Watercolour Pencils
Watersoluble coloured pencils that behave just like watercolour. They also double up as an expressive drawing tool. Achieve sharp pencil lines and watercolour washes all with a single pencil.
Watercolour Pencils: Popular Questions from Artists
What Are Watercolour Pencils?
Watercolour pencils combine the precision of traditional pencils with the fluidity of watercolour. These versatile pencils consist of pigmented cores that can be used dry for detailed drawing or activated with water to create vibrant, fluid washes.
Made from pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, watercolour pencils offer portability and ease of use. They allow artists to work both on the go and in the studio. Whether you're sketching intricate details or layering colours for depth, watercolour pencils provide the flexibility to achieve a wide range of effects.
Artists use watercolour pencils for their ability to add intricate detail and versatility to their work. Watercolour pencils offer precise control for creating fine lines, textures, and subtle gradients. These pencils are also ideal for enhancing mixed media projects, allowing artists to layer and blend colours seamlessly on top of traditional watercolour paintings.
Whether used independently or in combination with other mediums, watercolour pencils expand an artist’s toolkit, enabling creative experimentation and detailed expression.
‘I love watercolour pencils and I make no secret of it. They’re easy to use, full of colour and have real mark-making potential. I often wonder why they aren’t used more often.’
— Lisa Takahashi, Jackson's Art Supplies Expert
Watercolour pencils are a relatively modern addition to the art world, having been introduced in the mid-20th century as artists sought more versatile and portable mediums.
Unlike traditional watercolour paints, which require separate brushes and palettes, watercolour pencils integrate drawing and painting into a single tool. This innovation has been embraced by contemporary artists, illustrators, and designers who appreciate the ability to create detailed work alongside fluid washes.
As materials and formulations have improved, watercolour pencils have become a staple in both professional and hobby art supplies, offering endless creative possibilities.
At Jackson's Art Supplies, we are dedicated to providing artists with the highest quality watercolour pencils from trusted brands. Our extensive selection ensures that whether you are a beginner or a professional, you will find the perfect tools to elevate your artwork.
- Premium Quality: We stock top watercolour pencils from brands like Faber-Castell, known for their Faber-Castell, known for their Albrecht Dürer range, Caran d’Ache, Derwent, and many more.
- Extensive Selection: Our range includes a variety of colours and sets, allowing you to build a comprehensive palette tailored to your artistic needs.
- Competitive Pricing: Enjoy access to high quality watercolour pencils at affordable prices, making professional supplies accessible to all artists.
- Customer Trust: With a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot, Jackson's Art Supplies is trusted by artists worldwide for our exceptional products and outstanding customer service.
Shop Watercolour Pencils from Jackson's Today
Ready to enhance your artwork with high quality watercolour pencils? Browse our extensive collection of watercolour pencils and find the perfect shades and sets to suit your creative needs. Start your order online today and enjoy fast shipping, competitive prices, and exceptional customer service.
Need more help? Visit Contact Us and Help & Advice pages for expert guidance on selecting the best watercolour pencils for your projects.
What Effect Can Be Achieved When Watercolour Pencils Are Used Dry?
When used dry, watercolour pencils function similarly to traditional coloured pencils. They allow artists to create detailed drawings with precise lines and textures. Dry application is perfect for sketching, shading, and adding intricate details without the need for water. This technique enables artists to build up layers of colour gradually.
What Effect Can Be Achieved When Watercolour Pencils Are Used Wet?
The dry-on-wet technique involves applying dry watercolour pencils directly onto wet paper. This method allows the pigments to spread and blend naturally with the water, creating soft, diffused effects and subtle gradients. It is ideal for achieving a harmonious background or integrating transitions within a drawing.
What Is the Dry-on-Wet Watercolour Pencil Technique?
The wet-on-wet technique involves applying paint onto a wet surface. This can be wet paper or a layer of paint. This method allows colours to blend and flow freely, creating soft transitions and diffused edges.
Landscape artists often use this technique to create realistic skies, water reflections, or atmospheric effects like mist and fog. It encourages a spontaneous and fluid approach to painting.
What Is the Wet-on-Wet Watercolour Pencil Technique?
The wet-on-wet technique involves using watercolour pencils on already wet paper or over a layer of wet paint. This approach enables the pigments to flow and blend seamlessly, creating smooth transitions and vibrant, fluid washes. It is particularly effective for landscape paintings, abstract art, and any work that benefits from soft, overlapping colours and a more spontaneous, expressive feel.
Can I Use a Watercolour Pencil with a Brush?
Yes, many artists use watercolour pencils in combination with brushes to enhance their artwork. One common method is to draw with the pencils first, then use a brush dipped in water to lift and blend the pigments, creating more vibrant and dynamic effects. Alternatively, you can drag a wet brush over the head of the pencil to pick up the pigment, like you would with a watercolour pan. This allows for greater control and precision.
How Are Watercolour Pencils Different from Regular Colouring Pencils?
Watercolour pencils differ from regular colour pencils in their composition and functionality. While regular coloured pencils are typically wax or oil-based and cannot be activated with water, watercolour pencils are water-soluble and dissolve when exposed to water. This allows watercolour pencils to create both precise, detailed drawings and fluid, blended watercolour effects, providing artists with greater versatility and creative options.
What Is the Best Paper for Watercolour Pencils?
Watercolour paper is the ideal choice for using watercolour pencils due to its weight and absorbency. This type of paper can handle water without warping or buckling, ensuring a smooth and stable surface for both dry and wet applications.
Cold pressed watercolour paper offers a textured surface that enhances the blending and layering capabilities of watercolour pencils, while hot pressed paper provides a smoother finish for detailed work.
Can Watercolour Pencil Marks Be Erased?
Watercolour pencil marks can be lightly erased when used dry, similar to traditional coloured pencils. However, once the pencils are activated with water, the marks become more permanent as the pigments dissolve and blend with the water. It is important to plan your artwork accordingly, as erasing wet marks can be challenging. For precise corrections, consider using a white gel pen or opaque paint to cover unwanted areas.
What Is the Best Way to Sharpen a Watercolour Pencil?
Watercolour pencils can be sharpened using a regular pencil sharpener, but it is important to be gentle to prevent damaging the soft, pigmented cores. For optimal results, use a high quality sharpener that creates a fine point without excessive pressure. Alternatively, a craft knife can be used to carefully trim the pencil tips, allowing for customised shapes and preventing breakage.