Do you need expensive pencils to achieve good coloring results?

Do you notice any difference between the digital stamp coloring of today's card and the look of this fall card from a few weeks back?  If you say, 'Not really', from a purely visual aspect, I'd have to agree with you. I ask because instead of the nice-but-expensive Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils I normally use, I used an inexpensive box I recently picked up at my favorite outlet shop. It's not like I needed any more pencils – I have all 76 Luminance ones – but I was curious as to what result I could achieve using these and as they were only €4.99 for a nice tin box of 24 I didn't risk much.

I was pleasantly surprised by the result! The brand is Fantasia and although a bit more expensive than the €4.99 outlet store price I paid, an internet search shows them available in the States for $10.99 and the UK for £9.48. My Luminance pencils run about CHF 4.00 a piece (about $4.00). Do the math and you see what a great buy these are. I wouldn't say they're perfect. Their blend-ability is adequate, but they're not quite as good as my Luminance ones and I feel like they miss a bit in color intensity, but that could be because I was limited to 24 colors. All in all though, for someone just beginning the hobby and not wanting to spend a lot, they're great!

The cute little bear with his goodie laden wagon is Autumn Stroll from Di's Digi Stamps (on sale for $1.00). The digital papers are freebies from Rita at The Coffee Shop Blog – Mabel and Thanksgiving. It's worth taking a look around Rita's site. She is a very talented photographer/designer who graciously shares all sorts of wonderful freebies. The sentiment was created with Euphoria font. Embellishments are simple pearls in each corner.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, Coffee Shop Blog Mabel & Thanksgiving digital papers
Digital stamp – Autumn Stroll Di's Digi Stamps
Color – Fantasia pencils
Dies – Die-namics rectangle stax, Artemio circles
Embellishments – pearls
Font – Euphoria

I'm linking up with: Di's Digi Challenge 5/10/18 – Include a Pumpkin, Little Red Wagon 17/10 – Digis, The Paper Shelter #358 – Digis, Crafty Creations #376 – ATG, and Creative Moments #154 – ATG.