How to use Water Color Pencils

It is so difficult to write a how-to guide when it involves art, but I remember when I first tried water color pencils, I was searching the internet for a few days. After all that searching and picking up techniques I created a beautiful picture, and now I love using watercolor pencils. So hang in there with me as I try to explain this the best way I can.

There are many techniques out there, so I suggest reading this article to gain an Idea and then doing some researching on your own if you are in the dark like I was. Or, you are wanting to try this for the first time.

Let me just start by explaining my experience. I was in an art store when I stumbled across the colored pencils, I picked up a set and went to check out when I discovered they were watercolor. After debating whether I should get the original pencils, which was the reason I went to the art store, I decided to give them a try. I get home, thinking to myself "what's so hard about this?"

Hahaha... all the pretty examples they gave, none of my drawing looked like them. Most were either too washed out, or I lost control and all the colored water dripped down the paper, or just completely soaked through the paper. So here is my first piece of advice:

ALWAYS USE WATER COLOR PAPER! It sounds obvious, but if you have the same thinking process as me, you are going to think like this. " As a kid I used normal paper." NO, it doesn't work.

OK, down to the real information. The color of the pencil dry, is not the color it will be when it is wet. So dump all the pencils out of the box and scribble with them on the paper making a color chart. Now, take a thin paint brush and wet half of the scribble. Try to take note of how light or dark each pencil will be when wet and how it will look when you want to fade colors.

Now that you have done that, notice how it even changes when its dry? These pencils are tricky in this aspect, the color is different than pencil when wet and dry! Now you have a complete idea of how the pencils work now. Some say its easier to full on dip the pencil in water and draw with it.. In my opinion I did not like that method, so I have nothing to say about that technique, but if you want to try it that way, use the same paper as your color chart to see how you feel about it.

Next, once you are ready to begin drawing your picture, start with a neutral color, like peach, to do your outline. Using a normal pencil is not a good idea. Or you can be like some of the "brilliant" people who suggest using a white pencil... I guess they have super eyesight to see their outline.

Ok, now that your outline is done. If you want a very watered out image, start drawing lightly coloring in the picture, then use a lot of water go over your drawing with the wet paint brush, fading the colors until you are satisfied. The best technique I found, was to use circular motions. I did a tree, so I started with the back round first, painting that in, and I wanted it to be more of a faded watery look, and this worked great for me. When I got to the tree, I wanted it dark, so I really colored it in hard, and used very little water, only enough to give it a solid appeal.

Bottom line, I always suggest doing portions of the pictures at a time. Starting with the background, then working your way through the picture. Its really easy to smear the colors, and ruin these pictures. So Really plan ahead in the order of how you want to do this. Keep a blow dryer handy so you can speed up the drying process.

Check out some of the links below to watch some videos on water color pencils.