I cant describe how much money I have spent trying to keep up with u tube colorists only to discover that it stopped me from enjoying the coloring experience. I'm finally finding my niche again. Bless this video.

I was part of a facebook group who used the expensive stuff and I used the dollar store stuff and they made me feel unwanted cuz i was on a budget. so I left cuz it was no fun. I *prefer* the cheap stuff, it works best for me & my skill. I love coloring the $1 color books because it's fun

I agree with you. Doesn't matter what coloring books or supplies you have. Coloring is for fun and to watch a page come to life.

I know this is an older video but I think finding cheaper alternatives is smart. I have both cheap and expensive stuff. I mix them up , use them together, and appreciate you saying this and doing this video. I guess that's why I watch you more than anyone else.❤❤

This was such a great video because I love to color and create with pencils but some of the brands are so expensive and not all of us can afford those. Thanks so much for this video . It was so appreciated!!❤

Hi Erin: I think this video is especially helpful for a person who's starting out in the world of coloring books for adults/and branching out to do their own style. You touched on the topics that are the most valuable in terms of cost vs. need. I personally agree with YOUR choices and I have all the top brands - however - they are not NECESSARY to enjoy the art of coloring/drawing or whatever your talents happen to be. You are right about achieving fine results with ALL products - its important to have fun and enjoy what you do. I like to follow you - and I certainly appreciate your viewpoint. Keep up the great videos!!!

A thousand times thank you for this video! I'm that girl that can't and more than likely spend 300 bucks for some pencils. When I first discovered the coloring community I felt very intimidated because I didn't have the expensive stuff. I had my Crayola colored pencils and my dollar tree books. I watched in silence as everyone post their works for weeks, then I got the courage and posted a picture and everyone was so sweet and loving my fears left. I have a 48 set of Prismas about a dozen Polys, but I still reach for my Crayolas and I rock those bad boys with pride!! You don't have to spend a mint to make beautiful pictures. I can guarantee this video will help those colorist like me who are on a fixed income to find less expensive alternatives to enjoy this fabulous hobby!!

My grandkids just bought me my first set of Prismacolors for my birthday and also got some drawing pencils as well. I am super excited to try them!

You said a mouthful!!! I have been getting back to coloring this past year, I did get a 48 set of Arteza color pencils, and 24 Prisma. I use mostly Crayola crayons & pencils and the best cheap gel pens I could find at the 99 cents store and coloring books. The point is : having fun coloring, and at the end of the day I don’t feel guilty about my hobbies 🥴 thanks for your videos!!! Always a treat 🤩 take good care. Be well, stay safe. Oh, I found a a little pack of 8 mini pastel Crayola pencils, so cute (bought 2 sets) at one dollar, couldn’t pass them up !!! I just need to be patient when looking 👀 and buying !!! Great video!!! Have a great weekend! 🤩🤗🥰

Want to say Thank you so much I am disabled and on a very limited income I truly feel if they have it no worries. I have been coloring since 2014 and did use and still use dollar tree supplies. I color in there book's everyday whenever I can color do to my health issues. I got a set of Prismacolor pencils from a family friend last Christmas it's the 120 set. I cried for day's knowing I could try them and I truly love them too. And another friend sent me 100 gel pens that's awesome you did that for us. Give us a chance to maybe try some other kinds of pencils or supplies.

Very well said...also I love when people say the things that a lot of others are thinking but don't say!!! And a huge huge point that I'd like to make is that this is ADULT coloring...if people can't act like ADULTS then they maybe need to stay out of ADULTS groups, channels, pages, conversations and so on...JUST MY OPINION OF COURSE 😉

I lo e seeing people's supplies what they use to colour and doesn't bother me in the slightest if people can afford more then I can, as long as they are enjoying there supplies and colouring experience then I'm happy and I'm very grateful for what I have :)

Yup, I love watching Jen's work and her little dog too!

Thank you for your video on this, I agree with you and Ann, coloring is a stress free hobby. I feel you don't have to be a proffessional colorist to enjoy this form of art. I use coloring to relax after a stressful day at the office. I also use crochet as a therapy for stress relief as well. I have rug kits, painting kits, etc. All of these help me move foreward and feel great, I also just study my Bible as well. I can't get hung up in art supplies and brands. I just use what I have and buy what I like. Thank you ladies for your encouragement.

I’m new to coloring and I’m definitely on a budget however, I get inspired by all art, in all mediums and then will do what I can within my budget with that inspiration. My biggest obstacle is my ability!

Honey don’t let the people who are complaining about the price about your passion anymore. You have done your best to give the range of price of supplies and books and the best places to buy them. You are wonderful. Stay positive and be the happy go lucky person you are. Your true fans love you and know you are concerned about every colorist, rich and poor and everyone in between. Don’t listen to the haters. Love you girl. Sheri

Hi there. My son had an art project that he had to make from scratch. So, he used a branch from dead tree, my husband manned the saw. They cut it so it would have a flat surface. A piece of scrap wood cut down, made a great ground area for the tree to stand. The big stuff done, it was my turn to help. We dyed some pumpkin seeds in beet juice, mustard and tea, as he wanted a couple different colors. Yes, that took a couple days. He cut popsicle sticks in half and glued them around the outside of the would base. For dirt, he spread glue on the base and added sand. My son just turned 28. I still have that piece of art displayed on a prominent shelf top. Talk about budget friendly! Thanx, Mindy

I get the ones I can afford or I get them as presents off my kids and grand kids colours are colours it relaxes me and destresses me 😁✌💗

Thanks for the budget-friendly suggestions! I'm sure you know about it, but a budget tip I just learned is to use eyeshadow in coloring books. If you have any diy or unique pencil storage ideas (that don't require buying a storage case) I'd love to see a video about that sometime.

I agree with you Erin. It’s when people asked for a donation for “a cup of coffee” then I object. There are so many people going without. Buy whatever you want but don’t expect me to donate so that you can buy more to keep up to date with the latest. They lost me. Love your videos. You make a lot of sense. Thank you

I hope you make more of these wonderful videos, as they have helped me more than you could know!! Thank you so much. I think you're amazing!!

Erin thank you so much for sharing this video I'm that girl who want to try different supplies but I go where pockets can take a lot of times it the dollar store and some time just maybe amazon so again thank you happy creative colorful big hugs to you 🤗👐🏽👐🏽👍🏽❤️💕❤️💕

Thank you for this advice I have cheap color pencils and markers and do very well my wife is planning on buying me some prismcolor but I will still color to be happy.

I know this is an old video but I need to comment. I use my prismas and am satisfied with them. I also use Crayolas and thinking about getting some Marco Raffines. I am tired of watching videos that push expensive artist grade pencils. Many of us are on a limited budget and can't spend a lot on pencils. My coloring books are usually bought for $7.00 or less. Basically, I am satisfied with what I work on. Coloring for me is very calming and it doesn't matter what tools I use.

You nailed it Erin! I love my 72 set of Prisma Premieres (which I got cheap-$30) BUT....I reach for my 50 set of Crayola Pencils a lot and...I recently discovered that if you are using card stock, if you use a variety of different colors of Sharpies under the Crayola Pencils, the colors will "pop". I use gel pens that I got from Walmart and The Dollar store. The key as you put it is, are you having fun and enjoying it? There are so many things that we can do to make our coloring fun and cheap, if that is all we want to do or can afford to do! The coloring group I belong to is very supportive and helpful, regardless of what any of us use.

I was at staples and found a prismacolor pencil sharpener that I love. I also got one at Dollar General for a buck I like

I so enjoy your philosophy on coloring - relax & enjoy the experience - I may not post pictures but I do enjoy coloring

Yes the KUM Manuel sharpener is the best !!! $4.00 on Amazon, but so worth it !!!

Totally love how you talked about the supplies and the more expensive supplies. Ann Siggers did a great series on a budget friendly pencils. I have seen a lot of people color great pictures with Crayolas.... Love your video....

I use acrylic paint and the glitter paint in SO many of my pictures. Love them!

I always use up black the most, too lol! Also light blue and medium red for some reason.

Just 100% perfectly said. Happy Coloring.

This video was outstanding! The information that you gave is so invaluable and as a new (Less than two months, coloring adult, your price breakdown, opinions etc do matter. I love and would like to do this for a long time so thank you so much, very informative, so glad that I subscribed the other day. Paused the video twice to buy something. Lol. Throughly enjoyed didn't even realize how long the video was. :)

Nicely said about coloring for yourself. I think I've posted a few pictures and have gotten very nice comments even though they were real beginner attempts. The community as a whole is friendly, kind, and helpful when you have questions. I have a range (not as much as you LOL) from Crayolas I got over 30 years ago for work to my treasured prismas and polys.

And to be honest, Crayola crayons and colored pencils really are pretty good. They may not be the "top artist quality" art stuff, but if you know how to use them, you can create some beautiful work with Crayolas.

I love my Raffine pencils as well as my Prismacolor Scholars. I do love my Prismacolor Premiers but I only have a small set. My Scholars and Raffines are larger sets and have a more colors to use. Maybe I’ll have more expensive pencils later but for now, I use what I have and I love to color.

The Prismacolor prices are so low now... They're rivaling Crayola! What bugs me is when artists say it's a 'total waste' to use expensive supplies for coloring books.

I appreciate this video as well. I just started coloring least them a week ago but I am enjoying it. I started following you a few days after. Thank you for sharing.

I completely agree with everything you said here, Erin. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using budget friendly books and supplies. Not everyone can afford or wants to spend money on higher end things. I always say use what you want in your books and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. I realize I’m very fortunate to have some higher end things, which I use on my channel and off camera. However, I will often use my budget friendly things too. It just depends on my mood at the time or what I want to show. It’s a personal choice that everyone must make but above all, just have fun with it. That’s what this hobby is about.

Thank you, I use prismacolor priemere, Lelix premium, castle art supplies colored pencils. Artify markers, sharpies, Pitt pens, superdoodle gel pens. I dont have real expensive stuff, and I enjoy my coloring time.

Thank you so much for this video! I am on a fixed income and new to the coloring scene. I purchased the prismacolor set after watching a few KZfaq videos thinking that my pic would be better looking or the pencils would be easier to use. I really enjoy my papermate inkjoy gel pens and flair markers so I will still keep my Crayola colored pencils because I press to hard and waste the color and IMO the prismacolor pencil sharpener is NOT all that. Lesson learned and thank you so much for the affirmation! You have sold me like and subscribe to your videos.

Sadly, some people do make coloring and supplies into a competition. For me, art is simply about creating and expressing myself in my own way and via my own means. If you're stressing about brands and price and "keeping up with the Joneses'", it takes all the fun out of the process. With patience & practice, anyone who really has a desire to do something well can do so. It took a lot of time and practice, but I finally learned to use my Crayolas and even Prang and CraZArt in ways that are pleasing to me. That's not to say I haven't experienced frustration with my budget supplies, but I've experienced just as much frustration learning to use Prismacolor Premiers. There is a learning curve to any art supplies, regardless of cost, brand or quality, but if you have a real passion for art, you CAN overcome almost any issue with patience and practice. Happy Coloring is the main goal for me! And it IS possible to enjoy coloring, even with budget supplies! :)

My favorite art video, on KZfaq. I myself, in love with PrismaColor colored pencils! Getting glasses was more important, then getting PrismaColor this month. I bought Crayola colored pencils, a set of 50 at Walmart. Crayola coloring pencils, are still very nice to color with. I will never buy, a $30 coloring book! I love art very much, I don’t have that money, to buy such coloring book. I’m more of a $8-$10 coloring books from Molly Harrison, Selina Fenech, and Amy Brown. I love their coloring books. :)

The pencils i use most are the cheapest pencils i have. They are called JIPPI. The are watercolors. 36 set for 9 dollars/8 dollars.

So true !!! I prefer Crayolas over Prismacolors !!

Totally agree with you. I have some expensive color pencils (Polychromos and Prismacolor for example). I would love to have Holbeins. They are my dream before most people knew their name (almost 2 years or more now). But I’m not “crying” because I can’t have them. I also use Crayolas (that are not cheap here in Brazil btw). I have Faber Castell scholars, I have many other budget friendly pencils and I use them as well. And I love to color. Despite the medium. And the ones that I prefer are Prismacolor, Polychromos and Derwent Inktense. But I use several different ones. Several 😂

What ever you can afford is just as good as expensive ones. I have Faber Castel right on down to my old Crayola. and I will use them

Thanks u ...for sharing for ppl who on budgets ...thanks u for ur friendly words And sharing this video ...so Great idea ..it helps ...

I'm not really a solvent kind of person, so I just use blending pencils/white pencils/burnishing. The only real problem with that method is using burnishing pressure tends to make the pencils/crayons break sometimes.

Ahhhh thanks for this video!! as much as i love watching colouring videos, people need to stop knocking budget friendly stuff and promoting expensive art supplies all the time...... whilst it's great they can do that and buy all the lovely supplies, not all of us can but still want to colour! however i do love the art colourists produce and watching the videos heh.

Can you do a video on all the pencils Brands you have and telling us what you think of each brand and how you like them. For a KZfaq video

Thanks for the Posca paint pen alternatives. Very useful info!

I love crayola colored pencils, that's all I have and what I can afford. Thanks for this video.

When talking about gel pens, I think the color it are the best really good high quality and not expensive plus they come in a really nice case with refills and when you run out of refills you can buy just the refills all pens are named and numbered. I feel they are budget friendly.

You are so right thankyou for this amazing video

Awww sweetheart this video is so needed, thank you for this from the bottom of my heart, you are a beautiful person, keep on shining, hugs

100% agree with what you said, love your video and have subscribed love from the UK xxx

I love your opinion as it is my colouring i will use what I want to

Hi my friend I truly agree 100% it how you use it and most of all how you have fun with it I'm up in age now and the little money I get I have learned I can't live on my own so it is fun just to have something to keep you going I'm like you I watch other artist for the fun thank you for sharing have a bless day creative colorful hugs to you

I LOVE your channel!!!!! My faves are Pentel, Royal Langnickel, Staedler. All student grade and tough as hell. Crayola is very iffy. Their wood is crap. My opinion is that the large sets of colored pencils are a waste of money. Lots of similar colors. People think they're rich for buying. I buy 24 sets ONLY. Blending people!!!!!

Love this video, thanks for sharing!

I agree with you as well on using budget friendly pencils their fun, and that’s what’s important there also affordable and that’s very important. If some people can afford Holbeins, good for them! Im happy for them. Everyman has to carry his own weight don’t knock the fellas that have, i say. One thing that irritates me so just slightly is when people exclusively use $500 pencils and tell us poor folk to use dollar store pencils not cool to do, unless they are using both high-end and cheap then I’d say sure. It’s about having fun, technique, tutorials, comparison, and fellowship in coloring. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, But no one should be crude. Love your channels thank you for sharing all the wonderful videos you taught me so much.

Complete agree with you

Do you have a video using acrylic paint on your backgrounds. Also the chalk on the backgrounds? Not sure how to do mine and I would love to see a video of you doing yours with these mediums. Thanks! I absolutely love this video!

I do the same thing i used the dollar store coloring books. To.I am on a fix in come to. Once a month.

Regarding lead breakage, may I suggest you try putting the coloured pencil in the microwave for 10 seconds? The heat will re-seal the cracked lead/wax. Allow the pencil to cool completely before sharpening it. I have tried this numerous times with different brands. So far, so good.

Thanks for a great video :) This is the first video I watch from you. I like that you tell your true opinion. So if there is something that is not so good then you say it as it is.... thumbs up for that :) Some people just like everyting so it is a jungle to find out if they are telling their true opinion or if they just like people to buy suplies. I am looking forward so watch more videos from you... Great work you do :D

I agree with her 100%

Very informative video, thank you so much

If I can be totally honest ..... I just bought the new 96 box of crayola crayons and some kids books yesterday , I love trying budget friendly because that means I can try more then one or 2 products or some I never would have even attempt to try to buy do to the cost, and on that note, I would strongly suggest if your wanting to try the higher end brands, just buy like 3 of a certain color / shades. Open stock to see if there something you even would like before spending $50 and up on a set that you may try once and not even like... Just my opinion.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my orbit pencil sharpener... Pencils seldom break after using them... unlike other sharpeners I have used I got a white out pen from our local dollar tree when I want to use white.

Thank you so much for this video, I totally agree with you. It's so crazy that anyone would complain about what art supplies other people use. You said it all but with such tact. I am thrilled for other colorists when they are able to use higher end products and enjoy them. I have a few of those also but many times I prefer the more budget friendly supplies. I love the challenge of learning how to use different products with different types of paper. You are so right, it's about the enjoyment of the process as being the whole reason to do this in the first place. It is so wonderful that there are people like you who take the time and expense to share your talents with us. I personally love the time during my day (or night) that I can listen to one of my favorite people not only teach me new things about art, but share a part of your world. It allows me time to not feel the pain so much, and focus on an activity that I love. I watch many different colorists and artists you tube videos every day and enjoy them all for many different reasons. Ann, from a colorful life never fails to uplift my mood and spirits just by listening to her unique personality and pure joy of life that comes across the screen or my headset. We should all be thankful for you and those like you rather than try to tear you down or make you feel bad for using a particular art supply. People like that should just move on and find something else to complain about. Why in the world do they spend the time watching something they disagree with. Please just know that there are thousands of us who love you and appreciate your time and effort. Thank you for putting together this video it helped a lot to learn about the prices of those items on your list.

I feel the same way you do. I don't understand why they want to be so mean about people that can afford the experience stuff. I'm a single mom also and I can't afford the experience pencils but I'm not going to be mean to the ones that can. I'm happy for them and I still love to watch them color with them even though I couldn't ever be able to afford them. There is even books I'd like to have but I'm not going to say mean things or bash them people. I'm happy for them and glad they can afford them and enjoy them.

I just watched your video on the newest Crayola in the fancy tin - it was funny when you said if I use the pencils for a campfire I would still keep the tin - when I dislike a pencil I say I wouldn't even use these for kindling for a campfire LOL! I am just not a big fan of Crayon pencils. The crayons yes. I DO like the Twistables to mix in with other pencils. LOVE my Marco Raffine's. I bought Prismacolor pencils individually at Michael's so I could make sure the core was evenly centered and I could get the colors I actually use. Nothing like the lay down of a Prismacolor. Have you heard of Hero Oil Color Pencils? I just saw them hauled by someone I watch and they look really nice. VERY INEXPENSIVE. TFS I am now a subbie :-)

Well said!

100% agree I did used to feel pressure but now I just can’t afford it so I have to make do with things I have

If you really want a good comparison of paint pens try the water based sharpie paint pen ...or I got a great deal on a small pack of like 6 poscas .... but the reason I commented was I found on aliexpress a package of like 10-12 paint pens that have seethru barrels so you can see how much ink is left and they are a great opacity and CHEAP :)

I agree. I use inexpensive and expensive coloring supplies but no one forced me to buy my Prismacolors. I bought them because 1) they were on sale...2) I wanted to.

Great job Erin...I think with anything in life there's always gonna be bigger and better stuff from cars and washing machines to colored pencils and coloring books! It's called a hobby buy what you can afford! What some are missing is that when a picture is posted and the colorist states they used Holbein and how beauful they work, that gets people thinking well if I had Holbeins then my picture would be as beautiful or look like that! That's really not true you can achieve the same thing with a budget friendly pencils too! It's effort ,passion and love that you put down on paper that makes it beautiful! Some colorists can spend 3 hours others 3 days to finish a picture, but it's not because of the pencil or the paper it's the level of your skill. I'm growing everyday as a colorist. Sure there's beautiful art work on Facebook and utube, but not because they own Holbein pencils it's because they're skill is at a different level then mine! What I take away from a beautiful colorist is that one day I hope I can be that good ,not that I own the best pencils!

I'd say to the Haters: Blowing out someone else's candle doesn't make yours burn brighter. Yeah, you're right. You can get a pencil set and coloring book for $1 each and HAVE A GOOD TIME doing it! (of course,, it's $2.50 for the pair now in 2023). We''ve all been there! You can even get crayons, relax and have fun. Didn't we all start like that? OTOH, a set of 24 Prismacolor Verrithins or their eraasables are in the $12 range! That's ALL you ever need. Frankly Ii suggest skippping the budget 72 and 120 set; people tend to end buying multiple sets. AAMOF, Im back-tracking myself to a 12-pack of Polychromos,which are $18-22. They are so pigmented and rarely break, they last forever.

I low income too I see lot of people useing alot of expensive stuff. My neighbor makes mean remarks bout my coloring stuff I use cayola pencils and crayons and cra z art color pencils too

Very informative

Hi. new here and I want to say that I really enjoy your coloring and tips. There is a Crayola pencil I am not seeing much about. It is the Crayola Signature blend and shade colored pencils. I have the set of 50 and am really enjoying them.

Have you done a video using only inexpensive tools. I would find it enjoyable to see how they do.

Great video as always. I use prismacolors, and others. have you ever tried or heard of SIVO brand pencils? I got a 36 count set at Walmart from school-supply clearance. Very cheap and work rather well. maybe you could do a review on them sometime.

I love the fact that I live in a less wealthy country,budget is the name of the game.

Great video!!! I enjoy watching all videos...doesn't matter the price of products.

I love steadtler fine lines, but they do bleed too.

Budget pastels, Michael's Artist Loft, set of 36, $5.00. They are better than good and they work well for backgrounds

I go back and forth about pencils. I bought a to me expensive 120 set of pencils. When I use them up I'll be going back to my roots. Crayola. BTW I'll take homemade lasagna any day.

I agree with you

always come bk here...to check on a few items.bwhwha...

Crayola vs Stabilo, marco, which is better ? Please tell me

Thank you! Awesome video and great tips!

Thank you so much. Now I don’t feel so bad that my stuff doesn’t look as good as others. Because we can’t afford what they have. Have a Happy Day 😊

I agree, well said.

Thanks for this video. Very important to learn budget friendly supplies. I got 36 count prismacolor for $10 at A.C. Moore and have been practicing your techniques from the episodes. Thanks.

great opinion

Thanks helpful!

Do U turn the pencil or the sharpener?