Prismacolor Premier Soft Core colored pencils quickly became one of my favorite pencil sets for sketching, coloring, and experimenting with mixed media. Before trying them, I did not fully understand how much difference soft and pigmented pencils can make. This 36-color set feels like a very good size, because it gives enough color variety without becoming too overwhelming. For travel sketching, art journaling, and creative practice, these pencils feel comfortable, bright, and very enjoyable to use.
See my set here.
If you missed my recent post about my experience with different colored pencils, it’s here.
Softness and Comfort
The first thing I noticed about Prismacolor Premier pencils is how soft they feel on paper. They glide easily and do not require strong pressure, which makes the drawing process more relaxed. This is important when you color large areas, because your hand does not get tired so quickly. Compared with harder pencils, Prismacolor feels much more pleasant, especially when you want rich color without fighting with the paper.
Strong Pigmentation
The colors in this set are very pigmented, and that makes the pencils exciting to use. Even with light pressure, the color shows clearly, and with more layers, it becomes deep and vibrant. This helps a lot when you want your sketch to look finished, colorful, and expressive. For me, this pigmentation is one of the biggest reasons why Prismacolor Premier feels better than many other colored pencil sets.
The 36-Color Set Size
I think 36 colors is a very smart size for a colored pencil set. With smaller sets, you often feel limited, because you do not have enough shades for shadows, skin tones, nature, or architecture. This set gives more freedom, and you can create better color combinations without constantly wishing for another pencil. After using it, I understood that if you want to enjoy colored pencils seriously, it is better not to buy a very small set.
Big Areas and Sketch Details
Prismacolor Premier pencils work very well when you need to color bigger areas. Because they are soft and pigmented, you can cover the paper faster and more smoothly. At the same time, they are still useful for sketch details, accents, shadows, and small color corrections. This makes them practical for travel sketching, because you can use them both for quick expressive color and more careful finishing touches.
Travel Sketching and Art Journaling
For travel sketching, I like supplies that feel easy, inspiring, and not too complicated. Prismacolor Premier pencils fit this idea because they are simple to carry, clean to use, and very satisfying on paper. They work beautifully in a sketchbook, especially when you want to add color without taking out watercolors or markers. I also think they are great for art journaling, because the colors look warm, soft, and emotional on the page.
The Prismacolor Premier Soft Core 36 set is a beautiful choice for artists who want soft, bright, and easy-to-use colored pencils. I especially love how comfortable they feel and how quickly they bring life to a sketch. The 36-color range gives enough freedom for creative work, and the pencils are strong enough for both quick sketches and more finished pages. If you are looking for one colored pencil set that feels fun, rich, and practical, this set is definitely worth trying.
