Using Watercolor Pencils
Tuesday February 5, 2008
Watercolor pencils can be used for sketching and painting in a variety of ways. Get started exploring this versatile medium, with this watercolor pencil lesson comparing lightly sketched color to densely burnished layers. While you're thinking about watercolor pencil, here's a top tip:
To make a super-portable palette to tuck into your sketchbook, draw a row of small squares of your favorite colors on a scrap of watercolor paper, layering heavily so you get plenty of pigment laid down. Use just like a palette of regular watercolors, to add color washes to a small sketch.
To make a super-portable palette to tuck into your sketchbook, draw a row of small squares of your favorite colors on a scrap of watercolor paper, layering heavily so you get plenty of pigment laid down. Use just like a palette of regular watercolors, to add color washes to a small sketch.
- More on Colored and Watercolor Pencil:
- Faber-Castell Watercolor Pencil Review
- Bet Borgeson - an interview with the artist and author.
- Colored Pencil Drawing Tips
- Colored Pencil Basics - basic strokes and layering.
- Watercolor Pencil Class from our Painting guide.
Comments
Hi Helen,
I’d like using watercolor pencils but nevertheless I had bought a good quality of Faber Castell the results are not satisfying because the final color (after diluition with water)are not the same of the dryed draw.
For this reason I never used this tecnique.
What do you suggest me?
Bye
Giuseppe (Italy)
Hi Giuseppe,
that’s a tricky one. Have you tried layering on the coloured pencil quite thickly? But you are right, it does look different, (a bit like using gouache paint, which dries a different shade).
Perhaps you could experiment, making small areas of colour. Try doing one wash with water (not too much, just enough to blend it), then when dry again, doing another layer of pencil.
I like to use them for detailed areas and certain effects. Not so good for very large areas.
Can you post an example in the forum?
Hi,
at the moment I’haven’t any example because at the end of my attempts I broke the paper immediately….
As soon as I try again I’ll send you an example so you can see directly.
Giuseppe
I forgot:cover with a thicly layer of colour could be the right way but the difference is in the greens that appears different from the original.
Giuseppe
Damn! learn how to draw! then give lessons! you must be the worst teacher ever! I was drawing like that when I was 5! now i’m 17 and compare to you i must be the pro!
George-ink, it’s a demonstration of simple technique, showing how the application of water changes the look of the pencils - it isn’t meant to be a full finished piece.
You’ll find many of my other tutorials have more complete drawings. Some are simple, for children, others are more advanced.
Perhaps you’d like to join the forum and show us some of your artwork.
I’d like to see the artwork of george-ink.
In any case I think that in this web ALL has the necessity to learn… I’m not a professionist but a beginner always…