Tips for Using Water-Soluble Graphite Pencils! (Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle)

Today I will be using the 5 set of Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle pencils (linked below) to draw a succulent in my sketchbook! I will be going over my favorite techniques to use with water-soluble graphite as well as talking about my thoughts on these pencils and how they compare to other water-soluble graphite that I have used.
For prints of this drawing go here! shana-rowe.pix...
Materials (affiliate):
Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle- shrsl.com/4h1o7
Faber-Castell Perfecion Eraser- shrsl.com/4h1og
General's Factis Mechanical Eraser- shrsl.com/4h1oe
General's Tri-Grip Eraser- shrsl.com/4h1of
Blending Stumps- shrsl.com/4h1oh
Holbein Gold Synthetic Paint Brush- www.in2art.com/...
Jane Davenport Watercolor Art Journal- janedavenport....
Other products Mentioned:
Derwent Graphitone Water-Soluble Graphite Pencils- shrsl.com/4h1o9
ArtGraf Water-Soluble Graphite Pans- shrsl.com/4h1oc
This video is not sponsored.
Please note: Product links used in description are often affiliate links, this means I earn a small profit when someone uses my link to purchase a product. However, there is no additional charge to the person who is purchasing the product.
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Music:
Piano sound in the beginning is my own.
Editing programs:
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2023
CapCut
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My print site- shana-rowe.pix...

[@Taka_Takata]

Great Result! I appreciate the fact that you use the pencils mostly with the "purest" method, that is drawing with them then activating the graphite on the drawing. Too many people just do a sketch with regular pencil then use various ways to dilute the soluble graphite in a puddle and paint as usual. As for the glare (or "sheen"), you can use a matt fixative. My favorite is Lascaux UV-Protect Matt (=#2). It's a spray you must apply in several thin layers, letting them dry before applying the next.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it! I do have a matt fixative spray by Krylon that works pretty well!

[@robertadrsvensson]

You read my mind: I wanted to know how to use the Graphite Aquarelle! You gave me a lot of ideas and the artwork is stunning.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Oh good! I hope you have a ton of fun with them!! Thank you! 💖

[@PhillipOliverVolta]

Nice painting! Thank you sharing your knowledge with us. I've had some of these water-soluble pencils for about a year but have no knowledge on how to use them. Your video is immensely helpful! Thanks again.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

You're very welcome! I'm glad you found it to be helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@charlotteboy6783]

Thanks for doing videos like this Shana! It is really helpful when you are trying to use a new product. So many videos that pop up when you search an art supply is "unboxing and first impressions" which is fine, but its great to see someone who is familiar with the supply showing some techniques.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

You are very welcome!! I think the best way to really get to know a supply is to use it in an actual art piece, even if it's not overly extensive. At least, that's what works for me. So, that's what I like to share here. 🥰 Thank you for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful! 💖

[@UJB123]

Love these! I ordered the blister pack of 5, last year I believe. Albrect Druer 24 set, no brush. Goldfaber set, no brush. The least expensive Aquarelle Graphite set, no 6 brush included & the set is magnificent!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

They are fabulous! I love that your set also came with a brush!

[@ElizabethMayoleth]

Nice piece, and I enjoyed your usual in-depth discussion of the materials. I never tried FC water-soluable, I do have the Derwent, but they have color in them, which I do like. I will have to try these!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! You must have the Graphitint! I love those! Derwent also has non-tinted water-soluble graphite, I believe that line is called Graphitone. That's what I am comparing these to, though while I was doing the voiceover, I couldn't remember the specific name for them! Lol! Thank you for watching! 💖

[@fuzzydragons]

nice shadows on the succulent 😀 they can be tricky to draw

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! 😊

[@lozantoninocreations]

I have these pencils and have had them for years yet I've honestly never really used them. I saw someone once say they were good with Inktense or water color as you can desolve it, but for those of us less experience, it just creates a grey mess 😂 The HB wouldn't be too bad. Nice work and succulents are my favourite too 🙂

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! Yeah, I think the HB would be best for that, probably. Personally, I like to do my preliminary sketch on a separate piece of paper, and then I use chalk pastel when I transfer my sketch. That way, I can use a color that will blend in with the piece, and the chalk pastel will also dissolve with water! Way less of a muddy mess that way!

[@claritzairosario68]

I always love your artworks! I love seeing how you can achieve beautiful work with any medium!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much, Claritza! 🥰

[@teresamazotti1315]

I love the picture!! ❤❤❤

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you, Teresa!! 💖

[@robyounce644]

I love great video! I like water solvable graphite!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thanks, Rob! Me too, it's so fun to work with!

[@D_Lynn_Creative_Arts]

This is so succulent is pretty. Your swatching technique for this medium is very helpful. 😃

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you!! 💖

[@baddkatt9504]

Thank you for doing a water soluble graphite video! Love the info and your drawings 😻

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@handyandhoney7418]

Beautiful picture!! So much great information!! Thank you so very much!!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 💖

[@queenria7]

I've had these pencils for a while and am just now testing them out in a small Royal Talens sketchbook. I don't get any glare when they are washed out, so I'm guessing it depends on the paper. I find they work quite well in my cheap sketchbook. By the way, I'm also trying a succulent with them now, because I got inspired from your video :D

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Yeah, I think it may depend on the paper and how many layers of graphite are down. I don't get much glare with initial layers, but get a little bit as they are built up. It's still not nearly ad bad as using regular graphite. I'm glad I could inspire you! I hope you have fun with your succulent drawing!!

[@queenria7]

@@CautionArtistatPlay Ok, I did some more experimenting and I found something funny: I tried both in the Talens sketchbook with the normal smooth paper, and on watercolor paper - and I don't get any glare after I have wet the graphite with a brush, not even after multiple layers/heavy pressure/heavy application of graphite. BUT when I tried using a paper stump to blend (after it had dried), I got the glare! 😄 The paper stump doesn't do much for me, it doesn't seem to move the pigment around - but it does give everything a heavy graphite shine! But as soon as I apply water again, the shine goes away and it stays mat. I don't have any other brands to compare to, unfortunately.

[@queenria7]

@@CautionArtistatPlay Oh, I also wanted to thank you Shana, for responding to comments! I love that you do that, it makes your channel so much fun to engage with, and it's also fun (and informative!) reading all the conversations in the comments! 🥰

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Yeah, I think the blending stump seems to polish it as it blends it! Water-soluble graphite, in general, doesn't have a lot of glare when washed out with water. But it can get that glare when used like traditional graphite. It still isn't as bad as just using the graphite dry but it is something to keep in mind while working, especially if you are like me and like to use the pencils dry for details, lol.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

You are very welcome! I love our conversations! I could talk about art all day!! 🥰

[@MrsBarnabas]

Hi, Shana! Many thanks fir this very informative videa! I agree with CHarlotteboy: _"So many videos that pop up when you search an art supply is "unboxing and first impressions"_ ... and it's a real joy to watch somone with experience of water-soluble products use a product and give such clear thoughts, comparisons, tips and information. Was the photo redference one of yours? That you take your own references a lot of the time is another of the reasons I enjoy your channel and have continued watching when I've given up on several others. Thanks again, Shana!😊

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much! I'm happy to hear that the way I format my reviews is helpful to people! Yes, I did this one from my own photo! I love taking my own reference photos and have a lot of fun with it! I'm glad it brings you joy as well! As always, thank you for watching and commenting! 🥰

[@MrsBarnabas]

@@CautionArtistatPlay 😊

[@aussiecrafter]

This looks great 🤩

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you!! 💖

[@Art_by_Nicole]

Beautiful 😍 Question: how fast does it dry when you are working on the piece?

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you, Nicole! It dries relatively quickly, I feel like water-soluble graphite dries a bit faster than regular watercolor pencils. But of course, it also depends on how much water you use and the kind of paper it's on.

[@lesleypickard9732]

Which water soluble graphite pencils do you find the best for your needs?

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

They all work fairly similarly to one another, but I like the fact that the Derwent Graphitone are woodless. They break more easily, but you get more bang for your buck because the whole pencil is graphite.

[@glenda7921]

That caran d plastic palate is ridiculously expensive. Anyone know why? Is there a sub?

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

A few people have said that they have bought plastic cutting boards for pretty cheap from Amazon as a substitute. Maybe that would be an option for you?

[@UJB123]

Maybe one of those little dollar store white plastic cutting boards? They're a bit thicker tho'.

[@berolinastrassmann]

I agree! I cut the plastic cover of some filing folders, They have a solid colour heavy plastic sheet on the back and a transparent plastic sheet on the cover. They have a leather-like texture embossed on them, which is enough to grab the lead of pencils and Neocolor II. Super cheap and portable. I cut it to the size of pencil and neocolor tins and to the size of my sketchbooks, to take on the go. Hope this helps