Introduction to Watercolor Pencils
When traditional drawing and painting techniques are combined, the resulting artwork often has a unique quality that catches the viewers eye. This is exactly what you get with watercolor pencils.
Watercolor pencils are a favorite media among artists all over the world. This medium merges the beauty of drawing with the fluidity of watercolors, resulting in stunning pieces of art.
In this article, we will explore the definition and characteristics of watercolor pencils and the unique medium it provides artists. Additionally, we will touch on the crucial role preparation and suitable materials play in ensuring that your art shines through.
What Are Watercolor Pencils? Watercolor pencils are a type of pencil that can be used like a regular colored pencil.
They differ in that the pigments are water-soluble, meaning that they can be blended and mixed using water. Artists can apply water to create a watercolor effect or use the pencils themselves dry, creating a softer effect on paper.
Watercolor pencils are manufactured using a mixture of binder and pigment. They are available in a wide range of colors, often accompanied by a lightfastness rating, which indicates the resistance of the color fading over time.
The pigments in watercolor pencils are rated according to their purity and luminosity.
The Unique Medium Between Watercolor Painting and Drawing
Watercolor pencils are a beautiful medium that combines the precision of drawing and the fluidity of watercolors. The color application is similar to that of traditional colored pencils, but they stand out due to the ability to create washes and added layers of color.
This feature makes watercolor pencils ideal when you need to produce intricate details that would be difficult to create with a brush. The mark-making processes involved in using watercolor pencils vary greatly depending on the desired effect.
To achieve a realistic appearance in landscapes, apply the paint lightly to create a soft, translucent effect. For a bolder look and feel, apply more pressure to your pencil and use a damp brush to blend the colors.
There is much room for creativity when using watercolor pencils, and the medium provides an opportunity to experiment with different techniques.
Preparation and Necessary Materials
Before you start on your watercolor pencil piece, it is crucial to ensure that you have a suitable environment and have the correct materials at hand. This will make the whole process efficient and enjoyable.
The Importance of a Suitable Environment and Materials
Watercolor pencils require the right environment to produce the desired results. It is essential to work in a clean and dry environment to avoid smudges and on paper that is resistant to water.
A non-textured, heavyweight paper such as cotton-rag paper is suitable for this kind of art. The lighting in your workspace also plays a part in ensuring that you create the art correctly.
Working in a well-lit area means you can easily distinguish the different hues, tones, and colors you intend to use.
List of Necessary Materials and Their Purpose
As an artist, you want to ensure that you have all the materials necessary to create your desired piece. Heres a list of critical materials youll need:
– Watercolor pencils: a range of different colors to suit your desired palette.
– Jar of Water: used for wetting the paintbrush and controlling the intensity of the colors. – Paintbrush: a brush with soft bristles is the most suitable for blending the colors when water is applied.
– Watercolor Paper: a heavyweight paper that is textured absorbs water and keeps the colors from bleeding. – Source Image: a photograph that provides the reference needed to create the artwork you want.
Conclusion
Watercolor pencils are fantastic media that can transform an artwork into something uniquely beautiful. By following the necessary preparation steps, such as creating an appropriate environment and having all the correct materials at hand, you can ensure your art shines the way it should.
Keep playing around with your technique, style, and color scheme to create a piece that not only speaks to you but also captivates your audience.
Step-by-Step Guide on Drawing Flowers with Watercolor Pencils
Watercolor pencils are a splendid media to create real-life pieces of art. In this section, you will learn how to draw flowers using watercolor pencils, specifically daisies, orchids, and lilies.
This guide will walk you through each step, from sketching the image to applying the final touch-ups, giving you a better understanding of how to create stunning floral art.
Sketching the Image
The first step is to sketch the image onto the watercolor paper lightly. For an orchid, start by creating a rough outline of the flower using a pencil.
For daisies, create basic shapes of petals, stems, and leaves. For lilies, draw the stamen and petals.
You can choose to use a reference image as an aid.
Creating the Background
Next, create a background that will complement the flower correctly. For this guide, we suggest using a color combination of blue and purple.
Wet the area with clean water, and then apply the color, blending and merging it for a seamless appearance. This technique creates the best effect when painting orchids.
Drawing and Painting the Orchid
Using the pencils pink and purple colors, apply the color gradually using a fading technique, blending with a damp brush. For darker areas, use more pigment, while lighter areas require fewer pigments.
Create an optimal mix of hues by using the palette technique. After laying down the colors, blend the details with a pencil.
Drawing and Painting the Daisy
Daisies have vibrant shades of yellow and orange. Use a yellower shade to base the petals and brighter colors for the details.
Build the texture by using pencil extraction technique and merging technique. Remember to use more water with a damp brush to blend properly.
Drawing and Painting the Second Daisy
Use the classical coloring technique to paint the second daisy. This technique is known to be simple and great for starters.
A soft water technique can be used to create a slight blend between colors. To create added texture, try using the pencil extraction technique.
Drawing and Painting the Lily
For a lily, blend in green and yellow colors on the petals. Employ a merging technique to blend the colors.
The palette technique can be used to create a beautiful mixture of pigments. Create an added texture by carefully using a pencil extraction technique on petals.
Pen Work and Final Touch-ups
The final step is to add contrast and definition by creating pen marks. Use black ink to draw the outline of the flower.
Go over the watercolor piece with a pen for more depth and definition. Finally, use a white pencil or a white pen to create highlights and add a final touch to the artwork.
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
This section will answer some frequently asked questions that may help you with your watercolor pencil drawings. Namely, we will cover some general tips to help you make the best of watercolor pencils, give guidance on drawing without using water, and highlight the peculiar characteristics of the medium.
Tips for Using Watercolor Pencils
To ensure that your work progresses efficiently, keep a jar of water handy. This helps in wetting the brush, blending colors, and controlling the intensity of the pigments.
Also, paper towels will help clean up inevitable painting mistakes. Avoid pressing too hard while applying pencils, as this may cause an unsightly impression on the paper.
Usage of Watercolor Pencils Without Water
Drawing with watercolor pencils without using water is also possible, providing a variety of marks and shades. To do this, apply the pigment dry without using water.
This technique works well with sketching and finer details.
Special Qualities of Watercolor Pencils
Watercolor pencils have peculiar qualities that make them excellent for a range of different art forms. They combine the effect of both drawing and painting.
Also, the pigments are water-soluble, allowing for the creation of small and sharp, or large and softer details on the same piece. The medium allows for experimentation and is forgiving, which makes it an excellent place to start for beginners.
Painting Watercolor Flowers with Watercolor Pencils
Creating watercolor flowers can seem daunting, but watercolor pencils make it easy, providing room for different mark-making processes. Mix and match techniques, experiment with color contrasts and compositions.
Creating art is all about having fun, so get creative and make your art uniquely yours. You now have a better understanding of how to work with watercolor pencils and draw beautiful flowers from sketching lines to defining the final details.
So, push your creativity to the limits and make breathtaking artworks. Watercolor pencils are a beautiful and unique medium that combines the precision of drawing and the fluidity of watercolors.
The article explored the definition and characteristics of watercolor pencils, the preparation and necessary materials for creating stunning art, step-by-step guides on drawing flowers, and tips and frequently asked questions. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, using watercolor pencils allows for experimentation and creates a unique artwork.
Therefore, this article aims to encourage readers to try out watercolor pencils and to create beautiful works of art that resonates with them.