New Derwent Chromaflow 150 Set Of Coloured Pencils
New Derwent Chromaflow 150 Set Of Coloured Pencils
In this article we will be taking a look at the brand new 150 set of Derwent Chromaflow Coloured Pencils. This is not an actual review of the Chromaflow pencil, I have reviewed this pencil before and if you would like to check out the characteristics of the pencil, how they blend, layer and behave on certain paper, simply follow the link to the original review.
The reason I have completed a review of the Derwent Chromaflow before now is due to the fact that Derwent released the Chromaflow a few years ago. When Derwent announced the launch of the Chromaflow, there was a little bit of controversy surrounding the launch. Derwent wanted the Chromaflow to directly compete with the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Derwent wanted to release a soft cored pencil which so many colored pencil artists love.
Because of this competition between the Chromaflow and Prismacolor, Derwent released the pencil to America first. Many UK Colored Pencil artists, including myself, felt a bit put out by this decision as Derwent is a UK company; however, given the fact they were competing against Prismacolor, it made sense to allow US based artists to provide their experience with the Chromaflow.
On the first release of the Chromaflow, Derwent released a 12 and 24 set, which at the time when I reviewed the Chromaflow, I mentioned that the Chromaflow pencil was excellent in comparison to Prismacolor, but a 24 palette was never going to compete against the Prismacolor 150 palette.
Not long after, Derwent announced and released the 36 and 72, again I reviewed the 72 set showcasing the additional colors in the palette. Obviously this was a significantly better palette count to compete against Prismacolor, but still not nearly enough.
Derwent Chromaflow 150 Count Swatch
Now, today, Monday the 15th of April 2024, Derwent officially launch this amazing 150 set of Derwent Chromaflow and not only do I think this set will compete fantastically against Prismacolor, I think this is an overall fantastic addition to the Derwent Coloured Pencil arsenal.
As you can see below, I have included a swatch of the full Derwent Chromaflow 150 count and I completed the swatch on the Derwent Lightfast Paper. As you can see, the palette overall is fantastic, I personally love the colors they have selected for this 150 set.
To me, there seems to be just enough of every colour family, nice selection of yellows, reds, pinks, blues, greens, earth tones and the greys are to die for. Also, there is a good selection of dark and light tones in all colour families.
New 78 Colours Of The Derwent Chromaflow Family
As you can see from the swatches below, I have add a swatch showing only the new 78 colours within the Derwent Chromaflow family. For test I completed the swatch on the Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Velum paper. This is a much smoother toothed paper than the Derwent Lightfast Paper, however, you can clearly see that the Chromaflow performs beautifully on both surfaces.
If you look at the new colours introduced the colours that really catch my eye are the Sienna Gold, Sangria, Shiraz, Turkish Delight and Ash Rose on the first row. On the second row the Dusky Purple, Midnight Mauve, Deep Rose and Mauve are favourites.
On the third row the Dark Purple, Picotee Blue, Santorini, Brilliant Blue, Blue Yonder, Orient and Mineral Blue are strong. The fourth row shows the greens introduced, the Laurel Green, Field Grey, Olivine, Light Olive, Leaf Green and Lincoln Green are perfect botanical colours.
Finally we look at the new earth tones and greys, Liquorice, Almond Frost, Rose Quartz, Winter Lake, Silver Mint and Ice Blue are my final favourites. The last two colours I think are metallic, although it is not easy to tell, regardless, they are both beautiful colours and additions.
Derwent Artist and Lightfast Colours Present In The New Chromaflow Count
There is only 6 colours from the Derwent Artist range present in the Chromaflow range, Ash Rose, Rose Pink, Turquoise Green, Light Blue, Grass Green and Fell Mist.
From the Derwent Lightfast range there is 18 colours present, however one of the colors is only present in name and not color. Sun Yellow, Amber Gold, Golden Sun, Flame, Scarlet, Strawberry, Oyster, Salmon, Magenta, Violet, Denim, Turquoise Green, Basil, Foliage, Grass Green, Natural Brown, Platinum and Pine Green. It is the Pine Green that are the same in name but the Lightfast Pine Green is much darker than the Chromaflow.
Derwent Chromaflow Lightfast Ratings
I think it is fair to say that the Derwent Chromaflow are not really meant for the fine art coloured pencil artists, I am not suggesting that they can’t be used by this group, just simply that the lightfast ratings may not hit the mark. However this is of course not a problem given the fact that the Derwent Lightfast set is one of the best coloured pencils on the market for artists.
Unlike the Derwent Lightfast Coloured Pencils, the Derwent Chromaflow are rated on the Blue Wool scale, this is the same for every other set of pencils in the Derwent range, except the Lightfast which is ASTM. The Blue Wool scale is rate 8 to 1 with 8 being the most lightfast and 1 being the least.
Of the 150 new colours 49 colours are rated 8, 39 colours are rated 7, 16 colours are rated 6, 24 colours are rated 5, 6 colours are rated 4, 5 colours are rated 3, 10 colours are rated 2 and only 1 colour is rated 1. As I am sure you can guess, most of the fugitive colors are in the pinks and purples
Derwent Chromaflow Sets and Pricing
In the Derwent Chromaflow range you are sprint for choice, obviously, as with all Derwent Coloured Pencils they are sold open stock. Then there is a 12 set, 24 set, 36 set, 48 set, 72 set, 100 set and 150. As you can see plenty of sets to suit your needs.
With regards to pricing, if you go to the Derwent Online Store, the prices are always going to be a little bit higher than other places you may shop for your coloured pencil art supplies. The prices listed below are the prices found on the Derwent Online Store. 150 set will cost £277, 100 set will cost £184, 72 set will cost £131, 48 set will cost £88, 36 set will cost £65, 24 set will cost £43 and the 12 set will cost £22.
The prices I have listed here are on Amazon UK, I never say this when adding prices, but the prices I have found are really cheap, if you are interested in buying a set for yourself, I would do it sooner rather than later, as soon as the sales go up, I should imagine so will the prices.
Derwent Chromaflow 150 set - £150, the 100 set - £129, the 72 set - £78, the 48 set - £56, the 36 set - £50, the 24 set - £37 and the 12 set - £15.
Derwent Chromaflow 150 Set Conclusion
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, if you would like to know more details about the Derwent Chromaflow Coloured Pencils, you can find out all you need on my previous review. Also I have added a YouTube video review showcasing the full range of 150 colors in the Chromaflow family which you can watch by following the link.
I have also completed art work with the Derwent Chromaflow which you can view some still image of the piece by following the link, or you can watch a speed drawing video I have added to The Art Gear Guide channel.
I have to say I personally think Derwent have hit a winner with this 150 set of Derwent Chromaflow, when you think of the pencils Derwent have in their Arsenal, they have to be considered one of the best colored pencil companies about and I know I am biased, but just consider the facts.
100 set of Derwent Lightfast for the fine art artists, this new 150 set of the Derwent Chromaflow, a Prismacolor competitor if there ever was one, 72 Derwent Coloursoft, another soft cored pencil, 72 Derwent Artist a harder core but a wonderful pencil, 100 set of Derwent Inktense no other pencil like it anywhere, 72 set of Derwent Watercolour pencils, 72 set of Derwent Pastel Pencils, 72 set of Derwent ProColour, 24 Derwent Drawing Pencils, 24 Derwent Graphitint, another pencil unique to Derwent, Derwent Metallic range, Derwent Graphite, Derwent Charcoal and the 24 set of Derwent Tinted Charcoal. There are a few other sets but these are the main ones and as you can see, there is a pencil for every type of artist
I was upset when Derwent reduced the 120 set of Derwent Artists to the 72 set, however, now that they have included this amazing 150 set of Derwent Chromaflow, I am more than happy. I’d love to know your thoughts on the Chromaflow pencil, what your experience is with the pencil regardless if you love or hate them and also what you think of the new additional colours.
