Are Bruynzeel Design Pencils Worth the Premium Price? Real Testing Results

You've probably stumbled across Bruynzeel Design pencils while searching for quality coloured pencils, perhaps intrigued by their elegant presentation in those distinctive drawer boxes.

But here's the crucial question: at premium pricing, do these Dutch-designed pencils actually deliver the superior performance needed for realistic drawing, or are you paying for packaging?

I was dubious, but decided to try them out and report back.

After extensive hands-on testing with Bruynzeel Design wax pencils - including detailed layering studies, color mixing tests, and a complete realistic apple drawing, I can give you the honest assessment you need before investing your money.

The results might surprise you, especially if you understand proper coloured pencil technique.

My box of Bruynzeel pencils

This is my in-depth look at Bruynzeel Design pencils.

If you'd like to see how they compare alongside a wider range of brands suitable for beginners and developing artists, you might want to check out my Choosing Coloured Pencil Brands: A Beginner's Guide first, then come back here for the specifics on Bruynzeel.

Bottom Line: Excellent Performance for Skilled Artists

Assessment: Bruynzeel Design pencils are capable of impressive realistic results when used with proper technique, but they reward skill and patience over quick fixes.

Best For: Artists with solid layering technique and color theory knowledge, those who value elegant presentation, artists seeking controlled, gradual color building.

Not Ideal For: Complete beginners needing forgiving tools, artists wanting quick color saturation, budget-conscious buyers seeking maximum value.

Reality Check: These pencils can absolutely deliver professional-looking results - if you know how to use them properly.

Understanding the Bruynzeel Design Range

Bruynzeel offers three distinct pencil types under their Design label, each with 48 colours in elegant brown wooden casings with coloured ends. Here's what makes this range unique - and potentially confusing for buyers.

The Colour Mathematics: 63 Total Colours Across Three Sets

This initially confused me, so let me break it down clearly:

34 colours appear in ALL three sets (wax, aquarelle, pastel)
14 colours are exclusive to the pastel set
14 colours are shared only between wax and aquarelle sets
Total unique colours: 63 across the entire range

This means if you're building a comprehensive Bruynzeel palette, you'd need multiple sets—a significant investment consideration. However, my testing revealed that the 48-colour wax set provides adequate range for complex realistic work.

For the remainder of this review, I'll be focusing on my experience with the Bruynzeel Design wax pencils, as these are generally the most sought-after for traditional coloured pencil realism.

Real-World Performance Testing: What I Discovered

Layering Capability Test

I conducted a systematic layering test using red pencil, building from 1 layer through 3, 6, and 10 layers to understand how these pencils perform for realistic depth building.

Key Findings:

Gradual, controlled buildup: Perfect for avoiding muddy colors and overworking
Patience required: Reaching rich saturation takes more layers than softer pencils
Excellent results achievable: By 10 layers, the color was rich and vibrant
Beginner-friendly process: Very difficult to make serious mistakes with this gradual approach

The layering progression showed these pencils reward methodical technique rather than heavy-handed application.

The results of my layering test with Bruynzeel pencils

Pressure Response and Color Mixing Test

Testing yellow (#22) and blue (#14) individually and mixed together, comparing light pressure versus heavy pressure application.

Heavy Pressure Needed for Full Saturation

Much richer saturation when firm pressure is applied
Clean colour mixing: The yellow and blue created a natural, vibrant green
Versatile application: Can work both with gradual layering AND confident pressure
Hidden potential: Light pressure alone doesn't reveal their full capabilities

Realistic Drawing Test: Red Apple Study

The ultimate test - creating a complete realistic drawing to assess real-world performance for the kind of art "Aspiring Realists" want to achieve.

Technique Used:

Foundation: I started with yellow base layer in the brightly lit areas (not the highlight)
Colour building: Bright red, then 2 darker reds for depth
Shadow complexity: Added purple, green, and dark brown on the shadowed side
Advanced layering: I "sandwiched" the colours above in between darker red layers
Realistic highlights: Very light layers of yellow, peach, light green, finished with white
Stem details: Yellow, green, and brown layered for natural effects

Results:

Time investment: 90 minutes for completion
Professional appearance: Rich, dimensional, realistic result
Colour range adequate: 48-colour set handled complex color needs
Technique responsive: Rewarded proper layering and color knowledge

UK Availability: Improving but Still Challenging

Where Can You Actually Buy These?

Current UK Suppliers (2025)

Pencils4artists: Most reliable UK source, offers sets and singles
The Coloured Pencil Shop (Ipswich): Stocks full range including individual pencils
Specialist online retailers: Limited but growing availability
Major art retailers: Sporadic availability, not consistently stocked

Pricing Reality Check

48-pencil wax sets: £80-120 depending on supplier
Individual pencils: £2-3 each where available
Value assessment: £1.70-2.50 per pencil in sets

Practical Considerations

Replacement Reality: I currently have one pencil missing from my set (misplaced somewhere in my studio!), which highlights the importance of careful storage.

The elegant drawer box isn't just for show—it's essential for organization with these premium pencils.

Storage and Organization: The unpainted wooden casings blend easily with other quality pencils, making systematic storage crucial for protecting your investment.

How Do They Compare to Proven Alternatives?

Similar Price Range (£80-120 for 48-60 pencils)

Faber-Castell Polychromos (60 set ~£100):

✅ Faster color saturation

✅ Excellent UK availability

✅ Proven lightfastness

❌ Less forgiving for beginners

Derwent Lightfast (36 set ~£85):

✅ Exceptional lightfastness ratings

✅ UK brand with excellent support

❌ Smaller colour range

❌ Harder cores require more pressure

Better Value Alternatives (£40-70)

Derwent Coloursoft (72 set ~£65):

✅ Excellent for realistic work

✅ Widely available in UK

✅ More forgiving for beginners

❌ Less elegant presentation

Are Bruynzeel Pencils Right For You?

Choose Bruynzeel Design Pencils If:

You have solid layering technique and color theory knowledge
You value beautiful presentation and premium feel
You prefer controlled, gradual color building
You enjoy methodical, patient drawing approaches
You have reliable access to UK suppliers
You appreciate quality tools that reward proper technique

Choose Alternatives If:

You're a complete beginner needing forgiving tools
You want quick color saturation with minimal layering
Budget efficiency is your primary concern
You need guaranteed lightfastness for professional work
Easy UK availability and replacement is crucial
You prefer softer, creamier pencil feel

The Honest Assessment: A Nuanced Verdict

My testing revealed that Bruynzeel Design pencils are significantly more capable than I initially expected.

The apple study proved they can absolutely deliver the impressive, realistic results that we are all working towards—but only when used with proper technique.

What Changed My Mind

The layering tests showed controlled, predictable color building.

The pressure tests revealed hidden potential for rich saturation.

But the realistic apple drawing proved the crucial point: these pencils can create professional-looking art that would definitely earn those coveted "Wow, you drew that?!" reactions.

The Skill Factor

These pencils reward artistic knowledge and technique more than some alternatives.

If you understand color theory, proper layering, and patience in building realistic effects, they're excellent tools.

If you're hoping for quick fixes or forgiving performance that covers technique gaps, look elsewhere.

Value Proposition Reconsidered

While still premium-priced, the quality of results achievable with proper technique makes the investment more justifiable than I initially thought.

The elegant presentation is genuinely nice, but more importantly, the pencils perform well when used correctly.

My Strategic Recommendation

For experienced artists or dedicated hobbyists with solid fundamental skills, Bruynzeel Design pencils offer excellent performance in beautiful packaging. They're particularly good for artists who enjoy methodical, contemplative drawing processes.

For beginners or those seeking maximum value, start with more forgiving options like Derwent Coloursoft or Prismacolor Premier, then consider Bruynzeel as a premium upgrade once your technique is solid.

For those specifically interested in Bruynzeel, the wax pencils are the standout option—skip the aquarelle and pastel versions unless you specifically need those characteristics.

If you're just starting your coloured pencil journey and are still building your foundational skills, don't feel you need premium pencils like these to learn and create beautiful art.

Consider starting with one of the better value alternatives mentioned, focus on your techniques, and then look at brands like Bruynzeel as a wonderful goal to aspire to as your skills grow.

UK Availability Note: Before investing, confirm current stock with your preferred supplier. Consider buying individual replacement pencils for your most-used colors when making your initial purchase.

Final Thoughts: Context and Expectations Matter

Bruynzeel Design pencils taught me an important lesson about not judging art supplies too quickly. Initial tests suggested limitations, but deeper exploration with proper technique, revealed genuine capability for impressive realistic work.

They're not perfect for everyone, but for artists who appreciate quality tools that reward skill and patience, they offer a satisfying drawing experience with excellent potential results.

The key is understanding what you're buying: premium pencils that perform best with proper technique, not miracle tools that automatically improve poor fundamentals.

What's Your Experience with Bruynzeel Pencils?

Have you tried these pencils for realistic drawing? I'm particularly interested in hearing about your technique discoveries and any UK supplier experiences.

Looking for technique guidance? Check out my guide to advanced layering techniques that work particularly well with controlled pencils like these.

As we've seen, pencils like the Bruynzeel Design range truly come alive when paired with strong foundational techniques.

If you're feeling inspired to build or refresh your skills in areas like layering, blending, and achieving beautifully smooth results, my Core Coloured Pencil Techniques Hub is packed with practical guides and exercises to help you master the essentials.

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