Prismacolor is one of the most popular choices for art markers and for good reason; you have 144 colors to choose from and they last up to five times longer than most other art markers. Of course they need to be recapped when you are done with them and as long as you perform some maintenance on them [cleaning them, proper storage etc], you will get a lot of use from them. The twelve count set is a nice starter package but once you start using them you'll want to invest in more colors so before you buy this one, take a look at what the 24 count set has to offer. If you just need the basic colors then the twelve count package will work out well for you but if you are a color junkie, you may want to spend the extra money and start off with the 24 count assortment. These aren't markers that you are going to want to buy for kids unless you get them dirt cheap or they come as a gift, even then, I'm stingy with my art supplies and if any of my brood received these as gifts, I'd make off with them in a heartbeat.

Sanford Prismacolor Double Ended Art Markers 12 Color Set

So what makes the double ended art markers from Sanford worth it? Well, you not only get some incredible colors to work with but a lot of different tip sizes. OK, let me explain that. As the name may lead you to think, these are double ended markers so you have ink tips at both ends. One side is fairly thick [think chisel tip sized] and the other is on the thin side; this means that you are basically getting four to size different size tips to work with depending on how you are holding the barrel and the amount of pressure you are putting on it. If you are doing layered work and are worried about ink saturation you may have some issues with these if you are using the heavy end but in most cases it's smooth sailing. If you are going over colors for blending make sure you have a lot of scrap paper around to clean the tips, if left uncleaned it will ruin the true hue of the marker and not just for the tip end you are using, if there is a lot of foreign color present it could backwash into the barrel and destroy the pristine hue.

Color Selection

One thing you need to know about the twelve color set of double ended markers is this, there are about six or seven different color formats to choose from however most of them are gray tones so that narrows down your selection. The most popular is the standard color package that includes the following hues: Crimson Red, Pink, Yellow, Carmine Red, Orange, Parrot Green, Ultramarine Blue [not Aquamarine Blue], Canary Yellow, Dark Green, Mulberry, Black and Dark Umber. As you can see, you are getting a lot of really nice colors with this set but if you are willing to pay a little more you can get the 24 count set that has the awesome Slate Blue, Rhodamine and dreamy Spanish Orange. Of course you can buy all of the Prismacolor markers individually but if you are looking to save money in the process, buying the sets is the way to go.

Price

Well, these aren't cheap but in my opinion they are some of the best art markers on the market and they are worth every penny. The twelve count assortment can cost you anywhere from $19.00 to $27.00 depending on where you are shopping. Since I am extremely picky about where I buy these, I go to art stores that sell them for a bit more than the norm but I know that all the boxes are factory fresh and people haven't been opening them to try them out. The last time I purchased the twelve count I got them for $23.00 at my local art store. While that may seem like a lot to pay for 'markers' you are getting double tipped markers that give you a lot of freedom when you are doing shading, laying down thick lines or working in tight corners.

Things To Know

Prismacolor is manufactured by Sanford so they come with their money back guarantee that you will be satisfied with how they perform or they will refund your purchase price or offer you a replacement. If you are paying an obscene amount of money on markers it is nice to know that the company is going to stand behind them if there are ever any issues with them. This doesn't cover the tips drying out if you don't recap them but if they are dead out of the box, Sanford will send you a replacement without having to jump through hoops or begging for a new one.

Prismacolor is more than just art markers, the colors are also available in pencil form so if you are shopping online for the Prismacolor brand, make sure you read the text description of them closely so you don't end up with pencils when what you really wanted was markers. To make things even more confusing there are several different 12 count marker sets in the Prismacolor family; primary, gray tones and standard colors. Like I said, this is why you need to shop at online stores that have a good reputation for selling authentic products and having accurate descriptions of the goods.

The Bottom Line

As I said, these aren't something that you are going to buy for your kids unless they are really into art and know how to care for them. Even then, shelling out over twenty dollars on a set of markers might seem like a lot to most people. If you are into art or are taking a class then this makes for a great basic set to start out with, if you find that you need more than two or three other colors to supplement what this has to offer you, consider the 24 count instead of buying the other colors individually. The colors are all exceptional, the tips retain their form and they last a lot longer than other art markers. Another perk is that these don't squeak on glossy or slick paper, if you do any amount of design or art work, you know how utterly annoying that sound can get after a few minutes. They are also certified non-toxic and don't have much of a scent / fume to them so you can use them pretty much anywhere without getting a headache from them.


As always, thanks for the visit…

~^V^~ Freak ~^V^~

© 2006 Freak369


Other Sanford product marker reviews

Mr. Sketch Washable 12 Color Marker Set
Mr. Sketch Scented Watercolor Markers
Vis-A-Vis Overhead Transparency Marker

Metallic Fine Point Silver Marker
Sharpie Permanent Markers
Twin-Tip Permanent Marker
Ultra Fine Point Permanent Markers
Industrial Black Fine Point
Permanent Markers 4-Color Set
Grip Eight Color Permanent Markers
Sharpie Permanent Green Fine Marker


Please note, the image for this product is incorrect. You are being shown the deluxe 24 count set of double ended markers instead of the 12 count set.





Recommended: Yes