Stylish Studio Pencils are a popular choice with designers and illustrators, as well as professional and leisure artists who require great control for precise detail work. Derwent Studio Pencils sharpen to a fine, long-lasting point designed not to crumble during use. The colors blend well and can be superimposed to produce an infinite variety of colors, while the semi-matte finish facilitates blending even on smooth paper. Produced from high quality California incense cedar, Derwent Studio Pencils have a hexagonal glossy royal purple barrel with a 3.5mm color strip. The thinner color strip means that Studio Pencils feel harder than Artists Pencils. The hexagonal shape makes the pencil especially comfortable and easy to grip for tightly controlled detail. This shape also helps to prevent the pencil from rolling off of a slanted work surface. The pencils are pre-sharpened for immediate use and convenience. Derwent Studio Pencils are considered non-toxic. Each color available in a box of 12 pencils.