that the barrel color doesn't matter the lead color which saddens me a lot.
I really loved some of the barrel colors more than the lead Bec they were brighter and I had so much inspiration but I ended up a bit disappointed with the pinks
@@lightningmoonphoenix7695 I agree with you 100%...especially the one that almost looked fluorescent and it kinda fell flat
I love them both, but if i have to pick, it would be the castle arts! Bonus: Castle arts where 1/2 price with case
I have both. I prefer the Arteza set.
It's too bad about the recent finding about Arteza pencils not being water resistant. I didn't effect me, even though I'm a watercolor artist. Because I always use water mediums first and then pencils. I also haven't used Arteza pencils in years. I actually did go to look and buy a set for my coloring books to save my higher end pencils for my art. But now you can't buy them anywhere. Arteza took them down off Amazon and their website. I don't know if they'll reformulate to a water resistant formula or if they'll just label them with a little notice on them that they're water soluble.
Some Arteza sets cant be saved if you use a
sprays to preserve the picture you color the Artezas run with water they are not the water color. Type they are the waxed based ones.
I just bought the Castle Art Gold set , flash deal on Amazon 🤞😉, but I'm planning on getting the soft touch next. I remember watching videos about the Arteza pencils and how their quality changed drastically over the years, so I'm still reluctant there.
The pictures from your coloring book are beautiful, they have a magical and charming look, so cute! Showed it to my daughter, who is to everything "Kawaii" and she was absolutely enchanted. Where could we buy one? 😊😊
Beautiful!
Thank you so much!
Very nice review.
Could you try starjoy and spucolor
Pintan muy bien
Yeah....but most Arteza are +++.... which is only good. Almost all of these pinks and purples are +++++ (basically fugitive).
For $75, I’d rather spend another $15 and get prismacolor.
I had a 72 set of the castle art for $18 either 2016 or 17. Loved them for that price and bought another set of 72 less than a year later. But they more than doubled in price since then. If they had not gone up so high, I would buy them again. But for that amount, I would rather get prismacolor.