ELIMINATE pencil lines with one EASY trick | Watercolor Sketching Hack

Today's art hack is one that I picked up recently while reading a technique book from another artist. This tip is really helpful for virtually eliminating all pencil lines from your drawings and has been something that I've really enjoyed experimenting with recently. So if you are a watercolor or water based medium painter and you're struggling with having your pencil sketches blend into and disappear from your painting, this trick is most definitely for you. Hope you find it useful!
Xo,
Margot
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ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Margot and I am a professional artist and graphic designer. My parents like to joke that I was born with a paintbrush in hand. I started my career after graduating from the renown Parsons School of Design in New York City and spent over 15 years creating and designing for many of the world's top Fortune 500 brands and companies. My painting journey started as a side project and a creative outlet for me to step away from the computer, go back to my "roots" in fine art and to hone my skills as an illustrator and painter. I started posting some of my work on instagram and the rest is history. My work is inspired by all the things that I am passionate about. Ballet, travel, graphic design, color and finding a world of beauty in all facets of everyday life. I hope you’ll join me in this KZbin journey as I take you through all the tips, tricks and trade secrets I’ve gathered throughout the years. I hope I can teach you some of what I know, help you discover your creative voice and I hope you enjoy this Channel!
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[@DavZell]

If anyone feels like playing around, a variation on this is water soluble tinted graphite pencils. They have plain, too, but I think tinted is more fun. You can use them as done here or even as a sort of duotone effect in a sketch. In a sketch, you can leave some lines as drawn, while using water to fill/shade other areas of the sketch. They also come in sticks if you want to try other techniques.

[@Pointebrush]

That’s interesting! I’ve never tried water soluble graphite before. Sounds like it’s definitely worth a try!

[@berolinastrassmann]

​@@PointebrushIndeed! I like graphite tinted water soluble pencils (what a mouthful 😂!) For landscapes or natural elements. I have a set by Staedtler (around 12€ here in 🇩🇪) Derwent has pencils and half pans, at around €24. Good to play around, add texture. The colours are always muted and good for rocks, adding contrast or shadows. Have you tried them since this video?

[@priscillawarren9979]

This is the perfect fix. I always use a pale peach colored WC pencil.

[@KikiFu]

I've been doing this for a while. It can be excellent. The only issue I have run into is changing a color in my composition last minute and getting an unpleasant muddy edge. (Due to it not erasing completely)So, now I only use a watercolor pencil for pieces where I've made really firm decisions on color placement. My alternative which works very well is to use a harder pencil. F, 3H or a black old school plastic Pentel HB... the ugly one. An architect suggested them to me and they create the most amazing faint lines that erase like a dream! The one I use came with a specific lead and it's just perfect. I can look up the exact style # for if you're interested.

[@cymbidiumm]

Are these the super-hi polymer ones?

[@lisathaviu1154]

Even though they are crazy expensive, the Caran D’ache pencils melt away to nothing. Also good are the Stabillo or Faber Castell pencils. One way to ensure that you won’t see them is to use a really pale tan or gold, like a pale ochre or saffron colored. Since these pigments are fairly weak, it’s more likely they will melt into the paint with very little effect.

[@Pointebrush]

What a great idea, Lisa! It makes total sense to use a low tinting strength pigment because yes, like you said, it should be able to hide much easier! Ochre is a terrific choice... and I might add Terre Verte for a landscape artist since that one is also a very low tinting strength pigment. Thanks again!!

[@marcythobaben1284]

I agree! The watercrayons are amazing!!

[@marcythobaben1284]

I tried the Derwent Inktense but good gracious! are they intense and PERMANENT!

[@OG_Wonder_Woman]

Thanks, I'll try those colors. I tried this method but found it didn't work for me. The watercolor pencils can't be erased when I'm drawing, and they don't fade either. Even if I scrub over them with just water, the line is still visible. So I just ended up with even more obvious lines than with pencil. I'm using a cheap, no name watercolor pencil set and I wonder if that is why. They just don't blend well and I haven't used them much. On the other hand the Faber aquarelle graphite pencils work great if I'm going to have shadows or outlines. They blend well, but of course you don't always want that grey tone in lighter or loose paintings. I probably need to swatch the cheap set I have and see if any of the yellows or lighter pigments will blend away better. Good tip!

[@jenniferalvarez4041]

​@@OG_Wonder_WomanFaber Castell Albrecht Duhrer watersoluble pencils are able to have the marks wash away completely into a wash. I love them.

[@AmericanDischord]

I never thought of this method! I've been thinking of experimenting with watercolor on my comic art, but the underdrawing has always been my main issue. Awesome video :D

[@bethcassidy3850]

Super helpful! The pencil lines you cannot erase after paint dries was making me crazy! Many thanks!

[@Pointebrush]

You're so welcome!

[@Rockymtnbloom]

I have been doing this for a while. You will need to plan when to use the watercolor pencil, such as after a background wash. Unlike regular pencil, aspects of the drawing you haven’t painted will "melt" with washes. If you have a "roadmap" sketch, you can do initial washes and draw over the dry wash. Sometimes I use a light pad and attach my paper over my sketch, and paint washes to lay down the basic elements.

[@craiggross9629]

That is a great idea....

[@BugBobsWildWorld]

This is brilliant in its simplicity. You just saved me untold hours of erasing. Thank you, Margot!

[@RaeanneNichol]

Thank you so much for posting. I am an absolute beginner in water colour and who is also a newly retired gal after 50+ years of working. Still wanting to be active I've started going to the gym, learning chess, learning the basics of the quantum world ( very fascinating), and of course water colouring. Not wanting to learn bad habits I am so happy to find your video and channel which I will add to my growing library on techniques to learn and those of which I (hopefully) will avoid. Thanks ever so much and please do have a glorious day.❤

[@lisaharner3720]

I have a set of watercolor pencils but didn’t enjoy the medium all that much. I will give this a try! Thanks for the hack! Love your channel content. ❤

[@tlembro]

I must admit that I have a love hate relationship with watercolor pencils! i have seen anime artists and illustrators using this technique but never tried it myself. Going to try it today! Love the results and solves an age old problem! Thank you for sharing this technique.

[@Pointebrush]

I'm in the same boat Lynn! I've never enjoyed using watercolor pencils as my main medium. Give this a try and hope it works out for you! Xo!

[@cassandragonzalez5660]

This was sooo helpful! I'm getting back to art after many, many, MANY years...and painting is a new medium for me. Your videos are thought out, and the demo works both sides of my brain so I can understand. Thank you!

[@merlefi6162]

Oh wow I never thought of doing this with watercolor pencils! I've always wanted to paint something but without sketch lines showing up. Time to find my almost unused watercolor pencils and try this technique for my watercolor paintings!

[@daphnekivinen9482]

Thank you! Why didn't I think of that. I am self taught. I am one of those who colors outside the lines!

[@Iamedsmum]

Thank you so much for sharing this total game-changer Margot. Thank you too for using a "heavy pencil to draw your circles; my eyesight isn't what it should be and I give up on so many tutorial videos because I can't see what the artist is drawing! I "discovered" your channel during the night and am looking forward so much to watching your gouache tutorials - a new media to me. I am so pleased to be able to "Subscribe" to your knowledge and look forward to spending many happy hours following along. With thanks and Best Wishes - Marion in the UK.

[@Pointebrush]

Hi Marion, I'm so glad you liked it and it was easy to see what was going on! Truth be told, I have the same problem as you seeing pencil lines on videos so I know exactly what you mean 😉 Welcome to the channel and hope to see you around!! Xo!

[@shirley-cq2eo]

@@Pointebrush t

[@Snowymae]

This is brilliant, such a small change with a big impact. I always made sure my pencil lines were super light, but I would frequently not be able to see them by the middle of my project

[@BeachPeach2010]

Ordered my first set of watercolor pencils today. I'm so excited!

[@Pointebrush]

Excited for you! Enjoy!!

[@janbryant9879]

The pilot friXion erasable pen works better. You draw with the pen then paint with the watercolors. Use a heat gun and the pen disappears . It's cheap too. You can get it at basically any store.

[@andreymelnikov8428]

It's convenient but ink can reappear if frozen.

[@mariemaier5630]

The water colour you used in this video is so stunning.

[@awatercolourist]

This is a very good idea! But I usually start my paintings by washing in the sky. That usually fades any pencil marks I’ve done which makes it very difficult to know where everything is. Hmmm… I supppose I can start out by painting the sky then drawing with my pencil or watercolour pencil. I’ll give it a try.

[@Pointebrush]

Ahh yes! Definitely the style and subject matter might require a little noodling. People who paint deeper and darker paintings don't tend to have this issue, I've noticed. I live in the light wash world so it's much less forgiving if you're keeping a very pale, watery palette. Give it a try after your sky underpainting and let me know how it goes! X!

[@awatercolourist]

@@Pointebrush Will do!

[@BrazenSpirituality]

@@awatercolourist any update from you would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[@awatercolourist]

@@BrazenSpirituality Hi Brazen! Actually, I must admit that I totally forgot about this 🙈. I am so sorry! Having said that, not two days ago I was actually thinking about trying painting a sky then outlining my drawing in pencil or water-soluble colour pencils. It’s not a priority at the moment as I am exploring some new paints that I recently bought 😊

[@marthahendriks6476]

This was really helpful! Thanks a lot! ❤❤❤

[@doncassidy4428]

An excellent idea that I will put into use. I was wondering about a solution to pencil marks. Thank you!

[@4.1132]

This is really cool. Just probably more suited to more abstract and free style work because on something like a portrait or botanical painting you probably very much want to keep your sketch lines intact past the first layer.

[@lauriedi1]

I love both effects and see their value in different presentations. Thank you!

[@lissataylor12345]

Great content! I’m new to watercolor and your videos answer all sorts of my questions. Thanks❤

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

That’s a great tip! I want to watercolor in when I go to New Orleans but want to use archival ink to show through color washes purposely. It’s fun to envision all kinds of ways to use wc…🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏽

[@TheMessyDeskxyz]

It’s so funny I never thought of doing this until I saw it in another of your video… I personally hate having to erase pencil lines so this seems like such an obvious solution for me 😂

[@rudysmith6293]

Excellent presentation! Thank you!

[@willvolny5343]

Love it!!!! Thank you!

[@missmary99]

Thanks for showing this, Margot. What a great tip!

[@danakolpin1289]

A very good watercolor lesson on pencil marks

[@kennethbutzer7069]

Use a watercolor pencil closest in color too the subject matter you are painting instead of typical graphite pencil so as not to have muddy transitions got it!

[@marymullins5976]

I really love your little hacks of wisdom thank you so much

[@Pointebrush]

Aww I’m glad and hope it helps you in your process!

[@T_zona]

Margot, I noticed the watercolor pencil example didn't bleed as much as the pencil side, do the watercolor pencils reduce the bleed? Also I actually like that using red outline actually does change the blues a little bit, it creates a cool effect. Thanks for sharing!

[@glendamcintosh5243]

Another idea for our toolkit. Thank you

[@Pointebrush]

You're very welcome!

[@arlenemurphy804]

We learned this in art class. ❤️❤️

[@imhorsenaround]

Why does everyone say they’ll link something in the description or up above BUT THEY NEVER DO??!! And why would you use a 6B instead of an H?

[@madelinegrudens]

Great idea with great results!!

[@muireannin09]

Absolutely fabulous!

[@lorrainelacroix4030]

Great idea, thank you

[@suel4269]

Thanks for the reminder!

[@Pointebrush]

You bet! ❤️

[@danthomas6587]

One of my favorite w/c painters, Chien Chung Wei said about pencil lines, “I don't care if my pencil lines show, because my lines are alive,” he said. “If they are alive, they are beautiful.” Every painter has to decide for themselves what works and what feels right but that only happens through practice and experimentation. When I was younger I was taught using an HB pencil but over the years I discovered I liked the way a softer pencil felt and when the painting was finished, unless you're viewing too closely you can't really see the pencil lines anyway. It's good to remember though that if you're using a softer pencil you have to take care not to smudge the pencil drawing before you start to paint or you'll end up with dirty color and once you paint over the dirty pencil lines you aren't able to erase them. Using a kneeded eraser and dabbling over the lines that are too dark helps to lighten the lines. Just discovered your channel. Subbed.

[@jenniferwong4530]

Brilliant! Love this tip!

[@Pointebrush]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mondayschild229]

I've known about and used this trick for some time now. I use a pale gray watercolor pencil and the lines always disappear in a flash.

[@melbabowen4389]

So helpful!❤ THANK YOU!!!

[@zengal5685]

Loved this trick! thank you!

[@kasiako355]

Wow, I loved the tip, thank you !💖

[@haifashawwa]

What wonderful tips. Thank you

[@Lightcode]

Cute vid and nice tips. I’m really curious what is the beautiful blue green paint that you are using in the first Circle set?

[@lindaerman3436]

super helpful!

[@Raeintheuk]

Thought of doing this but it’s not practical when you’re doing an initial wash over a few areas at a time especially for landscape art

[@sweetbb125]

That was very helpful thankyou.

[@Pointebrush]

You’re very welcome!

[@anick6265]

Thank you a great tip!

[@Pointebrush]

You’re very welcome!

[@douggief1367]

Beautiful video, thank you. (BTW, the infamous "link here in the corner" only ever actually appears in the final video about 15% of times.)

[@MissCarol-gb3]

Thank you

[@abcde299]

Hi Margot, what was the color you used at 5:40? Love that one, but didn't hear a mention. Thanks!

[@danagreer4465]

Good info.

[@CH-hj4od]

Great Idea. I love it.

[@miriamgreen3973]

Graphite! No one uses lead in their pencils any more Great suggestion to use the water soluable pencils to skip lines showing up 👍✌

[@debbierister2923]

Very helpful…thank you.

[@sophiedanon7491]

Brilliant !

[@luckycharm1611]

Awesome tip

[@nicemonaco2337]

Thanks 🙏

[@jonigiarratano1322]

Margot, I love your watercolor techniques ! Have you ever used a dress maker's invisible pen? When your paint over the marking, it completely disappears ! Hope you try it !

[@omynico]

thanks a whole lot

[@griffithsOZ]

i always thought this was a good idea that just made sense

[@BrazenSpirituality]

I would love to know what was different between the first orange circle blooming so deeply into the teal circle and the second set which did not bloom into one another at all? Was the only variable the graphite pencil vs the Derwent watercolor pencil?

[@Pointebrush]

Ah no! That was actually just due to water ratio on my brush. I had a lot more water on my first one than the second 😉

[@nancyhohmann9015]

The orange did not bleed into the adjacent circle with the watercolor pencil outline. Is this what we can expect with watercolor pencils, or was that just a coincidence?

[@kuraicraft]

unfortunately when I did this for a face, it bled red/brown pencil into all the paint ;-; hoping a super light touch will help. Does your kneaded eraser remove a lot of the coloured pencil lines for you? I think my hard eraser isn't as effective

[@snone6700]

Genius…❤💙🧡💛💚💜

[@koruki]

Genius

[@Pointebrush]

Hope it helps you! 👍

[@r.v.k.6932]

I would like to know, are there are any colours or brands of watercolour pencil suitable for the "paper transfer" technique in which you use graphite pencil shading to transfer an outline in lieu of carbon paper?

[@Pointebrush]

Yes! I’ve had success with Caran d’aches Neopastel II! I’ll be doing a video with it soon!

[@Coco-ne5ix]

Would Inktense pencils work the same way as your watercolor pencils?

[@Pointebrush]

I’m not familiar with inktense pencils so I don’t know but you could test it out on a scrap piece of paper and see!

[@suel4269]

Inktense will probably stain since they are ink.

[@Coco-ne5ix]

@@suel4269 thanks. Good to know. I’m needing to do a Bluey painting and Bluey is outlined. I tried Microns and Copics but they didn’t work. I was going to use Inktense pencils but I’ll try the plain watercolor pencils instead. 😀

[@teresahiggs4896]

@@Pointebrushyou should get a small set of Inktense pencils….and play….now they make inktense in pan sets, like watercolors.

[@judymathison1249]

Noticed on your pencil circles you didn't paint into the faint lines, if you had, they wouldn't be noticeable.

[@Rockymtnbloom]

Honestly, in my experience this is very hard to get lines soft enough yet useful. This is especially more difficult when painting over pencil lines with lighter or transparent pigments.

[@Ninjamom4]

❤️❤️❤️

[@juliebrocklehurst-woods5247]

How well do watercolor pencils erase?

[@nataliem2201]

This is also my question. I definitely erase a lot when I sketch....

[@Rockymtnbloom]

I usually do my sketches on tabloid and make important decisions before I layout on watercolor paper. Not everyone may find using watercolor or water-soluable graphite pencils helpful depending on their methods or the subject. But for me, it was a very helpful technique.

[@larryglatt2548]

Thank you for the 'hack', but I can do without the music distraction

[@Linda-kh6rl]

I sent my text on how good you or an you or so good at explaining ❤

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you Linda! ❤️

[@donnadyer7040]

Please stop the music. I can’t hear you….

[@awatercolourist]

First!

[@Pointebrush]

🎉🎉🎉

[@JR-mq6wd]

7 minutes too long. Dislike/next

[@FuriedHearts]

The only thing is I wish watercolor pencils could draw on tracing paper. Since I use the transfer method a lot. Or maybe they do? I’ll have to try it. Just not sure if they would transfer off of it

[@Pointebrush]

Hi Stephen! They can transfer a little but not as well as water miscible pastels which transfer like a dream. I've tried with Caran d'Ache's neopastel II and they do the trick very easily. And the best part is you don't have to buy a set. You can buy them open stock to test them out if you're interested.

[@SharonH11100]

The watercolor pencil “ dissolves,” not “melts,” unless you’re using hot water.

[@ManWithoutThePants]

@@SharonH11100 Thanks. This information improved my painting process a lot :)

[@jmhatyoutube6283]

@@SharonH11100 Check out the word “metaphor.”

[@lindathompson389]

Thank you so much . What an amazing difference.