What are Watercolor Pencils?
Watercolor pencils look just like regular-colored pencils.
The difference is that they react to water and can create effects similar to watercolor paints.
The binding in watercolor pencil pigments is water-soluble. When you add water, the binding releases more pigment, resulting in intense colors.
Watercolor Pencils vs. Paints
So how do watercolor pencils compare to paints? Are they just watercolors in pencil form? Not exactly. These are two separate but related media. Watercolor pencils and paint complement each other well. You can use pencils to add details to your watercolor painting. Or create a background with paints and draw the main subject with pencils.
Benefits of Watercolor Pencils
You can sum up the benefits of using watercolor pencils over paints in three points:
Control
Detail
Convenience
A pencil is easier for most people to control than a brush. That alone makes watercolor pencils less intimidating. They also require less water, which is the most unpredictable aspect of watercolor. Having better control over water gives you more control over the pigments on the page.
Pencils also let you include more detail. The sharp point of a watercolor pencil allows you to lay down more visual information than the flexible point of a brush. If you want a particularly crisp line, you don’t even have to add water.
Watercolor pencils are also a convenient way to paint in color. Unlike paints, all you need are the pencils of your choice, a brush, and a small amount of water.
