Tips for Using a Small Set of Pencils (because good pencils be pricey!)

In this video, I will show you how to use a small tin of colored pencils to get a variety of results and share tips on how you can save money and stretch your pencil stash! I will be teaching this tomato drawing class for free on March 15th at Michaels online: www.michaels.c... The class is free and open to USA and Canada residents. A replay will be available on March 18th on the Michaels KZbin channel for all to enjoy. Please sign up if you are interested in the class, even if you can't make it live. The pattern is available on the class page.
Supplies:
Derwent Lightfast pencils tin of 12: shrsl.com/4eael
Canson XL Mixed Media paper (white): shrsl.com/4epya
*The green paper is a mate board scrap coated with Liquitex clear gesso to give it a sandy surface. Clear gesso: shrsl.com/4dlvd
Kneaded Eraser shrsl.com/4ee9f
Colorless blending alcohol-based marker: amzn.to/4bgnvxJ
The pencil sharpener I use: amzn.to/49fTlZx
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Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art

[@berolinastrassmann]

This is so approachable! I have a hard time using pencils for big formats, but I can totally do this. I have a 12 set of Polychromos which I can try for this. Following your advice, I am starting with a small set, as I am not sure whether pencils are for me or not. The jury is out still 🫣, so I am happy for any chance to practice. Lovely 🍅🍅🍅 Lindsay! Thank you!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful!

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Enjoyed it. Thanks

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Linda-qq5mg]

Thanks for all the great tips you gave us in this wonderful video!😉🤗

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

I like that you worked with a limited palette. They looked great on the green and white paper. Thank you!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@yelsyels]

Great project! A limited supply encourages you to experiment and play! ❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@marytesta3003]

I really enjoyed your video. Monday I started a colored pencil class locally with a wonderful artist(Phil Schorn) He has us using the 48 set of prismacolor. Out 1st project is a cherry. I'm looking forward to the Michaels tomato class. It's such a joy watching you do art and hearing your useful tips. Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sounds great!

[@youtubelibrary_10]

You made it look very easy Lindsay. I tried it and my first attempt was meh! I'll try it again later this week. 🙂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You can do it!

[@Gypsisoul1111]

Same! I only have one sharpener I can use for my square Brutfuners. I like the "long" point sharpeners.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Lindsay. 💜 No pencils for me , arthritis has been relentless this winter. Hopefully warm weather will improve things. 🎉

[@ms_chigger]

I feel your pain, literally. I’m sorry but the cold is brutal on arthritis. Hope you get better with warm weather.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I hope so too!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Prismacolors are much softer. If you have arthritis prismacolor or cgromaflow are better bets.

[@annettefournier9655]

@@Tyggzz Thanks for your kind words. I like Prismacolor since I'm not worried about lightfastness . It's my forefinger and thumb that are painful. Just can't handle pencil work for now. I can still paint watercolor and do quick simple drawing for it. Usually gets better with warmer weather. 💜

[@annettefournier9655]

@@ms_chigger Thank you, I'm sure it will. I hope yours eases also.

[@128titanic]

Hi, Lindsay. Thank you for your video.🎉. Have a good week.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! You too!

[@tthappyrock368]

I will look forward to your class!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Me too!

[@karlamae7700]

I really appreciate this video! I bought the 24 set of the Derwent Lightfast pencils because I already own the full sets of Luminance and Polychromos so I didn't see the point of getting the full set of these just yet, ecspecially when I wasn't sure that I would even use them very much. I am definitely trying to buy less and use more this year and as I previously mentioned, I can't justify spending well over $300 for another full set of pencils that I may not use much at all because I love my polychromos and Luminance sets and am always reaching for them. Thanks for making this video Lindsay! You always do such a wonderful job with your videos!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@sopung1004]

You're drawing so easily It's cool😊😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies]

My primary medium is colored pencil and I have found it with all pencils but particularly oil-based pencils such as polychromos and my very favorite Derwent Lightfast, my favorite blending medium is OMS in a water brush. Define that alcohol funding pens and rubbing alcohol work best on extremely waxy pencils like prismacolor.

[@katarinaholik]

I got this gesso to try watercolors, after your bird nest video, so now I have to try it again with colored pencils.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful!

[@barbarabrady1267]

Very nice! I’m going to sign up 😃

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Please do!

[@lesley523]

Teaching my first watercolor marker workshop tomorrow! Next class we're adding colored pencils. It's an easy going set of workshops for older women who aren't artists! Just a note....get reading glasses...don't struggle! You're at that age 😊 Best regards, Lesley Paul, Boynton Beach, FL

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆 I have some!

[@wanderingstar5673]

Thanks for another fun video 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for watching!

[@ChantelleArts]

so many amazing tips, thank you for sharing ☺☺☺

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You're so welcome!

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Such awesome tips! Thank you!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You're so welcome!

[@catherinecarlson6164]

Good tips.youve inspired me c to try the derwentclightf pencils

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful!

[@MariaRevArt]

Hi Lindsay, I have used the Winsor and Newton clear gesso and find it has a nice grit to it. It's my primer for when working with oil pastels. I haven't tried the Liqutex Clear Gesso so I can't compare, but the Winsor and Newton definitely has a nice grit for priming.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@jennw6809]

First thought: OUCH THAT GUY HAS A PENCIL IN HIS EYE. Personally, I would *not* have used that photo for the tin!! The Liquitex Clear Gesso is a godsend for me as a beginner pastellist!

[@lesleyegbert4807]

I've had the same thought about the imagery on that tin. Hopefully by the time I'm ready for Derwent Lightfasts, they'll have changed the image.

[@jennw6809]

@@lesleyegbert4807 Glad I'm not the only one!

[@prarthanarajan1152]

I love this. I just think that you would be awesome to design brochure for 5 star restaurants as a side hustle

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Maybe one day!

[@erinf.7937]

I am so surprised that you haven’t made a class on your teachable website that is just for color pencils. It seems like there are enough techniques to learn for this medium - it could be a bridge class between your drawing class and your painting and alcohol marker classes.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have had many requests, I'm thinking about it!

[@shannonwolff2599]

Your tip about buying a few open stock pencils to try a brand is one I have tried very successfully several times! It saved me money on a couple products I didn't end up liking, and were just extra of my favorite colors in ones I did like and after bought the whole set (Derwent Graphitint being one I Loved once I tried them) Frankly I wish I knew about that sooner but we all have those ones we just don't love, (anyone want a set of Derwent Procolor?) LOL

[@RoseDreamsinger]

Derwent Procolour is great for hair, eye irises, highlights, whiskers, or other extremely fine lines, because they're so hard and don't break when you bear down. And the tips stay sharp for a lot longer than softer pencils. I tried a few open stock and ended up buying the 36 set. They're very useful for characters with hair in a rainbow of colors.

[@patkelly275]

I have Art Spectrum Colourfix Primer which can be purchased in different shades. I used a green version on 300lb paper to produce the background and as a toothy fix for a pastel painting. I will have try it with colored pencils to see how it fares.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@waymire01]

My biggest tip is to spend a bit more and build your own small set with open stock. Very few sets include the colors you actually need.. a warm and cool midtone of each primary, a natural green, a few earth tones, etc. Carandache is one of the few that actually give you a good selection. It's a shame we can't just pick up a tin and go.. and art supply companies should know better... but you will have a lot easier time of things, and the ability to color a lot more variety, with the right colors.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It is a strange selection of colors for a 12 tin, I wonder if they were the first 12 colors that came out with originally. Their other 12 sets are brighter and basic. Michaels doesn't sell open stock for derwent, and I need to use stock they sell. I agree with you on the color pics.

[@alicecilepin9370]

I have the brutfuner square pencils was wondering how they compare to these, like would I be able to use the same technique to achieve this painting? I’m guessing that the Derwent are a harder pencil so?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The brutfuner are softer but they will work:)

[@alicecilepin9370]

@@thefrugalcrafter Great thanks 😊

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Would the powder colored pencil blender work on this? I think it’s from brush and pencil…? Does the liquitex clear gesso add enough grit to make it work?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It does!

[@WendyColeArt]

I bought a hand sharpener especially for soft pencils. Of course I don't have any of those but just in case I ever do...

[@treetreewalton35]

QUESTION: Do you use liquitex professional or basic gesso? Do they work the same?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have not tried the basics. This the the clear professional line.

[@sonyaoart]

Lindsay & everybody else who has both Luminance and Derwent LF: How similar are these pencils? Not the colour range, but how they go down & blend? There are a few colours in the LF range I’d like to add to my Lumis… Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

To me, they feel very similar. They go well together.

[@sonyaoart]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks!

[@nalissa77]

Can you use the Inktense pencils for the class?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They ate not the same type of pencils, so the results will be different but feel free to try! If you have any non watersoluble pencils it would be better for the techniques tho.

[@nalissa77]

@@thefrugalcrafter I have prismacolor pencils I can use. I just like how vibrant the inktense ones are.

[@Lklkpoi]

I gifted a set of Derwent 100 Lightfast Pencils in the Tin to myself for my February 2024 birthday 🥳 🎉. I’m so happy to see and sign up for your class. I started out with the small set a few years ago and I must say, they’re lovely to use. 🦋

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, I so enjoy watching your videos! I am such a cheapskate and I have always been a bargain hunter and I purchased a half gallon of USArt clear gesso and a bag (32 Oz) of pumice for less than 16 Oz of the Liquitex clear gesso with plenty of pumice left over for making more grit infused surfaces! I have not been an exclusive pencil artist since college when I was in a drawing class and we used the 48 color Prismacolor pencil set for our color pencil drawings. I have enjoyed using pencils for details on my watercolor paintings and other mixed media artworks. I did some portraits and used pencils for details on mono prints even acrylic paintings! You can accomplish so much more when you don’t have to worry about maintaining the “integrity” of a certain medium. Yes, it still happens I entered a competition and the guy before me had his painting rejected because he had used gouache for highlights and he told the lady accepting the art that he used gouache. I told him that next time just say that you used an opaque watercolor paint! Or just watercolor paint that was included in the set he bought! There are still strict traditionalists in the world that can ruin your day if you let them! Thank you for sharing all of your ideas and amazing techniques for creating art with us!

[@lozantoninocreations]

I just bought an electric sharpener from Amazon, but unfortunately it is a dud. The auto stop kicks in way too fast and the actual cores don't get touched at all. It is supposed to be a long point sharpener and yet it doesn't even give a small point. I did look at the one you have, but being overseas, I can't get that one, as we have different plugs. I need to find something amazing that is USB chargable or plus in that way. The other thing about the Amazon one is that it was white label. I specifically went for a brand that seemed to overall get decent product reviews, and when I recieved it, it was labelled with a different one. I get how white labelling works, but it has made it hard to know which ones I can trust and which ones will actually give me those long points i am after. Until I find a different one, it might be the old Derwent crank sharpener, that actually has been amazing. I just wanted something faster and with an auto stop.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You mightvask Harry at the Art Gear Guide channel. He is in the UK I believe, and would know what to recommend.

[@sherrylee6719]

I totally thought these were for using with watercolor.

[@quokka4329]

Beware the Ides of March 😃

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Is that as bad as mercury being in retrograde? 😆

[@quokka4329]

@@thefrugalcrafter I just remember that from High school English class It was when Julius Caesar wss stabbed in the Shakespeare play

[@MarionSmith9740]

you did in this KZbin but in past KZbin you skip fast past the kind of paper or other sub straights, like when you did a KZbin and for oil pastels you said you loved it for that application. However, I need to what it twice to see it was Canson xl sand like grain. I have never heard of it before. this is not a criticism just a request. for the future.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The white paper is the regular cansol xl mixed media, not sand grain. The green is matboard with Liquatex clear gesso. You can always check the video description for a list of supplies:)