I started using my proffesional coloured pencils rather than the standard ones you get at Smiths. I'm not sure whether they are particulary different, but I thought they felt softer to use compared to the other ones. The colour difference isn't greatly noticable, although these have brighter vibrancy and you dont get that waxy texture as easily as you dont have to press so hard to get the darker colour your after. I am really enjoying using coloured pencils more as the project goes on.