I've been using CraZ Art ones without issues like that.  Cheap.  Good coverage, colors etc and no lead chunks falling out.  

Yes! I use color pencils for coloring in needlework charts. Crayolas suck for sharpening. Prismacolor and Stabler are good. There's a German brand that the "good" toy stores carry that I lust after but I can't recall the name atm. They come in metal box and also make water color sets.

I tried sharpening my sister's Crayolas once and had the same problem. Chunks kept breaking off. I'm not sure what kind she had because I didn't pay too much attention except for noticing the brand name, but they didn't cover very well and were disappointing considering the brand.

On ‎1‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 1:43 PM, DaniLouisiana said:

Yes! I use color pencils for coloring in needlework charts. Crayolas suck for sharpening. Prismacolor and Stabler are good. There's a German brand that the "good" toy stores carry that I lust after but I can't recall the name atm. They come in metal box and also make water color sets.

I priced Prismacolor pencils at Staples a few weeks ago, & they were $$$. However, I found that they're cheaper online; (via Amazon or dickblick . com). Not quite ready to spend the $ just yet, but I'm planning on it at some point.  

Even though I know quality products can be pricey (& I usually have no issues with that), I see no reason to spend unnecessary $ when it's not, well, necessary (or for something that's not needed immediately). Know what I mean? 

11 hours ago, LadyCrow1313 said:

I priced Prismacolor pencils at Staples a few weeks ago, & they were $$$. However, I found that they're cheaper online; (via Amazon or dickblick . com). Not quite ready to spend the $ just yet, but I'm planning on it at some point.  

Even though I know quality products can be pricey (& I usually have no issues with that), I see no reason to spend unnecessary $ when it's not, well, necessary (or for something that's not needed immediately). Know what I mean? 

I've been looking at prismacolors for at least a year but I can't bring myself to spend that much money for something I don't need, especially since I have plenty of pencils. None as fine as prismacolors, though, but I just can't get past the price. My daughter lent me 3 or 4 of her spare prismacolors and, man, they are sublime and put all my other pencils to shame. Maybe one day.....

Do you have any suggestions for coloring "shiny or slick" paper? My lastest book of charts are all black and white and none of the pencils I have are cutting it!

10 hours ago, DaniLouisiana said:

Do you have any suggestions for coloring "shiny or slick" paper? My lastest book of charts are all black and white and none of the pencils I have are cutting it!

I had a coloring book with such paper in it (it was a book of "stained glass window" pictures). I tried colored pencils at first, but it didn't work. Markers did the trick for me (& I use Sharpies).

When I use markers, I either rip the page out of the book & use the cover as a blotter (in case it bleeds through), or if that isn't possible, I use several sheets of blank paper underneath the page instead.

Hubs bought me a big set of markers last night on a trip to Walmart-so far so good. I think it would be lovely if some company would look at DMC (thread company)pallet and make either a marker set or color pencil set to match! So many charts are black and white with many teeny, tiny symbols so there is no way I'm dealing with that! Its many, many mistakes waiting to happen!

On 26.1.2017 at 7:43 PM, DaniLouisiana said:

Yes! I use color pencils for coloring in needlework charts. Crayolas suck for sharpening. Prismacolor and Stabler are good. There's a German brand that the "good" toy stores carry that I lust after but I can't recall the name atm. They come in metal box and also make water color sets.

I'm only seeing this now, butI think you might be talking about Faber-Castell. That's why I use. They're pretty good!

I know this is old, but I'm going to comment anyone for anyone that is using colored pencils.

Prismacolors are VERY soft and they are notorious for breakage.  I have personally not had an issue with mine, but it's a common problem.

In the last few months, I have been spending a lot of time watching various artsy type videos on youtube and one thing that is consistent among every artist I follow is the "proper" way to sharpen colored pencils.

I bought an electric sharpener and have various other sharpeners with lids and what not.  The recommended sharpener is just one of those tiny things with a razor blade on it.  You want to get one with a magnesium or titanium blade.  Those stay sharp longer and that is key.

Then instead of holding the sharpener in your non-dominant hand and twisting the pencil with your dominant, you hold the pencil stil with your dominant hand and twist the sharpener with your non-dominant hand.

My husband got me one of the sharpeners for my birthday for a whopping $3.54 from amazon and it came with 2 replacement blades.  It's been working like a dream, though it takes me longer to sharpen things because using my left hand is awkward for me.

If I didn't explain that well enough just google "how to sharpen colored pencils" and a bunch of youtube vids will come up.  Any of them are probably fine.  I think the one I watched was from "coloring page bliss"