GENERAL'S Multipastel Chalk Pencils 2/Pkg-White: Are They Worth the Price?
Are you an artist looking to add soft, subtle highlights and details to your pastel or mixed media artwork? The GENERAL'S Multipastel Chalk Pencils in White promise just that. These pencils offer a convenient and controlled way to apply chalk pastel, eliminating the mess often associated with traditional pastel sticks. But do they live up to the hype? This comprehensive review will delve into the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of these pencils to help you decide if they're the right addition to your art supplies.
These chalk pencils are designed for artists of all skill levels, from beginners exploring pastel techniques to seasoned professionals seeking precision and control. They are particularly useful for adding highlights, fine details, and blending in pastel drawings, illustrations, and mixed media projects. Whether you're creating portraits, landscapes, or abstract art, these pencils can add a touch of luminosity and depth to your work.
Key Features of GENERAL'S Multipastel Chalk Pencils
Here's a breakdown of the main features that make these pencils stand out:
- • Controlled Application: Unlike messy pastel sticks, these pencils allow for precise and clean application of chalk pastel.
- • High-Quality Pigment: The pencils contain richly pigmented, professional-grade chalk pastel.
- • Erasable: Chalk pastel is easily erasable, allowing for adjustments and corrections.
- • Versatile: Suitable for various surfaces, including paper, canvas, and wood.
- • Convenient Packaging: Comes in a pack of two, ensuring you always have a spare on hand.
Pros: Advantages of Using GENERAL'S Multipastel Chalk Pencils
- • Excellent for Highlights and Fine Details: These pencils excel at creating delicate highlights and adding intricate details that would be difficult to achieve with traditional pastels. The fine point allows for maximum control.
- • Clean and Mess-Free: Compared to traditional pastel sticks, these pencils significantly reduce mess. No more chalk dust coating your hands and workspace!
- • Easy to Blend: The chalk pastel formula blends smoothly and seamlessly with other pastels and drawing media, allowing for smooth transitions and subtle gradations.
Cons: Disadvantages of GENERAL'S Multipastel Chalk Pencils
- • Can Be Difficult to Sharpen: Some users have reported difficulty sharpening these pencils, leading to breakage of the pastel core. A high-quality sharpener designed for soft cores is recommended.
- • Limited Color Range (White): This particular product is only available in white, limiting its versatility for creating a full range of tones and colors. You may need to purchase other colors from the General's pastel pencil range or supplement with traditional pastel sticks to achieve desired effects. Other brands, like Caran d'Ache Pastel Pencils, offer a wider color palette.
Who Should Buy GENERAL'S Multipastel Chalk Pencils?
These pencils are ideal for artists who:
- • Enjoy Working with Pastels: If you're a fan of the soft, velvety texture of pastels and enjoy the blending and layering possibilities, these pencils will enhance your artistic experience.
- • Need Precision and Control: If you struggle with the messiness and imprecision of traditional pastel sticks, these pencils offer a more controlled and convenient way to work with chalk pastel.
- • Create Detailed Artwork: If your artwork involves intricate details, fine lines, and delicate highlights, these pencils will become an indispensable tool in your art supply arsenal.
Students learning pastel techniques would also benefit from using these pencils, as they offer a more manageable and less intimidating way to explore the medium. Mixed media artists will also find them useful for adding subtle pastel accents to their work. Consider them as a complementary tool alongside brands like Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils for a broader range of artistic expression.
Conclusion: Are They Worth It?
At $9.99 for a pack of two, the GENERAL'S Multipastel Chalk Pencils are a reasonably priced addition to any artist's toolkit. While the limited color range and potential sharpening challenges are drawbacks, the precision, control, and mess-free application make them a worthwhile investment, especially for artists focused on detail and highlighting. Consider comparing them to alternatives like Derwent Pastel Pencils for different core hardness and blending characteristics before making your final decision. Ultimately, adding these white chalk pastel pencils can significantly enhance your artwork. Don't hesitate to add these to your cart and elevate your artistic projects today!
FAQ About General's Multipastel Chalk Pencils
Q: Can these pencils be used on toned paper?
A: Yes, they work well on toned paper, especially for creating highlights and accents.
Q: What kind of sharpener is best for these pencils?
A: A sharpener designed for soft cores is recommended to prevent breakage.
Q: Are these pencils lightfast?
A: While General's uses quality pigments, it's always best to protect pastel artwork from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Q: How do these compare to pastel crayons?
A: Pastel crayons are generally thicker and less precise than these pencils. These pencils offer greater control and detail.
