I have received questions from a few of you
about the difference between:
Inktense Watercolor Pencils
and
Neocolor II Watersoluble Crayons
Here is what I have experienced in the last few months with these products:
Both Neocolor II and Inktense Pencils are highly pigmented products and I consider them a great value.
Both products go on pale, then after wetting them
they become incredibly VIBRANT.
I am able to do much more detailed work with the Inktense Pencils, especially human faces and getting into tight areas, where the Neocolor II Crayons seem a bit big and bulky in smaller spaces.
The Inktense Pencils have a good firm lead, it does not break when sharpened and the color goes a long way.
The Neocolor II glide nicely across fabric, which is my substrate.
The Inktense Pencils can drag a bit across fabric.
I always work on fabric that has been ironed to freezer paper, so the dragging issue is not a factor for me really.
The Neocolor II can cover a big area with color very quickly.
The Inktense Pencils are more suited for smaller work and take a lot longer to cover larger areas with color.
The Inktense Pencils probably leave the hand of the fabric a bit softer than the Neocolor II Crayons.
The Inktense Pencils, when wet, are truly like working with paint, but in a very controlled manner, which is great for detail work.
The Neocolor II Crayons are more likely to bleed on fabric than the Inktense Pencils.
I can somewhat control the bleeding of both products by using a solution of 1 part water and 1 part textile/fabric medium while painting over them.
The Neocolor II Crayons are better when you need to change a color...
For instance, you painted an area red and it dries,
then you decide you need to lighten that area with white,
you can cover a dark area with a light color very successfully.
I create quilted textiles and have noticed that I have a few tension problems with my sewing machine when quilting over the Neocolor II Crayons, that I don't experience when quilting over the Inktense Pencils.
I like both Neocolor II Crayons and Intense Pencils equally well.
My next experiment is to use both products in one quilted piece and see if they are compatible as far as color hues, texture, etc.
I am hoping to use the Inktense Pencils in the areas of high detail and
use the Neocolor II Crayons in the larger areas to fill in color.
I hope this review helps those of you who have been interested in trying both of these great products.
I find the most competitive price on these products at:
I purchase my own art supplies and this is an independent review of the products from my own experience using them.
May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,
LuAnn
