Written by So I drew the goat I warned you about in the last post (entitled “Some Goat In France” since I’m sticking with a French theme for August). But in between the sketch and the doodlewash, I dropped by the art store to get more masking tape and left with this lovely little box of watercolor pencils by Bruynzeel-Sakura. I’ve never used watercolor pencils before so since this set was just around $15, I figured I’d give them a shot and use my goat as a guinea pig (something I never thought I would type by the way).
I liked these pencils because the color names and color coordination line up with the same names and colors I’m familiar with in traditional watercolor paints. Several of the colors I would have preferred (like Naples Yellow vs. Lemon Yellow) were not in this little set of 12, but they did have Cobalt Blue and Vermillion which was nice (although I didn’t use Vermillion on the goat).
I’m not entirely sure how you’re supposed to use them, as I just jumped right in. I basically just colored and shaded the initial sketch and then attacked it with water using the brush that came with the set. I preferred to use a brown and blue mix for the dark areas over the black pencil, though I did use a bit of black to darken certain areas. The greens were sort of crazy and not very grass-like, but I used both of them with a little bit of yellow to create the area surrounding the little goat.
The colors dissolved in the water really nicely and I was really pleased with the effect. Once an area of color was wet, I was able to blot and pull color to other areas as well, just as in traditional watercolor. In the end, the result takes on a much more illustrative feel, which can be nice for some types of subjects. (not sure if it’s perfect for goats, but it worked out okay for this one).
I don’t think I’ll be switching over to these, but it’s nice to have another doodlewash tool to play with. And since today was all about trying new things, I figured it was a good time to try these. And honestly, who doesn’t love buying new art supplies?! Definitely something fun to have in your doodlewash kit! Goat is optional.
Cool. These pencils might be useful when you’re in the field. Where do you pick up your supplies?
There’s an independent art store down the street from me in Kansas City that I love called Artist & Craftsman, but I also have a Blick Art store nearby.
Would Michael’s carry any of these items?
Yes! They should have watercolor paints in pans and tubes as well as watercolor pencils. It’s a small section, but just have them point you to the watercolors.
Love the goat! Playing with new art supplies equal happy moments.
Thanks, Haunani!! I know, right? I’m like a little boy in a candy store every time I go! I thought I was going to be like iron and just get my masking tape, but alas, no! Hehe
Same here. Whether it is a catalog or driving into town to the art supply store, I make a list. I promise myself to only get what is on that list, (which has been edited numerous times before actually shopping), an then my will of iron disappears at the first sight of… paper, paint, pencils…! Oh my…(sigh), so I keep making lists, for next time…when I’ll be good … promise … ;D
Haha!! Spoken like a true artist! I can’t help you there…I’d be right next to you saying things like “You totally need that!” “Get it, it’s not that much money” “but you only have ONE of those, don’t you need two?!” Lol
Don’t water color pencils rock!? That is what I’ve been experimenting with most of the summer. I’m a sketcher by nature and the pencils were a great way to ease me into actual water colors because I still maintained the control I’m used to with a regular pencil. BTW your goat is pretty cute! 😊
They’re really fun! I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about them since I started with paint. But I’m a sketcher too, so I can appreciate the appeal! And thanks on the goat kudos! First time sketching one of them as well! Lol
Love your goat! Really enjoying your “creature features”. :)))))) Yay, crossing my fingers for more!
There will be! I’m sort of loving creature doodles! But I’ve put myself in this French theme for August so it’ll probably be September when I really let my creature flag fly! (When you google reference for French animals you usually just get a bunch of drawings of dogs and cats in berets)
Lol! Yeah, I remember really liking your rooster too. Haha what about a French poodle? :))
Love that phrase about letting the creature flag fly! Go, Charlie, go! :))))
Lol! Yeah…the rooster was fun! I thought about a French poodle, but the darn fluffiness scares me. You know me and soft lines…still a work in progress! Hehe
Maybe, but judging from your animal and bird work so far, I do think you could rock it. 😊
Thanks! Oh man…that sounds like another challenge! Lol…guess I’ll have to try it. 😉
Buying art supplies is my Achilles’ heel (or so my husband tells me). That’s a terrific goat! I think I have some Aquarelle watercolor pencils that I’ve not used yet. I might have to play with them now.
DO, Teresa!! They’re fun! And thanks! I figure there are worse addictions in the world. Like chocolate. At least art supplies don’t go to your thighs. (Unless you wipe you hands on your pants I guess…I don’t know what I’m saying… hehe)
LOL! But dark chocolate is supposed to have health benefits. I’ll take both chocolate AND art supplies, please. 😉
Hey you’re right! So does red wine (in moderation of course), I’ll take a little of that as well please! 😉
Hooray, a fellow artist new to watercolor pencils! And I feel the same way about them, except I like to use them more for drawings that would be nothing without color.
Yeah, that’s the use I was thinking of too, Naomi. I’ll probably try playing with them more to figure out when I like to include them in the mix best. But them came in this super cute box, so I just had to buy them. 😊
😀 You seem to fall for advertising pretty well. 🙂
Yes! Lol…I worked in marketing and advertising so I appreciate great packaging! 😉
Great goat. Great drawing. I enjoy using those pencils.
Aww thanks Kirk! Never have the words “great goat” made me so happy. Actually I think that could be a first time seeing those words.
Thanks for the recommendation, I was about to buy prisma watercolor pencils but as you said I will give it a try! I just started using Sakura koi now will try this pencils too.. By the way great paintings!
Thanks so much Snehal!! Can’t wait to see what you create with your new pencils! 🙂
Charlie, I love watercolor pencils for field sketching. I pack my pencils, one brush, my sketchbook, a black pen, and a small container of water and off I go into the woods, field, or local botanical garden with a light weight back pack.
Yeah I think they would be really great for that! But I have this teeny tiny palette tin with my paint so I can’t really complain that it’s too bulky! Lol
Really nice results Charlie! I like the ink line for the goat (I hope I have that right) and the greenish-blue background. I must say I love your French goat, with red wine. I hope you take on the French Poodle challenge!
Thank you so much!! I’m so happy you like my little doodlewash goat! Hehe And yes, I’ll of course be taking the French Poodle challenge! Lol…Always looking for a new things to try! 🙂
I sort of fell into watercolor pencils the same way, and now I’m equally comfortable using pencils, tubes or pans of watercolor. There is a sort of “bonus happy surprise” element to using the pencils dry and then applying water…if I have my camera with me when I’m painting, I try to remember to take a snap before and after 🙂
Aww cool!! Would love to see that! 😃💕I actually never took to watercolor pencils, which is odd since I love to sketch most. I ended up liking the ink lines with bits of unruly wet watercolor most, but want to play with these again soon! hehe