Watercolor Pencils Make My Art Ugly

I'm not giving up until I find a way to make watercolor pencils my friend or at least acquaintance?
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[@lynnewarren8404]

I think it makes perfect sense that you don’t love watercolor pencils. Your natural style is all about brushwork. With watercolor pencils, the brush is mostly just a tool for getting water on the paper. It doesn’t create shapes or rhythm, as you do so beautifully in your “regular” watercolors.

[@KristyRice]

Good point!

[@lynnewarren8404]

@@KristyRice one thing you might try… Caran d’Ache makes a small plastic palette that’s textured on one side. You can rub pencil onto it, even layers of different colors to get great blends, then pick up the pigment with your wet brush, just like regular pan watercolor. That would give you the brushwork flexibility you love, and the convenience of the dry pencils for travel, plein air work, etc. Just a thought! ❤️

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

I use watercolor pencils for those little bitty detail areas in my watercolor paintings that I want a nice saturated color, but need more control than with a brush, even a detail brush. For instance, tiny veins in an eyeball, the crease under the eye, a tiny line in a fingernail that people who have heavy metal poisoning get (yes, I do weird art).And, I also use watercolor pencils for texture! You don't have to wet them and spread the pigment completely out, you can let them just get sorta wet and blur the lines you made, or not wet them at all! I never use watercolor pencils for large areas that I plan on wetting. Cuz what's the point? All that effort to lay down the color and then add the water and make the pencil look like you used regular watercolors when you could have spent a third of the time.....using regular watercolors. But all in all I love them and they are so fun for different mixed media pieces!

[@artwithray]

I have never cared for watercolor pencils. To me the fact that the website says to push down hard says it all. Who wants to hurt their hands by having to have to push down on pencils when a brush and paints work so much better? Great video!

[@KristyRice]

Good point!

[@marytesta3003]

I agree. Pressing hard....could it damage the paper?

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

You only have to press hard when you’re using lower quality watercolor pencils. The better brands leave plenty of pigment with moderate pressure.

[@MorgaineChristensen]

Ok, this is going to sound strange since I am like an ultra beginner with watercolors but have you tried Tim Holtz Distressed Watercolor Pencils? They are woodless and very pigmented, They are so pigmented that when I sharpen them I put the shavings in an empty paint palette, add some water, mix, let dry and save for later use with a brush. The colors of the crayons match Tim’s line of Distress Inks and Distress Oxide so probably are not your typical watercolor colors. I come from a card making and journal creation background working with inks. Due to making my Christmas cards recently, I was using archival ink with stamped images to add color using the crayons, which lead me to the conclusion I wanted to learn how to watercolor with paints since I know zero about painting. Luckily, I found your wonderful channel and your brushes and the watercolor paper arrived today so I can now start trying out watercolor painting! Sadly, your book doesn’t come in an ebook version, with limited space for physical books, they are not something I am able to purchase. Keep making your wonderful and informative educational and inspiring videos!

[@KristyRice]

Sooo many have recommended these pencils! He should send me some lol!

[@jrobinson618]

I have Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour pencils and they are amazing, they actually dissolve in water leaving no lines behind and the colour spreads loads. I'm surprised more people don't recommend them

[@KristyRice]

I have them but didn't feel the love initially. Need to dive back in to them with Khadi!

[@SheilaLandry]

I agree with you! I have them too, and they are awesome. Well worth the cost.

[@marlenaamalfitano1558]

me too, I love them

[@marytesta3003]

I have them too. They are so nice. I ordered a few of several brands and Faber- Castell and Inktense were the 2 full sets I settled on. The Faber Castell just flow and blend beautifully.

[@margaretperlman4993]

Yes these are the best

[@amymckee5075]

I like adding details with the WC pencils to my paintings. I like them.

[@KristyRice]

I feel like I used them the wrong way...I always want them to do these magic, juicy washes, but honestly I got very close to that in this vid!

[@connied8507]

I have a much less expensive set of pencils. I just use them for sketching, pressing very lightly. I'll also use them for accents. Maybe much further in my watercolor journey. Thank you for demonstrating that there are pencils to take when I'm away from home.

[@AmbiCahira]

My first watercolor pencil set was Arteza and gosh the struggle was very real. Now I have goldfaber and I love them far more! I also recently got inktense and oh my word their color payoff is so satisfying! But since they dry permanent I'm having a bit of a learning curve. You can try painting the underpainting in regular watercolor and add pencils for texture and detail on petals and maybe the combination can be joyous when you are in a texture mood ^^

[@KristyRice]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@maritimponi]

I like watercolor pencils for sketching. They disolve when I paint over them, and I think it looks better than a graphite line.

[@RagNBoneArt]

I quite like the texture, it adds another element. Liked the results on the new york paper.

[@KristyRice]

Thanks!!

[@vanessacook9767]

I just recently found your channel and I have to say I absolutely love your videos. They are informative and fun. I only picked up watercolor last year and before I found your channel I felt like i had to be super controlled and detailed with my paintings. How you teach to be free and loose with your compositions and style of painting has definitely expanded my thinking in how to use watercolor

[@KristyRice]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

I use a scratchy cutting board, scratch my pencils on that, then paint from the board like a palette. I saw it somewhere on YT and found that it works best for me. I don't like the pencil marks that are left behind when I use the pencil directly on the paper. I never thought about wetting the paper down and then using the pencils.

[@KristyRice]

That's a great idea!

[@maritimponi]

I think watercolor pencils work well for details... but not for larger washes. I like watercolor markers better (the good ones). They feel more like watercolor

[@kymcrowart7876]

I think if you dip the pencil in water first it helps to release the “buttery” factor

[@KristyRice]

Yes! I’ve done this in other videos and while many avoid it because they fear it damages the pencil, I love this approach!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I still haven't really found my flow with watercolor pencils either! Thanks for all the amazing tips!

[@KristyRice]

You are so welcome!

[@pamvance7378]

I like textured watercolor paper. I’m learning to use it. I love watching watercolor move around and blend. It’s amazing

[@lynnjeffries7525]

Try Derwent Inktense, they release literally loads of colour when wetted and I sometimes scribble them on to a plastic chopping board and then lift the colour with a wet brush

[@marytesta3003]

I took a watercolor pencil class from a professional colored pencil/watercolor pencil artist. He gave us Canson Artist Mixed Media and it works very well or recommended hot pressed paper. Also Faber Castell Duer watercolor pencils are amazing. They just melt.

[@KristyRice]

I wish I like hot press for these but I'm just a weirdo!

[@marytesta3003]

@@KristyRice It's ok. I love your weirdoness 🥰

[@jodirankin5901]

thank you for the demo and thanks so much for sharing!

[@KristyRice]

You bet!

[@VBeeMe]

Oh dear. I’m into love what you own this year. Next up is watercolour pencils. Going to be a tough month.

[@KristyRice]

Good luck!!

[@annnoyez]

Ow and i use caran d'ache as watercolorpencils... cant do without them... 😘

[@nancydavidson4899]

I don’t get on with them and mine are good quality. As Paul Clarke says, I can’t do anything with them that I wouldn’t be able to do quicker and easier with a paint and brush. However I have seen them used for an initial sketch under painting, on top of wet watercolour and “dusted” onto wet watercolour using a nail file or sandpaper. I could see their usefulness there and also for plein air sketching. I suppose it depends a lot on your preferred style too.

[@KristyRice]

I feel seen!!

[@joannaplichta9677]

Exactly, plein air + when you are urban sketching you sometimes get into places, like museums, where they frown upon wet media and you can't use openly watercolour, yet everybody is OK with pencils and with waterbrush you just can be quick and discreet.

[@MontuckyGirl75]

I use the WCPs after or during watercolor painting for different kinds of details.

[@felinefurkin4275]

I use Albrecht Durer which are amazing, but I always struggle with patchiness with larger areas. Maybe too much water and pigment, idk, I end up pushing colour around easily.

[@KristyRice]

OK everyone keeps mentioning knees and now I’m feeling the need to invest in yet more art supplies lol! but yes the color in large areas is what I definitely struggle with with this medium.

[@sugaryxegnirys]

I’ve purchased a few wc pencils for sketching but I haven’t found a regular groove with them. Seeing you experiment with different techniques is inspiring! Personally I want to try those Daniel smith wc pastels for my next medium.

[@KristyRice]

Awesome, thank you!

[@melodine707]

Love it!❤ would've like to see the dried result.

[@GrayWithMe]

I think they are wonderful. Love to take them on the go when traveling then you just have to bring a few water brush pens. I am using the Derwent pencils. They are amazing. You use them like regular colored pencils then go in with a brush with water. You don’t have to press hard at all??

[@KristyRice]

Realllllyyy?? I have them just really didn't give them much of a chance I think...

[@lynnewarren8404]

Yes!! Love my Derwent watercolor pencils too! Also their Graphitint pencils for more moody, atmospheric ideas…

[@GrayWithMe]

@@lynnewarren8404 yes the graphitint is amazing for moodiness!

[@flamingojones]

I recently got a Caran D'ache Palette Aquarelle that has a smooth side and a rough side. I originally wanted it to use with water soluable crayons, pastels and markers, but many reviews mentioned that it made a world of difference for watercolor pencils too. You scribble on the rough side to get the pigment down, and then wet and paint. I still prefer actual tube or pan paints, but it is helping me use the pencils that have been collecting dust.

[@KristyRice]

Wait, is that a watercolor paper I’m not aware of yet

[@julienotsmith7068]

I have a set of watercolor pencils that I use for the distant part of landscapes. When I want it to be fainter in color but still has a reasonable amount of detail. For anything else, I go in after the painting is dry, with regular colored pencils.

[@jessbutterfly9801]

My favourite brand of watercolour pencils is actually one I never hear talked about very much is the Lyra aquarell pencils

[@KristyRice]

I’m curious why they are your favorite? I’ve never tried them but wonder if anyone sells them open stock?

[@user-fp4rk2bj8r]

I have caran d'ache aquarelles and find they are lovely to use. I don't like pressing firmly because I think that might damage the tooth of the paper. And hp paper might be better to use with pencils. However, for me, the big shortcoming of pencil watercolour was in covering larger areas. I would rub the pencil onto a palette paper, wet it to get the pigment and apply with a brush but that's a lot more hassle than using a tube or paint pan. So then I started off on this ruinous (to my wallet) journey with watercolour paints. I'm still at the very start with that but if you're into the colour 'hit', paint is much better than pencil!

[@NorthMountainFairy]

I LOVE watercolor pencils and I get super rich color, but it takes A LOT OF PIGMENT. You are not getting enough pigment on the page to get that rich color. I will also layer all the colors I will be using to blend in one area before adding water. Don’t think of these as colored pencils when drawing with them see them as a pigment delivery system used to apply the proper amount of pigment to various spots of your drawing. I will usually put a sketch down on the page first outlined with an ink pen that won’t run when the page is later wet and then apply pigment and no water sees the work until there is enough pigment to adequately color the area. Get dark! Go bold! USE A LOT OF PIGMENT!!! I have found applying all the pigment before adding water does better than laying a layer of pigment, then water, then more pigment then more water.

[@KristyRice]

Wow so interesting! Love all this advice. Thank you!!!

[@jessbutterfly9801]

Some of the best watercolour pencils out there I have tried and I still find them hard to use myself . I love what they can do . I just never seem to be able to accomplish it myself in something I like with my style of art I do like using coldpressed and hot press paper with coloured pencils. Although I’m surprised you chose this brand, I thought you would’ve gone for the Caran D’Ache aquarell watercolour pencils or faber Castell Albrecht Durer, but one of the things I would never have suggested you do, which is why I’m surprised it was a recommendation on the uni pencils is to press hard with your pencil. It makes it much harder to move the pigment and will definitely leave a stain or line mark that you cannot get rid of. Light application and layers to get a saturated amount of pigment and then adding water is the weight to get juicy deep colours.

[@KristyRice]

I was also surprised to see that the manufacturer was recommending to press hard. I have all of the brands you mentioned and I know that with those pressing hard is a no-no. But honestly I found that when I press harder with the UnI pencils it really delivered more pigment and I have no problem moving it around on the page. So very curious :-)

[@zenfulkatoria]

I thought I was broken as an artist because I struggled with watercolor pencils 😂

[@KristyRice]

Secretly so did I!

[@gilashroot8697]

😂 I am right with you. If you figure it out, please let me know. You are definitely NOT a broken artist, but I have seen people use watercolour pencils used to make watercolour paintings. So I am determined to give it my best shot. Nl

[@gilashroot8697]

​@KristyRice ❤: 😂😂😂 I am not laughing at you. I am laughing at the irony. If you are a broken artist, please show me a fixed 1 and what does that make me, your follower (I should be insulted then Mmmm) 😂😂😂. You are like everyone else a suckered of clever marketing. I think it should be illegal to label those tools as watercolour pencils, I think they should have to carry a label to the effect of "water soluable art pencil ". 😊

[@kirstynewbery8012]

I started with watercolour pencils before I started collecting expensive tubes of paint. I still pull them out from time to time just for fun. But they're great for sketching the first outlines. No you're not broken as an artist. They're really hard to work with if you're familiar with flowing, juicy colours

[@Kyomiibrown]

Get about 5 caran d’ache museum aquarelle. They are the cream of the crop. Soft and creamy.

[@lmkstamps]

Scratch the pencil on an old nylon cutting board or CaranDache watercolor palette add water and you have a puddle of color. Easy way to travel with color.

[@KristyRice]

Thanks for the tips!

[@ange68ac]

Love your videos. You said that these pencils are the most pigmented you’ve ever tried. Have you tried Derwent Inktense pencils? I think they are so vibrant ❤

[@KristyRice]

Yes I have...these were a bit better IMO

[@gilashroot8697]

I would love to see you use InkTense. They are about the closest I have ever been able to afford in the water soluable pencil range that actually thrill me to use. Other than InkTense, I have not figured out watercolour pencils quite yet. So I was wondering whether you would get the watercolour effect at all because they do not seem to be created for that purpose. I think that you are better off using watercolour pencils for details and doodles because I also do not quite see the point (pun intended) of watercolour pencils as watercolours yet. My goal is to play with them and really give them a chance, but then I would be happy and settle for using them as sketching tools, details adding, and doodle watercolours once I put in full effort. I am not quite after colour intensity, I use InkTense for that, but I would just like to make watercolour paintings using watercolour pencils Mmmm.

[@KristyRice]

Honestly these are close to Inktense in terms of the way they feel when you’re using them. But in my opinion their boldness and saturation and buttery-ness exceeds Inktense!

[@floramew]

I haven't done so much coloring in the past several years, but I recall loving watercolor pencils... Dry. I added water to some of my finished drawings and always regretted it, but for whatever reason I loved coloring in my line art so much more with watercolor pencils than anything else.

[@KristyRice]

Oh that’s interesting!

[@karenannc]

I just bought some watercolor pencils a couple weeks ago and intend to use them for a) disappearing pre-drawn outlines and b) with sandpaper to drop pigment onto the paper then spray as a modified splashy area as final touches. I don’t think I would ever use them to produce a major piece of artwork because I love the juiciness of using lots of pigment wet on wet with a brush, oh yeah.

[@KristyRice]

That's a great idea!

[@Krisstofers]

I'm glad you are liking it.. I'll stick to my regular pencils and water colors. I don't like when one medium is trying to be another. Cause that's all I feel like it is doing. I'll stick to the gel crayon, that has binders that release as soon as you hit it with water. Water color pencils, just aren't doing it for me either. Unless I enjoy the sore fingers.

[@KristyRice]

Wait, what is a gel crayon?

[@Krisstofers]

@@KristyRice although, I have to say, I'm not a big fan of regular wax crayons. I don't like the grainy texture. But a gel crayon... Mmm I can work with that!!!

[@Krisstofers]

@@KristyRice it's like the adult versions of Crayola!!!

[@shannasisak]

Well you may have saved two of my least favorite art supplies from "sitting on the shelf" oblivion. I am not a fan of watercolor pencils or my Khadi papers..... time to brush off the dust and give this combo a try! Really curious if you have used Derwent Inktense..... that's what I have and although they are very pigmented, I still have never found a good use for them in my art.

[@KristyRice]

So the Khadi is super soft and pills BUT it just makes the watercolor pencil melt!

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

I absolutely love Inktense. The trick with them, for me, is to lay down multiple colors in an area and blend them. Like, if I’m doing an apple, I’ll lay down shades of green, yellow, orange, and red and blend them all together with water and it looks so nice. I’m not skilled enough to achieve that with regular watercolor without it becoming muddy, but I can do it with Inktense.

[@shannasisak]

@@tarabooartarmy3654 really interesting- I feel the exact opposite!! LOL!!!! I am determined to find a way to have fun with them though! 🙂

[@katemccarthy2463]

Love your design

[@KristyRice]

Thank you!

[@amandakim6901]

So far I’ve only used mine to sketch out my painting. They blend into the piece and I’m not left with pencil lines.

[@TheAnetteB]

4:15 caran dache has a great palette for pencils where you paint with the pencil on the rough surface, add water and then use the pencils as regular water colors on a palette. Easy peasy 😉

[@lalamalo]

Very instructive 😅 by chance, do you know if your brushes will be sold in Europe anywhere soon ? Thank you in advance 🍃🍃🍃

[@MahaFreja]

Hi Kristy! i'm not an artist but I love watching your videos, very relaxing and I learned a lot. I love coloring books though and I use watercolor pencils and Derwent Inktense pencils in them a lot. I then do shadows and higlights with ordinary coloring pencils. Sendind love from Slovenia!

[@KristyRice]

I'm so glad!

[@mgpm17]

I use a caran d'ache light gray watercolor pencil for sketching my designs then use watercolors. But I i haven't had pleasant experience with using watercolor pencils otherwise. I might try adding details with them.

[@suemurphy9421]

Great video! I too want to love watercolor pencils. Will have to try this. As a sidenote, could you ditch the pop noises, for some reason my dogs hate them they go nuts and I have to mute the video. So I miss a lot, and I love your narration. Thanks!

[@annnoyez]

I use archers cold press... 😊

[@shirleygreaves9650]

I love my watercolour pencil, mine are vintage Caron de ache, absolutely love tgem!

[@KristyRice]

OOoooooh!!!

[@suewilliams-gibson9802]

I'm only learning but watching you use those pencils didn't give the results I expected. It looked a much "grainier" finish and the colours were lacking the vibrancy but clarity we all love from you. I think I'll stick to the paints you recommended for beginners and continue playing with BURSTS of bright juicy colours from watercolour paint! Great Video!

[@KristyRice]

Yes I have to surrender to the limitations of the pencils for sure

[@Pinkbrot]

I am using the Albrecht Dürer watercolorpencils and they are working perfectly. For me wetting the paper First does Not Work, after that the Pigments stuck in the paper, where i Made a pencil Line. I only do this, if I want textures oder a hard Line. I like your Videos ❤

[@immar1075]

I had a set of Prismacolor watercolor pencils and just couldn't get into them. LOL I gave them to the Goodwill. They caused me to not even want to try watercolor😢. Now years later I'm a newbie watercolorist and I can't believe it took me so long to give them a try. I love working with watercolor, it's a journey that acrylics never took me on.

[@lorihanby6733]

I have a set of Arteza woodless watercolor pencils that I like. I use them mostly for things like straight edge details that are difficult to accomplish with a brush. They work well for me on both Arches 140lb and Canson XL 140lb cold pressed papers.

[@KristyRice]

I’m so intrigued that you say they work on Arches!!!

[@lorihanby6733]

I love that they’re woodless. No waste!

[@maggiegregory8399]

Maybe try stone paper that is not so thirsty so the water will pool more and you should get more movement?

[@KristyRice]

OOOOH good idea!

[@robinmckay3249]

Water color pencils, to me, are just another medium. How about using them over a juicy wash for detail work. That appeals to me. I'll have to try it!

[@shereehoshing9827]

Boop! Have you tried the Distress watercolor pencils by Tim Holtz?

[@KristyRice]

I haven’t but others have suggested!!

[@Kreative_Rainbow]

Very cool how the paper made the difference!! 👏👏

[@KristyRice]

Yes it does!

[@Kreative_Rainbow]

@@KristyRice 🤗😍

[@ChristineExpressions]

My husband bought me watercolor pencils when I told him that I wanted to learn watercolor. I tried sketching first followed by water application and then using a wet brush on the tip to get the color and now I use a textured clear plastic mat (with a white sheet of paper underneath) to rub a bunch of color on and then add water and then use that. It feels like a huge hassle honestly with little to show for my effort and now I’m researching my pan paint options so I can get the juicy flow I want to happen. Thanks for the video. I felt I was just being dumb when my instincts were telling me otherwise 😂 and I kept forcing the issue.

[@annnoyez]

Hello krissy. I aleauys use water colors and then my watercolorpencils... for details and second layer of colour... 😊

[@KristyRice]

That makes sense and I need to try that approach!!

[@annnoyez]

@KristyRice yes you should... it's really fun... and my sketches I make with watercolorpencil too. So it desolves and you have no hard lines...

[@kristinebooden6235]

I'm feeling the same way I just can't get into WC pencils! Have you tried the derwint?

[@KristyRice]

The Uni's were very similar to Inktense...I want to try this process with the Inktense now lol!

[@kompostimuija]

What was that blue pencil you bought from your Europe trip maybe from France? I saw that shown one of your videos after the trip, but I can't find it anymore. You could draw lines of the painting and it blurred/melted beautifully away with water...

[@KristyRice]

It’s a vintage copying pencil. Very difficult to find now. We’re in the process of chasing some down!

[@paulaann1181]

I like to finish my watercolors with prismacolors, shading and details They’re one of my weird habits you mentioned in one of your vids about finding your uniqueness

[@KristyRice]

I think I would like your style of weird :)

[@paulaann1181]

that would feel special to me if you did!@@KristyRice

[@carollegros8671]

I am still not sure. I use them to sketch only. But I have tried Caren dache water soluble crayons with good results. Sorry my spelling is not good. I have also used New York Centrale hot pressed paper with good results. And have used Arches to do pen portraits. So thanks for trying out these pencils.

[@KristyRice]

I honestly think the paper was key here...something 100% cotton but soft. So cotton rag....

[@mikelkirby2791]

Your style is using a brush and consequently, this medium is totally different. It takes a while to enjoy watercolor pencils (and the more expensive brands - Faber Castill, Caron D'ache (sp?), do as they say they will perform). And it has been my experience, that choosing a drawing paper with some "finer tooth" (rather than watercolor paper) helps (I prefer Bristol Board). As previous comments have said, using them for details over watercolors can be also of service to your end result.

[@KristyRice]

I find if I hold the watercolor pencil overhand I can get more of the interesting line work that I’m used to producing with a brush :-) thanks for watching!

[@mikelkirby2791]

I enjoy your tutorials. Also, I should have mentioned (as I am sure you know), that color pencil work is far more labor intensive, whether you are using them as pencils or utilizing their water-soluble qualities. I enjoy both traditional watercolor techniques and "drawing" with colored pencils. @@KristyRice

[@kimesch9698]

Thanks!

[@KristyRice]

No problem!

[@R4CHEL__]

I got them last year thinking that it might make it easier and more simple! It did not 😅 I’m still trying to learn

[@KristyRice]

Don’t let them discourage you from watercolor :)

[@lindakuck5981]

Ive been disappointed in watercolor pencils for the same reason.

[@KristyRice]

These were different truly when combined with the paper.

[@cassandra1345]

Hi Kristy…do you know when your watercolor brush sets will be available again on the Canadian Amazon? I really want to get them.

[@KristyRice]

I’m supposed they aren’t currently? :(

[@cassandra1345]

Sadly, no

[@MentallyQuestionable]

Two words: Derwent. Inktense. Beautiful work btw!

[@sabinebonschab352]

I like both, watercolor and prushes and pencils....the 2. Is easy to take it with me out in Cafés or other places where it is easyer to deal with.😊❤

[@KristyRice]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@sabinebonschab352]

@@KristyRice you are welcome 😊

[@SuperCutealien]

I use my water colour pencils to sketch my drawings before I paint. But I have an expensive set that was giving to me when I was 16. I no longer have all the colours but I make it work.

[@jwall6006]

I used to use them all the time. 😳I look back and see where things didn’t blend, or were scratchy lines I didn’t care for. I think I had a few of every brand because every time I’d go to the art store I’d pick up a few colors I liked. Sort of à la carte watercolor pencils. Because I keep photos of all my work, (the ok, the bad, and the horrifying) I can look back and say what was I thinking. Until I started watching you I’d never used watercolor paints and they’re not easy to control. At all. I want everything laid out on paper sketched exactly where it goes. I use them for that now. But when they’re gone I won’t be replacing them

[@KristyRice]

They definitely go against the freedom and flow of watercolor!

[@xuhongmao7292]

You have beautiful lines, and it really shows in the Khadie sunflower. Watercolour pencils are good for intense highlights/shadows or lively linear work over washes. This is why the second drawing came out well. Medium Arches doesn't have the right texture to grab enough pigment to give you the right colour saturation, and it is difficult to get the details as well.

[@KristyRice]

Makes sense!

[@sincostanian]

I think watercolour pencils fill always fail if my expectation is that the result should be like normal watercolour paints. I don't use them much, but have found that they are best used in combination with normal paint and brushes for special textures and initial drawings.

[@KristyRice]

That’s such a good point. I did need to shift my expectations for the final look a bit :-)

[@maryannegunter115]

I have the same issue with these. I've tried several times but gave up. Just give me brushes and pans of luscious watercolor paints!

[@KristyRice]

I do REALLY enjoy a velvety watercolor pencil drawn onto a very damp page :)

[@ladyhollman9534]

Lol! Get some hot press paper & give that a try. 😉Or maybe Fabriano soft press. Pencils & Pens don’t like extremely rough surfaces.

[@KristyRice]

Wait, what is soft press? I’ve used hot press and for me it’s too anti-wash to make the cut.

[@UJB123]

They sell a “soft press” but it so expensive most don’t know it exists. They may send you some test paper.

[@UJB123]

Arches CP is not for pens and pencils. It has one of the coarsest surfaces because it’s for already wet media. Next time give Hot Press a go & show those pencils some love.😊

[@KristyRice]

Oh I know but I’m always wanting to get a good big wash so I had to push the limits. Hot press doesn’t let me wasshhh😆🤷🏻‍♀️

[@gilashroot8697]

I cannot watch now 😞. I love you so much. I cannot wait to watch the rest ❤❤❤.

[@KristyRice]

Yay!

[@peacockfeathers7409]

how do good watercolor pencils compare to watercolor sticks- like Daniel smith has? i have some watercolor sticks. the only watercolor pencils i have are some woodless ones from hobby lobby and they're meh, so i never have tried more brands, i don't really see the point when the watercolor DS sticks are so awesome

[@KristyRice]

I imagine the biggest benefit of the pencils is getting that precision point when needed that I've not seen possible with watercolor sticks :)

[@G3brenda]

I use pencils over water color or over acrylic paint..I’m with you and just don’t like pencils straight on paper

[@KristyRice]

Ooh over acrylic!!

[@silkspinner7010]

Kirsty you should never have to press hard to get a watercolour pencil to release pigment. Faber Castell Albrecht Durer pencils dissolve completely, no lines left with these pencils. Also more light layers rather than one hard layer to build up colour. I’d have thought a good hot pressed paper better than one with lots of texture. Or a cold pressed paper with less texture, such as Hahnemuhle cold pressed. Love your videos, always make me happy

[@KristyRice]

Isn’t it so interesting then that the manufactures description for use included pressing hard?

[@silkspinner7010]

@@KristyRice I agree I find it very strange, especially as pressing hard you’re going to indent the paper with more chances of leaving original pencil lines that don’t dissolve. I think your wetting the paper worked well. Someone in the comments mentioned using the Caran dache palette which has the rough side that allows you to scribble on it and then pick up the pencil pigment from that on a brush. It was designed for their neo-color II but I imagine would work for pencils too.

[@cathrynclark5287]

Kristy ... I agree, pencils are not my best friend but work well with kid. BTW, Question, are you going to be putting together another palette. I have the Making Arr for Joy's Sake and I love it. Would love to see another,......possible?

[@dinorocks4887]

i dont like em, but i want to? idk if its the ones i have or me lol I saw a video which was more of an under/sketch type w these, and it made more sense to me than using them for the whole piece

[@KristyRice]

Yes!

[@schnook-in-boots1027]

Well, I don't have your vast experience with watercolor - yet . ;) I've been dabbling in art for 6-7 years (different mediums and not consistently) and have somehow found myself with a ton of supplies - always searching for that holy grail which will make my art better. Spoiler alert! Just paint more! It's the best learning tool .... and also videos like yours. I was super disappointed in watercolor pencils. I have the Albrecht Durer set, since it's supposedly one of the best around. Just don't like pencils, I guess. Too constricting. Not "flowy" enough. Choking off creativity. I think the best use for them is to sketch with because the lines disappear. I have gone thru my "searching for affordable paper" phase and I think I'm done with that too. Using up my supply of cheaper brands and then will just bite the bullet and buy better quality. My latest disaster paper is Meeden. The only good thing about it is that I have managed to sketch and erase completely 3 times on this particular sheet. I'm a decent sketcher, but for some reason it feels like a total fail. I think it's best for using for intuitive painting -- when you just feel like slapping down some paint and seeing what you can do with it. But then, we are all different, aren't we?

[@ArtsyMegz_On_Etsy]

Maybe my problem is the watercolor pencils . . . I don't know what it is about them; my painting just looks so muddy and it takes forever to smooth it out into a nice even coat. 😕

[@KristyRice]

I have found over the years with all my struggles and frustrations with the medium that you definitely cannot expect a smooth finish from them :-(

[@ArtsyMegz_On_Etsy]

@@KristyRiceOh okay. Well that's helpful to know! Maybe watercolor pencils are better for fine details, or maybe I have to try to use them in a different way when I paint.

[@yoimmarockstar]

Just wondering if you’ve ever used rubbing alcohol on one of your paintings. You might have a video about it. I’m new here. Btw, I looove your “free” way of making your art amazing. I think we’re soul sistas.

[@user-vx6mi3oy7g]

That paper the small one actually looks like a piece of cotton fabric when you're working on it. I believe you will find a way to love watercolor pencils but it may take a while to do.😊

[@KristyRice]

It’s cotton rag paper so it has a ton of fibrous texture :)

[@G3brenda]

I need Khalidi paper in my life

[@KristyRice]

Yessss!!

[@edzejandehaan9265]

Bought a small set W&N wc pencils years ago. Hardly used, really don't like them.

[@KristyRice]

I have to be honest Winsor & Newton was the first brand I ever used of watercolor pencils and they are horrid :-(

[@edzejandehaan9265]

@@KristyRice Good to hear so it isn't just me...😄

[@cortneynichols8537]

I feel like they are more "beginner" friendly. I (just paint rarely for fun) love them but my sister who is a real watercolor artist feels the same as you.

[@annnoyez]

I prefer the drawing on archer not on khadi... sorry... 😊

[@KristyRice]

That's ok

[@user-uv9zr8qs2c]

The pencils seem to be bad tbh, the albrecht durer are so much different. Having a sharp pencil also does a big difference. Pressing hard only ruins the paper

[@helenkoomen4020]

Nah, I don't like them either. I gifted mine to a fellow artist wo iis more into the detailed work. She enjoyes them and I hate them. Even got really good ones ( expensive as well)

[@KristyRice]

They're not easy to love lol!

[@montieverett4983]

Kristy…. I believe in you!!!! But i just think these won’t be a favorite. Two and three colors in one stroke doesn’t seem quite right with watercolor pencils. Sorry. I do love learning from you.

[@KristyRice]

What do you mean by two and three colors in a stroke? Just want to make sure I understand…

[@peacockfeathers7409]

ya i want to know what they mean too

[@montieverett4983]

I just meant when you put more than one color on your brush. Maybe I’m wrong. 😊

[@peacockfeathers7409]

@montieverett4983 oh, i thought you meant the pencils were giving you more than one color! but you mean you prefer how you can load more than one color on a brush?

[@chrissyplanteater2892]

I ruin every piece of art with them 🤪

[@bonnieharris5916]

I really do not like watercolor pencils the extra fact that you have to press extra firm is terrible for your hands and can lead to injuries that can prevent you from painting at all.

[@amandaterrio4823]

No I still don’t like them! I’m not going to give up though

[@KristyRice]

Def don't give up. I didn't and finally had a breakthrough

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

I can't stand watercolor pencils, and after this review I'm still not excited about them. In my opinion the quality simply isn't there for professional use.

[@KristyRice]

I get it… I do. It felt like a triumph for me mentally lol