Are watercolour pencils worth it?
Alright, let's talk watercolour pencils. They're marketed as this cool hybrid of pencils and watercolours, promising the best of both worlds. But are they really worth the hype? Here's the scoop: I'm all for trying out new art supplies, but when it comes down to it, watercolour paint and brushes win the race in terms of speed and effectiveness.
Sure, watercolour pencils give you control, like using a regular pencil. But here's the kicker: they're super time-consuming. You've got to layer and blend colours meticulously to get that smooth, vibrant look. And let's be real, who has time for that? With watercolour paint, you can cover large areas in a flash and create gorgeous blends with just a stroke of the brush.
Plus, there's something magical about the fluidity of watercolour paint. It lets you get all artsy and experimental, playing around with gradients and textures effortlessly. With a brush, you're in the zone, creating bold, vivid colours with minimal effort. Watercolour pencils? Not so much. Diluting them with water can wash out the colour, and building up intensity takes forever.
And don't even get me started on blending. Watercolour paint wins hands down. You can mix pigments on the palette or paper seamlessly, creating smooth transitions and depth like a pro. But with watercolour pencils, blending feels like a chore. It's all about layering and being super precise, which can suck the fun out of painting.
So, here's the bottom line: while watercolour pencils have their perks, they just can't beat the speed and wow factor of good ol' watercolour paint and brushes. If you're all about efficiency and vibrant results, stick to the classics. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
In this masterclass you’ll create a frame-worthy watercolour painting of a humpback whale swimming through the ocean. And in the process you’ll gain the skills and confidence to push yourself to new heights with the medium of watercolour! It’s perfect for both adults and kids.
In part one you’ll learn:
What is watercolour
what materials to use and what not to use (the #1 mistake most beginner watercolorists make is using the wrong materials!)
The 2 main techniques for watercolour: wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry
The “Smerdon System of watercolour” (my unique techniques and terms including: glazing, moozsch moozsch-ing, sloshing and feathering).
In part 2 you’ll learn:
How to use watercolour to create the effect of water
How to let go, loosen up and stop overworking your watercolours
The importance of tones and why your art will always look dull, flat and lifeless without them
How to paint less but achieve more! Let the watercolour do the work so you don’t have to!
It’s completely free because I don’t want anyone to miss out on the joy of painting with watercolour. I wan’t everyone to try it! There’s no obligation to take things further, you’ll simply join my Artory newsletter which very rarely sends out emails (and you can opt out anytime).
Anne