Exploring the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-Plus Pencils

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils are a specialised set of oil-based coloured pencils designed for artists, designers, and enthusiasts seeking high-quality tools for detailed and expressive work. Manufactured by Lyra, a German company with a rich history dating back to 1806, the Profi-Plus grey tones pencils are part of the broader Rembrandt Polycolor range, known for their vibrant pigmentation, smooth application, and versatility. The grey tones set, specifically a tin of 12 tones, is tailored for monochrome work, shadow underpainting, and detailed graphic art. In this article, we’ll dive into the features, performance, pros and cons, and ideal use cases of these pencils, drawing from various artist reviews and product specifications.

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-plus set, also marketed as 'grey tones', is a compact collection of 12 coloured pencils focusing on shades of grey, including shades of white, black, and both warm and cool greys. These pencils are oil-based, distinguishing them from wax-based alternatives like Prismacolor Premier, and are designed to offer excellent blending, layering, and lightfastness.

​Notably, six of the colours in this set are unique and not included in the standard 72-colour Polycolor range: Light Grey Warm (195), Silver Grey Warm (196), Medium Grey Warm (197), Dark Grey Warm (198), Black Soft (199), and Black Hard (299).

They come housed in a sturdy, hinged metal tin, a hallmark of premium coloured pencil brands, which ensures portability and protection. The set is marketed as an ideal supplement to the broader Polycolor range, particularly for artists who specialise in monochromatic illustrations or need nuanced greys for underpainting in coloured works.
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​Set Contents: The tin contains the following 12 pencils:

• 1 White (001)
  
• 1 Black (099)
  
• 1 Black Hard (299)
  
• 1 Black Soft (199)

• 1 Light Grey (195)
• 1 Silver Grey (096)
• 1 Medium Grey (097)
• 1 Dark Grey (098)

• 1 Light Grey Warm (195)
  
• 1 Silver Grey Warm (196)
  
• 1 Medium Grey Warm (197)
  
• 1 Dark Grey Warm (198)

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• "Profi" is a common German term for "professional," often used in product branding to denote high-quality, professional-grade tools (e.g., Bosch’s "Profi" tool line).
• "Plus" implies an upgraded or specialised version, suggesting the set is a premium subset of the Polycolor range, tailored for specific applications like monochrome work.
• The name "Profi-Plus" is consistent with Lyra’s branding for other products, such as the Lyra Graduate Profi-Plus watercolor pencils, indicating a broader use of the term within their professional-grade lines.

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Key Features

• Oil-Based Core: The 4mm oil-based lead provides a smooth, creamy application without the wax bloom common in wax-based pencils.​
• Lightfastness: Lyra claims high lightfastness, though independent tests by the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) indicate mixed results, with some colours rating lower than others.
• Break-Resistant: The pencils are made with high-quality cedarwood casings, ensuring durability and resistance to breakage during sharpening.
• Versatility: Suitable for use on various surfaces, including paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, and textiles, making them ideal for mixed-media projects.
• Packaging: Presented in a metal tin with a cardboard sleeve featuring a colour chart, though some users note the lack of product information on the tin itself as a minor drawback.

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Performance and Application

Application & Texture

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor grey tones pencils are praised for their smooth laydown and ability to blend effortlessly, particularly when used with the Lyra Splender blender or odourless mineral spirits (OMS). The oil-based core strikes a balance between firmness and softness, being slightly softer than Faber-Castell Polychromos but harder than Prismacolor Premier. This makes them suitable for both detailed work and broader coverage, though some may note they require more pressure to achieve full opacity compared to softer pencils.
The grey tones set are particularly effective for creating subtle gradients and shadow effects. On black paper, the white pencil performs adequately but isn’t as opaque as competitors like Derwent Lightfast, requiring multiple layers for strong highlights. The black pencils, especially the hard black, are excellent for fine details, while the soft and regular blacks blend well for deeper shading.

Blending & Layering

Blending is a standout feature of these pencils. The oil-based core allows for seamless colour transitions, whether using a blender pencil, OMS (mineral spirits), or the pencils themselves. Some note that the pencils can be applied loosely without leaving visible pencil lines, which blend out smoothly for soft, blurry backgrounds or gradients. However, layering is where some users find limitations. Compared to Polychromos or Caran d’Ache Luminance, the Polycolor pencils fill paper more quickly, limiting the number of layers that can be applied before the surface becomes saturated. This can be a drawback for artists who rely on extensive layering to build depth.

Lightfastness

Lightfastness is a critical factor for professional artists, and the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils have a mixed reputation in this regard. Lyra’s own ratings (marked as *, **, or *** for satisfying, good, or extremely good) suggest high lightfastness, but independent tests by the CPSA reveal that less than 50% of the broader Polycolor range (72 colours tested) scored above 5.4 on an 8-point scale, with 11 of 24 colours in one set rated as inferior. For the Grey Tones set, each colour is marked as *** meaning these colours are all highly lightfast.

The lightfastness ratings and colour names of the Polycolor grey tones set of 12, as indicated on the inside of the tin lid.

Colour Accuracy & Range

The Profi-Plus set focuses exclusively on grey tones, offering a balanced selection of warm and cool greys alongside white and black. This makes it an excellent choice for monochromatic studies, portrait shading, or underdrawings. However, some artists have criticised the broader Polycolor range for inaccurate colour labeling on the pencil barrels, where the end cap colour doesn’t always match the core. For the Profi-Plus set, swatching is recommended to ensure accurate colour selection, as the grey tones can vary subtly in warmth or coolness.

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Pros and Cons

Pros

• Smooth Blending: The oil-based core excels at creating seamless blends, ideal for gradients and soft effects.
• Durability: Break-resistant cores and sturdy cedarwood casings ensure longevity, even with frequent sharpening.
• Affordability: Priced lower than premium competitors like Caran d’Ache or Faber-Castell, the Profi-Plus set (around £25 GBP for 12) offers good value for professional-grade pencils.​
• Versatile Application: Suitable for multiple surfaces, expanding their use beyond traditional paper-based art.

Cons

• Limited Layering: The pencils fill paper quickly, limiting the number of layers compared to Polychromos or Luminance.
• Mixed Lightfastness: Some colours in the broader Polycolor range have lower lightfast ratings, (although the colours in the grey tones set are all 3 stars), requiring caution for archival work. 
• Colour Labeling Issues: Inaccurate color caps can slow down workflow, necessitating swatching.
• Opacity Challenges: The white pencil is less opaque than competitors, requiring additional layers or alternative tools (e.g., Brush and Pencil Titanium White) for bright highlights.
• Small Set Size: With only 12 pencils, the set is limited for complex projects unless supplemented with other Polycolor sets or brands.

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Comparing oil-based coloured pencil brands

Vs. Faber-Castell Polychromos
The Polycolor Profi-Plus pencils share similarities with Faber-Castell Polychromos, both being oil-based and German-made. However, Polychromos are slightly harder, allowing for more layers and finer details, while Polycolors are softer and fill paper faster. Polychromos also have a broader colour range (120 vs. 78) and generally better lightfast ratings. The Polychromos range has 13 grey tones, plus a standard white and black.

Vs. Prismacolor Premier
Unlike the wax-based Prismacolor Premier, the Polycolor’s oil-based core avoids wax bloom and feels firmer. Prismacolors are softer and more vibrant but prone to breakage and less lightfast in some colours. The Polycolor Profi-Plus set is more specialised, focusing on greys. In contrast, Prismacolor Premier offers a broader tonal spectrum, with 19 grey shades, plus a standard white and black.
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Vs. Derwent Lightfast
Derwent Lightfast pencils, also oil-based, outperform Polycolors in opacity. They also offer superior lightfast ratings, ensuring excellent longevity for archival artwork. However, their grey selection is limited, consisting of six light grey shades, one medium grey, one metallic grey, and three black tones (including warm and cool variants), which restricts their versatility for monochrome or shadow-focused projects. Additionally, Derwent Lightfast pencils come at a higher cost, while the Polycolor Profi-Plus set offers a more budget-friendly option for grey-focused work.

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Conclusion

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-Plus Pencils are a niche but valuable addition to an artist’s toolkit, particularly for those specialising in monochrome or shadow work. Their smooth blending, durable construction, and affordability make them a compelling choice for both professional and beginner artists. However, limitations in layering, mixed lightfastness, and less opaque whites mean they may not fully replace top-tier brands like Faber-Castell or Derwent for all applications. Many other brands offer a better selection of greys, but this is a great option as an added addition to the 72-colour set. For artists seeking a specialised set of grey tones at a reasonable price, the Profi-Plus set delivers solid performance with a few caveats. Whether you’re sketching detailed portraits or laying down underpainting for vibrant coloured pencil pieces, these pencils offer versatility and quality that punch above their price point.

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Try our Coloured pencil Tutorial

Why not try our coloured pencil tutorial and create a striking 3D glass jar using just five grey colours from the Lyra Polycolor Profi-Plus set (or any grey pencils you have)

​This quick, beginner-friendly tutorial is perfect for honing your shading skills.
​Click the image to visit the tutorial.

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​WE CANNOT CONFIRM IF THIS PRODUCT IS FREE OF ANIMAL DERIVATIVES
The absence of explicit vegan certification or a cruelty-free statement from Lyra suggests they cannot guarantee that their raw materials or supply chain are 100% free of animal derivatives or testing, which is a common issue with art supplies due to complex supply chains.

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Do you own this set of Lyra Polycolor Profi-Plus pencils?
​We’d love to hear your take!
How do you find this set or the broader Polycolor range?
Are they your preferred choice, or do you swear by another brand?

Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below.