BEST Watercolor + Water-Soluble Pencils: The TOP 5!

[@paintingandchocolate]

What's your favorite brand? To paint along with me, you may join my Patreon here: www.patreon.com/francoiseblayac

[@elaineg60]

I’d never considered “mixed media” pieces (I should say-I am NOT a professional artist, by any measure. I dabbled in many mediums over the years…but I didn’t start painting again until after health issues forced a retirement, and my precious late son and his friends began sending me boxes of brushes, paper, paint chips, ink sticks..and stones..from China. And after he passed suddenly in ‘21, my best friend & eldest daughter-REAL artists, suggested we try merging Chinese traditional painting with Western Watercolor…to honor my Son’s legacy of bringing people together through art, food, sports…and helping each other out). Back to what I was saying…more to the point…I seem to have found a comfortable combination of inktense pencils and/or Chinese ink, then western watercolors, then either more Inktense or high quality watercolor pencils for highlights and/or finishing touches. While I normally don’t use glittery or metallic mediums UNLESS it’s my gold or silver ink for Chinese calligraphy; I LOVE occasionally mixing in some Kuretake gold mica ink-either by itself for subtle highlights (especially in Fall scenes, and I occasionally use the silver for winter scenes) OR, just a tiny touch, mixed in with some paints or inktense..but the “barely there”, very natural looking shimmer when mixed with granulating paints-can add a wonderful touch to, for instance, the white sand beaches of NorthWest Florida, even in the shadows.

[@Amanda-uc5jq]

@@elaineg60 oh I love the idea of mixing some in for sand 😁 I have the gold mica and it’s amazing, may have to get some silver next time I put an order in.

[@karo1564]

I love the Supracolor from Caran d' Ache. Soft and full of pigments

[@paintingandchocolate]

Thank you for sharing 🙂

[@SMCCRADY2]

The landscape set in the Caran D'ache is a nice set with the right amount of colors.

[@paintingandchocolate]

I haven't seen it, it's interesting

[@almas.2530]

I love my Albrecht Dürer. It’s the only brand of watercolor pencils I’ve tried, because after buying the complete set of 120, there’s no need (and no budget 😅) for anymore! I also love water soluble graphite. My favorite are Faber Castell, Caran D’Ache Technalo RGB and Art Graf sticks.

[@paintingandchocolate]

I didn't know so many enjoyed the water-soluble graphite as well, I didn't try Art graf yet (almost!)

[@CathyPowellGlass]

Albrecht Durer are my favourites too, and the water soluble graphite. I have found over the years that I can't go wrong with Faber-Castell. I have tried so hard to like Derwent as they are a UK company (I'm in the UK), but they never quite cut it for me. I regret spending so much on inktense as I just can't seem to get the results I want. Maybe my paper choice is the problem. The only thing that worked well for me was to use the inktense blocks to create a grisaille underpainting before glazing with watercolour. I always combine them with watercolour now.

[@paintingandchocolate]

Thank you for sharing ! What problem do you notice with Inktense in particular if you don't mind sharing? As you saw from one tree to the next I get very similar same results between FC and Inktense, hence my curiosity because I've heard others have a hard time with them.

[@CathyPowellGlass]

@paintingandchocolate The biggest problem I have with inktense is creating soft edges. It dries so fast and tends to stain (not lift) in my hands, leaving unsightly brush marks. I like a smoother finish. I think it's just a preference rather than a flaw. It's fine for textured or detailed pieces. I just prefer soft and flowy.

[@Amanda-uc5jq]

I have the Albrecht Durer and their water soluble graphite pencils as well, love them both. I’m also a sucker for Faber Castell and have their Pitt artist fine liners and a set of their pastel pencils. 😁 The first Albrecht Durer ones I bought were the jumbo ones 😂

[@paintingandchocolate]

I see what you mean now, they do dry a bit faster

[@paintingandchocolate]

Their markers are nice too

[@carolhestand2561]

Thank you. I love Inktense and I also have graphitint

[@HappyCatastrophy]

Inktense is a must for me in almost all my work. As for watercolor pencils I love the Albrecht Durers and Graphitint. The AD’s had a steep learning curve for me as I was trying to use a technique from another colorist that was just not working for me. But once I gave myself permission to experiment with these they work like a dream and I love them!

[@paintingandchocolate]

I'm glad you enjoy them as well 🙂

[@JC-il4or]

The Albrecht Durer are "workhorse" pencils, and I do enjoy them. I have the 36 set and add to them from open stock. But my Caran d'ache are the best for blends and solubility. I have the Marine set, which I augment every time I go to Blick or place an online order..so I now have 30+ of colors i use and am not spending money on sets that don't meet my needs. I do admire the work you did with the graphites - both colored and shades. The drama from just pencil is my favorite of the 4. 😊

[@paintingandchocolate]

Interesting about the caran d'ache, I will look at those sets!

[@xeynus7]

I use Derwent watercolor Pencils and I love them! I also have Derwent Graphitint, their color range is unique, I blend them with watercolor pencils to get some colors.

[@paintingandchocolate]

That's a great idea, i tried Derwent watercolor pencils and don't love them as much, maybe I should compare them to FC just to see.

[@kathyphifer7546]

I absolutely love the Inktense! So vibrant! The Albrecht Durer were purchased for Christmas this year and so far they are simply fabulous! I also have Derwent regular watercolor pencils and they’ve been a favorite for years. Thank you Francoise ❤️

[@paintingandchocolate]

You're welcome, thank you for sharing about your own experience 🙂

[@Taka_Takata]

You can get the Caran d'ache Museum aquarelle by the piece in many of the big online stores in Europe and the USA. They're the most lightfast and their White is the best 😋

[@paintingandchocolate]

Now I want to try it 🙂

[@rainbowfox1934]

All of the pencils have lightfast charts on the websites. I only use the lightfast ones for fine art and put the rest in my art therapy supplies.

[@paintingandchocolate]

That's a good idea! To buy them in open stock then could be an option.

[@milenamarcocci6320]

Very beautiful and interesting ❤❤❤bravissima

[@paintingandchocolate]

Thank you 🙂

[@juststartingover2735]

What kind of paper spiral book were you using in this video…it held up nicely to all the water.

[@cousinjesse4450]

Thank you so much for this video great demonstration. I own both watercolor pencil sets and like using both equally. Investing in a water color pencil palette is a great idea. Peace, love and good karma to all.

[@paintingandchocolate]

Thank you Jesse!

[@jyemichael]

Also fully obsessed with my inktense but for me they are like an adaptive explosion of color for me on paper or I use a pallet I sort of save them for fabric 😂

[@paintingandchocolate]

It must be nice on fabric

[@lesleycrawford7244]

I have the Inktense, Fc and Cd'A sets, and love them all for different reasons. I like the Inktense to use in conjunction with w/c, and also great for taking out a few for plein aire sketching. I find the colours of Fc to be brighter than Cd'A, but eh the Cd'A is great for botanicals and natural history subjects as they have some lovely subtle colours that are absent from the other sets. Horses for courses! But they all mix well together and are a joy to use (depending on the paper!!!)

[@paintingandchocolate]

Thank you so much Lesley for sharing 🙂

[@janelswatercolors]

I really enjoy watching your videos especially the ones where you use water soluble pencils. I would really like to see a video where you use Derwent’s Graphitint pencils.

[@paintingandchocolate]

I've made one, look for the cute seal from 5 or 6 months ago

[@janelswatercolors]

@paintingandchocolate Thank you.

[@juststartingover2735]

What are the brushes you use in this video? Love your videos, so helpful!

[@paintingandchocolate]

Silverbrush black velvet

[@1SakitoArt]

FC Graphite Aquarelle Derwent Inktence Derwent Graphitint CD Museum FC Albert Dürer Already bought the first 3, love them. Thank you Françoisel, for another great video.

[@paintingandchocolate]

Thank you ! I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@kle1701]

What a great comparison video! Based on one of your earlier videos where you recommended the Faber Castell pencils, I had been eager to try them. We have a Blick Art store close by (Tampa, Florida) and I was able to purchase some Albrecht Durer pencils recently. Had to purchase open stock because they did not have any sets in the store. I am glad to have followed your advice, as the pencils are lovely! Blick Art also has the Caran d’Ache as open stock, so they, as well as the Derwent ones, are on my wish list! I have small sets of Faber Castell Goldfaber, as well as Prismacolors. The Prismacolor red is so vibrant, and probably my favorite! The Goldfabers are mediocre, but some of the colors are quite nice. Thanks for all the information you put out on watercolor pencils. Being able to use this medium opens up a whole new world of possibilities. And….they are very convenient for travel!

[@paintingandchocolate]

I'm delighted they are helpful, it sounds like you have been having fun with them 😃

[@hemjoo]

I keep telling myself to follow your wc pencil tutorials. Have a set of 36 AD ones that I don’t know how to use compared with watercolours. Great video! Controlled myself not to buy the Derwent Graphitint… too limited the colour range…

[@paintingandchocolate]

I hope you use the FC soon since you have them

[@sadiamahmood3742]

Please can you share which brand you were using at 1:27? I haven’t come across a brand that doesn’t leave lines yet…. Even the FC didn’t really work for me…. thanks for this video though, I will look into the others you mentioned 😊

[@paintingandchocolate]

This was Faber Castell Albrecht Dürer

[@Amanda-uc5jq]

I love my Faber Castell water colour pencils and water soluble graphite pencils. I have Kuretake graphite paints and they don’t come with a black or grey so I’ll use the Faber Castell graphite pencils with them to do cloudy skies and areas I want pure grey or black. I have a cheap set of temu watercolour pencils as well and strangely they are really good and leave no marks, they’re vibrant and fun.

[@paintingandchocolate]

Ohhh I'm surprised about Temu, thank you for sharing this! So far it seems FC is much appreciated by many 🙂

[@Amanda-uc5jq]

@@paintingandchocolate yes I was surprised as well, the temu ones are what I started with and I keep them because I have 120 colours 🤣 (admittedly I’m close to that number with Faber Castell too)I have 3 Caran d’Ache pencils because I wanted some skin type tones that I couldn’t find in Faber Castell, I haven’t tried them yet so it will be interesting to see how they compare.

[@1SakitoArt]

​@@Amanda-uc5jqThe same chinese pencils are cheaper on Temu than on Amazon, so can you say wich pencils did you buy, please? Because there a lot of chinese brands. Just to share, the Arteza and Mondeluz from Koh-i-noor are very good too, for beginners. I already tested Mondeluz and they are pretty good.

[@paintingandchocolate]

Interesting !

[@paintingandchocolate]

I bet !

[@joykruczay]

Inspired idea to portray the same subject with each pencil. Perhaps (okay, definitely) I need more practice with the pencils, as I have the sets of 12 in Graphitint and Inktense. I do not possess your skills in application, as I have been somewhat disappointed in each. The Graphitint was so pale it was difficult to get value contrasts, and they looked much more "colorful" and darker in value when wet. Since the graphite is neutral by nature, one cannot really have any yellows, reds, etc. or more saturated hues as they would appear muddy and subdued. Rather like mixing a color with one opposite on the color wheel. The Inktense muse be activated completely, or it will lift when layers are applied. How do you decide which subject would be best represented by which pencil type or media? Of course, there is no one "correct" answer, and much is individual preference. I am a watercolorist, and find pencils to be do labor intensive, excepting details. Merci pour le partage!

[@paintingandchocolate]

Avec plaisir 🙂

[@jyemichael]

We Stan out WC QUEEN ❤

[@TAXIARTPL]

best from Poland

[@paintingandchocolate]

Hello!

[@jyemichael]

Big love for my AD even if I still forget how to spell it 😂😂😂

[@paintingandchocolate]

FC AD will do 🙂

[@BrendaArtist]

caran d'ache museum aquarel have a lot of colours so the colours you didn't like so much are easily solvable. I'm not sure why you struggled with these pencils. I face 0 struggle with them. but they do are pricey, but many of these pencils are light fast and for light fast, you pay a price. I never tried the faber castell ones to compare with qaran d'ache, but I think they are both fine top brands watercolour pencils. qaran d'ache guarantees that their light fast pencils are light fast and are made with high concentrated pigments and for that you pay a price either. faber castell are also high concentrated pigments, but have a shine to them. they have soft color release and maybe that's why it's easier to work with, but I don't like to work in many layers. it's too repetitive for me. so it comes down to preferences. 😊 if someone struggles to choose between these 2, it comes down to do you want soft colour release and work in layers or do you want strong colours that you can learn to control. do you want a mat finish, or do you like a shine?

[@paintingandchocolate]

Very insightful, thank you for sharing 🙂 I am sure I will have more fun with my CD pencils if I can get my favorite colors.

[@BrendaArtist]

I think you like more muted darker greens than those you used in this video, or?

[@paintingandchocolate]

Yes,that's why I wasn’t happy. I could have easily layered on top with another color to mute them but I wanted to keep the process simple like the others

[@BrendaArtist]

​@paintingandchocolate I think you will like the colours moss green, dark sap green, dark pthalocyanine green and as a lighter green either dark olive or chromium oxyde green. pthalocyanine green is the most dark shadowy green that I have in my 76 set. I think you used a bright green or similar to it and that's more for spring grass and spring leaves and small new flower bulbs or a apple. moss green and pthalocyanine green you see more on trees and some trees have the green bluish dark sap green from the caran d'ache museum aquarel pencils. I hope this helps.

[@paintingandchocolate]

Yes, thank you !

[@joanpringle-canning2834]

💙💙⭐⭐💜💜💚💚

[@mnaeemsadiq]

❤🎉❤🎉