Papers for Colored Pencil

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Papers for Colored Pencil

It's All About Colored Pencils!

As a colored pencil artist, I have explored and experimented with many different types of paper. Not just any type of paper can hold up to many layers of colored pencil. In addition, some types of drawing papers do not hold up very well to solvents or colorless blenders. There are many types of drawing papers on the market, with different surfaces. Below is a list of the types of drawing papers I have used over the years. As you will see, there are many types of drawing surfaces. Some work well with colored pencils, and others do not so well. However, my advice is to explore and experiment until you discover that perfect paper that meets your needs and requirements. I recommend that you get an acid-free or archival paper or one that has been treated with neutralized acids to help slow down the yellowing and deterioration of the paper. To read more about acid-free paper visit Wikipedia

Drawing Papers

Rising Stonehenge - comes in black, white, warm white, tan, gray and cream colors. It is my favorite paper to work on as it is very durable and can handle lots of layers of color. The colorless blender pencils and colorless blender markers work well on this type of paper. It is 100% cotton and every sheet is acid-free and buffered with calcium carbonate to help.

Canson Mi Tientes - comes in a variety of lightfast colors. You want to use the smooth side of this paper or your pencil leads will get eaten up quickly. Canson doesn't take as many layers as Stonehenge, but the variety of colors allows one to create unique pieces with striking effects. The colorless blender pencils work best on this paper, but Colorless Blender Markers work well on it too. Canson Mi-Teintes papers are made from medium weight 100% pure rag. Canson Mi-Teintes papers are available in various size pads and sheets.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth - has a smooth surface, can use blenders and a fair amount of layers of color. It is Acid-free. The toothy texture of the regular (vellum) surface works well with pencil, charcoal and pastel. The smooth surface is ideal for detailed ink work and is great for color pencil and marker.

Strathmore 300 Series Charcoal Paper, Strathmore 400 Series Charcoal Paper, and Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper - comes in a variety of colors. Can use the smooth or textured side, depending on the technique or style you are wanting to achieve. The blender pencils and blender markers work well on this paper. Strathmore charcoal paper is a very durable, acid-free, 100% cotton fiber paper that is great for colored pencil.

Strathmore 400 and 500 Drawing Series Bristol Paper. The colorless blender pencils and colorless blender markers work well on this paper. Strathmore drawing paper is acid-free, 100% cotton paper and works well with colored pencil.

Rising Drawing Bristol Vellum - hard to use blenders on, as the surface is very toothy and very hard to blend layers of colors.

Rising Drawing Bristol Plate - has smooth surface, great with blenders and allows fair amount of layers of color.

Strathmore Drawing Vellum - hard to use blenders on and the surface is very toothy and very hard to blend layers of colors.

Paper Surfaces

Hot Press (Plate or Smooth) - smooth surface with very little tooth.

Cold Press (Vellum or Regular) - rough or textured surface. This type of paper tends to eat up pencils quickly.

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Moores Art Gallery the History and Types of Colored Pencils

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

The History and Types of Colored Pencils

It's All About Colored Pencils!

Colored pencils are a relatively new medium. Colored pencils were first introduced in the early 19th century. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that colored pencils were of a high-quality standard. For the longest time, colored pencils were not considered a serious art medium and were scoffed upon by prestigious art galleries and fine artists. Today, however, colored pencil art is becoming more and more widely accepted in galleries and winding up in the hands of many art collectors. Renowned colored pencil artists such as Vera Curnow, Ann Kullberg, Alyona Nickelsen, Gary Greene, Jeff George, Jeffrey Smart Baisden, and Jesse Lane have helped this medium find its way into well-known art galleries. Thanks to these and many other colored pencil artists, colored pencil art is now regarded as a serious art medium.

Historical Timeline of Colored Pencil Companies

• During the early twentieth century, the colored pencil core was developed. The core consisted of a combination of pigments or dyes and a binder.

• In 1761, a small factory in Germany began making the pencils Kaspar Faber, later to become the world-famous Faber-Castell company. Over time, the company has improved the quality of its colored pencil and has created "modern techniques of industrialization" of colored pencils. In the early 1920s, the A.W. Faber Company began selling over 60 different shades of colored pencils for artists. Faber-Castell is considered one of the most popular brands of colored pencils today.

• In 1806, the German company Lyra was established by the pencilmaker Johann Froescheis.

• In 1832, the British company, Derwent, began manufacturing pencils, and in 1932 they developed their first colored pencils.

• In 1834, Staedtler produced their first oil pastel colored pencil, and in 2005, they developed a protective Anti-Break-System (A•B•S) coating for colored pencils to keep them from breaking.

• In 1855, the Schwan-STABILO Company was established in Germany. In 1925, they developed and launched the first thin-lead colored pencil.

• In 1790, L. & C. Hardtmuth Company of Austria and Hungary introduced their Koh-I-Noor brand pencils. They named the pencils after the famous diamond. Their woodless colored pencils were later developed and sold under the “Progresso” trademark.

• In 1913, the Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. was established in Japan, and they began manufacturing colored pencils. They are known in the colored pencil world for the Tombo Irojiten Colored Pencils in which the company introduced in 1988. "Irojiten" is the Japanese expression for "color encyclopedia."

• In 1924, in Switzerland, the company Geneva Fabrique pencils changed its name to Caran d'Ache after a famous French cartoonist. In 1931, they developed Prismalo, the first water-soluble colored pencil. In 2008, they developed a high lightfast set of colored pencils called Luminance 6901. Caran d'Ache is one of the most popular colored pencil brands of today.

• In 1938, the Eagle Pencil Company introduced the Prismacolor Pencil. In 1969, the Eagle Pencil Company changed its name to Berol Limited. Later in 1995, Berol was purchased by Sanford. Sanford Prismacolors is one of the most popular brands of colored pencils today.

Types of Colored Pencils

There are many brands of colored pencils available in the art market today. Which colored pencil do you pick? Before selecting any colored pencils, there are several things to consider. 

First, there are four different types of colored pencil bases available: wax-based, clay-based, oil-based, and water-soluble-based.  Second, there are many pros and cons for each type of colored pencil. Last of all, each type of pencil can be applied in different ways, using various techniques. 

The wax-based colored pencils can tend to leave a build-up of wax or white film on the artwork, and they can require a few coats of fixative. However, compared to oil-based colored pencils, wax-based colored pencils are more affordable, creamy, smooth, and blend well. 

The oil-based colored pencils can be very expensive. In addition, oil-based colored pencils tend to smear or smudge easily, and they tend to have harder leads so, they are not as soft nor creamy as wax-based colored pencils. However, oil-based colored pencils do not require any coatings of fixative. In addition, oil-based colored pencils are water-resistant, and most brands are break-resistant. 

The clay-based type of colored pencils can be very dry but are great for details. 

Finally, water-soluble base pencils can be applied either dry or wet. They have a very rich assortment of colors. However, if the water-soluble pencils are going to be applied as a wet medium, they must be applied to durable paper. 

My advice is to experiment and explore. Try them all! You may find you might like several.

Below are lists of Professional grade colored pencils and watercolor pencils available. I will be adding more as time allows.

Professional Grade Wax/Clay Based Color Pencils

• Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils (76 colors available, smooth, soft and lightfast, water resistant). Color Chart
• Derwent Coloursofts (72 colors available, soft, smooth, blends well, velvety, lightfast, little wax bloom, acid free, water-resistant). Color Chart
• Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils (150 colors available, blends well, vibrant, soft, smooth, creamy, lightfast, water-resistant, not break-resistant).
• Prismacolor Premier Verithins (36 colors available, hard thin lead, great for details).
• Tombo Irojiten Colored Pencils (100 colors available, many soft pastel colors, smooth blending, medium hard waxy leads, some colors are extremely light, great for detailed work).

Professional Grade Oil Based Colored Pencils

• Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencils (120 colors available, dry lead, water-resistant, lightfast). Color Chart
• Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils (120 colors available, lightfast, smooth, break-resistant, water-resistant, smudgeproof).
• LYRA Rembrandt Polycolor Premium Oil-Based Colored Pencils (78 colors available, lightfast, blendable, water-resistant, no wax build-up, mixes well with Prismas, great for detailed work, hard lead).
• Marco Raffine Professional Colored Pencils (72 colors available, vivid colors, smooth, soft lead).
• Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencils (100 colors available, soft to medium lead, smooth, velvety, vibrant colors, lightfast, strong points). Color Chart
• Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Colored Pencils (72 colors available, water-resistant, are wax-based but contain special oils in the pencil lead, smooth, lightfast, dense strokes, not break-resistant, great for detailed work). Color Chart

Professional Grade Water-Soluble Based Pencil Brands

• Caran d'Ache Supracolor Soft Aquarelle (120 colors available, water-soluble, lightfast, soft). Color Chart
• Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelle (76 colors available, water-soluble, lightfast, soft). Color Chart
• Cretacolor Marino Watercolor Pencils (36 colors available, water-soluble, lightfast, soft, blendable).
• Derwent Watercolor Pencils (72 colors available, water-soluble, smooth, creamy, soft, lightfast, blends well).
• Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils (120 colors available, smooth, water-soluble, lightfast). 
• LYRA Rembrandt Aquarell Artists' Colored Pencils (72 colors available, lightfast, smooth, water-soluble, bright colors, blendable).
• Prismacolor Premier Water-Soluble Colored Pencils (36 colors available, smooth, creamy, water-soluble, blends well, lightfast).
• Staedtler Karat Aquarell Premium Watercolor Pencils (60 available colors, smooth, soft, water-soluble, blends well, break-resistant, vibrant, lightfast).

Discontinued Colored Pencils

Design Spectracolors was once a popular brand of pencils that were discontinued in the year of 1997. Design Spectracolors were first made by the Venus Pencil Company (established in 1956). In 1973, the Venus Pencil Company was purchased by the company Faber-Castell. Then, in 1994, Design Spectracolors were discontinued when the company Berol Prismacolors bought them out. The Prismacolor product line was expanded soon after the company acquired Design Spectracolors. I still have a partial set of these pencils that I continue to use. They are very rich, smooth, soft, and creamy. The only con of this brand was that the core pencil lead tended to fall out on some of them. From time to time, you can find them listed on eBay.

Berol Verithin Colored Pencils (manufactured by Berol) or Eagle Verithins Colored Pencils (manufactured by Eagle Pencil Co.) are a rare vintage find. In 1995, they were switched to Prismacolor Verithins when Sanford purchased Berol. I still have some of these pencils from when I attended art college back in the early 1980s. They certainly have improved color pencils since then. These tend to lean more towards the student/scholastic grade and are very similar to present-day Prismacolor Verithins with a wax-based firm hard lead.

References

CARAN D'ACHE. A Century of Know-how. CARAN D'ACHE, The House, Our History. Web.1 May. 2020.

Derwent. Our Story. Derwent, About, Company. Web.1 May. 2020.

Fila Group. History. Lyra, About Us. History. Web.1 May. 2020.

KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH. Quality Since 1790. KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH, About us. Web.1 May. 2020.

Prismacolor. About Us. Prismacolor, About, Eagle Prismacolor. Web.1 May. 2020.

STAEDTLER. STAEDTLER® and the Coloured Pencil. STAEDTLER, Company, Tradition and Innovation. Web.1 May. 2020.

Tombow. Company History. Tombow, Corporate, About Tombow, Company History. Web.1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Berol." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Apr. 2020. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Caran d'Ache (company)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 Mar. 2020. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Colored pencil." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 Mar. 2020. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Cretacolor." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 9 Oct. 2019. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Derwent Cumberland Pencil Company." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 Dec. 2019. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors."Faber-Castell." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 Apr. 2020. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 Feb. 2020. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Schwan-Stabilo." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 Apr. 2020. Web. 1 May. 2020.

Wikipedia contributors. "Staedtler." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 Apr. 2020. Web. 1 May. 2020.

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Moores Art Gallery Colored Pencil Pattern and Texture Techniques and Tips

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Creating Patterns and Textures with Colored Pencils

It's All About Colored Pencils!

When using colored pencils, one can create various patterns and life-like textures by using specific tools and applying various techniques. For example, some patterns or textures can be created by applying layers of colors and adding distinct details or you can create a pattern or texture by using an eraser. 

There are many wonderful resources out on the market today on creating various patterns and textures for colored pencil artists. One wonderful resource for your colored pencil library is a book by colored pencil artist Gary Greene, Creating Textures in Colored Pencil. The book goes into detail about how to create various life-like textures using colored pencils along with step-by-step demonstrations. Two other good resources for creating textures with colored pencil is 101 Textures in Colored Pencil: Practical step-by-step drawing techniques for rendering a variety of surfaces & textures and The Complete Book of Textures for Artists: Step-by-step instructions for mastering more than 275 textures in graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, acrylic, and oil  Both books are by artist Denise Howard and each is a great guide in learning how to use specific tools and techniques to create different types of textures using colored pencils. 

Tips and Techniques for Creating Different Textures or Patterns with Colored Pencils.

• To create a pattern or texture, try using the side of the pencil lead to create different patterns and or life-like textures.
• To create a pattern or texture, try rubbing the colored pencil onto fine-grit sandpaper to create some colored pencil powder, and then apply the colored pencil powder onto the surface of the paper.
• To create a pattern or texture, scrape the lead of a colored pencil with an X-Acto knife or other sharp object and apply the shavings to the surface of the paper with the tip of a pencil or another tool.
• After applying many layers of colors and a thick layer of color has been developed on the surface of the paper, use an X-Acto knife to scrape different patterns or textures onto the surface of the colored pencil layer. Be careful because if you scratch too hard, you can damage the surface of the paper.
• Find a fairly flat textured or patterned object, such as sandpaper, and lay it beneath the paper, and do a colored pencil rubbing onto the surface (known as frottage) of the paper in desired areas. The heavier the pressure, the more visible the texture will be.
• Try creating various patterns and textures using a textured rubbing plate under the paper.
• After layering many colors, try using an electric eraser, such as a Sakura Electric Eraser or a Pentel Clic Eraser, to make different patterns onto the colored pencil layers of the surface of the paper.
• To create a pattern, take a sharpened woodsy dowel, sand the tip to desired bluntness and use it to indent the paper with the desired pattern. Next, apply layers of color on top of the indented surface. The white of the paper or colored paper will show through revealing the pattern.
• To create a pattern, try crosshatching two different colors. First, lay down an area of straight strokes at right angles with one color, and then overlay another area of straight strokes at right angles with a different color. Try using complementary colors to add some spark.
• To create a pattern, try stippling, a technique in which you apply dots sparsely or densely using single or multiple colors.
• To create a texture, try "Scumbling." "Scumbling" is a colored pencil technique in which you lightly overlap layers of color in a small circular motion, forming tiny circles. It is also referred to as the 'Brillo pad' technique, as the texture resembles a steel-wire cleansing pad. The texture you create depends upon the size and pressure you use to draw the tiny circles. Try varying the size of the circles and colors to create interesting textures.

Video Resources

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Moores Art Gallery Colored Pencil Impressed Line Technique & Sgraffito

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Impressed Line & Sgraffito

It's All About Colored Pencils!

The impressed line technique is used to achieve fine white lines, such as whiskers, wispy hairs, details in flowers and leaves, and so on, by using a blunt object such as a wooden stylus to make indentations or impressions onto the surface of the paper. Once you start to apply layers of color over the impressed lines, the impressed lines of the paper will become visible.

Impressed Line tips:

• Be certain that the instrument you use has no sharp point, as it will tear the paper's surface.
• Make sure you mark the impressed line areas on your paper first before applying any colors.
• You can apply layers of a light color first, then make your impressed line over that layer of color.
• You may add light layers of color to the groove later if you wish.
• You can also create impressed lines with a white or light-colored pencil, revealing an impressed line of the colored pencil used instead of the color of the paper.
• Impress or indent your lines carefully, maintaining the same constant pressure throughout the length of the whisker or hair.
• Decrease pressure or indentation near the tip or end of the whisker or hair to suggest realism.

Sgraffito Technique

Sgraffito is a technique in which you carefully scratch the surface of the paper with an X-Acto knife or a similar tool to expose a layer of color beneath the first layer of color. To accomplish this technique, you must add several layers of colors, then take the X-Acto knife and scrape away the top layer to reveal colors underneath. Be very careful while scraping away the layers of colors so that you do not damage the surface of the paper. Brush away any debris from the surface of the paper so the debris doesn't smear onto the surface. This technique can be used to create whiskers, wispy lines of hair, other minute detail, and textures.

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Moores Art Gallery Blending, Burnishing and Layering Colored Pencils

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Blending, Burnishing, and Layering

It's All About Colored Pencils!

Blending 

Blending is the process of layering colors and merging the layers of colors together by using layering techniques and or using a combination of blending tools. As a result, you can achieve rich photo-realistic type works.

Some Tips On Blending

• To blend colors try using a stump or tortillion. Tortillions come in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large. Stumps are very similar to tortillons but are much bigger. Blend the colors in a circular motion. Make sure you keep the tips clean if you are using them to blend selective colors.

• A colorless marker can be used to blend layers of colors together. The colorless marker consists of a colorless solvent that dissolves and melds the colored pencil pigment. The results achieved when using a blender marker can be smooth, deep, rich, lush and vivid. The marker is great for making washes, or under-paintings in colored pencil paintings. Some top-rated brands are Tombow Colorless Blender Pen, Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker, Finesse Colored Pencil Blender Marker, or Copic Colorless Blender Marker.

• Try using makeup sponges, q-tips, or an Alvin Dry Cleaning Pad, for blending layers of color.

• Try applying a solvent, such as Gamsol mineral spirits, Turpenoid Natural, or Zest it with a q-tip or paintbrush to blend colors together. 

• Colored Pencil Artist Carlynne Hershberger has discovered a "new blending tool called the Crayon Eraser." It is similar to Prismacolor Colorless Blenders, however, it does not change the saturation of the colors as the blending markers and pencils can do.

• Colored Pencil Artist, Linda Lucas Hardy uses a dry brushing technique for blending her layers of color. She applies multiple layers of colored pencil gradually, using up to heavy pressure, and then takes a stiff-bristle paintbrush or pastel brush, no longer than 1/2 inch, and blends the colors together.

• Colored pencil artist Ester Roi has invented the Icarius Drawing Board. The board has a warm side and a cool side. The warm side of the board is used for mixing, blending, and burnishing layers of colors. You use the cool side of the board to work on the details and other layering techniques.

• The colorless blender pencil is a very effective and valuable tool for blending colors, creating rich, vibrant colors, or giving layers of color a polished look. The colorless blender pencil base consists of either a non-pigmented wax or non-pigmented oil-wax that blends and burnishes the colored pencil pigment. I have used the following four colorless blender pencils to blend colors and to help in completing finishing touches on detailed areas: Prismacolor's blender pencil (PC 1077), Lyra's Rembrandt Splender Blender, Derwent Blender, and Caran d'Ache Full Blender-Bright.

Burnishing

Burnishing with colored pencils can create a beautiful rich glazed look. Burnishing is the process of layering multiple colors and then applying heavy pressure with a light-color pencil or with an artist tool. The wax then melds together and causes the drawing surface to become slick, filling up the entire tooth of the paper's surface. 
For example, after layering several colors, apply heavy pressure with Prismacolor Cloud Blue . Repeat the process again if necessary until a polished or vivid effect is achieved. Burnishing is ideal for creating sparkling glass, polished surfaces, and metals. If you intend to burnish your drawing, make sure you wait until the end, as burnishing will take all the tooth out of the paper.

Some Tips On Burnishing

• Burnishing works best with a light-colored pencil, such as Prismacolor Cream, Prismacolor White, Prismacolor 10% Cool Gray, or Prismacolor Cloud Blue, apply heavy pressure over the layered colored area to be burnished. 

• By burnishing with specific colors, you can achieve various effects, such as burnishing with Prismacolor Pale Ochre, you can give the illusion of an aged or antique look.

• Try using a metal scoop part of a ceramic clean-up tool, a spoon, or any other smooth metal device and apply heavy pressure in circular-like motions to the colored layers to be burnished.

• Burnish light areas first so that the dark pigment fragments do not land on unwanted areas on the surface of the paper.

• Burnish colors by using a stump or tortillion. Blend the colors in a circular motion while applying heavy pressure. Make sure you keep the tips clean if you are using them to blend selective colors.

Layering

Layering is the process of gradually building layers upon layers of colors using light to medium pressure to create different colors, values and hues. It can give your works an illusion of depth, can deepen colors, can modify colors, and can even give your work an impression of light or luminosity.

Some Tips On Layering

• Layer colors using crosshatch, horizontal, diagonal, vertical, or circular strokes. Start with a single light layer of color, then keep adding different layers of color on top of one another, using light to medium pressure, until the desired results are achieved

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Creating White Using Colored Pencils

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Creating White Using Colored Pencils

It's All About Colored Pencils!

The white-colored pencil is much like a colorless blender in that it can be used to blend and burnish colors. But should colored pencil artists just use only a white pencil to achieve white in their works of art? When working on colored paper, the white-colored pencil is a very effective tool for creating a base layer, and the white-colored pencil is effective in bringing out the highlights and wispy hairs within a subject. However, when working on white paper, defining white can be quite deceptive and challenging, especially for beginning artists. White is very much like black and can be made up of many colors in the spectrum, depending on the time of day, surrounding subject(s), and colors reflected upon the subject you are creating.

Below is a list of tips and techniques to create subjects that are white.

• Analyze your subject and determine what colors you see and are present before you begin.


• Use a paint shop program to determine what colors to use for white in your reference photo.


• Use a value/color finder to determine colors and values.


• Lyra Rembrandt and Derwent Coloursoft white pencils work best on colored paper.


• Build your white or brightest areas up using light layers of colors.


• In creating a white subject, pick colors reflected from surrounding subjects.


• Use light greys and soft pastel colors for creating your white highlights and light areas.


• Use soft pastel or light colors for snow.


• Use white only for highlights, whispy hairs and whiskers.


• Use opposite colors for shadows and darks to make your work pop and glow.


• Focus on creating the highlights and mid-tones, when working on colored paper.

Helpful Resources

A video on using white colored pencil on black paper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_lh11AM0yE

Drawing fur in colored pencil on black paper
http://sidneyeileen.com/tutorials/art/fur-colorpencil-black/

Drawing feathers on colored paper
http://www.squidoo.com/Colored-Pencils

Wet Canvas Colored Pencil Forum
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1302213&highlight=white+color+pencil

    

    

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Moores Art Gallery Watercolor Pencil Tips and Techniques

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Watercolor Pencil Tips & Techniques

It's All About Colored Pencils!

Watercolor pencils are very similar to colored pencils in that they allow you to have precise control, achieve great detail, are very flexible, portable, and inexpensive. The difference between regular colored pencils and water-soluble pencils is their leads. Colored pencil leads are either wax or oil-based, whereas watercolor pencil leads have a water soluble base.

When working with watercolor pencils, it is important to remember that the results will not be the same as if you were working with colored pencils. After you have layered several colors down and have applied water or a solvent of some type, you will notice that the colors will sometimes be darker, sometimes more vivid, or sometimes will become a color you were not trying to achieve at all. So experiment before you start layering colors to see if it is the color you want for your project or portrait. Also, try mixing your watercolor pencils with other mediums, such as Prismacolor colored pencils, Ohuhu Gel inks or Derwent graphite pencils. You will be surprised with the results!

Tips and Techniques

• Apply the watercolor pencil dry.
• Wet the paper first to produce a bleeding type effect or to create soft lines.
• Try using various tools, such as a sponge or toothbrush or shaking the watercolor pencil, to create different effects.
• After your watercolor pencil wash has dried, apply dry layers of watercolor pencil for detail.
• Create glazed watercolor pencil washes (transparent layers of color over another) by using either water or solvents.
• Use a colorless blender marker, such as Tombow's Colorless Blender Pen, to blend the colors.
• To achieve a thick opaque look, dip your pencil in water or in a solvent, such as Turpenoid Natural (this technique tends to eat the lead of the pencil up quickly) and then apply it to the surface of the paper.
• To create detail using watercolor pencils, try using a small wet paint brush.
• Try creating a graded wash, from dark to light with water or solvents.
• Try a backwash technique by wetting your paper first then apply one color at one end, and then another color at the other end, watch the colors blend and bleed together.
• To create a cool effect, try dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and then dot the wet colored surface of your paper with the cotton swab.
• To create a sparkly effect, try applying salt to the wet surface of your paper and let it dry.

Best Papers

I have discovered the following papers work the best when combining watercolor pencils with colored pencils: Arches watercolor paper hot press, Strathmore watercolor pads cold press and Rising Stonehenge drawing paper. Rising Stonehenge works best with the dry technique, with colorless blender markers, or with minimal water. If you do use water, make sure to tape the paper down to the board to prevent buckling.

All three brands of paper are acid-free and Strathmore also has ATC/ACEO size watercolor paper.

Brands of Watercolor Pencils

The watercolor pencil brand that I work with the most is, Derwent Watercolor Pencils. They are super creamy like Prismas color pencils and they have a wonderful selection of colors. They are fine art quality water-soluble pencil. They are non-toxic with lightfast pigment. They are available in packaged tins or open stock at most art stores.

In addition, I like to use Stabilo Aquacolor Watercolor Pencils to work on skies and small details. They have leads similar to Prismacolor Verathins, but, unfortunately, they have been discontinued. However, from time to time, you can find them on Ebay.

Watercolor Pencil Example

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