Watercolor Pencil 101 Tutorial Video and Printable

Watercolor pencils are my favorite art supply and I use them regularly in my nature journal. Over the years I have learned a few techniques for using watercolor pencils in a variety of ways...each with its own effects and advantages.

I will share them here but for a more detailed look at how to do each technique, watch the handy video below: Watercolor Pencils 101 Tutorial.




Color and then brush with a wet brush:
Use your watercolor pencil to fill in a space, then add water.You can use your pencils to blend and layer color before or after adding water. I especially like to use this technique in my nature journal because I can do my sketching in the field and then add the water later...even much later at home.

Dip the watercolor pencil in water first:
Dip the tip of your pencil in water and then use it to fill in your sketch.This is a nice technique for sketching in the field since you don't need to take along any paint brushes. You don't even need to carry water with you if you have a source in the field like a lake or stream.

Wet the paper first:
Try wetting your paper first and then adding your watercolor pencil. This works well for filling in larger areas of your sketch like the sky. Just remember that if you are working directly in your nature journal that this technique may warp your paper when it dries.

Use a wet brush on the pencil tip:
Use the tip of your watercolor pencil like a paint palette by brushing it with a wet paint brush.

Wet brush on broken watercolor pencil pigment:
Collect all those broken tips and use as a sort of paint palette by stroking with a wet paint brush. Use this technique if you break off a tip when sketching in the field and you don't have a pencil sharpener to make another point on your watercolor pencil.


Watercolor Pencils 101 Tutorial Printable - Give it a try with your children! Remember that watercoloring on printer paper is different than using watercolor paper. Try both and have fun!


I use a mixed media paper sketchbook for my nature journal and watercolors do make the pages a little wavy. I don't mind the results but you may wish to work on watercolor paper and then adhere it into your nature journal. 

You can watch more of my YouTube videos on my YouTube Channel. 


 


You may be interested in adding art and music appreciation into your week using my plans from Harmony Fine Arts. I invite you click over and see all the things available from grades 1-12.