Transparent vs. Opaque CPs

[blptucson]

Just wondering, does most everyone work in transparent colored pencil? Or do some use opaque as well? I guess it's the same as the contrast between traditional watercolors and gouache, with which I'm a little bit more familiar. Curious since I'm feeling my way along here. Thanks for any input.
-Brad

[Ivyleaf]

...scratching my head over this one...

I can honestly say I have never heard of colored pencils being described as "transparent" or "opaque." All colors have some degree of transparency/opacity depending on how heavy the application of the pencils is.

If anyone else knows something different, I'd sure like to know!

[pencils4me]

I also have never heard of cps being described as opaque or transparent per say. At least not in the ones i've got. Is there something specific like a brand maybe? I must admit I don't hang out at the art supply store so maybe you have seen something I haven't.

Anybody else know????

TJ

[blptucson]

Hmmm, from everything I've read, most of the common pencils, like Prismacolor, are considered transparent, hence the layering method. (Even though, like watercolor, they vary in the degree.) However there are brands that are marketed as completely opaque-- I have a sample of 12 by a European manufacturer, whose name escapes me right now. When you use one on top of the other, they completely cover the lower layer (even the white pencil). They market this as a feature-- but just wondered if anyone actually used them.

-Brad

[TeAnne]

Hi Brad, I have been reading everything about cps that I can get my hands on and I havn't come across anything about transparent/opaquecy. Depending on the pressure you use most colours will completly cover another. And Black with cover white etc. :evil:

[blptucson]

I'm really not making this up :-) I will try to find the book where I read about the distinction. I double checked and the particular pencils are PRISM SPECTRACOLOR and the box insert stresses how they are opaque, not transparent, so you can use them *dark-to-light* like pastels. I don't think they are wax-based but something else that allows them to be truly opaque. (The are CPs tho, not pastels.) Anyway, obviously most everyone works transparent, but I'm still eager to locate where I read the original discussion.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts!
-Brad

[Ivyleaf]

You might want to check the date the Spectracolors were manufactured. Per the Prismacolor website, http://www.writingspecialties.com/prism2.htm , Spectracolors were discontinued in 1997.

[pencils4me]

Originally posted by Ivyleaf
You might want to check the date the Spectracolors were manufactured. Per the Prismacolor website, http://www.writingspecialties.com/prism2.htm , Spectracolors were discontinued in 1997.

Yes, they have been discontinued for awhile. My first set of cps were Spectracolors (Faber-Design? I can read the "Design" but the first part is sharpened off). Still have an odd one or two. Just tried the white1401 one on my peacock - can't tell the difference from the prismacolor coverage.

I mixed the two brands till the spectracolors ran out...they applied the same for me, coverage and all .....re-stocked with prismacolors from then on.

You said Prism Spectracolors - are these maybe 2 seperate types?

TJ

[Ivyleaf]

Yes, Faber-Castell made/makes the Design Spectracolors. Their website, http://www.faber-castell.com/ , I did not see anything there specifically related to the Design Spectracolors.

Does anyone know if that line still exists??? I see Faber-Castell makes a Polychromos line of colored pencils, but I'm not coming up with anything on a Design Spectracolors.