Are there any artists out there who use watercolor pencils?

1. 80

   NewHorizonsposted 14 years ago

   Are there any artists out there who use watercolor pencils?
   
   I like to draw portraits in pencil.  I would now like to try my hand at drawing in watercolour pencils.  I do not know anything about the technique, how to go about it..................

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2. 59

   rvsourceposted 14 years ago

   I've used them, but don't care for them. I prefer a regular pencil

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3. 80

   NewHorizonsposted 14 years ago

   I like a regular pencil too.  But watercoloured pencils are the nearest thing that I can get to use colours.  I've done a portrait or two using them which I like............

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4. 0

   Terrly Krysakposted 14 years ago

   My brother gave me a set of Derwent Watercolor Pencils last summer, and I just started using them on my latest watercolor.
   
   It is best to use them on a smooth watercoor paper, watercolor board, or illustration board.
   
   Lay down you color, then take a brush full of water and paint over it. You can then layer colors on top once the first layer is dry and repeat.
   
   There are a number of tutorials on Youtube, just do a Google search and you will find them.
   
   Hope this helps

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5. 59

   FloatingHubposted 14 years ago

   The Caran d’Ache Supracolor II watercolor pencils have gotten the best reviews from other people that I have have talked to and have read about on the internet. Personally, I would use the Faber Castell’s Albrecht Durer because the quality is similar but the price is cheaper.
   
   As for technique, I think it all depends on what kind of style you are going for. In googling 'watercolor tutorials' there are quite a few sites that offer some lessons in the basics of watercolors.

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6. 50

   SuzeOposted 13 years ago

   I bought a small set to try out and they are handy for color washes over my ink sketches (I've made sure to get NON-water soluble ink pens.) The pencil colors are limited when it comes to subtle shades and are somewhat intensely bright compared to a little palette full of w/c tube paints, which I prefer for sketching, but entail more supplies. I only got a small set - I've seen much larger ones that probably have more colors, but mixing with what you have is faster. I often use the silver or light grey pencil to block in my shapes and design on the paper before committing my ink lines - the pencil easily erases, and dissolves into nothingness when painted over. And I don't have those annoying "search lines" in ink where I had to reduce or enlarge certain elements, which leaves my mistaken ink lines obvious.
   
   A great advantage is that the w/c pencils give you some versatility for quick sketches on-the-go or on-the-scene, for very little bulk. I carry a little watercolor journal, the colored pencils, 2 fine line black marker pens, and a set of 3 Aqua-flow brushes, (or NIJI Waterbrushes), and THAT'S IT. It all fits into a a small, compact bag - I use a box-like bag that I found at REI. The brushes are quite inexpensive and each has a water reservoir in the handle that you can fill whenever it's convenient. Make sure you put them in a plastic bag if you carry the "loaded" brushes along after filling. I also tape a string from the pen to the brush so I don't lose the caps. Once you do, you have to fill them on site, otherwise they leak water all over your kit. The brushes are always moist, there is no rinse water required, you just squeeze the handle to get rid of any pigment you don't want on the brush. You can get them at Dick Blick as well as other art supply stores.

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7. 48

   inkdropsposted 13 years ago

   You just have to grab some and give it a go until you feel comfortable!  Personally, I find using a Verrry small amount of water works the best because colors are the most intense and you can continue to work it out as you go but you can't back it out.  Also, don't forget to stretch the paper before you add the water!  Water has the same effect on paper whether you put it on in paint format or add to pencil; it will wrinkle and distort if you don't keep it stretched until it dries once again.

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8. 60

   Owl Ka Mystposted 12 years ago

   Just play with them. Use what you know and try different things.
   The only thing you don't want to do is dip the pencil in water.
   You can draw your portraits, then add small amounts of water or larger amounts, depending on the paper and how you want the color to lay when dry. You can also wet the paper first and with a light touch draw- but that is if you are quick about it.
   But the best suggestion I can give is just play around with them.
   I have some paintings I have done that I added water to everything, and some where I have part painted and part left as pencil, they are really neat.

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