How to Paint With Watercolor Aquarelle Pencils

If you're feeling the creative urge to start painting, consider trying out Aquarelle watercolor pencils. Aquarelle is the French word that describes watercolor painting. Aquarelle pencils allow you to complete your drawing and then add water. The pencils are a great alternative to traditional watercolor, offering more control than a brush, which can be especially helpful for artists in training.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Trace your desired drawing onto watercolor paper by holding it up to a window or by using a light box.

2. Tape down your watercolor paper with masking tape so that the watercolor paper doesn't buckle when you apply the water.

3. Travel horizontally across the paper with the Aquarelle pencil, just as you would color with a regular colored pencil.

4. Remember to reserve the white places on your painting when you are sketching in the design.

5. Use a variety of paintbrush sizes when you apply the water. Use a larger brush for areas of background and a smaller brush for detail areas.

6. Dab your paintbrush on a wet sponge instead of a glass of water to limit the amount of water added to the painting. Add water to give your painting the watercolor effect.

7. Use a variety of mediums within your Aquarelle painting to add interest. For example, if you want to call out the crisp edge of a boat's sail, you may want to use a thin-line permanent marker to define the lines. Don't be afraid to show pencil marks or use traditional watercolor paints.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring light and shadow to your painting by paying attention to the details, such as a mountain's green reflected on the cool blue water. A horizon will be a deeper color as it meets the ground.
• Add interest to your Aquarelle painting by injecting pops of color in small amounts.

Resources

• This Expert Village video series shows Aquarelle pencil technique.
• Buy Aquarelle pencils at the Cheap Joe's website.
• The Watercolor Painting website explains terminology.