Colored pencil alternatives.

[Flaxmoore]

Every so often, profs use diagrams for their notes, and color-coding the diagram helps keep things straight. However, colored pencils (at least what I've used) dull quickly and never really get sharp.

Anyone know a good alternative? Something easy to use, easy to color structures, and fairly inexpensive?

Thanks. 🙂

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[lilnoelle]

Sam's Club sells 100 (multicolored) gel pens for $19.99.

 

[Flaxmoore]

How good are they for coving large areas? Say, filling in structures?

 

[lilnoelle]

How good are they for coving large areas? Say, filling in structures?

Probably not the best. I've bought a set recently, but haven't tried them yet.

Maybe use a combination of thin markers and thicker markers?
They seem like they might dry out before long though.

 

[EBI831]

try color highlighters...at least they worked for me in undergrad to separate parts of structures.

 

[Blade28]

Agree with the highlighter suggestion.

 

[Flaxmoore]

I'll have to see what highlighters I can find. If I can hit the right color combos, then it might work out- assuming I can find 8-12 colors' worth.

 

[samenewme]

I'll have to see what highlighters I can find. If I can hit the right color combos, then it might work out- assuming I can find 8-12 colors' worth.

There are multi-packs of highlighters available.

I cannot think of instances in my M-1 year when I had to color in large areas, but I did sometimes trace smaller structures, or follow chains of events in pathways. For this, something finer point like the Staedtler 11- or 20-pack pens, would be just fine.

 

[vgirl712]

I have the Crayola Twistables colored pencils. They aren't super-sharp but they are still good for coloring in areas and making lines. Probably a 2-3mm tip I would guess. But... you don't have to sharpen and they last a long time! About $3-4.

 

[avery2007]

i love wax pencils. they are cheap and don't bleed through the page. the color selection is not amazing, however. they are also dark enough to write a note in the margin- and light enough to highlight.

 

[TRAMD]

I am colorblind and just drew different types of symbols/patterns with my pen instead of using colored pencils

 

[CindyLou]

definately get yourself a multipack of highlighters. i think i have a few of the 10 different colored packs and they are definately worth it.

 

[Ashers]

I used color pencils first year and had no problem. My pack came with a pencil sharpener too.

M2 year I used all the colors of G2 gel pens I could find (8 I think) + high lighters.

 

[Postbacprmed]

Go to an art supply store like Utretch or Pearls. They will obviously have a large collection of colors, and you can find pencils that are made for sketching which generally don't dull as easily as standard colored pencils.

 

[lilnoelle]

Go to an art supply store like Utretch or Pearls. They will obviously have a large collection of colors, and you can find pencils that are made for sketching which generally don't dull as easily as standard colored pencils.

But they are expensive! Its been a while since I've bought a set, I think the last set I bought was 50 colored pencils for $50. (that may be way off, but I know every time I shop for art supplies I'm surprised at how much they cost)

 

[jbrice1639]

I'll have to see what highlighters I can find. If I can hit the right color combos, then it might work out- assuming I can find 8-12 colors' worth.

the sharpie liquid ink ones are really good. they come in 8 and 10 packs

http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Product/Sharpie_Accent_Highlighter_Liquid_Pen_Style.html

 

[medicomel]

i liked this pen: http://www.buyonlinenow.com/viewproduct.asp?sku=BICMM11