Experience the elegant coloured pencils with their special colours

The first IROJITEN coloured pencil was sold in Japan back in 1988. For a long time, only the eponymous sets were available in Europe, but now the individual colours are also available. The IROJITEN coloured pencils are available in 100 colours, including extraordinary pastel and neon shades. They are wax-based so you can create precise lines and details. The word "IROJITEN" is Japanese and means colour lexicon. The perfect name for a pencil that comes in nine editions in a beautiful book band look. All pens come with a stylish, creamy white lacquer finish and a colour-coordinated end piece.

 

 

Drawn strawberry cupcake motif, surrounded by three coloured Irojite pencils and a pink coloured pencil, next to two strawberries and small flowers.

Contents

Product features in detail:

Red lettering "100 COLORS" on a light background, the number designed with an integrated pen symbol.

Large colour range: 100 colours

Red icon of a marker on a light background, reduced and stylised.

Stylish Design

Three red hexagons arranged next to each other on a light-coloured background.

Wax-based lead with ideal consistency for fine lines and details

Red icon of a stylised sharpener on a light background.

Can be optimally sharpened

Red icon of a pen that draws a curved line in the shape of a heart on a light-coloured background.

Ideal for hobby artists

Applications

Colourful bird on a wooden branch next to a bright red flower with green leaves on a white background.

Illustrationen

Details and soft gradients for your illustrations.

Detailed, colourful mandala with floral elements on white paper, next to coloured pencils and another colourful pattern.

Mandala/ Adult Coloring

Colourful relaxation time with the special colours of the IROJITEN coloured pencils.

Open notebook with lovingly designed habit and mood trackers, decorated with strawberry motifs and accompanied by two coloured pencils on a light background

Bullet Journaling

Unusual colours for your bullet journal that can be perfectly combined with thin paper.  

[Architectural drawing of a modern building, shaded in colour and surrounded by coloured pencils, fineliner and eraser on a white background.

Urban Sketching

Take a break from stressful everyday life. Experience the special lead consistency and the variety of colours of the IROJITEN coloured pencils.

Single pens and sets

Four standing Irojite colour sets in book look, in green, light yellow, lilac and beige, arranged slightly offset one behind the other.

To the sets of 10

Set of three Irojiten colour collections in book look, opened with coloured pencils in assorted colours.

To the sets of 30

Single Irojiten coloured pencil in blue with a cream-coloured barrel on a white background.

To the individual IROJITES

Downloads

If you need an overview of all our IROJITE colours, you can simply print out the colour selector and choose your next colour.

If you want to keep track of your IROJITE colours, you can print out the colour tracker and mark your own colours.

Colour overview of Tombow's Irojiten coloured pencils with colour names and colour samples, sorted by collection on a white sheet against a grey background.

Download Selector

Colour overview of Tombow's Irojiten coloured pencils with colour names and colour samples, sorted by collection on a white sheet against a grey background.

Download Tracker

Über Farbstifte

What exactly is a coloured pencil?

Coloured pencils are often confused with standard coloured pencils. But there are big differences between a coloured pencil and a coloured pencil. Coloured pencils specialise in the needs and requirements of hobby artists - even if this does not mean that they are aimed exclusively at professional artists. They are characterised in particular by quality features such as high colour brilliance and break resistance. Coloured pencils are available in different versions.

What is the difference between wax-based and oil-based coloured pencils?

Coloured pencils with a wax-based lead are softer and therefore have a stronger colour abrasion. Even light pressure is enough to release colour pigments. This is particularly advantageous on dark backgrounds because they are very opaque. Mixing different colours is a particular advantage. Anyone who has enjoyed creating beautiful colour transitions with our ABT Dual Brush Pens or our ABT PRO Markers can now do the same with our IROJITES. They are very suitable for beginners as they are easy to use and rich in colour. The only disadvantage of wax-based colour pencils is the so-called "wax bloom". "Wax bloom is a natural oxidation process in which wax rises to the surface and leaves a pale haze. This often occurs in works of art that have been painted with many layers of dark colour. It can be easily wiped off with a clean, dry cloth. The affected area is coloured again and sealed with a fixative.

Oil-based coloured pencils have a harder lead and therefore only have a slight colour drift. The harder lead also ensures that colours cannot be smudged accidentally. They are only suitable for use on light-coloured surfaces because they are more transparent. Dark backgrounds simply shine through. Compared to wax-based coloured pencils, oil-based pencils are less shiny. Another feature is that you can apply several layers of colour on top of each other without changing the structure of the surface. Oil-based coloured pencils make it more difficult to create smooth colour transitions.

Coloured pencils from the Irojiten series in pastel and bold tones, arranged in a fan shape on a light background.

Why do pens break?

There is nothing worse than working on your artwork and breaking the pencil lead. Unsightly pieces of broken lead are spread across the paper and have to be carefully removed without damaging the artwork. A line that you wanted to draw in one sweep without interruption has to be reapplied and, of course, the pencil has to be sharpened again.

There are many reasons why coloured pencils break. In addition to aspects such as the correct pressure, the material and manufacture are of particular importance.

So that you can work on your artwork without worries, the leads of our IROJITEN are glued in, so they are better protected against shocks and are less prone to breakage.

Worn crayons in different colours stand next to each other on a light background.

Tips & tricks for drawing with coloured pencils

SCORING PAPER

Score fine grooves into the paper with a sharp object. These then remain white after painting. Perfect for fine details, such as leaf veins.

SIGN OFF MINE

Scrape some of your coloured pencil lead onto your paper. Spread the coloured pencil lead in a circular motion with your finger. Works very well for backgrounds and delicate shadows.

 

 

FROTTAGE

Use a textured background for exciting effects on the paper. To do this, place the paper on a surface such as wood, fabric or a stone floor and draw over the paper with your coloured pencil.

Blue-grey hatching on white paper, next to a fine black mesh with honeycomb structure.

DARKENING

Go for either a darker shade or a complementary colour to make your shadows more interesting. Tip: You can achieve more colour-intensive results by applying several layers or building up the pressure.

BRIGHTEN

Coloured pencils cannot be completely erased, but they can be lightened! You can also draw over a darker area with a lighter coloured pencil to create accents.

THE CLASSIC COLOUR WHEEL HELPS YOU TO USE COLOURS CORRECTLY

 

Primary colours: red, blue, yellow
Secondary colours: orange, violet, green
Complementary colours: red and green, blue and orange, yellow and violet
 

[Coloured circle in six segments: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, on a white background.
BLENDING & MIXING

First, apply a layer of colour to your paper. Build up several layers on one side of your colour layer. Now repeat the same process with another colour. When you mix primary colours, you get secondary colours. When mixing complementary colours, the result is a brownish tone, as all three primary colours are mixed here.

Q&A

IROJITEN are wax-based coloured pencils.

"IROJITEN" ist das japanische Wort für "Farblexikon". Das spiegelt sich auch in der Gestaltung der drei Sets wider. Sie sehen aus wie ein Wörterbuch.

IROJITEN are coloured pencils intended for hobby artists aged 14 and over. They are not intended for use by children. The comparatively high price and the high-quality design and packaging clearly appeal to consumers aged 14 and over.

IROJITEN are available in 100 different colours. 90 of these are available in three different sets of 30 colours each. These colours are also available individually. The remaining ten colours are only available individually.

All 100 colours were inspired by nature and named accordingly. There are colours such as "King Fisher", "Shell Pink" and "Dandelion", which are named after attractive animals and plants in nature.

The IROJITES included in the sets are already sharpened. Individual colours for individual sale are unsharpened. When sharpening, we recommend not pressing the coloured pencil too hard against the sharpener or making the tip too sharp so that the core does not break.

IROJITEN are not waterproof.