Detailed Black Widow Colored Pencils [all 7 sets] Review and related article resources.
Adult coloring can be enjoyable if you are beginning or becoming an experienced colorist. Using colored pencils you like can be the difference between a satisfying or unpleasant experience.
This article comprehensively reviews Black Widow Colored Pencils [all 7 sets]. The Review is subjective, based on my personal experience, research, and the performance of colored pencils in activities like coloring books, pages and sheets. My Review seeks to provide as much information as possible to ask the right questions, evaluate the information, and make better decisions about the colored pencils you choose and use. I will update this article as new information becomes available.
Table of Contents
Black Widow Colored Pencil (7 Set) Descriptions
Black Widow Colored Pencil [All Sets) Links. Black Widow (24), Scorpion (24), Cobra (24), Monarch (48), Dragon (36), Skin Tone Light (12), and Skin Tone Dark (12), totaling 180 colored pencils.
Additional Resources. The following are additional resources you can find on ColoringButterfly.com to assist you in learning more about colored pencils.
- Buying A Coloring Book: Everything You Need to Know (Guide)
- Buying Colored Pencils? Everything You Need Know (Guide)
- How to Find Colored Pencil Reviews (50+ ColoringButterfly.com)
- Guide to Amazon Colored Pencil Reviews (Fake vs. Trustworthy)
- Guide to Using Colored Pencil Set Reviews (Step-by-Step)
Black Widow Colored Pencil Descriptions
This section provides the facts, descriptions, and my first impressions of colored pencils. I am going to provide my subjective/personal Review based on my experience, research, and the performance of colored pencils in activities like coloring books, pages, and sheets and answer the question; I am focused on answering the questions for the colored pencils, “What are the basic facts for each Black Widow Colored Pencil Set?”; “What did you experience during the first inspection of each Black Widow Colored Pencil Set?.”
Following the section regarding facts, I will provide e following overviews of each set which will be “Barrel Description,” “Container Description,” and “Range of Colors.” Let’s get started. [Return to TOC]
Go to ColoringButterfly.com YouTube Channel for more videos about coloring pencils, coloring books, and more. [Return to TOC]
Colored Pencil Facts
The following are some basic facts about the seven sets of Black Widow Colored Pencils.
- Best for: Student/Hobbyist
- Size of sets: Black Widow Colored Pencils have 7 sets: Black Widow (24), Scorpion (24), Cobra (24), Monarch (48), Dragon (36), Skin Tone Light (12), Skin Tone Dark (12) totaling 180 colored pencils
- Available in open stock: Yes/No. Black Widow does not sell pencils open stock. You can, however, email or message on Facebook Black Widow to purchase replacement pencils.
- Lightfastness rating: No, the pencils do not have a lightfast rating.
- Cost range: Mid-range/average (.51 cents to $1.00 dollar)
- Core size: 3.3mm
- Barrel size: 7.8mm
- Type of pencil core: Wax-based core
- Barrel type: Hexagonal
- Wood: Cedar
- Where to buy online: Amazon
- Made by: Medihealth, London, England, United Kingdom
- Where Manufactured: China
- Visit the company website: https://blackwidowpencils.com/
- Google search query: Black Widow colored OR coloured pencils review
Barrel Description
The Black Widow Colored Pencils Sets comprise sturdy wood encasing a pigment core. The Black Widow barrels pencils are black and hexagonal, and Black Widow has a pigment color on the end of the barrel for quick identification. The following are the unique characteristics of each set of pencils:
- Black Widow Set (24 colored pencils). On the side of the barrel, you will see a small Black Widow logo (Spider). In addition, you will also see the brand of the pencil, Black Widow, followed by the pigment’s name and a BW (for Black Widow) plus a number identifier. A silver band separates the black barrel from the 1.5-inch strip of pigment color.
- Cobra Set (24 colored pencils). On the side of the barrel, you will see a small Cobra logo (Cobra). In addition, you will also see the brand of the pencil, Cobra, followed by the pigment’s name and a CB (for Cobra) plus a number identifier. A silver band separates the black barrel from the 1.5-inch strip of pigment color.
- Scorpion Set (24 colored pencils). On the side of the barrel, you will see a small Scorpion logo (Scorpion). In addition, you will also see the brand of the pencil, Scorpion, followed by the pigment’s name and an SC (for Scorpion) plus a number identifier. A silver band separates the black barrel from the 1.5-inch strip of pigment color.
- Monarch Set (48 colored pencils). On the side of the barrel, you will see a small Monarch logo (Stag). In addition, you will also see the brand of the pencil, Monarch, followed by the pigment’s name and an MN (for Monarch) plus a number identifier. A silver band separates the black barrel from the 1.5-inch strip of pigment color.
- Dragon Set (36 colored pencils). Dragon has a pigment color on the end of the barrel for quick identification. In addition, you will also see the brand of the pencil, Dragon, followed by the pigment’s name and a DG (for Dragon) plus a number identifier. A green band separates the black barrel from the 1.5-inch strip of pigment color.
- Dark/Light Skin Tones Sets (Each set as 12 colored pencils). On the pencil, you will see the brand of the pencil, Skin, followed by either an SL for (light skin tones) or SD for (dark skin tones) plus a pigment number identifier. A gold band separates the black barrel from the 1.5-inch strip of pigment color.
Lightfast Rating
No rating. Lightfastness is a property of pencil core, such as dye or pigment, that describes how resistant to fading it is when exposed to light. The lightfast rating is essential to artists, especially when they spend long hours creating art; they will want the work of art to keep its vibrancy for years to come. The lightfastness has a lot to do with the higher cost of the pencils. [Return to TOC]
Range of Colors
Black Widow Colored Pencils is a waxed-based core broad range of rich, intense, beautiful pigments that are smooth and creamy when applied. While the range of colors is beautiful, you will need to purchase more than one expansion set to do much with the coloring scheme in a coloring book.
- Black Widow Set (24 colored pencils). As with the other sets, I find the names of the pigments odd but fun/unique names, such as Banana, Plum Pudding, Forget Me Not, Foxy Brown Toxic Green, Cyanide Pink, Starry Night and Pumpkin. The set has a nice collection of yellows and reds.
- Cobra Set (24 colored pencils). As with the other sets, I find the names of the pigments odd but fun/unique names, such as Honeycomb, Mustard, Fire, Blood Diamond, Purple Haze, Venom, Fancy Pink, Rattle Snake, Space, and Dim Gray. This set seems to be a little heavy on the yellows.
- Scorpion Set (24 colored pencils). As with the other sets, I find the names of the pigments odd but fun/unique names, such as Pigs Ear, Galaxy Blue Grub Green Dark Tea, Blood Red, Brown Bug and Blue Heaven.
- Monarch Set (48 colored pencils). As with the other sets, I find the names of the pigments odd but fun/unique names, such as Storm Blue, Green Slime, Peppermint, Green Tea, Cats, Eye, Mango, Egg Plant, and Antler. I especially liked the purple, pink and greens. The set does not include any red, and the grey tones in the set tend to be more toward French Grey. This Monarch set has an excellent range of pastel shades and neutral tones, which does a lot to round out the color palette of the previous sets (e.g., Black Widow, Scorpion and Cobra).
- Dragon Set (36 colored pencils). As with the other sets, I find the names of the pigments odd but fun/unique names, such as Lady Jane, Nail Polish Pleasant Blue, Wizard, Calm Lime, Dungeon, Zombie, Sundown, DG Dragon, and Bloodshot. At first, I was slightly disappointed with the larger about of purple/blues and greens, but I needed to step back and see the Dragon expansion set as part of a more extensive palette.
- Dark/Light Skin Tones Sets (Each set has 12 colored pencils). The pigments are rich, vibrant, unique, and a good match for fairer and darker Skin. While I liked the odd/unique names in the other sets, I think I would have liked more conventional names in this set. As with the other sets, I find the names of the pigments odd but fun/unique names
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- For light skin tones, you will see names like Egg Shell, Snow, Sunburst, Sherbert, Carrot, Fairly Floss, Brown Fog, and Pretty Pink.
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- For dark skin tones, there are color names like Washed Purple, Mud, Grey Thron, Midnight, Negra, and Cinnamon. See below for a free downloadable color swatch chart.
Container Description
The Black Widow Colored Pencils come in a tin, as do the other sets. The exterior of the lid contains a colorful image of a dragon. Inside the lid of the tin, you will find a color chart that is true to the actual color. The following are the unique characteristics of each set of pencils:
- Black Widow Set (24 colored pencils). The exterior of the lid contains a colorful image of a Black Widow. There is 1 set of 24 pencils in sturdy plastic trays, but retrieving them from the tin is challenging. Inside the lid of the tin. Inside the lid of the tin, you will find a color chart that is true to the actual color.
- Cobra Set (24 colored pencils). The exterior of the lid contains a colorful image of a Scorpion. There is 1 set of 24 pencils in sturdy plastic trays, but retrieving them from the tin is challenging. Inside the lid of the tin, you will find a color chart that is true to the actual color.
- Scorpion Set (24 colored pencils). The exterior of the lid contains a colorful image of a Scorpion. There is 1 set of 24 pencils in sturdy plastic trays, but retrieving them from the tin is challenging. Inside the lid of the tin, you will find a color chart that is true to the actual color.
- Monarch Set (48 colored pencils). The exterior of the lid contains a colorful image of a Stag. In the tin are two sets of 18 pencils in sturdy plastic trays. Inside the lid of the tin, you will find a color chart that is true to the actual color.
- Dragon Set (36 colored pencils). The exterior of the lid contains a colorful image of a dragon. In the tin are two sets of 18 pencils in sturdy plastic trays. Inside the lid of the tin, you will find a color chart that is true to the actual color.
- Dark/Light Skin Tones Sets (Each set as 12 colored pencils). The exterior of the lid is brown with the name Skin followed by Wax Colored Pencils. Below the skin identification is either the name “Dark Tones” or “Light Tones,” followed by small squares representing the colors in each tin. In each tin, you will find a set of 12 pencils in a sturdy plastic tray. Inside the lid of the tin, you will find a color chart that is true to the actual color.
First Inspection
As a habit, when I first open the box of pencils, I like first to check pencil duplications and missing pencils. Check to make sure the cores are centered. Next, I will check them for pencils for imperfections (e.g., shaft spits, broken cores, light printing).
Each of the Black Widow Colored sets was nicely packaged and protected in a tin container. Overall, there was much not to like. If I had my wish, I would like to have one set of pencils and not have to purchase seven different expansion sets (e.g., Black Widow, Scorpion, Cobra, Monarch, Dragon, Light Skin Tones and Dark Skin Tones). I like how the Black Widow has the color of pigment on the end of the barrel, and that would be a nice feature on the other sets for consistency.
The pencils are arranged in black, flimsy sturdy trays that were challenging when lifted from the container. The pencils come pre-sharpened with a sharp point. Every aspect of the pencil quality, from lead to printing, appeared sharp without a flaw. There were no broken tips or dust. You will need to purchase other sets to get a good range of colors. The pencil’s body is black and very professional looking, but it also makes it challenging to identify the colors as the core hue moves from light to darker colors.
If you are going to have more than one set, I would differently consider transferring the pencils from the tins to a pencil case.
Overall, I was delighted with the presentation and quality of the pencils.
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Black Widow Colored Pencils Review and Summary
In this section, I move beyond the description and facts of the colored pencils. I am going to provide my subjective/personal Review based on my experience, research, and the performance of colored pencils in activities like coloring books, pages and sheets and answer the question; I am focused on answering the questions like “What do think about Black Widow Colored Pencils?”; “Are the Black Widow pencils better than other colored pencils?”; “What are the Black Widow pros and cons?” “What are some tips on making the best purchase decision?”. [Return to TOC]
How the Colored Pencils Performed
Black Widow Colored Pencils are a wax-based, medium-hardness core that feels smooth and creamy when applied. The colors are vibrant, and the endcap that shows the color is not
a perfect match for the core pigment. It will be essential to create a color swatch.
The pencil’s pigment is easy to layer and blend for my needs in adult coloring. When layering, you can get a waxy bloom when you are on the third/fourth layer. The colorless blender from Prismacolor with Black Widow allows for smoothing out light applications of pigments.
The bright and vivid colors cover very well and leave no dust. The pencil has a nice creamy in the hands applying color. There is little, if any, smudging when coloring. If you press too hard, you will experience core dust. Because of the slender shaft, one might expect the core to break, but surprising is strong.
The cores wear down slowly, holding their point well, right down until needing to be sharpened. The pencils sharpen well with minimal breakage, chipping and crumbling. With a sharp tip, it is straightforward to color small areas of coloring books’ line art. Surprisingly you can apply medium to heavy pressure with limited breaking—otherwise, they are break resistant.
My hand is small to medium size. When pressing hard, my fingers don’t hurt. The colors seem to erase from the paper easily. The hexagonal shape is a big plus for keeping the pencil from rolling off the desk/table.
Paper is an essential factor in deciding the coloring experience’s outcome. The grade of paper in coloring books can range from printer’s (copy paper) to artists’ grade paper. Each grade of paper has a surface texture that has unique qualities and responds differently to coloring media (e.g., colored pencils, watercolor, gel pens, markers) and coloring technique/style.
The pencils perform well on different types of coloring book paper found in coloring books and papers used for coloring pages (e.g., smooth and medium textured surfaces with tooth). Overall, I think these pencils do best on paper with some tooth. A paper’s tooth describes the surface feel of paper. Generally, the more tooth a paper has, the rougher it feels.
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Review Summary and Rating
Black Widow Colored Pencils is an excellent choice and easy to recommend for adult coloring books and detail, and they are a good selection for the beginner. The pencils are wax-based, medium-hardness core, which feels smooth and creamy when coloring.
Black Widow Colored Pencils have 7 sets: Black Widow (24), Scorpion (24), Cobra (24), Monarch (48), Dragon (36), Skin Tone Light (12), and Skin Tone Dark (12), totaling 180 colored pencils. It’s difficult to recommend one set of Black Widow over the other.
When you combine the sets, you have an excellent selection of colors to color any themed coloring book (e.g., nature, ocean, mythical and more). The yellows, reds, and oranges are bright and unique. If you are looking for pastel colors, The Black Widow (Monarch) Colored Pencils would be your choice. Because of the black colored barrel, the colors become harder to identify because they do not stand out very well.
The pencils sharpen well. Unlike other pencils, you can use these pencils for far longer before you need to sharpen them. Your pencil point will last longer than other pencils in its price range. The pencil’s pigment is easy to layer and blend for my needs in adult coloring.
To have a good coloring experience, you will need more than one set. I have all seven sets and am pleased with the total of 180 pencils. But if you are limited, I would focus on the first four expansion sets, Black Widow, Scorpion, Cobra, and Monarch, as my first choices for 120 pencils. I wish there were a progression to the sets so that a person could start at set 1, go to set 2 and so forth to build your set in an orderly and orderly manner.
Black Widow does not sell pencils open stock. You can, however, email or message on Facebook Black Widow to purchase replacement pencils.
If you are trying to decide between Black Widow and Prismacolor Premier colored pencils, I will favor Prismacolor. I purchased the Black Window as my second set. But you won’t go wrong with Black Widow, either.
User Experience (Pros & Cons) Considerations
- Recommend for adult coloring (+)
- Pencils are a good choice for beginners (+)
- Budget-friendly colored pencils (+)
- Best for student/hobbyist (+)
- Wax-based, medium-hardness core (+)
- A broad range of bright and vivid/vibrant colors (+)
- Smooth and creamy when applying (+)
- Hexagonal barrel: Easy to hold, will not roll (+)
- Recommend for coloring books and coloring pages (+)
- Good layering and blending for coloring books (+)
- Sharpens fast with minimal breakage and can sharpen to a point (+)
- Colored pencil points are break/crack-resistant even with medium to hard pressure (+)
- Ergonomic design and sharp-looking design (+)
- Works well with different quality coloring books (+)
- The packaging design is unique, and the pencils are sharp/stylish looking (+)
- Enjoyable adult coloring experience (+)
- Available/Not available in open-stock (+/-)
- Names of colored pencil cores are wacky, fun and distinct (+/-)
- Color endcaps do not precisely match the core pigment (-)
- Seven different sets; must purchase several to begin coloring (-)
- Color identification takes a little longer because of the black barrel (-)
Tips for Purchasing
Usually, before purchasing, it is advisable to get a feel of the pencils by either purchasing a small set or individual pencils when you can buy open-stock or if you know someone who has the pencils can try theirs. In the case of Black Widow, The best way to learn about the performance is to read reviews like this, view YouTube reviews, and read Amazon reviews.
Black Widow Colored Pencils are considered a Mid-range/average (.51 cents to $1.00 dollar). Black Widow Colored Pencils have 7 sets: Black Widow (24), Scorpion (24), Cobra (24), Monarch (48), Dragon (36), Skin Tone Light (12), and Skin Tone Dark (12), totaling 180 colored pencils.
I choose to buy all seven sets. But if you are limited, I would focus on the first four expansion sets, Black Widow, Scorpion, Cobra, and Monarch, as my first choices for 120 pencils. The cost of the colored pencils is right on the borderline of low-end/budget (Under .50 cents) and mid-range/average (.51 cents to $1.00 dollar). The following is the standard pricing you can see on Amazon. Pricing is subject to change.
Suggestion. Keep an eye out for bundles. Sometimes, I have seen Black Widow Colored Pencils bundled, for example, Black Widow, Scorpion and Cobra sets.
Usually, I like to get large sets. Unlike professional or advanced artists, who know how to blend a few colors to make hundreds of new colors, I choose my color from the colored pencils I have purchased. I have learned that purchasing the most extensive set you can afford is best. Why? You have the range of colors to color any themed coloring book; if one color wears out, you will/may have other colors in the set you can use and more. How big a set should you buy? I suggest buying what your budget can afford. [Return to TOC]
Other Related Resources
The following are a few more resources to support your Review of Black Widow Colored Pencils.
Free Black Widow Color Swatch Downloads
To give back to the adult coloring community, I have developed color pencil swatches for all the colored pencil sets I own and have reviewed. Note below two listings for each swatch, “Blank” and “Filled-in.” These terms mean. “Blank” is a swatch version you can download and fill in yourself, and “Filled-in” refers to a version of the swatch I filled in when I reviewed the pencils. You can also use these as a reference to see what the colors will look like before purchasing. Also, see the article Also, see the article, “Free Color Pencil Swatch Charts for Adult Coloring [Detailed].”
- Black Widow 180 Color Pencils Swatch-Blank
- Black Widow 180 Color Pencils Swatch-Filled In
- Black Widow Colored Pencil Sets Swatch-Blank
- Black Widow Colored Pencil Sets Swatch-Filled In
Suggested Black Widow Colored Pencils YouTube Reviews
I encourage you to seek other written evaluations, YouTube discussions, and Amazon-like reviews. I want to suggest the following a few YouTube reviews/opinions.
- Art Gear Guide
- Color with Claire
- Coloring Bliss
- Coloring Queen
- Emily Illustrator
- Pamela’s Passion for Pencils
If you want to find other reviews, do a Google search query on “black widow colored OR coloured pencils review.”
Thank you for taking a moment to view and read the article. Feel free to provide your comments.
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