How to Use Watercolor Pencils

Use watercolor pencils to add an interesting effect on your next paper craft project. It is a great technique to highlight and add depth to stamping and embossing. The applications are endless and of course you can simply draw and sketch with them, too.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Watercolor pencils
• Cotton swabs
• Blender pen
• Thin paintbrush
• Water
• Cardstock
• Rubber stamped image on paper

1. Create a stamped or embossed image you wish to embellish with watercolor pencils.

2. Consider options for embellishment. You could either use the pencils dry or with water. If you choose to add water, you have a few options for application, all of which will produce a different color result.

3. Dip the pencil tip in water and begin highlighting the stamped image to add depth and perspective. This will create a bold opaque color.

4. Highlight the stamp with a dry pencil and go back over with a blender pen, cotton swab or thin paintbrush. This will create a more subtle highlighting. Experiment with different levels of pressure when applying the dry pencil. You will produce a bold line or a softer line.

5. Experiment with this technique on a variety of papers, both dark and light. Each will produce a unique result. With this technique, there is a lot of room for error and your biggest "mistake" could turn out beautifully.

Tips & Warnings

• Watercolor markers are available. They produce a similar effect but without the use of water.
• Experiment on a scrap piece of cardstock before working on your final project.

Resources

• Craft ideas galore are what you'll find at the Create for Less website.
• Offers products for purchase as well as resources for stamping and all kinds of paper craft techniques.