Hi,
I love the Cretas. I love everything though. Have you tried the chalk ones with water? Fun!
I love charcoal and conte best. My life drawing teacher LOVES Polychromos colored pencils, which was my least favorite. Now I use them a great deal, but only in life classes, not for anything else. I understand why he likes them but I still prefer the messier stuff. I like to smudge.
Donna