If you are considering creating artwork using colored pencils, you might have one or two questions about their properties, uses and applications. Colored pencils are made in many styles. Most have a wooden body, usually round or hexagonal, into which is placed a round column of pigmented material. The pigment can be either a thin column or a thick one.
Different brands choose different styles.
But in all cases, the colored pigment yields a smooth, even colored line when stroked across a paper, panel or illustration board. In the higher quality pencils, pigment is usually bound with some type of oil. The grades of colored pencils available range from very inexpensive student grades, which usually consist of a limited number of colors, to very high quality, professional materials that can be purchased in a wide range of colors. While most colored pencils are offered in groups or sets, pencils of the highest quality are often available individually. These are most often square sticks that offer great hard edges and extra coverage for bold, dramatic color use.