Suzy - I have both pencils and the Lyra Wax crayons and yes I think the colour of the wax crayons is more intense than that of the pencil, although can also be as pale as you want it to be. I use a koi brush and take the colour from the tip of the wax crayon, I also scribble onto acetate and spritz with water and use an old koi brush with an empty water barrel. The acetate method is good for mixing your own colours. Once purchased they will last for years - I have been using mine regularly for over 12 months now and have only dented the tip of the wax.