There's nothing quite like the thrill of stepping into a new landscape. The colors, the light, the mood - every new locale presents an invitation to create, to capture its essence on paper.
But as every traveling artist knows, bringing the right tools along for the journey is crucial. In this regard, one unsung hero of the art world is begging for attention - the humble watercolor pencil.
If you haven't yet tried them, you're in for a treat. Watercolor pencils have the friendly familiarity of the colored pencils from your school days, with a magical twist. When you glide your brush over your drawing, it blooms into a delicate watercolor painting. You'll feel like you've stepped into an enchanting new realm of creativity.
So why should watercolor pencils be your new go-to for travel art? Let's dive in.
Light as a Feather, Fit for a Flight
When you're packing for a journey, every ounce counts. Watercolor pencils best for travel win hands down when it comes to portability. They're lightweight and take up as much space as a regular set of colored pencils.
Leave those bulky tubes of paint and jars of brushes at home.
Image Credit: Amazrock Professional Watercolor Pencils (Softcore Edition Travel)
All you need is a sketchpad, a water brush pen, and your trusty set of watercolor pencils. Your art kit has never been this compact and airplane-friendly!
No Mess, No Stress
Splotches of paint on your hotel bedspread? Spilled water jars?
Not a worry with watercolor pencils. They're dry and mess-free until you decide to add water, giving you control over your art space.
Plus, you can sketch without water, adding flexibility for times when it's not feasible to paint.
Say Yes to Versatility
With watercolor pencils, you're getting two mediums in one. Use them dry for sketching and detailed work, or add water to achieve beautiful, soft watercolor effects. They're perfect for the artist who loves to switch things up without carrying an entire art studio in their bag.
Beginner-Friendly
If you're a newcomer to the art world, watercolor pencils are a fantastic starting point. They offer a comfortable transition from drawing to painting. You can focus on creating your design with the control of a pencil, then gently introduce the water to transform your work into a painting.
Capture the Moment
When you're on the move, you don't always have the luxury of setting up an easel and spending hours immersed in a piece. Watercolor pencils are perfect for quickly capturing a scene. Sketch out your image, add a dash of color, and later, when you're back at your lodging, you can bring it to life with your brush.
Art and travel share a common threadthey're both about exploration. In the spirit of this, I encourage you to explore the vibrant world of watercolor pencils.
Their simplicity, versatility, and convenience make them an absolute must-have in any travel artist's bag.
Are you in Paris and wondering how to draw a cat easily when you chanced upon that cute scene? There are always good watercolor pencil tutorials to train and practice before you make that trip.
So, wherever your creative journey takes you, make sure you've got your watercolor pencils in tow. Happy sketching!
