Watercolor Pencil How To: Essential Tips for Artists
If you’ve ever wondered “watercolor pencil how to,” you’re in the right place. Watercolor pencils combine the precision of colored pencils with the fluidity of watercolor painting, offering a versatile medium for artists of all levels. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential techniques and tips for mastering watercolor pencils, whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills.
Why Choose Watercolor Pencils
Watercolor pencils are special pencils that contain water-soluble pigments. Unlike traditional colored pencils, which are purely dry media, watercolor pencils can be activated with water to create watercolor-like effects.
They offer more control over the application of color, allowing you to work in more detail. Since watercolor pencils work like regular pencils when dry, you can layer and add detail to your artwork before introducing water.
Additionally, they are portable and also easy to use for beginners and more versatile than other watercolor media, giving you the freedom to experiment with different techniques and effects.
Watercolor Pencil How To step-by-step
Using watercolor pencils requires a basic understanding of how to apply color and activate it with water. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Draw with the pencils: Start by sketching your design with watercolor pencils, just like you would with regular colored pencils. Use light strokes for detailed work and build up color gradually.
- Apply water: Once you’re happy with your pencil drawing, use a wet brush or a water brush pen to activate the pigment. Gently apply water over the areas you want to blend or create a wash effect. You can control the amount of water you use to achieve different levels of intensity.
- Blend and adjust: Use your brush to blend the pigment and soften the lines. Add more water to achieve a smoother transition between colors or to create lighter washes.
How to Select Surfaces for Watercolor Pencil Techniques
Watercolor pencils work best on textured paper designed for wet media. The texture helps hold the pigment and allows for better blending when water is applied. Choose watercolor paper or mixed-media paper that is thick enough to handle water, like Canson XL or Arches.
For a more controlled result, you can also use smooth papers, but be mindful that they may not absorb the water as effectively. Experiment with different papers to find the texture that suits your style.
How to Control Color Intensity
The intensity of the color in your artwork is largely determined by how much water you use in conjunction with your watercolor pencils.
For a vibrant and bold effect, apply more water to the areas you want to intensify. This will help the pigments dissolve more easily and spread across the paper, creating a rich and saturated color. On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a softer, more subtle look, use less water.
By controlling the amount of water you introduce, you can create delicate gradients and preserve more of the pencil’s texture.
It’s helpful to practice on a scrap piece of paper, experimenting with different levels of water to see how each color reacts.
Watercolor Pencil How To: Mix Colors and Add Shading
Mixing colors with watercolor pencils is both simple and highly effective, providing endless possibilities for creating complex color effects.
Start by layering different pencil colors on top of one another, applying them directly to the paper in the areas you want to mix. Once you have your colors layered, use a wet brush to activate the pigments.
The water will help blend the colors together, creating smooth transitions between shades and allowing the colors to merge seamlessly.
For shading, it’s essential to use darker colors along the edges or in the areas that naturally require more depth, such as the sides of objects or in shadowed areas.
Blend the darker tones gently outward toward the lighter areas with a wet brush to achieve a smooth gradient effect. This technique will help your artwork have dimension and a realistic feel, bringing your drawings to life.
Mixing Watercolor Pencils with Watercolor Paint
Watercolor pencils can be an excellent addition to traditional watercolor paints, offering added depth, texture, and precision to your artwork.
To use both mediums together, start by using the watercolor pencils to sketch out your design or to add intricate details to your composition. The pencils are perfect for this step because they provide the fine lines and precision that regular watercolor paint cannot easily achieve.
Once you have your pencil sketch in place, fill in the larger areas with traditional watercolor paint. The paint will cover more surface area and create softer, more fluid transitions compared to the pencil marks. However, the pencil marks will retain their sharpness and texture, providing a contrast that enhances the overall composition.
This hybrid approach opens up many possibilities for adding complexity and richness to your creations.
What Other Application Techniques Can Be Used?
Other techniques to experiment with include using masking fluid to preserve areas of white paper or combining watercolor pencils with ink for added contrast.
You can also use stencils or textured surfaces to create interesting effects. Masking fluid helps create clean, sharp edges, making it ideal for details like highlights or unpainted sections in your artwork.
Combining watercolor pencils with ink or other media allows for more contrast, enabling you to create striking compositions with both bold lines and soft washes. By diversifying your application techniques, you can unlock a variety of artistic possibilities, adding new dimensions to your artwork.
Instead of using a wet brush, you can also experiment with a spray bottle to activate the pigment. Lightly spray water over your pencil marks to create a softer, more abstract effect. This is especially useful for creating textured washes or for adding subtle color transitions. The spray technique creates a more spontaneous and organic effect, where the water disperses unevenly, allowing the colors to bleed into each other in unpredictable ways.
From Beginner to Pro Watercolor Pencil Artist
Mastering the use of watercolor pencils can truly transform your artistic practice, allowing you to blend the precision of drawing with the fluidity of watercolor painting.
With practice, you’ll find that this medium not only enhances your artwork but also sparks your creativity in exciting new ways. So, grab your pencils and water, and start creating!