Crayola Colors of the World Review: Skin Tone Art Tested

Crayola's Skin Tone Revolution: Beyond Basic Beige

Every artist knows the struggle: digging through limited "flesh" crayons or markers while sketching diverse characters. When Crayola launched its Colors of the World line—developed with cosmetic chemist Victor Casale and skin tone experts—it promised 24 scientifically crafted shades across three undertones (rose, almond, gold). After testing all three sets (crayons, markers, pencils), I discovered surprising strengths and honest limitations. This isn’t just kid stuff—it’s a potential game-changer for inclusive art, but only if you use these mediums regularly.

How Crayola Transformed Skin Tone Art Supplies

Crayola’s older "Multicultural" line repackaged existing colors like "Peach" or "Mahogany." The new collection uses 24 unique pigments formulated to mirror human skin diversity. Each undertone family includes shades labeled "extra light" to "deepest," though gaps exist: gold misses extra light/very deep/deepest; rose lacks extra light/medium/deepest. After analyzing the video, I noted this structured approach creates unprecedented value ranges—imagine having 10 nuanced almond tones in one crayon box! Industry authority comes from Casale’s background at MAC Cosmetics, ensuring pigments reflect real-world complexity.

Testing the Trio: Swatches and Strengths

Crayons: Nostalgia Meets Nuance

Opening the crayons unleashed that iconic waxy scent, but the real magic emerged during swatching. Organizing by undertone revealed:

7 rose shades (missing extra light/medium/deepest)
10 almond shades (full spectrum from extra light to deepest)
7 golden shades (missing extra light/very deep/deepest)
The almond range stood out—having 10 distinct values in one set is revolutionary. Layering them for portraits proved tricky, though. Wax buildup created texture issues, making details like freckles difficult.

Markers: Vibrant Pigments, Water-Based Limits

Water-based markers featured white barrels with beige branding (no gradient wrap like crayons). Swatching confirmed identical colors to the crayons. Pros:

Rich, blendable pigments ideal for flat areas
Colors like "Deep Golden" matched natural hair perfectly
Cons surfaced quickly:
Patchiness when layered
Paper pilling if overworked
No alcohol-based version (a missed opportunity)
Pro tip: Use markers as a base, then add pencil details to hide streaks.

Colored Pencils: Best for Mixed-Media Artists

Pencils offered the most flexibility. Their gold foil labels frustrated quick identification, but swatching showed smooth gradients. Key findings:

Layer beautifully over markers to conceal patchiness
Allow precise details (freckles, hair texture)
Undertone mixing (e.g., rose blush over almond skin) created depth
They’re ideal for enhancing cheaper markers, but standalone use feels limited without other supplies.

Real Portraits: Putting Colors to Work

I tested each medium through self-portraits:

Crayons struggled with precision but excelled in broad color blocks.
Markers delivered vibrant coverage yet required speed to avoid streaks.
Pencils shined in refining details post-marker.
Critical insight: Success depended on adapting style to the medium—not forcing techniques. For example:

Use markers for large skin areas + pencils for texture
Combine almond base with rose/gold accents
Avoid crayons for fine features

Why This Matters Beyond Crayola

These sets solve a real problem: accessible, affordable skin tone variety. Having 24 curated shades eliminates hunting through generic sets. But limitations exist:

No alcohol markers (Crayola’s line caps at 12 colors)
Undertone gaps in gold/rose ranges
Medium-specific constraints (e.g., crayon wax buildup)
After analyzing the video and testing, I believe other brands should adopt this value-variance philosophy. Imagine 10 nuanced blues or greens in one set!

Should You Buy Them?

Grab these if:

✅ You regularly use crayons/water-based markers
✅ Need diverse skin tones quickly
✅ Are a beginner exploring portraiture

Skip these if:

❌ You exclusively use professional alcohol markers
❌ Dislike Crayola’s pencil/crayon texture
❌ Expect standalone perfection

Ultimate verdict: These sets deliver unmatched convenience for their price and medium. While not pro-grade, they democratize skin tone diversity in art.

Actionable Takeaways

Identify your undertone: Test against rose/almond/gold swatches first.
Layer strategically: Markers first, then pencils for details.
Embrace mixing: Combine undertones for realistic shadows/blush.
Pressure-test paper: Avoid thin sheets with water-based markers.

Recommended Resources

Ohuhu Alcohol Markers: Budget-friendly skin tone add-ons ($25/set)
Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils: Higher-end blending for serious artists
Skin Tone Mixing Guide by Amazon bestseller Terese Nielsen

The biggest surprise? Finding my exact hair color in a marker—something even pricier sets failed to offer. Have you tried these? Share which undertone matched you best below!