Working with Watercolor Pencils

Although I have experimented with watercolor pencils in the past, I’ve not worked with them purposefully, that is until last week. Prior to my purchase of Faber-Castell pencils two weeks ago, I experimented with Pro-Art pencils. Those familiar with this medium of work will undoubtedly recognize the superiority of the former over the latter. In my humble opinion, “You get what you pay for” certainly applies. I’d like to share a few observations of my recent endeavors and encourage comments from those interested in watercolor pencils as a medium.

Faber-Castell pencils are manufactured in Germany and are generally recognized to be top shelf tools for the trade. I’ve used graphite pencils from this manufacturer and have long been a fan of their quality and durability. The watercolor pencils do not disappoint. I found the lead to hold its point remarkably well; consequently, I had no need to sharpen the instruments constantly. Furthermore, I’ve not yet discovered broken lead within the pencils, thus increasing their longevity.

In contrast to Faber–Castell, Pro-Art pencils are mass-produced in Taiwan. They are priced substantially lower than Faber-Castell. I found the lead in the Pro-Art pencils to be quite soft, thus requiring me to sharpen them often. Needless to say, if I were to use these pencils for my work, restocking my supply would certainly be a concern. More often than not, I encountered broken lead within the pencils, thus decreasing their longevity.

I recently completed two pieces of work using Faber-Castell pencils. The first work was completed on 140 pound cold-pressed watercolor paper; the second was completed on 140 pound cold-pressed 100% cotton paper for watercolors. I found the cold-pressed paper easier to work with than its cotton equivalent. Although both were textured, the surface of the paper was smoother than the cotton. The paper allowed for easily spread washes, while those produced on cotton were deeper.

In closing, I realize there are numerous choices in terms of pencils and types of paper for use in this medium. I do intend to work in this medium more frequently. I’d love to hear from others about their experiences with watercolor pencils.