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How to Use Watercolor Pencils

April 4, 2016 By Colleen 6 Comments

watercolor-pencils

For those of you who love watercolors but aren’t ready to take the plunge yet #punintended Watercolor Pencils are a wonderful beginning substitute. Even though I use watercolor paints and guouache all the time, I still love my them and wanted to share How to Use Watercolor Pencils.

Keep in mind that watercolor pencils are also wonderful for coloring! The paper can be an issue so make sure it’s designed to have water on it. Or just use the pencils and don’t wet them . . . but that’s only half the fun.

Or . . . OR! you could just buy my coloring pages that you can print as many as you choose right on 150 lb. watercolor paper. And, yes, I’m fully aware I promised to post new coloring pages each month and I’m seriously behind.

watercolor-pencilsSupply List (some affiliate links included which means if you made a purchase I would make a small percentage)

  • Staedtler Watercolor Pencils*
  • Canson 9 x 12 140 lb. watercolor paper*
  • round paint brushes – sizes 3, 8, 12 *
  • flower pattern if desired
  • paper towel
  • water bucket
  • pencil sharpener

Yes, the pencils aren’t cheap. But then, neither are watercolors, especially good ones. (which I don’t have many because I bought a set at the store that starts with wall and ends with mart.)

So let’s get started. I made a video *shock* but also did stills with instructions. I promised myself, like, 3 years ago I’d do tons of videos. They got lost along with the coloring pages, but I’m getting there.

If you’re like me and rarely watch videos, here are the step by steps.

watercolor-pencilsFirst, draw the outline of your flower. In this case, a tulip.

watercolor-pencilsPencil in the tulip with color.

watercolor-pencils
You can add other colors as well to blend. I used a dark fuchsia  in areas I’d normally add shading.

watercolor-pencilsNow Release Your Inner Artist! I mean, dip the #8 round brush in water and blot it on the paper towel

watercolor-pencilsThe left side has been “painted and the right has only pencil strokes. And the blob of water because it was precisely at that moment I thought I should take a comparison photo.

watercolor-pencilsAfter you’ve painted the first layer on the flower, allow it to dry and move on to the stem and leaf. I have penciled over a wet area and got mixed results so now I just wait for it to dry before I paint again.

You can see in the pencil colors of the stem and leaf I added yellow for highlighting and brown for shading, right in the first coloring. You could also wait til the second coat to highlight and shade because, like all watercolors, their look might surprise you.

But that’s why I love them!

watercolor-pencilsSecond pencil layer on the blossom –

watercolor-pencilsFinal version. Like any other paints, I find it terribly difficult to know when to stop. Especially when it’s just for your pleasure and not a client. (You try to get paintings to the client in a reasonable amount of time, is what I meant.)

Watercolor pencils are not only great for adults but also kids. They just are so engrossed in their art and I love it!

Let me know if you’ve tried watercolor pencils or not. I hear Derwin’s are really nice – but I’m not sure if they were referring to just colored pencils or watercolor pencils. No matter. I painted wall murals for years with the $1 craft paint with no complaints. Yes, you get what you pay for in paints, paper and brushes. But as much as I paint, I like to keep my bottom line a little lower than my own bottom, if you know what I mean.

I do hope you take a minute or two to watch the video and give ‘er a thumbs up if you like it. It’s just for me. Nobody pays me for thumbs ups. But it is very encouraging for me. And us artists need all the encouragement we can get, right?

What’s your favorite Spring flower? Have you painted it?

Colleen

about Colleen

Filed Under: How To & PIY, Paint Types, Tutorials, Videos, Watercolor

Comments

  1. Debbie says

    April 5, 2016 at 7:15 am

    I love this SO much! I was given a set of watercolor pencils for my birthday, but I had no idea what to do with them~ Is there a way to print these instructions? Thank you SO much for posting this!
    xo Debbie

    Reply
  2. Carla says

    April 5, 2016 at 11:06 am

    I didn’t even know such a thing existed! I can’t wait to get some and try them!

    Reply
  3. Linda says

    April 5, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    thanks! i’ve always wondered how to use watercolor pencils.

    Reply
  4. Anne V. says

    April 5, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    You can also take the color directly from the pencil tip with a wet brush, then use as a paint. Many ways to use them- my favorite medium (today).
    In my experience—- Derwent Inktense are different from Derwent watercolor pencils–Both are watercolor pencils, but Inktense when dry are done/(permanent?), the regular watercolor pencils can be rewet and blended further. Both are awesome, and worth every penny(especially if you use a coupon ;)! The Derwent website has alot of great info.

    Reply
  5. Adam- Color Nepal says

    May 1, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    This is a great use of watercolor pencils. Thanks for sharing all ideas.

    Reply
  6. Geraldine Scott says

    July 12, 2016 at 3:44 am

    I’m going to try this later today in my garden.
    Great post Colleen, thanks so much x

    Reply

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    About Me

    Hi there! I'm Colleen, a self-taught artist, writer and blogger, among other things. You don't get to be old enough to order off the Denny's senior menu without accomplishing a few things in life. Read More…

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