Derwent Inktense Pencils Tutorial

There are lots of different ways to use these pencils which make them a very versatile medium. I have already done a few tutorials using Derwent Inktense Pencils but this week I am showing you the 'dry' application method - by applying the colour directly onto the watercolour paper (in the way you would with an ordinary pencil) then activating the ink with water to build up this delightful, bold colour.
Materials Used (use what you have and use what colours you prefer)
INKTENSE PENCILS
Sun Yellow bit.ly/sunyellowpencil
Apple Green bit.ly/applegreeninktense
Teal Green
Deep Indigo bit.ly/deepindigo
BRUSHES
Number 8 Round
Blender
Both from my set with Craftamo www.craftamo.com/products/hel...
PAPER
Etchr Cold Pressed bit.ly/3J07gFSetchrcoldpressed
This is the A5 sized book
Support me on Patreon: bit.ly/raecampbellpatreon
PATREON SITE
If you enjoy this video and would like to learn more about BOTANICAL ART, then head over to our Patreon site where you will find in-depth tutorials as well as photo editing where I show you how I prepare photos for painting (depending on your tier level). If you are serious about learning how to paint bold, botanical paintings, even if you are a beginner, then why not treat yourself to joining us there - the tutorials are more in-depth and ad-free, plus it's a really good way to support my channel. We also have weekly videos - these could be vlog type videos, doodles etc. Please note that the tiers mentioned are subject to change but are correct at the time of filming: Here is the link
/ helencampbellart
SOCIAL MEDIA
You may want to consider joining our private Facebook Group where you can post your completed paintings from these tutorials, as well as have access to the free traceable line drawings and reference photographs that I use so that you can try them for yourselves. Here is the link
bit.ly/wondersofwatercolour
*Disclaimer: Helen Campbell is a participant in the Rosemary & Co, Deep Deep Light, Craftamo, Zen Art Supplies and Jacksons Art Affiliate Program (please note that all new Jacksons Art customers will receive 10% off their first order). Affiliate advertising programs are designed to provide a means for individuals to earn fees through the links above. The cost to you for these products is the same, but Helen earns a small commission.
All Music - Epidemic Sound

[@artbydrbee]

This is SUCH a great tutorial, Helen!!! Well done!! I loved your colour palette, and THE CLOSE-UPS 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍👏👏🎉❤🤗👍✨🎊🐝

[@helencampbell]

Aww thank you Dr Bee. I love Inktense and will do more tutorials soon 🐝🥰🌸

[@panther5031]

You make it look so easy. I need more blending practice, so this tutorial is great for that💜🌹

[@helencampbell]

Oh you definitely don’t need more practice. Your work is gorgeous x

[@myrnalandersartist]

Thanks for this! Before I started painting with watercolors, I bought the whole set of Inktense! At that time, I wasn't confident with my watercolor skills, so I put them aside and learned watercolor by itself. I was excited after watching this video to take them out again! Now that my skills have vastly improved, I think I'll try Inktense again! ❤

[@helencampbell]

I’m so glad you found it helpful. I love using them x

[@double2mo382]

Love it! Thanks for going back to the basics.

[@helencampbell]

Thank you

[@ntanasescu76]

They are lovely

[@helencampbell]

I love using them

[@janicelancaster3020]

Thank you Helen for this helpful video 😊

[@helencampbell]

Thank you Janice x

[@simonebourque1061]

I love botanical art and at this moment my favorite medium is Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils. They feel lovely in my hands and my blending and shading is very good. I can colour with confidence and it brings me joy when my flowers and plants come to life. I still learn from your tutorials and I love the love you have for your artwork, whichever medium you choose ❤.

[@helencampbell]

I remember trying them many years ago and would love to give them another go. Note to self to buy some lol. Thank you for your kind words x

[@bethcarroll5988]

Oh my. Such an encouraging lesson! Now I will have to make circles of all sort of possible color combinations. What fun. Thank you.

[@helencampbell]

Thank you Beth. I really enjoyed this little exercise x

[@lindawaters6572]

I just got the 72 set of these pencils. This is a great tutorial for practicing blending. Thanks so much!

[@helencampbell]

Hello Linda. Glad you found it helpful. Did you know I have a playlist of Inktense tutorials? I can post it here if you’d like to see

[@wegotthepower]

Okay, how did you know I JUST tried to find tutorials on how to draw orbs like this with Derwent Inktense? Will definitely watch it & try it out myself! A big bonus for me personally is that I’ve got all the colours you’ve listed in the description too ☺️

[@helencampbell]

Aw that’s wonderful. Glad you like it. I have a playlist for Inktense too so do take a Look x

[@wegotthepower]

@@helencampbell I’ll check it out now & try it myself too ☺️ Thank you so much for making these videos!

[@helencampbell]

@@wegotthepower my pleasure x

[@ksimpson3952]

Thank you so much for sharing! Glad I found your channel ❤

[@helencampbell]

Thank you ❤️🌸

[@SheilaLandry]

Good morning! Thank you for showcasing this wonderful medium. I love using these and hope to use them more in my creating. I look forward to seeing more tutorials by you on them. Have a great week!

[@helencampbell]

Good morning Sheila. Thank you very much. I hope you have a great week also. X

[@snuuby5468]

Helen, thanks for this helpful tutorial. I have been frustrated with watercolour pencils leaving lines or not as vibrant. Recently I discovered Charles Evans KZbin channel. He is a landscape artist who uses watercolour pencils in this artwork. The paper he uses is cotton rough CP watercolour paper. I swatched all of my large collection of watercolour pencils from Caran d'ache Museum pencils to the most inexpensive ones. I used the hardest pressure with no lines at all. The pencils dissolved beautifully and the colours were so vibrant. The only pencils that did not do as well on that paper were the Derwent Inktense pencils.

[@helencampbell]

Thank you. It’s interesting how differently they perform from brand to brand and paper to paper isn’t it

[@eileencollins3126]

I really like the variety of ways you use Inktense Pencils!

[@helencampbell]

Thank you. They are really versatile

[@CraftyDawn]

Great tips. Thank you Helen. I’m going to use this technique and have a go at painting an apple. I love using inktense pencils so this will be a pleasure to do, as all of your tutorials are. Arty hugs - Dawn 🌅

[@helencampbell]

Thank you very much Dawn I’m glad you find it useful. Arty hugs back x

[@charlenerobinette2690]

Wonderful tutorial! Your explanation of how to apply layers is very helpful. I need to get my Inktense pencils back out and try this.

[@helencampbell]

Thank you very much Charlene I’m glad you found it helpful

[@dianaromig732]

So beautiful watching you build layers. 🎉. My set is collecting dust which is a shame considering how vibrant and exciting this medium is. Thanks 🙏 for lighting a fire of inspiration ❤

[@helencampbell]

Thank you. Oh please use them they are beautiful x

[@WolfmanWoody]

You are the best on KZbin for floral paintings, love them! Thank you.

[@helencampbell]

Aww too kind. Thank you x

[@WolfmanWoody]

@@helencampbell As it happens, I do have the 24 set of Inktense pencils with those very colours and so I a trying this one now. 👍

[@helencampbell]

@WolfmanWoody that’s fantastic. Let me know how you get on

[@WolfmanWoody]

@@helencampbell It's not anywhere near as good as yours, but that may be because I tried it on some cheap watercolour paper in a small book. I will have another go as I am quite pleased with it nevertheless. I did another of yours some time ago using the Inktense, please let's have more of them. It's given me a chance to use these pencils that otherwise I would have let the grandkids play with them. 🤭

[@helencampbell]

@WolfmanWoody oh I’m definitely going to do more of them. We do have a playlist for in contents tutorials, did you know that?

[@ajdoane1]

Thank you Rae! I'm still trying to get the hang of Inktense, so this is really helpful.

[@helencampbell]

Aw thank you x

[@thealinastar]

First :-) lovely video Helen 🌷

[@helencampbell]

Hi Alina. Thank you very much x

[@maryjones3369]

I own these pencils but have not used them. What an inspiring video! I will definitely put them to use…thank you❤️❤️

[@helencampbell]

Thank you Mary. Glad you found it helpful. I have a playlist of Inktense tutorials so do take a look if you’d like to try painting flowers

[@maryjones3369]

I did see that and will be watching them. Thank you❤️

[@helencampbell]

@maryjones3369 have fun x

[@awatercolourist]

Not first 😅. I’m not much of a watercolour pencil user; but I did enjoy watching your techniques.

[@helencampbell]

Thank you so much 😀 - back to watercolour on Tuesday x

[@bethcarroll5988]

How about some suggested color combination suggestions? Great as always.

[@helencampbell]

Great idea! Thank you

[@JonaInesFritz]

Thank you, Helen, for this nice tutorial! I apply watercolour pencils similar to how you do, mostly to bring colour to a line drawing. However, I struggle with applying a second (or third) layer on top of an already dried previous. Doing all in one layer feels much more under control for me. Do you have special tipps for how to plan multiple watercolour pencil layers to achieve a bit more depth in the drawing?

[@helencampbell]

Thank you. We have over 200 watercolour tutorials to choose from so just scroll through. We also have playlists for Inktense

[@sharonsmith2330]

Question: Using the Inktense pencils will you be able to get water blooms like with water paint ??? Love all of your videos, have ordered the Inktense pencil set. ❤❤❤

[@helencampbell]

Hi Sharon. Yes, if you drop the water in while the ink is still wet because they behave in the same way. When dry they won’t budge and layer well. Glad you are enjoying the videos x

[@SharonNolfi]

Nice tutorial! Do you ever use Inktense pencils on hot pressed paper?

[@helencampbell]

Thank you Sharon. They can be used on hot pressed, but I really don’t like it and hardly ever use it.

[@VickiWalton]

I was revisiting your Inktense tutorials. In the comment section of one of them, someone mentioned the Caran D'ache Palette Aquarelle. Instead of using watercolor paper to apply your pencils to form a mini palette, you would use the acrylic palette. I am wondering if you ever purchased and used one? I have watched a few KZbin videos about it, and thought it would be nice to try.

[@helencampbell]

Hi Vicki. I happened to try the pallet you mentioned. I do however think it’s a brilliant idea and it’s on my list of things to try out. I think it will work better than the paper method that I demonstrate.

[@VickiWalton]

@@helencampbell, on the videos I saw, the pencil ink dissolved completely, and therefore you get to use it all. On the paper palette, more ink is wasted because it is not usable. Thinking I am going to order myself one from Amazon today! On a happy note, I have not been too much of a fan of using my Inktense pencils directly on paper. But I was using some cold press Arches this morning and tried it again. If I do an extremely light touch and do tiny circles, I don't get the lines and graininess that I had gotten previously. So I am looking forward to using them! 😊

[@helencampbell]

@@VickiWalton that’s wonderful. Let me know how you get on with that. And you are right, it makes much more sense to use the pallet rather than the paper because it does stick.

[@SguardoInnocente1980]

Hi! I’m waiting for your brush set to be back soon to purchase but till then I was wondering which brush I could use instead of the blender oval of the set. Can’t find anything similar online. Can you suggest a close alternative please?

[@helencampbell]

I am not sure if we are launching a second release of the brushes, the oval blender brush that you speak of has been designed by me so I’m afraid there isn’t anything similar that I can think of. If you head over to their website, you can click on the Be notified button and They will let you know if and when we decide on the second release

[@SguardoInnocente1980]

@@helencampbell Thank you, I’ve done that already! I was wondering what type of brush could work as a substitute.

[@helencampbell]

@SguardoInnocente1980 the only other alternative I can think of is Rosemary and Coe do a eradicator brush - that might work

[@SguardoInnocente1980]

@@helencampbell Thank you for your prompt answer. I’ll have a try…