Pencils: A Spotlight on Faber Castell
Watercolor pencils are unique tools that combine the vibrant colors of watercolors and the precision of drawing pencils.
Here's everything you need to know about these versatile instruments, with a special highlight on Faber Castell's Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils.
Understanding
Watercolor Pencil Mediums
Watercolor pencils, at their core, are a unique fusion of the control of pencils and the fluidity of watercolors. Their dual nature allows artists to explore a multitude of effects in a single piece of art, opening up new avenues for creativity and expression.
The Basics: Structure and Function
Much like your ordinary colored pencils, watercolor pencils come encased in wood with a colored core, which is made from pigments, additives, and a binder. While dry, they behave similarly to colored pencils, allowing for precise and intricate drawings. Yet their defining characteristic comes to light when water is added.
Adding water to the artwork done with these pencils, whether with a brush or a water brush pen, activates the binder in the pencil's core.
The lines and shadings that were laid down as a pencil drawing then dissolve, creating a beautiful watercolor effect. Artists have the freedom to control the intensity of this effect, from leaving it slightly blended for a textured look to completely dissolving it for a smooth, paint-like finish.
Color Intensity
Color intensity is a key factor that differentiates watercolor pencils. Some pencils produce bright, bold colors, offering a vibrant palette for artists who like their artwork to pop. Others provide more subdued hues, perfect for creating softer, more impressionistic pieces.
Lead Softness
The softness of the lead also varies among different brands. Softer leads glide smoothly across the paper, providing a lush color laydown and making them ideal for shading and creating broad strokes of color. Firmer leads, on the other hand, are excellent for detailed work, enabling artists to create precise lines and intricate patterns.
Interaction with Water
The way watercolor pencils react with water is another distinguishing feature. Some pencils dissolve quickly and completely, mimicking the smooth look of traditional watercolors. Others dissolve less, maintaining some of the pencil's texture even after water application. This provides a unique, hybrid look that combines the distinct lines of pencil drawings with the wash effect of watercolors.
Quality and Lightfastness
Lastly, the quality and lightfastness of the pencils make a significant difference. Higher-quality pencils have high-grade pigments that offer superior color payoff and blending properties. Lightfastness refers to a color's resistance to fading when exposed to light. Pencils with high lightfastness ensure the longevity of the artwork, keeping the colors vibrant and true for a long time.
In essence, understanding the medium of watercolor pencils allows artists to harness their potential fully.
They offer a versatile tool for both drawing and painting, enabling artists to switch between detailed, precise pencil work and loose, fluid watercolor effects. The variety among different brands means there's a set of watercolor pencils out there to suit every artist's style and technique.
How to Best Use
Watercolor Pencils
The real charm of watercolor pencils is their flexibility. You can use them dry like a regular colored pencil, then brush over your drawing with a wet brush to transform your drawing into a watercolor painting. This makes them ideal for detailed work, yet they can also deliver broad washes of color.
These pencils can be used on both dry and wet surfaces, with the former being the more common method.
However, for more intense color, some artists wet the paper first or even dip the pencil tip in the water before drawing. Experimenting with different techniques will help you discover which one works best for you.
Faber Castell Albrecht Durer
Watercolor Pencils: What to Know
Faber Castell, a brand with over 250 years of experience in creating art materials, offers a fantastic example of premium watercolor pencils with their Albrecht Durer line.
The Albrecht Durer artists’ watercolor pencils are Faber Castell's premier watercolor offering, made from highquality materials that deliver unsurpassed watercolor effects and vibrancy.
These Faber Castell watercolor pencils are praised for their smooth application, stunning blending experience, and versatility of expression they provide when drawing, shading, and painting in watercolors.
When water is applied to the pigment laid down by these pencils, the pigments dissolve completely, behaving like classic watercolor paints. This can be controlled by the amount of water used, allowing for a variety of techniques.
In terms of the specific features, each of the 24 pencils in the Albrecht Durer set has a soft, vibrant color laydown and a thick 3.8 mm lead that's resistant to breaking, thanks to Faber Castell's SV bonding process. The colors become permanent when dry, providing consistency whether they are used wet or dry. The high-quality acid-free pigments in bright colors and unsurpassed lightfastness make these pencils a delight for any artist.
The set includes a spectrum of colors, from White 101 and Cadmium Yellow 107 to Ultramarine 120 and Black 199, offering artists a broad palette for their creations.
The Albrecht Durer pencils are made in Germany and come in a stylish tin case, making them not only a practical choice but a delightful addition to an artist's toolkit.
Wrapping up
Watercolor pencils, particularly those from established brands like Faber Castell, offer artists an exciting medium to explore.
With the unique blend of control and spontaneity, artists can bring their ideas to life in vibrant, watery colors. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just beginning your artistic journey, these pencils could be the perfect tool to inspire your next masterpiece.
The Wonderful World of Watercolor Pencils: A Spotlight on Faber Castell