***Please read before commenting!*** I omitted to mention that Inktense are different to standard watercolour pencils, because I'm not perfect, and video production is hard. And I am getting comments telling me of this omission... every. single. day. I have addressed this in replies to previous comments, but I can't reply to the same thing every day. There's no wrong info in the video, only something I didn't fully explain. It's my most popular video nevertheless so thanks for your support! X
@@jenniefrench1338 it’s to increase engagement. More engagement = higher YT ranking. People are more likely to be engaged in a conversation about specific incidents or feelings about success or failure than ‘pointers’. It’s basic marketing technique. If you ha£ a channel posting content, maybe you’d eventually do the same ?
So much good information in this video! I'm trying to get a handle on watercolor and watercolor pencils. I've made the decision to buy Inktense--before watching this. I also want to get Faber-castell Goldfaber Aqua wc pencils.
Wow that’s great 😃 all the great tips of watercolor pencils for various paintings. I have definitely been using them wrong. Thanks for sharing this with us and upping my watercolor painting.
i adore watecolour anything, but i am a beginner so made all above mistakes,going to the craft room t have a play.I recently bought b&m aqua brush pens,i love them as they are so vibrant,but can only really use them as a watercolour paint,putting the ink on a white tile and working from there,as when direct t paper hard to get the hard line to blend,also they leave that watercolour waterline.I love them so much,has anyone else had this problem or worked them out properly,I go over with derwent watercolour pencils also,but i recntly bought a steampunk colouring book,and i really want to make it beautiful,thankyou Hi from leeds UK Keep safe and well
Thanks for this video. I decided to get a little info first before I dipped my new pencils and your information has proved to be very useful. I definitely squeezed a heck of a lot more color out of them with your water first method. :)
Hi. Just had to laugh when you mentioned a friend using soft pastels for background work. I've been using this technique for nearly 10 or 12 years. Must admit I thought I was the last one to discover this - hahahaha. Thanks for the video
Blend in the right direction. Game changer. Also, use good pencils. I’ve heard so often that for watercolours, you can go cheaper, but get good paper, but that’s so not true of watercolour pencils. Cheap ones are like trying to water out a regular coloured pencil.
@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber, yes, pigments are hugely important, and since starting watercolour and finding that I enjoy it, I’ve become a big pigment nerd. But for your first discoveries, you can use a student paint like grumbacher, van gogh or cotman and still get really decent results. But I’ve found that the student grade watercolour pencils are not so hot for me to use. I can’t get any kind of colour payoff at all. I’m staying away entirely until I can afford a good set. Or maybe get some pretty open stock options.
It's discouraging as a beginner to hear you say I'm doing SEVEN things wrong. Well, if I was feeling good before, not now!!! Thanks! I always thought my art was mine but it's not is it??? It's for you!!! And you HATE it.
Best not to blame your emotions on random people you don't know. I've never seen your work. Maybe you've had enough internet for today? Perhaps take a little walk, I find it helps :-)
Very interesting video on watercolour pencils Michele...was looking for such tips for l9ng since I got me a set of Fabre castle watercolour pencils , yet to use and looking forward to 🙂
Inktense aren’t technically watercolors. Once they dry, you can’t reactivate. True watercolor pencils you can reactivate with water once dry. Minor difference but they really aren’t the same thing. May or may not matter depending on what you are doing with them.
Until I discovered colorsheets (they are thin and flat watercolors) I was using watercolor pencils to make tiny functional palettes to stick in my notebooks. I was thinking about trying Inktense so this helps a lot in that consideration!
before i read the comments i wrote the same thing because i just heard about the inktense pencils and looking for info and thats what was said,they are ink pencils not watercolor...thanks! i was thinking i was crazy lol..
Blending in the wrong direction! BLEW MY MIND! I love painting flowers and have struggled for years with not getting the effect I SEE on so many other artists work. Tried your method and OMG 😳 it was soooo easy and BEAUTIFUL! Game changer for clouds too!Thank you so much! The other things I had figured out, through trial and error.
I’m a total beginner and I’m trying to learn some skills. This video was so enlightening. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I plan on watching more of your videos and just subscribed.
I got a set of art supplies a few years ago. Watercolor pencils were one of those, and even when the set was so expensive, it was very bad- Now I got a watercolor pencil set which was from my grandma, and it was way better. *Those pencils are at least 30 years old*
I have to admit I am really leery of the "this is what you're doing all wrong" type of video, but I gave this one a chance and I'm very glad I did. I've only barely begun to experiment with watercolor pencils and I feel that I've just gained a treasure trove of wonderful guidance from a friendly professional. Thank you, Michele! I just subscribed.
Hi , I am a 77 going on 18 year old rocker ( KTM 390 Duke ) ,I needed a hobby for winter and watched your excellent vid. Ok so ,not wanting a lot of stick from mates ,I’m painting in secret ,this vid has explained an awful lot ,I’m really grateful for your time to clarify things that I’m sure are second nature to many of your subscribers many many thanks for my new hobby ,subscribed.
David, I was taught to paint by a male botanical flower painter. My daughter's boyfriend loves to knit scarves, do what you enjoy. Friends love to tease. Thanks for subscribing 👍🙏
I have made these and other mistakes since I started learning to use watercolor pencils. One big mistake I made many times was to treat the watercolor pencils as regular pencils. For example, I would paint the whole piece and then wet it, instead of painting in layers, being patient, and using water to create effects. Thanks Michele, my watercolor skills have improved tremendously!!
I made the same mistake when I was in middle school and high school. I made a drawing, and then ruined it by wetting it. Somebody bought me the supplies but I didn’t know how to use them at all.
Yes, I've done the same thing with my watercolour pencils. I had no idea that you can place the water on bare paper and then pull it into the pencilled area to create shading. Thank you Michele for such a brilliant tutorial. I'm definitely going to buy some better quality watercolour pencils!!! LOL 😄 My old ones were really cheap. Some of the colours are quite nice but I was amazed when you showed us the difference between good pencils and cheap ones. WOW! How much are the Derwent and Faber Castell watercolour pencils in British pounds. I live in Melbourne, Australia but I was born in England and I still know how to convert pounds to dollars, especially as the pound is worth almost exactly double the amount of the Australian dollar. Thanks again Michele. Love from Amanda in Melbourne
I didn't know you were supposed to use a brush with your water colour pencils. For the last 35 years I have been dipping my pencils in water. No wonder I got such awful results Thank you so much.
Same here - and I've made many other mistakes beyond that one. So glad to have watched this video...I did figure out the kind of paper I should use, but beyond that I was clueless!
Don’t you worry. I had an artist (famous) do a workshop in the museum and he got everyone dipping the pencils in water. Absolutely ruined the pencils which were expensive and of the highest quality. I was disgusted 🤣
Stabilo Aquacolors are an excellent budget alternative! They measure up so well to Faber-Castell and Derwent (I don't actually like Derwent so much). The main difference is that the Stabilo Aquacolors probably aren't lightfast, which means they'll fade easier than the others. But again, as far as budget watercolors go, they're excellent and I highly recommend them.
Thank you Michelle, it’s worth pointing out to those who are new to water soluble pencils that Derwent Inktense are a bit different to other watercolour pencils in that they are ink and once activated with water cannot be reactivated. This makes them good for layering with many other mark making materials which can go easily over the top. They can also be used on fabric. I really enjoy your channel and like to focus on how I can improve my art which is still very much at the start of the journey. So glad you can still be with us all during lockdown 2 helping us to improve.
Oh yeah, I found that out the hard way 😮 in my defense, I was about 18 yrs old, saw their fancy tins newly displayed in small-town store, & since they were new, had a fancy sounding name, & sounded even fancier in description on back of tin, plus the higher price meant they were good for sure, right? Lol yeah that's why I purchased my first 2 sets.
Oh wow! I only have that brand 🤦♀️ I bought 2 different packs, just to use as my sketch … but it’s horrible. What’s a good brand to try for the under-layer?
I've struggled with this as well! I would do one paint layer and let the paint dry then apply the pencil (or vice versa). Now I have some new techniques to try!
I find myself watching your channel because of 2 things..you are very informative and clear in your teaching style.ive learned more from you than I did in 3 years of watercolor lessons at our local gallery from a few teachers. two...you have a sweet voice, a kind manner..soothing, pleasant, polite, just plain helpful..like a good parent..even though I could be your grandma! Anyhow thanks..I'm sharing, pushing thumbs up etc..maybe will do patron if I find time. Stay safe..Love Marcia in Modesto
I like the way watercolour pencils, bleed into watercolour paint, I about 3 weeks into getting back into art at the age of 63, so all these tips are very useful thank you Michelle.
I love my inktense pencils. So vibrant. Surprised you didn’t mention drawing into wet sets the line, can’t be blended out easily. Also I’m a fan of picking up pigment on my brush directly from the pencil. Good tips. Way too many commercials
I’m in lockdown here in Kalamazoo Michigan too. I’m so glad I found your channel. You have corrected a lot of things I’ve been doing wrong. I don’t use pencils much but after watching this, I’m going to break them out. Thanks for sharing. Be safe💚
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I wondered why I was never happy with the effect of watercolour pencils but now realise why. Thank you so much, Michelle.
I just happened upon this video and LOVED all you taught. I use watercolor pencils a lot but I have never had anyone actually teach me how to use them. The biggest help to me from your video is to start the blending from the uncolored area into the color. That will make quite a difference to me I believe. Thanks so much for this video!
Just commenting to say that your voice and style of teaching is incredibly calming and easy to follow 💜it sounds silly but I can be very sensitive and lose concentration easily if someone's voice or way of teaching comes across erratic or harsh. With this video I felt comfortable and on the same page every step of the way :)
I'm a new subie and I clicked the bell for all your videos! I'm so happy I found your channel, learning so much from you! Thanks so much for sharing your talents and technics!
I never use my watercolor pencils and I have a full set of Inktense and a 60 set of Albrecht Dürer. I’ve often wondered why I never reach for them and I think it’s because I bought both of them before I started painting. I thought they would be easier than watercolor but once I got my hands on some good tubes of paint I’ve never looked back. Honestly, I don’t see the need for them. I should gift them but aghhhhh! They were so expensive! This month I’ve been using supplies I don’t often use, oils, gouache, acrylic gouache, and yes, watercolor pencils. It’s been so much fun! I highly suggest switching things up when you start to feel uninspired or in a rut. USE THOSE SUPPLIES you have sitting around collecting dust. The only wasted products are the ones you never use.
As an adult colorist using it more as a form of therapy I truly appreciated this video since I've been expanding on my coloring supply options. Thanks to discovering your amazing channel I've decided to try out watercolors. I really enjoy flowers and landscapes. I try to watch at least one of your very informative videos which you make technical Issues easy to understand. Money is tight right now since I've become a young widow at age 49 after losing my soulmate of 29 years but were married for 23. We never had children but I have 1 fur baby Bella who I consider my child. You do an amazing job as a professional artist and teacher. Once I learn to budget and get myself financially stable I plan on taking a course of yours and purchasing your pallet from Jscksons. I'm in the United States. In the mean time I will continue to watch your channel and intend on binge-watching it on weekends with any free time. Thank you Michele for sharing your talents with me. Art is helping me keep some of my insanity as I learn to build a new life for myself and piece back my shattered world. Thank you once again. I truly appreciate you and your channel. 🎨💕
Super cool video! Can you not use the side of a sharp pencil to shade? Or will this not leave enough pigment? I have been using sharp for detail and side of sharp (and turning it so it stays sharp) to fill larger areas. Can’t wait to try blunt now!
The petal blending explanation and the tip with mixing actual watercolour with watercolour pencils are really helpfull. I'm always struggling with backgrounds, it takes ages to get something I'm satisfied with, and I end up being frustrated with pencils. I don't know why I havn't think of it before ... Thank you very much !
Hi, I’ve only just found your channel and I really enjoyed watching this video. I’ve never even thought of combining pencils with paint, watching you it now seems so obvious and I wonder why I’ve never thought of it! I have just subscribed and look forward to looking at more videos.
Amazing video! I'm kind of an amateur artist and like to draw with anything I can get my hands on. However, sometimes I need some guidance instead of just winging it😅 This was very helpful
Great video, thank you! Forgive me if you have already talked about this, but I am very new to water color painting so this was just something I kind of learned on my own as a beginner experimenting. I do not have professional grade pencils, nor can I afford them, so I make best with what I have. I have Arteza brand and they were about $40 on Amazon. I notice that the pigment lays down a little better if I wet the paper first and then I just layer to get my desired shade. It also helps with avoiding that heavy pressure on the paper that gives those harsh lines. Like I said, I am a beginner and don't know if this is an appropriate tech to use, but it works well for me.
I just picked up a set of watercolored pencils because they seem perfect for working in plein air. They are lightweight and quick to deploy and clean up. These tips were very helpful. I'd like to pass along something I learned in kindergarten. You can use wax crayons as a resist with watercolor pencils to get some really interesting effects. Thanks!
Your videos are always very informative and I’ve watched them all. However, all of the advertising interruptions (six, I believe, in this one) every few minutes, drives me nuts. I most certainly skip the ads in the middle of the video, but they are so very distracting.
Sorry about that Vernia, RUclips shows a different amount of adverts to each person watching, the algorithm decides your tolerance to them. They can take me up to two days to make so I need the small amount I get from adverts.
I certainly understand that the advertising is necessary. Your videos are very good. I’ll still watch. I don’t care for RUclips’s algorithm which clearly doesn’t understand my tolerance for ads in the middle of a video! Ha. Keep up the good work it’s no wonder that your channel is growing.
This video was really good for beginners like me I wasn't too clear on the paper part cuz when the screen switched there were no labels to know which paper you were using but altogether really good video you earned a new subscriber.
Thanks for subscribing, sorry can't remember the paper, I usually use Bockingford or SAA practice on RUclips, and either Saunders Waterford or more recently Fabriano Artistico for best.
To be honest, I only recently found out water colour pencils are pencils that turn into water colour paints I've been using them as regular colored pencils and today i brought some out to try and it turns out i was scammed the packaging calls them water color but i literally used enough and excess water later on but it didnt bring out any sort of paint the color just sat on the paper im gonna buy new onesfrom a new brand and you might think the brand i used was cheap but it wasnt it was staedtlaer I was sooo dissapointed cuz they cost quite an amount.
The Derwent are the best I tried. When Shading in just understand to go slow and pra Tice will improve your technique and make it yours. Hope that helped. 😊
I have about four brands of WC pencil sets that I’ve not used yet, but will put to use soon. I think I’ll do some comparison tests like you’ve demonstrated. BTW: I notice that you personally respond to your viewer’s comments. You are a true jewel 💎♥️
I'd like to point out that while Inktense (Derwent) is watersoluble, it isn't a watercolor pencil. Contrary to watercolor and watercolor pencils, once wetted with water and dried, becomes permanent which presents whole new possibilites for layering and for creating really deep and vivid colours. The permanence of the colour also provides the ability to use the pencils on fabric - even silk! However, since a once dried layer can not be redissolved*, mixing of colours demands for a slight difference in technique compaired to watercolour pencils. Not intended to deminise the video - I think it's great! - I just thought this might be viable info for those out there who are new to the world of watersoluble and watercolor pencils. Thanks for sharing and take care, stay safe, and stay 2 meters away! Cheers! * Unsure if that's the correct word - I'm not english and it's _very_ early in the morning...
I learned so much from your video. I realize the reason I didn't like watercolor pencil is because I have been using pencils that were inferior without much pigment.
I haven’t tried watercolor pencils since high school. This video makes me want to add them to my watercolors which I got back into during the 2020 lockdown. I especially appreciated the example at the end of the video where you add the dots and edges to give dimension to your lily petal. Thank you for sharing this, and I hope that as the pandemic drags on, you’re able to benefit from your online teaching financially.
So pleased I watched your video as we’ve acquired Polychromos from Faber Castell & I wasn’t sure how to use them you mentioned them,thanks. Tips are great!like your comparison between the mediums, so…. helpful. Thanks
Wonderful tutorial -- I'm learning so much! I've got watercolor pencils I quit using out of frustration because I didn't know what I was doing. Now I'm going to get them out again and give them another try. :) (No idea what brand they are... that may be my first problem, huh?) Thanks so much for doing this!
Thank you for such a usefull video, straigth to the important points. I would add: if using highly soluble ones like the Durer or the Museum, do not throw pigments away when you sharpen, transfer them into palette wells or pans instead, add a drop of water or two to make them stick to it; thus you have pigment pans you can use with all sorts of brushes, or dip pen if you favour this for details or text in assorted colors. The trick also worked with my inktense pencils (helps for backgrounds if you do not have the stick version of the colour) In other words, as far as Museum and Durer are concerned, you can combine watercolour and pencils with pencils only! But, as their washes tend to dry faster than "normal" watercolor ones, you must move fast if you want salted texture. And the Museum line is more pigmented, offering richer colors that way. (By the way, if you break a point, just put the piece into the pan; it wil take longer to dissolve, but you do not need to waste good pigments)
Hi my name is Rita and I have made cards but never really know how to use watercolor pencils. I just used the tubes. This is totally different way. I hope you will have fun learning. I know I will
Thank you I am new to watercolors pencils. I did a watercolor for my most wonderful husband Bob who is with Jesus now. It was my first try. I took class at the college. Thank you I am going to try it. Even though it has been over 7 years since I have tried it
Thank you, am thinking of trying watercolour pencils for sketching with when I am out to remind me of what I am looking at (I usually use oils or acrylics) but might also try them for paintings images of flowers. Greatly enjoyed the video.
I use 9 by 12-inch paper and I noticed with the color pencils like you said it can take a while. If the background is a seen and not just a flat color it's not so hard! It does take patience but it's worth it if you have say a blue sky, then some green mountains and so on. But again if it is a FLAT color background or a lot of sky yes it takes patience! I will try to see if Watercolors might speed it up. I might invest. But I did learn a technique that makes the color pencils "Prismacolor Color Pencils soft core!" I fill in some color and once it's got enough I take a q-tip and rubbing alcohol! YES I said that! When you fill it in with this trick then you see the colors really blend well and it later allows you to use more pigment! So layering becomes easier because the alcohol takes away some of the wax in those pencils. I tried the Fabercastell with the oil base and it wasn't so great! Infact I returned it! I did not like the way the white filled in! And I was trying to color a Chickadee! It just wasn't to my liking! Anyways! I have had people shocked to learn though that I used color pencils! They swear it looks like a painting.
Thanks for your tutorials. I use polychromos over watercolours and that works out well . But also I use soluble graphite pencil . Some great hints here
comparing a Derwent Inktense pencil with a cheap watercolor pencil are points too easy taken...compare a watercolor pencil with a watercolor pencil....not with something so special as an Inktense...it would be like comparing VW with a Jaguar
Thank you for all these tips! I don't use watercolor pencils too much but they are part of my media palette. I am a botanical artist and like to work in mixed media, although it's a challenge sometimes to get the right paper. I use watercolour, watercolour pencils, coloured pencils and technical pens with permanent ink. I particularly appreciated your tip on pencil pressure.
Honey you've got a wonderful channel going, but as a fellow youtuber, I have to tell you it's so overloaded with ads, that it may drive users away. Thank you for this wonderful lesson, it was really useful and I adore your thumbnails!
The blending tip is awesome. I keep forgetting to do that, always end up pulling too much pigment out. I have both Derwent and Faber Castell, and they do have a lot of pigment. I’ve also gotten to where I use much less water. I kind of like the pencil look when it’s not completely blended.
I learned so much from this video, so when I went shopping for paper I thought of what you'd said when making my selection. I chose Strathmore Mixed Media paper vellum surface 184 lb and used it tonight with great results. I had been getting such gritty results with other papers and this was SO smooth. Plus water didn't cause the paper to buckle or bend at all. Perfectly flat when my two little studies were done.
***Please read before commenting!*** I omitted to mention that Inktense are different to standard watercolour pencils, because I'm not perfect, and video production is hard. And I am getting comments telling me of this omission... every. single. day. I have addressed this in replies to previous comments, but I can't reply to the same thing every day. There's no wrong info in the video, only something I didn't fully explain. It's my most popular video nevertheless so thanks for your support! X
thank u
@@jenniefrench1338 it’s to increase engagement. More engagement = higher YT ranking. People are more likely to be engaged in a conversation about specific incidents or feelings about success or failure than ‘pointers’. It’s basic marketing technique. If you ha£ a channel posting content, maybe you’d eventually do the same ?
I've really learned a lot in this video, thanks!
New sub. Came across your channel by accident and I love it! Thank you for sharing!
You should be able to put that disclaimer on a sticky so it stays on top.
Thank you, this was so helpful, mistakes I have been making. I’m pretty new at this.
You will soon pick it up :-)
So much good information in this video! I'm trying to get a handle on watercolor and watercolor pencils. I've made the decision to buy Inktense--before watching this. I also want to get Faber-castell Goldfaber Aqua wc pencils.
Wow that’s great 😃 all the great tips of watercolor pencils for various paintings. I have definitely been using them wrong. Thanks for sharing this with us and upping my watercolor painting.
Glad it was helpful!
i adore watecolour anything, but i am a beginner so made all above mistakes,going to the craft room t have a play.I recently bought b&m aqua brush pens,i love them as they are so vibrant,but can only really use them as a watercolour paint,putting the ink on a white tile and working from there,as when direct t paper hard to get the hard line to blend,also they leave that watercolour waterline.I love them so much,has anyone else had this problem or worked them out properly,I go over with derwent watercolour pencils also,but i recntly bought a steampunk colouring book,and i really want to make it beautiful,thankyou Hi from leeds UK Keep safe and well
Hello in Leeds, good luck with your work!
Thanks for this video. I decided to get a little info first before I dipped my new pencils and your information has proved to be very useful. I definitely squeezed a heck of a lot more color out of them with your water first method. :)
Glad it was helpful!
Thsnk you very much! Very inspiring
You are so welcome!
Actually, in your example of the greens, I think the cheaper one dissolved better. You can still see under the Derwent one
Thanks
Thanks Graham
Hi. Just had to laugh when you mentioned a friend using soft pastels for background work. I've been using this technique for nearly 10 or 12 years. Must admit I thought I was the last one to discover this - hahahaha. Thanks for the video
I often think I am the first person to discover something - I never am though!
Blend in the right direction. Game changer. Also, use good pencils. I’ve heard so often that for watercolours, you can go cheaper, but get good paper, but that’s so not true of watercolour pencils. Cheap ones are like trying to water out a regular coloured pencil.
I actually feel the pigments are very important, after all it's the main thing people see at the end!
@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber, yes, pigments are hugely important, and since starting watercolour and finding that I enjoy it, I’ve become a big pigment nerd. But for your first discoveries, you can use a student paint like grumbacher, van gogh or cotman and still get really decent results. But I’ve found that the student grade watercolour pencils are not so hot for me to use. I can’t get any kind of colour payoff at all. I’m staying away entirely until I can afford a good set. Or maybe get some pretty open stock options.
It's discouraging as a beginner to hear you say I'm doing SEVEN things wrong. Well, if I was feeling good before, not now!!! Thanks! I always thought my art was mine but it's not is it??? It's for you!!! And you HATE it.
Best not to blame your emotions on random people you don't know. I've never seen your work. Maybe you've had enough internet for today? Perhaps take a little walk, I find it helps :-)
Very interesting video on watercolour pencils Michele...was looking for such tips for l9ng since I got me a set of Fabre castle watercolour pencils , yet to use and looking forward to 🙂
Good luck with your work, it's a great brand!
Wow very informative
Glad you liked it
Just starting, Wish me luck! lol
Good luck!
Very helpful! Thank you 💖
Maybe because I am in the USA, there was no link to the essentials set, just the description.
No, you are right, it was missing! Sorry about that, I have added it in (can't put it here as links aren't allowed in comments)
Sometimes you dont always get what you pay for. The more expensive brands are not just better because they are more expensive either.
What is cartridge paper?
In the UK it's what we call good quality sketching paper.
@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Ah Thank you :) I've heard it before but had no idea that that is what it was. :)
Inktense aren’t technically watercolors. Once they dry, you can’t reactivate. True watercolor pencils you can reactivate with water once dry. Minor difference but they really aren’t the same thing. May or may not matter depending on what you are doing with them.
Yes, they’re more like an ink
Yes you are right of course :-)
Until I discovered colorsheets (they are thin and flat watercolors) I was using watercolor pencils to make tiny functional palettes to stick in my notebooks. I was thinking about trying Inktense so this helps a lot in that consideration!
before i read the comments i wrote the same thing because i just heard about the inktense pencils and looking for info and thats what was said,they are ink pencils not watercolor...thanks! i was thinking i was crazy lol..
They are dye based and staining.
Blending in the wrong direction! BLEW MY MIND! I love painting flowers and have struggled for years with not getting the effect I SEE on so many other artists work. Tried your method and OMG 😳 it was soooo easy and BEAUTIFUL! Game changer for clouds too!Thank you so much! The other things I had figured out, through trial and error.
So glad it helped you Robin!
I’m a total beginner and I’m trying to learn some skills. This video was so enlightening. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I plan on watching more of your videos and just subscribed.
Thanks so much for subscribing Claudia!
Same I’m a beginner and this Is helping me make smarter choices
I am a very early beginner and so happy to have found you. Thank you so much for the tips
Welcome!
The petal blending explanation was most helpful. I had been making the mistake of going from the dark area to the light area.
Most people do Jenny! Glad it was helpful!
I got a set of art supplies a few years ago. Watercolor pencils were one of those, and even when the set was so expensive, it was very bad- Now I got a watercolor pencil set which was from my grandma, and it was way better.
*Those pencils are at least 30 years old*
Oh wow!
I have to admit I am really leery of the "this is what you're doing all wrong" type of video, but I gave this one a chance and I'm very glad I did. I've only barely begun to experiment with watercolor pencils and I feel that I've just gained a treasure trove of wonderful guidance from a friendly professional. Thank you, Michele! I just subscribed.
Thanks for much! Unfortunately titles like this get views, but I'm glad you liked the video ☺️
You nailed it that was exactly my thought but POW I was educated in many ways as I'm new to the watercolor world myself and I too subscribed 😁
I feel like my watercolour pencils game has just upped only by watching this video 😁
So glad you liked it!
Hi..can you see my drawing too..hope you will like it..
Hi , I am a 77 going on 18 year old rocker ( KTM 390 Duke ) ,I needed a hobby for winter and watched your excellent vid. Ok so ,not wanting a lot of stick from mates ,I’m painting in secret ,this vid has explained an awful lot ,I’m really grateful for your time to clarify things that I’m sure are second nature to many of your subscribers many many thanks for my new hobby ,subscribed.
David, I was taught to paint by a male botanical flower painter. My daughter's boyfriend loves to knit scarves, do what you enjoy. Friends love to tease. Thanks for subscribing 👍🙏
I have made these and other mistakes since I started learning to use watercolor pencils. One big mistake I made many times was to treat the watercolor pencils as regular pencils. For example, I would paint the whole piece and then wet it, instead of painting in layers, being patient, and using water to create effects. Thanks Michele, my watercolor skills have improved tremendously!!
Yes it's the same as paint, if you wet everything at once it all runs!
I made the same mistake when I was in middle school and high school. I made a drawing, and then ruined it by wetting it. Somebody bought me the supplies but I didn’t know how to use them at all.
I made a worse mistake i used the watercolour pencil as a pencil and not use water at all
Yes, I've done the same thing with my watercolour pencils. I had no idea that you can place the water on bare paper and then pull it into the pencilled area to create shading. Thank you Michele for such a brilliant tutorial. I'm definitely going to buy some better quality watercolour pencils!!! LOL 😄 My old ones were really cheap. Some of the colours are quite nice but I was amazed when you showed us the difference between good pencils and cheap ones. WOW! How much are the Derwent and Faber Castell watercolour pencils in British pounds. I live in Melbourne, Australia but I was born in England and I still know how to convert pounds to dollars, especially as the pound is worth almost exactly double the amount of the Australian dollar. Thanks again Michele. Love from Amanda in Melbourne
@amandajones6 I just bought Derwent (12 watercolor pencils) today and the set in a tin was $29.
I didn't know you were supposed to use a brush with your water colour pencils.
For the last 35 years I have been dipping my pencils in water. No wonder I got such awful results
Thank you so much.
me too until i read the back of the box i got them in
LOL
Same here - and I've made many other mistakes beyond that one. So glad to have watched this video...I did figure out the kind of paper I should use, but beyond that I was clueless!
Don’t you worry. I had an artist (famous) do a workshop in the museum and he got everyone dipping the pencils in water. Absolutely ruined the pencils which were expensive and of the highest quality. I was disgusted 🤣
Thanks for the tips. Very limited income so have to use “cheap” pencils right now but will save for better ones!
Glad it was helpful!
I'm hoping w some of my Playlist music to motivate me i can start this n try...😣😏😌
Stabilo Aquacolors are an excellent budget alternative! They measure up so well to Faber-Castell and Derwent (I don't actually like Derwent so much). The main difference is that the Stabilo Aquacolors probably aren't lightfast, which means they'll fade easier than the others. But again, as far as budget watercolors go, they're excellent and I highly recommend them.
Thank you for the tip about not pressing too hard and also when to use a sharp tip and when to use a blunt tip.
Thank you Michelle, it’s worth pointing out to those who are new to water soluble pencils that Derwent Inktense are a bit different to other watercolour pencils in that they are ink and once activated with water cannot be reactivated. This makes them good for layering with many other mark making materials which can go easily over the top. They can also be used on fabric. I really enjoy your channel and like to focus on how I can improve my art which is still very much at the start of the journey. So glad you can still be with us all during lockdown 2 helping us to improve.
You are welcome Heather, yes you are correct about inktense!
Oh yeah, I found that out the hard way 😮 in my defense, I was about 18 yrs old, saw their fancy tins newly displayed in small-town store, & since they were new, had a fancy sounding name, & sounded even fancier in description on back of tin, plus the higher price meant they were good for sure, right? Lol yeah that's why I purchased my first 2 sets.
Oh wow! I only have that brand 🤦♀️
I bought 2 different packs, just to use as my sketch … but it’s horrible.
What’s a good brand to try for the under-layer?
Thank you you’re most kind and Michelle also kind in pointing that out in her video
I have just started using watercolour pencils (at the age of 70) and find this video very useful, thank you. 😊
Glad it was helpful!
I never thought of combining the watercolor paint with the watercolor pencils.
Do try it - it's a game changer!
I've struggled with this as well! I would do one paint layer and let the paint dry then apply the pencil (or vice versa). Now I have some new techniques to try!
Thank you! Ive never tried my watercolor gift set, but now ill try!
I find myself watching your channel because of 2 things..you are very informative and clear in your teaching style.ive learned more from you than I did in 3 years of watercolor lessons at our local gallery from a few teachers. two...you have a sweet voice, a kind manner..soothing, pleasant, polite, just plain helpful..like a good parent..even though I could be your grandma! Anyhow thanks..I'm sharing, pushing thumbs up etc..maybe will do patron if I find time. Stay safe..Love Marcia in Modesto
So nice of you Marcia, thanks for watching!
Oh my, blend out! Trying it now! Thanks again for such a great tip!
You are so welcome!
I like the way watercolour pencils, bleed into watercolour paint, I about 3 weeks into getting back into art at the age of 63, so all these tips are very useful thank you Michelle.
No problem, good luck with your paintings!
I love my inktense pencils. So vibrant. Surprised you didn’t mention drawing into wet sets the line, can’t be blended out easily. Also I’m a fan of picking up pigment on my brush directly from the pencil. Good tips. Way too many commercials
I’m in lockdown here in Kalamazoo Michigan too. I’m so glad I found your channel. You have corrected a lot of things I’ve been doing wrong. I don’t use pencils much but after watching this, I’m going to break them out. Thanks for sharing. Be safe💚
Thanks and welcome!
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I wondered why I was never happy with the effect of watercolour pencils but now realise why. Thank you so much, Michelle.
Glad this was helpful!
I just happened upon this video and LOVED all you taught. I use watercolor pencils a lot but I have never had anyone actually teach me how to use them. The biggest help to me from your video is to start the blending from the uncolored area into the color. That will make quite a difference to me I believe. Thanks so much for this video!
You are so welcome!
When she explained about the paper types I admonished myself for being an idiot.
Just commenting to say that your voice and style of teaching is incredibly calming and easy to follow 💜it sounds silly but I can be very sensitive and lose concentration easily if someone's voice or way of teaching comes across erratic or harsh. With this video I felt comfortable and on the same page every step of the way :)
Thank you! 😊
I'm a new subie and I clicked the bell for all your videos! I'm so happy I found your channel, learning so much from you! Thanks so much for sharing your talents and technics!
Awesome! Thank you!
I never use my watercolor pencils and I have a full set of Inktense and a 60 set of Albrecht Dürer. I’ve often wondered why I never reach for them and I think it’s because I bought both of them before I started painting. I thought they would be easier than watercolor but once I got my hands on some good tubes of paint I’ve never looked back. Honestly, I don’t see the need for them. I should gift them but aghhhhh! They were so expensive! This month I’ve been using supplies I don’t often use, oils, gouache, acrylic gouache, and yes, watercolor pencils. It’s been so much fun! I highly suggest switching things up when you start to feel uninspired or in a rut. USE THOSE SUPPLIES you have sitting around collecting dust. The only wasted products are the ones you never use.
Wise words!
As an adult colorist using it more as a form of therapy I truly appreciated this video since I've been expanding on my coloring supply options. Thanks to discovering your amazing channel I've decided to try out watercolors. I really enjoy flowers and landscapes.
I try to watch at least one of your very informative videos which you make technical Issues easy to understand. Money is tight right now since I've become a young widow at age 49 after losing my soulmate of 29 years but were married for 23. We never had children but I have 1 fur baby Bella who I consider my child. You do an amazing job as a professional artist and teacher. Once I learn to budget and get myself financially stable I plan on taking a course of yours and purchasing your pallet from Jscksons. I'm in the United States. In the mean time I will continue to watch your channel and intend on binge-watching it on weekends with any free time. Thank you Michele for sharing your talents with me. Art is helping me keep some of my insanity as I learn to build a new life for myself and piece back my shattered world. Thank you once again. I truly appreciate you and your channel. 🎨💕
I'm so sorry for your loss and glad you have a furbaby to comfort you. Keep painting xx
Super cool video! Can you not use the side of a sharp pencil to shade? Or will this not leave enough pigment? I have been using sharp for detail and side of sharp (and turning it so it stays sharp) to fill larger areas. Can’t wait to try blunt now!
Yes you can, if it suits you it isn't wrong.
The petal blending explanation and the tip with mixing actual watercolour with watercolour pencils are really helpfull. I'm always struggling with backgrounds, it takes ages to get something I'm satisfied with, and I end up being frustrated with pencils. I don't know why I havn't think of it before ... Thank you very much !
Thank you. I bought a set, but I wasn't really sure how to use them.
You’re welcome 😊
I have a large tin of Caran d’ashe, they are old but unused,- you’ve inspired me to have a little tinker .... here we go.
Thank you! Very useful. I didn't even know if the pencils are first and then water or if you should use them as brushes
You’re welcome 😊
Hi, I’ve only just found your channel and I really enjoyed watching this video. I’ve never even thought of combining pencils with paint, watching you it now seems so obvious and I wonder why I’ve never thought of it! I have just subscribed and look forward to looking at more videos.
I'm so glad!
Amazing video! I'm kind of an amateur artist and like to draw with anything I can get my hands on. However, sometimes I need some guidance instead of just winging it😅 This was very helpful
Brilliant, good luck with your work!
❤covid's gone - your lessons are so alive and priceless ❤
The mistake I have made is blending out instead of coming in with the water. Thank you so much; this has been incredibly helpful!
Great video, thank you!
Forgive me if you have already talked about this, but I am very new to water color painting so this was just something I kind of learned on my own as a beginner experimenting. I do not have professional grade pencils, nor can I afford them, so I make best with what I have. I have Arteza brand and they were about $40 on Amazon.
I notice that the pigment lays down a little better if I wet the paper first and then I just layer to get my desired shade. It also helps with avoiding that heavy pressure on the paper that gives those harsh lines.
Like I said, I am a beginner and don't know if this is an appropriate tech to use, but it works well for me.
If it works it's appropriate 😸
I just picked up a set of watercolored pencils because they seem perfect for working in plein air. They are lightweight and quick to deploy and clean up. These tips were very helpful. I'd like to pass along something I learned in kindergarten. You can use wax crayons as a resist with watercolor pencils to get some really interesting effects. Thanks!
Great tip! Yes I do this sometimes, with oil pastels, but you are right it works with crayons and candles too.
Love my watercolor pencils and finally finding how to effectively, rightly using them!! Thank you, Michelle!!
Happy to help!
Fabulous for us newbies just going into this medium. So very helpful. I'll look at timing for the class.
Your videos are always very informative and I’ve watched them all. However, all of the advertising interruptions (six, I believe, in this one) every few minutes, drives me nuts. I most certainly skip the ads in the middle of the video, but they are so very distracting.
Sorry about that Vernia, RUclips shows a different amount of adverts to each person watching, the algorithm decides your tolerance to them. They can take me up to two days to make so I need the small amount I get from adverts.
I certainly understand that the advertising is necessary. Your videos are very good. I’ll still watch. I don’t care for RUclips’s algorithm which clearly doesn’t understand my tolerance for ads in the middle of a video! Ha. Keep up the good work it’s no wonder that your channel is growing.
This video was really good for beginners like me I wasn't too clear on the paper part cuz when the screen switched there were no labels to know which paper you were using but altogether really good video you earned a new subscriber.
Thanks for subscribing, sorry can't remember the paper, I usually use Bockingford or SAA practice on RUclips, and either Saunders Waterford or more recently Fabriano Artistico for best.
@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thanks i checked out your other videos and their really helpful as well keep up the good job 🙏🏽💗
Very informative. I'm retiring soon and hope to start doing some water Colours. Thank you!
Good luck!
To be honest, I only recently found out water colour pencils are pencils that turn into water colour paints
I've been using them as regular colored pencils and today i brought some out to try and it turns out i was scammed the packaging calls them water color but i literally used enough and excess water later on but it didnt bring out any sort of paint the color just sat on the paper im gonna buy new onesfrom a new brand and you might think the brand i used was cheap but it wasnt it was staedtlaer I was sooo dissapointed cuz they cost quite an amount.
Some are better than others unfortunately :-)
The Derwent are the best I tried. When Shading in just understand to go slow and pra Tice will improve your technique and make it yours. Hope that helped. 😊
Try alcohol, instead of water! I rarely use water anymore!
I have about four brands of WC pencil sets that I’ve not used yet, but will put to use soon. I think I’ll do some comparison tests like you’ve demonstrated.
BTW: I notice that you personally respond to your viewer’s comments. You are a true jewel 💎♥️
I try Richard. I won't be able to for all of them soon, as there are so many, but it's a good problem to have!
I'd like to point out that while Inktense (Derwent) is watersoluble, it isn't a watercolor pencil. Contrary to watercolor and watercolor pencils, once wetted with water and dried, becomes permanent which presents whole new possibilites for layering and for creating really deep and vivid colours. The permanence of the colour also provides the ability to use the pencils on fabric - even silk! However, since a once dried layer can not be redissolved*, mixing of colours demands for a slight difference in technique compaired to watercolour pencils.
Not intended to deminise the video - I think it's great! - I just thought this might be viable info for those out there who are new to the world of watersoluble and watercolor pencils.
Thanks for sharing and take care, stay safe, and stay 2 meters away!
Cheers!
* Unsure if that's the correct word - I'm not english and it's _very_ early in the morning...
Hi, yes I know. I forgot to mention it :-)
This was really good, thank you. I’ve subscribed 👍
Awesome, thank you!
I learned so much from your video. I realize the reason I didn't like watercolor pencil is because I have been using pencils that were inferior without much pigment.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you, this tips are helpfully. I'll try them tomorrow with my daughter
Good luck!
@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thank you
Watercolor pencils work wonderful on Yupo paper!
I use them to outline my drawing or put harder edges on my watercolor paint "blobs".
I haven’t tried watercolor pencils since high school. This video makes me want to add them to my watercolors which I got back into during the 2020 lockdown. I especially appreciated the example at the end of the video where you add the dots and edges to give dimension to your lily petal. Thank you for sharing this, and I hope that as the pandemic drags on, you’re able to benefit from your online teaching financially.
Thanks so much Jessica, yes I am, it's not making me rich but it is covering my rent now - thank goodness!
So pleased I watched your video as we’ve acquired Polychromos from Faber Castell & I wasn’t sure how to use them you mentioned them,thanks. Tips are great!like your comparison between the mediums, so…. helpful. Thanks
Wonderful tutorial -- I'm learning so much! I've got watercolor pencils I quit using out of frustration because I didn't know what I was doing. Now I'm going to get them out again and give them another try. :) (No idea what brand they are... that may be my first problem, huh?) Thanks so much for doing this!
You are so welcome!
I have a question are mont marte water colour pencils good
I have not used them, sorry :-)
Thank you for such a usefull video, straigth to the important points. I would add: if using highly soluble ones like the Durer or the Museum, do not throw pigments away when you sharpen, transfer them into palette wells or pans instead, add a drop of water or two to make them stick to it; thus you have pigment pans you can use with all sorts of brushes, or dip pen if you favour this for details or text in assorted colors. The trick also worked with my inktense pencils (helps for backgrounds if you do not have the stick version of the colour) In other words, as far as Museum and Durer are concerned, you can combine watercolour and pencils with pencils only! But, as their washes tend to dry faster than "normal" watercolor ones, you must move fast if you want salted texture. And the Museum line is more pigmented, offering richer colors that way. (By the way, if you break a point, just put the piece into the pan; it wil take longer to dissolve, but you do not need to waste good pigments)
Great tips, many thanks!
I do this too...🥰
Brilliant video! I’m a rubber stamper but I have often used water color pencils to add color. All of these techniques will be useful. Thank you!
Hi my name is Rita and I have made cards but never really know how to use watercolor pencils. I just used the tubes. This is totally different way. I hope you will have fun learning. I know I will
Thank you I am new to watercolors pencils. I did a watercolor for my most wonderful husband Bob who is with Jesus now. It was my first try. I took class at the college. Thank you I am going to try it. Even though it has been over 7 years since I have tried it
Good luck Rita 👍😊
@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber oh yes I forgot. I liked and Subscribed to your channel
Thank you so much for the very useful tips I'm new to this a great help
Glad it was helpful!
I learn something every time I watch your wonderful channel! Thanks!
Happy to hear that!
Thank you, am thinking of trying watercolour pencils for sketching with when I am out to remind me of what I am looking at (I usually use oils or acrylics) but might also try them for paintings images of flowers. Greatly enjoyed the video.
That's a great idea!
I use 9 by 12-inch paper and I noticed with the color pencils like you said it can take a while. If the background is a seen and not just a flat color it's not so hard! It does take patience but it's worth it if you have say a blue sky, then some green mountains and so on. But again if it is a FLAT color background or a lot of sky yes it takes patience! I will try to see if Watercolors might speed it up. I might invest. But I did learn a technique that makes the color pencils "Prismacolor Color Pencils soft core!" I fill in some color and once it's got enough I take a q-tip and rubbing alcohol! YES I said that!
When you fill it in with this trick then you see the colors really blend well and it later allows you to use more pigment! So layering becomes easier because the alcohol takes away some of the wax in those pencils. I tried the Fabercastell with the oil base and it wasn't so great! Infact I returned it! I did not like the way the white filled in! And I was trying to color a Chickadee! It just wasn't to my liking! Anyways! I have had people shocked to learn though that I used color pencils! They swear it looks like a painting.
I wish I had you as my art teacher in school ❤ such a great video, thank you!
Wow, thank you!
Thanks for your tutorials. I use polychromos over watercolours and that works out well . But also I use soluble graphite pencil . Some great hints here
thank you for your tutorials! I always learn something new.
My pleasure!
Me too!😃
Thank you! I have learned so much about the WC pencils. I have been mentally debating myself over purchasing any. This helps that decision.
Thank you! I've been using watercolor paints, but have been unsure of using the pencils... this helps tremendously!
You're so welcome!
comparing a Derwent Inktense pencil with a cheap watercolor pencil are points too easy taken...compare a watercolor pencil with a watercolor pencil....not with something so special as an Inktense...it would be like comparing VW with a Jaguar
Thank you for all these tips! I don't use watercolor pencils too much but they are part of my media palette. I am a botanical artist and like to work in mixed media, although it's a challenge sometimes to get the right paper. I use watercolour, watercolour pencils, coloured pencils and technical pens with permanent ink. I particularly appreciated your tip on pencil pressure.
You are welcome!
This was so helpful!! I’ve never used watercolor pencils and I want to learn, I’m starting practice today and this helped so much!
You're so welcome!
Happy I found your channel. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much. I have been gifts a complete set of Albecht Duer pencils. Your video has been needed appreciated guidance.
The blending mistake was very helpful, no 2 I think.
Marvelous!!!
Honey you've got a wonderful channel going, but as a fellow youtuber, I have to tell you it's so overloaded with ads, that it may drive users away. Thank you for this wonderful lesson, it was really useful and I adore your thumbnails!
Thank you Michelle. Very informative information. Always learning..
The blending tip is awesome. I keep forgetting to do that, always end up pulling too much pigment out. I have both Derwent and Faber Castell, and they do have a lot of pigment. I’ve also gotten to where I use much less water. I kind of like the pencil look when it’s not completely blended.
They are very versatile 🙂
I really learn a lot from you. Thanks a lot! I was put off colour pencils by the set i had...now i realise..i had a cheap set AND bad paper.
Thank you! This is wonderful! Gives me lots of confidence!
Great channel....Thanks....love watercolor pencils.....great tips. Inspiring. :-))
I learned so much from this video, so when I went shopping for paper I thought of what you'd said when making my selection. I chose Strathmore Mixed Media paper vellum surface 184 lb and used it tonight with great results. I had been getting such gritty results with other papers and this was SO smooth. Plus water didn't cause the paper to buckle or bend at all. Perfectly flat when my two little studies were done.
Wonderful!