So many things are happening in 2023 for Grizaye, and it all starts with starting over. Let me give you the inside scoop!
SOME BACKGROUND
We put out our first Grizaye Kit in 2020. The Rose Collection consisted of 3 roses on Legion paper and the reference photos. We didn’t know what to expect when it launched but quickly realized we were on to something but changes needed to be made. The first round of feedback indicated that they didn’t know what to do and desired some instructions.
I don’t know why I didn’t see this necessary addition, but I quickly included a list of recommended colors and specific suggested colored pencils from Prismacolor Premier and Faber-Castell Polychromos – two of the most popular brands in both wax- and oil-based pencils.
THE PROBLEMS
We started making more kits on various subjects and included some classes to add on, but we heard that you wanted the recommended pencils to be included. We started buying some Prismacolors and allowing buyers to add them on, but the sets would sell out very quickly. We just couldn’t keep them in stock, and it only took just one pencil that was not available from any store for us to be unable to provide the optional add-on.
This wasn’t too big of a deal at first since we were only selling to established colored pencil artists who, for the most part, had pencils they could use for the kits. Still, we hit a wall when it came to marketing to a broader range of buyers who needed the pencils. This also limited our store reach and hopes of getting into the retail space. The question of whether to include the pencils or not was firmly answered.
THE FIX
To start, we met with Prismacolor to see if we could get the prices down and reserve the colors we needed. Although they were interested, we were unable to come to an agreement and realized that the best solution was to create our own colored pencils to keep the prices down and supplies up.
As you can imagine, this was not an easy task, but I knew it would be a challenge to meet the quality we needed for a creamy laydown and complete coverage, all in a family of colors that was balanced. At the end of 2022, we had a colored pencil that was unique and performed beautifully. The perfect blend of wax and oil – something I hadn’t felt before, one I knew our artists would be as excited about as we were!
STARTING OVER
The downside is that we have to start over with each kit and create a new website. All of which takes time and money but is well worth it to produce the best products we can. Our first new drawing kit is The Charming Colt, now recreated to include our first run of 12 colored pencils. So far, it is doing fantastic and was launched as our first Kickstarter, meeting our monthly goal in just a few short days!
WHAT’S NEXT
Your support has driven us to create a complete set of 72 colored pencils and two new kits, all coming out in early 2023. We are also working to bring back some favorites and the most amazing blender pencils I have ever used! My daughter Karissa is putting together some great classes so you can draw along with her and get the best results you can.
I can’t wait to share all this with you, and I know this will provide hours and hours of learning and fun.
Thank you so much for buying our kits and giving us feedback. It has been a whirlwind of excitement to see how we can help build up the medium we love so much! Be sure to sign up for our new newsletter on our home page and get 10% off your first order.
Be the best in all you do,
Sally
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