We put this article together using both personal experience working with these pencils and extensive research.
Please note we do not sell pencils.
We will update this page whenever we find new information that we feel will be of benefit to the reader. If you have any personal information regarding these pencils that you would like to share with our readers, please get in touch with us HERE
For all those ex Karisma pencil lovers, we hope you enjoy the memories!
Please note we do not sell pencils.
We will update this page whenever we find new information that we feel will be of benefit to the reader. If you have any personal information regarding these pencils that you would like to share with our readers, please get in touch with us HERE
For all those ex Karisma pencil lovers, we hope you enjoy the memories!
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THIS ARTICLE TOOK MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND MANY HOURS TO EDIT, SHOULD YOU WISH
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YOU CREDIT US AND ADD A LINK TO THIS PAGE, THANKS!
FEEL FREE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO THE LEFT OF THIS PAGE TO SHARE - CREDIT NOT REQUIRED
THIS ARTICLE TOOK MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND MANY HOURS TO EDIT, SHOULD YOU WISH
TO USE SECTIONS OF INFORMATION ON YOUR OWN WEBSITE OF IMAGES FOUND ON THIS PAGE, ENSURE
YOU CREDIT US AND ADD A LINK TO THIS PAGE, THANKS!
FEEL FREE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO THE LEFT OF THIS PAGE TO SHARE - CREDIT NOT REQUIRED
In 1986, the Empire company based in Tennessee, merged with Berol Ltd (originally known as The Eagle company), to form the Empire/Berol Corp. Empire owned the company for a short period before it was purchased by Sanford. Berol still produced pencils under its own brand name during the Empire years and we believe this to be the period the Karismacolor pencils were first manufactured.
CHARACTERISTICS
No of Colours: 129 |
Base: Wax |
Hard or Soft Lead: SOFT |
Lightfast rating: Blue Wool scale |
Costs: Average £1.75
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These pencils were originally made by Berol in the UK before Sanford acquired the company in 1995 and production was then moved to the USA. These were the European version of the Prismacolor pencils, although the design differed from the Premier pencils, the colours and product code were the same, apart from a few colour names that differed but these were later changed to match.
Karismas were only commercially available in a box set of 108 yet there were 129 colours manufactured during the entire production period. Due to falling sales, the European market became unviable and the pencils were discontinued at the beginning of 2005. The Prismacolor Premier pencils were, and indeed still are, very expensive to ship in from the USA at that time and so it would be, that artists alike would have gone in search of a brand new range. Even after all these years, Karismacolor pencils can still be found on auction sites, although prices can be high. |
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ADVANTAGES
* Buttery consistency great for smooth transitions * Bold pigments * Although the Karismas have been discontinued, the American Prismacolor Premier range match colours and product numbers. |
DISADVANTAGES
* Now Discontinued * Open stock no longer available * Some colours had poor lightfast ratings * Pencils with soft leads are more prone to damage than oil based pencils |
Colour charts
Here is one of the colour charts showing 108 colours (unsure of the date this was in circulation) which also gives lightfast information for these colours too. There are another 21 colours missing from this chart and the lightfast information for those will remain a mystery unless I am able to source it in the future (Drop me a line if you have one!). The Karismacolor pencils used the Blue Wool scale with lightfast ratings graduating from 1 (Poor) through to 8 (Excellent)
The additional 21 colours missing from the colour chart above are as follows:- Metallics: Copper (951), Jade (1046), Purple (1045) & Rose (1043) - Greys: Warm Grey Very Light (964), Light (963), Medium (962) & Dark (961) - Cold Grey Very Light (968), Light (967), Medium (966) & Dark (965) - Individual Colours: Sand (940), Deco Pink (1014), Light Yellow Green(991), Yellow Bice (990), Crimson Lake (925), Marine Green (988), Beige (997), Bright Violet (998) and finally Bright blue Violet (999)
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The 72 set colour chart seen here has colour names, but no numbers. This is because in the early days, there were only 72 colours in the range and the pencils were produced without code numbers, as the Copper pencil shown below. These were produced in the UK only.
The colours on the chart marked with a red dot, are those that were only available for a short period of time. Some of these colours, originally manufactured in earlier Prismacolor lines, appeared fleetingly in pencil sets or were replaced with a completely new palette which is what happened to the grey tones. New colours were introduced in both the Prisma and Karisma ranges, but these were quickly discontinued and are now extremely rare. These colours were Marine Green (988), Yellow Bice (990), Light Yellow Green (991) Beige (997), Bright Violet (998) and Bright Blue Violet (999).
Of the 129 colours, some were only ever made in the USA and some only made in England. The largest set available was 108, there was never a full set commercially sold with all 129 colours, although we were able to source an image, provided by a collector of these pencils, which you can view in the picture gallery below. These were stored in a Derwent pencil box. Different pencil sets contained different colours and the range of each was not constant, with variations in both the American and European sets over a period of time. Some of the rarest colours featured in very few sets and only for short periods. Over the years, three or four different 108 mixes were noted and at least the same in the 72 piece sets, but all 129 colours did at one time or another, exist in sets, albeit some colours appeared in hardly any sets at all, due to the short lifespan of the rarer colours. The colour mix in the smaller sets was more consistent, but not absolutely so.
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As a personal observation, comparing the lightfast ratings of the Karismacolor pencils next to those of the Prismacolor Premier, we note that the lightfast quality ratings of the Premier pencil range have not really changed much over the years. Some have improved and others have worsened. As the Blue Wool Scale was initially used to grade the lightfastness of the Karisma pencils back in the day, we suspect the Prismacolor pencils were graded the same way. Today the Premier pencils are rated using the ASTM-6901, which is a more rigorous way of testing the lightfastness of each pigment. It is rather surprising that, having changed the way they rate them, they do not appear to have improved some of the lower grades. Knowing how popular the Prismacolor Premier pencils are with many coloured pencil artists, to be able to compete against the latest brands such as Caran Dache Luminance & Derwent Lightfast, the natural progression would be to improve the lightfast qualities in their pencils too. Of course it may be an intentional decision by Prismacolor to ignore these issues, thereby allowing them to keep their costs down and their prices more affordable to the artist.
Sets that were available
The Karismacolor pencils were packaged in a beige coloured box and available in sets of 12, 24, 36, 72 and 108. There was also a mixed set of 36 . This set contained 24 mixed colour pencils & 12 watercolour pencils which were marketed as “Aquarelles”. Karismas disappeared in 2005, at a time when only 120 Prismacolors were being marketed. All the images below have been found on the internet or taken from old promotional leaflets. Please note that we do not personally sell Karisma pencils.
The grey palettes
The greys supplied in the 72 set fell into two ranges : Warm Greys & Cold Greys – and in each range there were four grades – Dark , Medium , Light & Very Light . In later sets , French Greys were added – and the number of grades increased from 4 to 6 . A further change was that Dark , Medium , Light & Very Light grades were replaced by percentages , thus : 10% 20% 30% 50% 70% & 90%. Lastly , the “Cold” range became a “Cool” range. The code numbers of these latter greys are different to the former and the pigments were different too as can be seen below.
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Although there is only a slight difference between the warm grey tones, the earlier shades could easily be placed between the tones of the latter (%) greys ie:
1050 Warm Grey 10% - 964 Warm grey 15% - 1051 Warm grey 20% - 1052 Warm grey 30% - 963 Warm grey 40% - 1054 warm grey 50% - 962 Warm grey 60% - 1056 warm grey 70% - 1058 warm grey 90% - 961 Warm grey (100%) being the very darkest, almost black.
The cold greys were a warmer tinge than the later (%) cool greys which have a blue undertone. Click on any of the images above to compare them yourself.
1050 Warm Grey 10% - 964 Warm grey 15% - 1051 Warm grey 20% - 1052 Warm grey 30% - 963 Warm grey 40% - 1054 warm grey 50% - 962 Warm grey 60% - 1056 warm grey 70% - 1058 warm grey 90% - 961 Warm grey (100%) being the very darkest, almost black.
The cold greys were a warmer tinge than the later (%) cool greys which have a blue undertone. Click on any of the images above to compare them yourself.
The 129 colours that were available in the Karismacolor pencils
You can find every Karisma pencil colour ever made below.
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The numbering system and colour description used in both the Karisma & Prisma Premier pencil brands were almost identical but there were variations as shown below:
Source: Bearded Bob on Wet Canvas
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The Karismacolor pencils
picture gallery
As there is no official website for the Berol Karismacolor pencils, we will continue to update this gallery whenever we find any additional information that may be of use. Some images may have links attached to websites that offers additional information for all those Karismacolor fans.
Other related articles that may be of interest
Coloured pencils Checklist
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Pencil storage chest
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Prismacolor Premier pencils
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Blenders & Burnishers
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Which other pencil brands are comparable in today's market?
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The Prismacolor Premier range are the American version of these pencils although the range now has 150 colours. Almost all the colours found in the Karisma range are still available in the Premier range, (with a few exceptions) so the Premier range is the natural replacement if you are able to get hold of them. Find out more about these pencils by clicking the link below.
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The Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils have a very similar feel to the Karismas , both have soft leads and the application is very buttery, meaning they layer extremely well. The colour ranges are very different but the lightfast qualities are superior to many of the Karisma colours - each pencil would probably be rated as a 7 or 8 in comparison, so it is definitely a recommended alternative. Find out more about these pencils by clicking the link below.
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The Derwent Lightfast Coloured pencil range, which is their very first oil based, lightfast pencil is another great replacement for the Karisma user. The Derwent lightfast pencils are a little drier than the Karismas but the pigments in the Derwents are somewhat bolder than some of the Karisma ones. Derwent have 100 colours in their range and are available in many art stores in the UK and internationally.
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The Van Gogh Coloured pencil range by Royal Talens would be another great replacement for those who loved the Karisma pencils. Their buttery application is almost the same as the Karisma - just a tiny bit drier, and the pigments are just as strong. This range only has 60 colours but their lightfast ratings are far superior to some of the colours in the Karisma range. Although these pencils are difficult to find, you can find sets on Amazon and there is also an online store in the UK who sells open stock and ships both locally and internationally. Click the link below to find out more about these pencils with a direct link to the UK stockist.
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THE FULL KARISMA COLLECTION
The Karismacolor pencil wasn't the only product in the range manufactured by the Berol/Sanford company. There were other products too. These ranged from watercolour (Aquarelle) pencils to acrylic paints. Below are images of these products gathered from old promotional leaflets.
Karisma Aquarelle Watercolour pencils
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Karisma Aquarelle & Blacklead Graphite pencils
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Karisma Pastels
These were available in sets of 12, 24 & 36
The two pastels seen below in the promotional material dated January 1999, have the code numbers 257-P & 336-P and can still be found today in the Prismacolor pastel range which are marketed as the NuPastels. These are now available in 96 colours.
The two pastels seen below in the promotional material dated January 1999, have the code numbers 257-P & 336-P and can still be found today in the Prismacolor pastel range which are marketed as the NuPastels. These are now available in 96 colours.
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Read our Nupastels article
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Karisma Max Acrylic Paints
These acrylic paints were not continued in the Prismacolor line as there is no sign of them anywhere on the web or on their website so all the information I have on these are found here. I have never seen them before and had no idea they made acrylic paints as part of the Karisma line, but maybe there is someone out there who has used them and can shed some light? Do please drop me a line if so!
A very 90's design!
A very 90's design!
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If you are looking to purchase Karismacolor pencils, there is almost always pencils found for sale on the online auction site 'eBay', in both single stock and collections. If you have never used eBay before, you can find a link below which will direct you to your country's ebay site if you are outside the UK.
Please Note: If you do not have an account you will have to sign up before you are able to purchase anything.
Please Note: If you do not have an account you will have to sign up before you are able to purchase anything.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
THIS ARTICLE TOOK MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND MANY HOURS TO EDIT, SHOULD YOU WISH
TO USE SECTIONS OF INFORMATION ON YOUR OWN WEBSITE OF IMAGES FOUND ON THIS PAGE, ENSURE
YOU CREDIT US AND ADD A LINK TO THIS PAGE, THANKS!
FEEL FREE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO THE LEFT OF THIS PAGE TO SHARE - CREDIT NOT REQUIRED
THIS ARTICLE TOOK MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND MANY HOURS TO EDIT, SHOULD YOU WISH
TO USE SECTIONS OF INFORMATION ON YOUR OWN WEBSITE OF IMAGES FOUND ON THIS PAGE, ENSURE
YOU CREDIT US AND ADD A LINK TO THIS PAGE, THANKS!
FEEL FREE TO USE THE BUTTONS TO THE LEFT OF THIS PAGE TO SHARE - CREDIT NOT REQUIRED
Written: July 2019
Updated: October 2019 - Grey colour charts
Updated: November 2019 - Additional images added
Updated: October 2019 - Grey colour charts
Updated: November 2019 - Additional images added
