byDerwent
Price:$95.99+ Free shipping with Amazon Prime
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on March 23, 2013
I am just starting to learn how to paint and decided to buy Derwent's Inktense pencils with a gift card I got for Christmas. As other reviewers have noted, the colors are very intense and they are not at all like regular watercolor pencils - they are ink. This means that once the color has been "activated" with water and dries, it can no longer be moved around or manipulated. This makes them a little more difficult to handle than regular watercolors. I have learned a few tricks worth sharing:
1. To create a streak-free area of one color (like a sky), shave off little bits of the color pencil lead into a cup and add water to create a wet ink. Then use a wet-on-wet technique to get a streak free space. You can use paper towels to pick up the color while it is still wet to create clouds etc.
2. The pencils can be layered. Once dry, you can add another layer of the same color to get a more intense color or a different color if you want to make adjustments.
3. If you want a very strong color, try wetting your brush and rubbing it on the tip of the pencil to get the pigment onto your brush.
4. The colors will bleed, just like watercolors, so wait for areas to dry before progressing if you want distinct areas of color.
5. The white color pencil can be layered onto other colors, but it will appear translucent. It can make a cool rain effect on a blue sky.
6. I find it best to put down a variety of colors all at once and then (very carefully) wet them with my brush, starting with the lightest colors first. This allows the colors to all blend together and avoids sharp lines of color demarcation.
I have been using 140 lb Strathmore watercolor paper and this works fine. I tried cheaper stuff and it didn't look quite as nice. I have not tried a water pen yet. Maybe with my next gift card :-) I am giving these pencils 4 stars instead of 5 because of how quickly they dry, which causes streaking (this is most obvious in the blue color tones, I think).
1. To create a streak-free area of one color (like a sky), shave off little bits of the color pencil lead into a cup and add water to create a wet ink. Then use a wet-on-wet technique to get a streak free space. You can use paper towels to pick up the color while it is still wet to create clouds etc.
2. The pencils can be layered. Once dry, you can add another layer of the same color to get a more intense color or a different color if you want to make adjustments.
3. If you want a very strong color, try wetting your brush and rubbing it on the tip of the pencil to get the pigment onto your brush.
4. The colors will bleed, just like watercolors, so wait for areas to dry before progressing if you want distinct areas of color.
5. The white color pencil can be layered onto other colors, but it will appear translucent. It can make a cool rain effect on a blue sky.
6. I find it best to put down a variety of colors all at once and then (very carefully) wet them with my brush, starting with the lightest colors first. This allows the colors to all blend together and avoids sharp lines of color demarcation.
I have been using 140 lb Strathmore watercolor paper and this works fine. I tried cheaper stuff and it didn't look quite as nice. I have not tried a water pen yet. Maybe with my next gift card :-) I am giving these pencils 4 stars instead of 5 because of how quickly they dry, which causes streaking (this is most obvious in the blue color tones, I think).
on March 7, 2015
These are wonderful and beautiful pencils. Make yourself a color chart (likes attached chart) as the colors that come out of these pencils are too vibrant and lovely to be adequately represented by a color guide suggestion on the back end of the pencil.
on September 22, 2013
I've been an artist most of my life and I've experimented with nearly every type of art media at one time or another, but I always came back to pencil and ink because I can work on the detail I prefer and I'm comfortable with my monochrome artwork . However, a few years ago, I was convinced to give color another try, using color and watercolor pencils that were given me to try. I'd never really mastered color. Black, blue or grey and white were my forte. But the Derwent's Inktense watercolor pencils I received have changed all that. They let me draw in color and then use a brush to make that color as permanent as any permanent ink! And, because they are permanent once they dry, I can add layer after layer of color with no fear of getting that muddy color all watercolorists must hate!They are not at all like regular watercolor pencils; activate them with a watercolor brush and let them dry and the paint can't be re-wet like regular watercolor pencils or watercolor paint can. They become a permanent ink!
Also, the colors Inktense pencils can create are far more bright and vibrant than and other color pencil, watercolor pencil or watercolor paint can ever hope too! And if you add more color to that you've already laid down, it becomes even more intense! These are awesome tools for any artist.
The best paper to use these pencils on is 140 1b. cold press, hot press or rough watercolor paper. I find Arches to be my favorite watercolor so far, though I'm not really sure why. You should also keep in mind that Inktense watercolor pencils dry much faster than regular watercolors, so don't goof about with the work. Be serious about your work, as all artists should be!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND INKTENSE WATERCOLOR PENCILS!!!!!!!
Also, the colors Inktense pencils can create are far more bright and vibrant than and other color pencil, watercolor pencil or watercolor paint can ever hope too! And if you add more color to that you've already laid down, it becomes even more intense! These are awesome tools for any artist.
The best paper to use these pencils on is 140 1b. cold press, hot press or rough watercolor paper. I find Arches to be my favorite watercolor so far, though I'm not really sure why. You should also keep in mind that Inktense watercolor pencils dry much faster than regular watercolors, so don't goof about with the work. Be serious about your work, as all artists should be!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND INKTENSE WATERCOLOR PENCILS!!!!!!!
on January 10, 2015
I initially bought these pencils with the idea of using them to 'base paint' drawings before I completed them with colored pencil. I also thought they would be fun for multi-media usage.
#1 The majority of the colors are very vivid once applied.
#2 The colors 'wet' vary dramatically from the dry color (Highly recommend creating a swatch page with these pencils to reference the colors)
#3 on watercolor and multimedia paper they seem to dry fast. I had read that they were colorfast once they dried, but I've found they still bleed slightly if they come in contact with water a second time.
#4 They blend easily. Easiest to blend by placing the colors you want on the paper dry then blend with your wet brush.
#5 They dry quickly so it seems to work best when you work in small sections versus trying to work a large area.
#1 The majority of the colors are very vivid once applied.
#2 The colors 'wet' vary dramatically from the dry color (Highly recommend creating a swatch page with these pencils to reference the colors)
#3 on watercolor and multimedia paper they seem to dry fast. I had read that they were colorfast once they dried, but I've found they still bleed slightly if they come in contact with water a second time.
#4 They blend easily. Easiest to blend by placing the colors you want on the paper dry then blend with your wet brush.
#5 They dry quickly so it seems to work best when you work in small sections versus trying to work a large area.
on February 17, 2013
The introduction of this range was big news. Vibrant, jewel-like colours, they brought about a revolution in the coloured pencil world. When water was added the pigments became ink-like, they were permanent too which meant once diluted they would stay on the page and couldn't be lifted off. They came with an outliner pencils too which was water-resistant - no bleeding!
The outliner is lovely - like a graphite pencil but oh-so smooth. Handsome livery too - dark royal blue with gold detailing. High lightfastness on the darker end of the range with 3/4s at the lighter end - something to consider. And they can be used on fabrics like silk. The pinks and purples are eye-poppingly decadent.
The outliner is lovely - like a graphite pencil but oh-so smooth. Handsome livery too - dark royal blue with gold detailing. High lightfastness on the darker end of the range with 3/4s at the lighter end - something to consider. And they can be used on fabrics like silk. The pinks and purples are eye-poppingly decadent.
on April 9, 2013
I bought this set after taking a local class. We were taught to use them on fabric using the 5 color set. I was so impressed I bought the largest set available. If I can't find something locally, Amazon is the first place I look for something. When water is added, the color gets really intense so go very light at first and get a feel for them. We heat set them with an iron since it was on fabric. I haven't tried them on paper yet.
on May 30, 2012
I enjoy using these pencils so much! So many possibilities...I am experimenting and having a blast! I am trying to illustrate my first childrens book, and not a pro yet, but these pencils should satisfy pro or beginner. With all of the possibilities of technique and blending they offer, a beginner can feel like a pro. They even include a tutorial website.
on August 3, 2015
Exactly as promised, what stunning pencils. Truly, do a test swatch of each color first, as these are INK pencils, and very different even from other Derwent watercolour pencils. I've had a tin of Derwent watercolour pencils all my life, which had been my brother's since at least some time in the 70's or 80's, and I've only recently started really learning to use them now that I'm more confident with the medium. These Inktense pencils are a great way to build on that confidence, as well as experiment in your own style. The color pigments are rich, bold, and once you've saturated the markings the ink glides very smoothly. Even though this set has no pastel colors at all, a pastel can be made by simply using the pencils very lightly and applying more water with your regular or water-holding brush. All in all, I'm very, very satisfied and have renewed my love for Derwent products. <3
on February 29, 2012
i bought this pencil set for myself and i just adore them. the colors are intense, hence the name, and when you can add water to it, the colors GREATLY change!! this also totally smoothes out the color, not lines at all, so this makes for endless ideas and exciting art.
i like to wet the outlines of my art for greater emphasis and defination, all in all, a whole lot of fun for the price.
i like to wet the outlines of my art for greater emphasis and defination, all in all, a whole lot of fun for the price.
on January 7, 2014
These are great - I've used other high quality watercolor pencils but these seem to be a class of their own. I highly recommend you get a watercolor reservoir brush with the set. Just one of those brushes will take care of all your paintings. I have one from Pentel, and it is great.
What I LOVE:
-First of all, you can draw on yourself with these. Dip the tip of the pencil in water, and use as body paint. For someone who usually draws on my skin with sharpies, I feel like these pencils are much less toxic. Water dries, leaves color on skin, no crazy smells & harmful chemicals. They stay on for a long time if you don't rub/wash. So that is a very surprising/extra perk.
-Range of color is good for all kinds of art, from landscape to abstract.
-Color is INTENSE once wet. You watch the pencil lines transform into the most vibrant colors. It's really amazing. I love layering all over a page then go over it with a brush and watch my painting come alive.
-A little goes a long way - You really don't need to lay it down thick. I've done 5 post card sized watercolor, and have not sharpened any pencils. This stuff is worth the money, really. With other watercolor pencils you have to keep sharpening.
-Tin box feels professional & expensive. Easy to keep together.
And...I have been painting with acrylics for over 2 years. I'm a new artist still so I try to experiment with a wide range of art materials. These pencils are truly a class of their own. Nothing else I have can do quite the same thing.
Only complaint is the pencil holders are flimsy plastic, and feels like they might break when you lift them up. Not sure how they can fix it, though. To keep it compact, plastic might just be the way to go. But maybe they can make the plastic more firm?
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoy using these pencils and look forward to spending many a pleasant lonely evenings with them. Best friends forever!
What I LOVE:
-First of all, you can draw on yourself with these. Dip the tip of the pencil in water, and use as body paint. For someone who usually draws on my skin with sharpies, I feel like these pencils are much less toxic. Water dries, leaves color on skin, no crazy smells & harmful chemicals. They stay on for a long time if you don't rub/wash. So that is a very surprising/extra perk.
-Range of color is good for all kinds of art, from landscape to abstract.
-Color is INTENSE once wet. You watch the pencil lines transform into the most vibrant colors. It's really amazing. I love layering all over a page then go over it with a brush and watch my painting come alive.
-A little goes a long way - You really don't need to lay it down thick. I've done 5 post card sized watercolor, and have not sharpened any pencils. This stuff is worth the money, really. With other watercolor pencils you have to keep sharpening.
-Tin box feels professional & expensive. Easy to keep together.
And...I have been painting with acrylics for over 2 years. I'm a new artist still so I try to experiment with a wide range of art materials. These pencils are truly a class of their own. Nothing else I have can do quite the same thing.
Only complaint is the pencil holders are flimsy plastic, and feels like they might break when you lift them up. Not sure how they can fix it, though. To keep it compact, plastic might just be the way to go. But maybe they can make the plastic more firm?
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoy using these pencils and look forward to spending many a pleasant lonely evenings with them. Best friends forever!
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