A long point is a colored pencil tip which has been sharpened at a narrow angle. This exposes more of the core and creates a finer point than standard shallow sharpening.
Shallow sharpening creates a wider tip which dulls quickly. Dull points reduce your accuracy when coloring edges and fine details. As the tip widens, the pencil can’t reach into the deeper valleys of the paper's tooth, creating the grainy appearance many users are specifically trying to avoid.
Ironically, many colorists recommend shallow point sharpening to avoid tip breakage BUT dull pencils actually encourage you to press harder because they’re so ineffective at delivering color with each stroke. When you see graininess, your natural response is to force the color onto the paper.
It sounds counterintuitive but a long, sharp point can produce smoother, more even color using less pressure because the fine tip reaches deeper into the paper's texture.
Long pointed pencils require careful storage because points can easily break if dropped or knocked around.
BTW: It’s a myth that long point sharpening wastes more pencil. Long points take longer to dull than short points which means short pointer’s actually sharpen more often. Also, when a long point pencil is sharpened, we’re usually just restoring the tip of the point, not shaving off large amounts of wood. If you’re concerned about pencil wastage, look for a pencil sharpener with an automatic stop (like the one linked below). Auto-stops are extremely effective for extending the life of your pencils.
Colored pencil with the standard shallow point sharpening from the factory. Several companies sell hand sharpeners specifically for colored pencils to recreate this shallow point at home.
IMPORTANT: Some specialty art sharpeners are also called “long point” but the points are 2-3 times longer than shown above. These extra-long point sharpeners are intended for sketch artists using graphite and charcoal pencils. The average colored pencil core is too soft for extreme point sharpening. Check the sharpening length in the product description. The ideal long point for a colored pencil is between 1 to .75” of exposed core and wood.