Are Faber-Castell Polychromos lightfast?

The listing claims unsurpassed lightfastness, with pigments that resist fading.

How many colors are in the Polychromos tin?

120 assorted colors in a metal tin.

Are Polychromos better than Prismacolor?

The listings describe them differently and neither claims to beat the other. Polychromos list oil-based 3.8 mm SV-bonded leads in 120 colors. Prismacolor Premier lists soft, thick cores in 150 colors.

Do Polychromos smudge?

The listing does not say. It lists the leads as oil-based, break resistant and water resistant.

Are Polychromos water-resistant?

Yes. The listing states the leads are break and water resistant.

Best oil-based pencils

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell Polychromos 120

A metal tin of 120 oil-based artists' colored pencils with fade resistant pigments and thick 3.8 mm SV-bonded leads that resist breaking.

Best for: Artists layering color in work they plan to frame

Colors: 120
Lead: 3.8 mm, oil-based
Lightfastness: High
Case: Metal tin

Check price on Amazon

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Buy it if

You want 120 colors with pigments listed as fade resistant
You want oil-based leads that blend for layered effects
You want thick leads that resist breaking

Skip it if

You want more than 120 colors. The Prismacolor Premier set has 150
You want soft cores. The Prismacolor Premier listing names soft, thick cores; this listing does not call the leads soft

What the Faber-Castell Polychromos 120 is

The Faber-Castell Polychromos 120 is a metal tin of 120 oil-based artists' colored pencils. Faber-Castell says the pigments resist fading, and the leads are thick 3.8 mm SV-bonded cores that the listing says are break and water resistant.

The listing describes buttery smooth color laydown and oil-based leads that blend easily for layered effects.

Key features, explained

Based on the manufacturer's Amazon listing.

120 colors in a metal tin
120 assorted colors in a metal tin.
High lightfastness
Faber-Castell claims unsurpassed lightfastness, with pigments that resist fading.
Oil-based leads
The listing describes buttery smooth color laydown and oil-based leads that blend easily for layered effects.
Thick 3.8 mm SV-bonded leads
The lead is bonded along its length, and the listing says it is break and water resistant.
Made by Faber-Castell
Faber-Castell has made art materials since 1761.

Faber-Castell Polychromos 120 specifications

Type: Artist colored pencils
Colors: 120
Lead: Oil-based
Lead diameter: 3.8 mm
Bonding: SV-bonded
Resistance: Break and water resistant
Lightfastness: High
Blending: Blends and layers
Case: Metal tin
Model: FC110011
Warranty: 1 year

Who the Faber-Castell Polychromos 120 suits

Artists and art enthusiasts. Faber-Castell pitches the 120 tin at both.
Layered color work. The listing says the oil-based leads blend easily for layered effects.
Work you plan to frame. The listing says the pigments resist fading.

Look elsewhere if: you want soft cores and more colors. The Prismacolor Premier 150 lists soft, thick cores.

Faber-Castell Polychromos 120 vs similar picks

Spec	Faber-Castell Polychromos 120	Caran d'Ache Luminance 40	Prismacolor Premier 150 Colored Pencils
Colors	120	40	150
Lead	3.8 mm, oil-based	Not listed	Soft, thick core
Lightfastness	High	High	Lightfast pigments
Case	Metal tin	Not listed	Case
Choose it for	120 colors, 3.8 mm oil-based leads	High lightfastness, Swiss made	Soft cores and the most colors

Faber-Castell Polychromos 120
Colors
120
Lead
3.8 mm, oil-based
Lightfastness
High
Case
Metal tin
Choose it for: 120 colors, 3.8 mm oil-based leads
Caran d'Ache Luminance 40
Colors
40
Lead
Not listed
Lightfastness
High
Case
Not listed
Choose it for: High lightfastness, Swiss made
Prismacolor Premier 150 Colored Pencils
Colors
150
Lead
Soft, thick core
Lightfastness
Lightfast pigments
Case
Case
Choose it for: Soft cores and the most colors

Before you buy

Light layers usually blend more evenly than heavy pressure.
The listing gives the lead as 3.8 mm but does not say which sharpener fits.

Frequently asked questions about the Faber-Castell Polychromos 120

Are Faber-Castell Polychromos lightfast?: The listing claims unsurpassed lightfastness, with pigments that resist fading.
How many colors are in the Polychromos tin?: 120 assorted colors in a metal tin.
Are Polychromos better than Prismacolor?: The listings describe them differently and neither claims to beat the other. Polychromos list oil-based 3.8 mm SV-bonded leads in 120 colors. Prismacolor Premier lists soft, thick cores in 150 colors.
Do Polychromos smudge?: The listing does not say. It lists the leads as oil-based, break resistant and water resistant.
Are Polychromos water-resistant?: Yes. The listing states the leads are break and water resistant.