Watercolor Pencils Tutorial (7 Mistakes Beginners Make!)
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
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In today's watercolor pencils for beginners tutorial I show you 7 mistakes I see artists making with watercolor pencils so you can see real improvement in your work!
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0:00 Watercolor Pencils Tutorial Beginners Mistakes
1:30 Not using the right paper for watercolor pencils
6:12 Not using a good brand of watercolor pencils
8:30 Blending in the 'wrong' direction
11:29 Not controlling point sharpness
13:29 Pressing too hard with watercolor pencils
16:22 Not taking advantage of combining with paint
18:16 Not working into wet paper
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Hi , I am a 77 going on 18 year old rocker ( KTM 390 Duke ) ,I needed a hobby for winter and watched your excellent vid. Ok so ,not wanting a lot of stick from mates ,I’m painting in secret ,this vid has explained an awful lot ,I’m really grateful for your time to clarify things that I’m sure are second nature to many of your subscribers many many thanks for my new hobby ,subscribed.
David, I was taught to paint by a male botanical flower painter. My daughter's boyfriend loves to knit scarves, do what you enjoy. Friends love to tease. Thanks for subscribing 👍🙏
***Please read before commenting!*** I omitted to mention that Inktense are different to standard watercolour pencils, because I'm not perfect, and video production is hard. And I am getting comments telling me of this omission... every. single. day. I have addressed this in replies to previous comments, but I can't reply to the same thing every day. There's no wrong info in the video, only something I didn't fully explain. It's my most popular video nevertheless so thanks for your support! X
thank u
@@jenniefrench1338 it’s to increase engagement. More engagement = higher YT ranking. People are more likely to be engaged in a conversation about specific incidents or feelings about success or failure than ‘pointers’. It’s basic marketing technique. If you ha£ a channel posting content, maybe you’d eventually do the same ?
I've really learned a lot in this video, thanks!
New sub. Came across your channel by accident and I love it! Thank you for sharing!
You should be able to put that disclaimer on a sticky so it stays on top.
Blending in the wrong direction! BLEW MY MIND! I love painting flowers and have struggled for years with not getting the effect I SEE on so many other artists work. Tried your method and OMG 😳 it was soooo easy and BEAUTIFUL! Game changer for clouds too!Thank you so much! The other things I had figured out, through trial and error.
So glad it helped you Robin!
Inktense aren’t technically watercolors. Once they dry, you can’t reactivate. True watercolor pencils you can reactivate with water once dry. Minor difference but they really aren’t the same thing. May or may not matter depending on what you are doing with them.
Yes, they’re more like an ink
Yes you are right of course :-)
Until I discovered colorsheets (they are thin and flat watercolors) I was using watercolor pencils to make tiny functional palettes to stick in my notebooks. I was thinking about trying Inktense so this helps a lot in that consideration!
before i read the comments i wrote the same thing because i just heard about the inktense pencils and looking for info and thats what was said,they are ink pencils not watercolor...thanks! i was thinking i was crazy lol..
They are dye based and staining.
I feel like my watercolour pencils game has just upped only by watching this video 😁
So glad you liked it!
Hi..can you see my drawing too..hope you will like it..
The petal blending explanation was most helpful. I had been making the mistake of going from the dark area to the light area.
Most people do Jenny! Glad it was helpful!
I like the way watercolour pencils, bleed into watercolour paint, I about 3 weeks into getting back into art at the age of 63, so all these tips are very useful thank you Michelle.
No problem, good luck with your paintings!
❤covid's gone - your lessons are so alive and priceless ❤
I didn't know you were supposed to use a brush with your water colour pencils.
For the last 35 years I have been dipping my pencils in water. No wonder I got such awful results
Thank you so much.
me too until i read the back of the box i got them in
LOL
Same here - and I've made many other mistakes beyond that one. So glad to have watched this video...I did figure out the kind of paper I should use, but beyond that I was clueless!
Thank you Michelle, it’s worth pointing out to those who are new to water soluble pencils that Derwent Inktense are a bit different to other watercolour pencils in that they are ink and once activated with water cannot be reactivated. This makes them good for layering with many other mark making materials which can go easily over the top. They can also be used on fabric. I really enjoy your channel and like to focus on how I can improve my art which is still very much at the start of the journey. So glad you can still be with us all during lockdown 2 helping us to improve.
You are welcome Heather, yes you are correct about inktense!
Oh yeah, I found that out the hard way 😮 in my defense, I was about 18 yrs old, saw their fancy tins newly displayed in small-town store, & since they were new, had a fancy sounding name, & sounded even fancier in description on back of tin, plus the higher price meant they were good for sure, right? Lol yeah that's why I purchased my first 2 sets.
Oh wow! I only have that brand 🤦♀️
I bought 2 different packs, just to use as my sketch … but it’s horrible.
What’s a good brand to try for the under-layer?
Thank you you’re most kind and Michelle also kind in pointing that out in her video
Thank you! Ive never tried my watercolor gift set, but now ill try!
I have made these and other mistakes since I started learning to use watercolor pencils. One big mistake I made many times was to treat the watercolor pencils as regular pencils. For example, I would paint the whole piece and then wet it, instead of painting in layers, being patient, and using water to create effects. Thanks Michele, my watercolor skills have improved tremendously!!
Yes it's the same as paint, if you wet everything at once it all runs!
I made the same mistake when I was in middle school and high school. I made a drawing, and then ruined it by wetting it. Somebody bought me the supplies but I didn’t know how to use them at all.
I made a worse mistake i used the watercolour pencil as a pencil and not use water at all
Yes, I've done the same thing with my watercolour pencils. I had no idea that you can place the water on bare paper and then pull it into the pencilled area to create shading. Thank you Michele for such a brilliant tutorial. I'm definitely going to buy some better quality watercolour pencils!!! LOL 😄 My old ones were really cheap. Some of the colours are quite nice but I was amazed when you showed us the difference between good pencils and cheap ones. WOW! How much are the Derwent and Faber Castell watercolour pencils in British pounds. I live in Melbourne, Australia but I was born in England and I still know how to convert pounds to dollars, especially as the pound is worth almost exactly double the amount of the Australian dollar. Thanks again Michele. Love from Amanda in Melbourne
@amandajones6 I just bought Derwent (12 watercolor pencils) today and the set in a tin was $29.
I never thought of combining the watercolor paint with the watercolor pencils.
Do try it - it's a game changer!
I've struggled with this as well! I would do one paint layer and let the paint dry then apply the pencil (or vice versa). Now I have some new techniques to try!
Thank you for such a usefull video, straigth to the important points. I would add: if using highly soluble ones like the Durer or the Museum, do not throw pigments away when you sharpen, transfer them into palette wells or pans instead, add a drop of water or two to make them stick to it; thus you have pigment pans you can use with all sorts of brushes, or dip pen if you favour this for details or text in assorted colors. The trick also worked with my inktense pencils (helps for backgrounds if you do not have the stick version of the colour) In other words, as far as Museum and Durer are concerned, you can combine watercolour and pencils with pencils only! But, as their washes tend to dry faster than "normal" watercolor ones, you must move fast if you want salted texture. And the Museum line is more pigmented, offering richer colors that way. (By the way, if you break a point, just put the piece into the pan; it wil take longer to dissolve, but you do not need to waste good pigments)
Great tips, many thanks!
I do this too...🥰
I have to admit I am really leery of the "this is what you're doing all wrong" type of video, but I gave this one a chance and I'm very glad I did. I've only barely begun to experiment with watercolor pencils and I feel that I've just gained a treasure trove of wonderful guidance from a friendly professional. Thank you, Michele! I just subscribed.
Thanks for much! Unfortunately titles like this get views, but I'm glad you liked the video ☺️
You nailed it that was exactly my thought but POW I was educated in many ways as I'm new to the watercolor world myself and I too subscribed 😁
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I wondered why I was never happy with the effect of watercolour pencils but now realise why. Thank you so much, Michelle.
Glad this was helpful!
The petal blending explanation and the tip with mixing actual watercolour with watercolour pencils are really helpfull. I'm always struggling with backgrounds, it takes ages to get something I'm satisfied with, and I end up being frustrated with pencils. I don't know why I havn't think of it before ... Thank you very much !
I have a large tin of Caran d’ashe, they are old but unused,- you’ve inspired me to have a little tinker .... here we go.
Thank you for explaining so many mistakes and how to correct them. I see now that the choice of paper used is very important! And I learned that I need to start away from the watercolor pencil pigment in order to graduate the color. And I see that putting the brush directly on the pencil can result in a darker pigment. That was a very helpful technique. As you can see, I am new at watercolor pencil painting, but I want to learn. Thank you so much!
So glad it was helpful for you!
Hello Michelle, from Vancouver BC Canada. I just purchased a set of 12 Faber Castell Albetch Durer watercolour pencils. I decided to watch your tutorial before starting to work with these and I am glad I did. I have started to develop my overall watercolour painting skills and this is exactly what I was looking for. Someone to show me the benefits and differences of both pencils and paints. I'm a subscriber now and will learn more. Thank you for posting your video tutorials.
Wonderful! Thanks so much for subscribing!
I find myself watching your channel because of 2 things..you are very informative and clear in your teaching style.ive learned more from you than I did in 3 years of watercolor lessons at our local gallery from a few teachers. two...you have a sweet voice, a kind manner..soothing, pleasant, polite, just plain helpful..like a good parent..even though I could be your grandma! Anyhow thanks..I'm sharing, pushing thumbs up etc..maybe will do patron if I find time. Stay safe..Love Marcia in Modesto
So nice of you Marcia, thanks for watching!
Thank you! This is wonderful! Gives me lots of confidence!
Nice, crisp, comprehensive, to the point (no pun intended). TNX.
You're welcome!
taking my first art class and this was a great quick rundown on it
Glad it helped!
I just happened upon this video and LOVED all you taught. I use watercolor pencils a lot but I have never had anyone actually teach me how to use them. The biggest help to me from your video is to start the blending from the uncolored area into the color. That will make quite a difference to me I believe. Thanks so much for this video!
You are so welcome!
When she explained about the paper types I admonished myself for being an idiot.
Great tutorial. Helped a lot, thank you.
You're welcome!
I’m in lockdown here in Kalamazoo Michigan too. I’m so glad I found your channel. You have corrected a lot of things I’ve been doing wrong. I don’t use pencils much but after watching this, I’m going to break them out. Thanks for sharing. Be safe💚
Thanks and welcome!
I was afraid to begin using watercolor pencils but your video has helped me so much.Tthank you.
Thank you for this valuable information.
My pleasure
Fabulous for us newbies just going into this medium. So very helpful. I'll look at timing for the class.
Marvelous!!!
Thank you! Great instruction!
This was really good, thank you. I’ve subscribed 👍
Awesome, thank you!
I’m a total beginner and I’m trying to learn some skills. This video was so enlightening. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I plan on watching more of your videos and just subscribed.
Thanks so much for subscribing Claudia!
Same I’m a beginner and this Is helping me make smarter choices
Great video, Thank you!
Wonderful, thank you!
Happy I found your channel. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Thanks for watching!
thank you for your tutorials! I always learn something new.
My pleasure!
Me too!😃
Thank you for your tips!
Wow that works great!!! Thank You!
Thank you so much for the very useful tips I'm new to this a great help
Glad it was helpful!
I never use my watercolor pencils and I have a full set of Inktense and a 60 set of Albrecht Dürer. I’ve often wondered why I never reach for them and I think it’s because I bought both of them before I started painting. I thought they would be easier than watercolor but once I got my hands on some good tubes of paint I’ve never looked back. Honestly, I don’t see the need for them. I should gift them but aghhhhh! They were so expensive! This month I’ve been using supplies I don’t often use, oils, gouache, acrylic gouache, and yes, watercolor pencils. It’s been so much fun! I highly suggest switching things up when you start to feel uninspired or in a rut. USE THOSE SUPPLIES you have sitting around collecting dust. The only wasted products are the ones you never use.
Wise words!
As an adult colorist using it more as a form of therapy I truly appreciated this video since I've been expanding on my coloring supply options. Thanks to discovering your amazing channel I've decided to try out watercolors. I really enjoy flowers and landscapes.
I try to watch at least one of your very informative videos which you make technical Issues easy to understand. Money is tight right now since I've become a young widow at age 49 after losing my soulmate of 29 years but were married for 23. We never had children but I have 1 fur baby Bella who I consider my child. You do an amazing job as a professional artist and teacher. Once I learn to budget and get myself financially stable I plan on taking a course of yours and purchasing your pallet from Jscksons. I'm in the United States. In the mean time I will continue to watch your channel and intend on binge-watching it on weekends with any free time. Thank you Michele for sharing your talents with me. Art is helping me keep some of my insanity as I learn to build a new life for myself and piece back my shattered world. Thank you once again. I truly appreciate you and your channel. 🎨💕
I'm so sorry for your loss and glad you have a furbaby to comfort you. Keep painting xx
I'm a beginner and this is great!
Oh my, blend out! Trying it now! Thanks again for such a great tip!
You are so welcome!
I'm a new subie and I clicked the bell for all your videos! I'm so happy I found your channel, learning so much from you! Thanks so much for sharing your talents and technics!
Awesome! Thank you!
Great tips, thank you.
Good information. Thank you!
Thanks for the tips. Very limited income so have to use “cheap” pencils right now but will save for better ones!
Glad it was helpful!
I'm hoping w some of my Playlist music to motivate me i can start this n try...😣😏😌
Stabilo Aquacolors are an excellent budget alternative! They measure up so well to Faber-Castell and Derwent (I don't actually like Derwent so much). The main difference is that the Stabilo Aquacolors probably aren't lightfast, which means they'll fade easier than the others. But again, as far as budget watercolors go, they're excellent and I highly recommend them.
Very informative. I'm retiring soon and hope to start doing some water Colours. Thank you!
Good luck!
Great video! Thank you! 😊
Fantastic Thankyou
Love my watercolor pencils and finally finding how to effectively, rightly using them!! Thank you, Michelle!!
Happy to help!
I wish I had you as my art teacher in school ❤ such a great video, thank you!
Wow, thank you!
Beautiful video..thanks a ton
Good sound tips as always. Thank you Michelle.
The nails look nice I like them🙂
I just picked up a set of watercolored pencils because they seem perfect for working in plein air. They are lightweight and quick to deploy and clean up. These tips were very helpful. I'd like to pass along something I learned in kindergarten. You can use wax crayons as a resist with watercolor pencils to get some really interesting effects. Thanks!
Great tip! Yes I do this sometimes, with oil pastels, but you are right it works with crayons and candles too.
great tips and ideas.
Thanks a lot Michelle for sharing your knowledge!!!
Hi, I’ve only just found your channel and I really enjoyed watching this video. I’ve never even thought of combining pencils with paint, watching you it now seems so obvious and I wonder why I’ve never thought of it! I have just subscribed and look forward to looking at more videos.
I'm so glad!
The blending mistake was very helpful, no 2 I think.
Excellent tips!
Thank you, very helpful and informative.
I learned so much from your video. I realize the reason I didn't like watercolor pencil is because I have been using pencils that were inferior without much pigment.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow thank you so much for the blending in instead of out technique. It’s so helpful!
No problem 😊
I learn something every time I watch your wonderful channel! Thanks!
Happy to hear that!
Wonderful and insightful video.
Thank you, this tips are helpfully. I'll try them tomorrow with my daughter
Good luck!
@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thank you
Thank you! I've been using watercolor paints, but have been unsure of using the pencils... this helps tremendously!
You're so welcome!
Very helpful. Thank you.
Really helpful thank you
Thank you, am thinking of trying watercolour pencils for sketching with when I am out to remind me of what I am looking at (I usually use oils or acrylics) but might also try them for paintings images of flowers. Greatly enjoyed the video.
That's a great idea!
Brilliant video! I’m a rubber stamper but I have often used water color pencils to add color. All of these techniques will be useful. Thank you!
Hi my name is Rita and I have made cards but never really know how to use watercolor pencils. I just used the tubes. This is totally different way. I hope you will have fun learning. I know I will
Thanks, very helpful
This is VERY helpful! Thank you Michelle!
Glad it was helpful!
I haven’t tried watercolor pencils since high school. This video makes me want to add them to my watercolors which I got back into during the 2020 lockdown. I especially appreciated the example at the end of the video where you add the dots and edges to give dimension to your lily petal. Thank you for sharing this, and I hope that as the pandemic drags on, you’re able to benefit from your online teaching financially.
Thanks so much Jessica, yes I am, it's not making me rich but it is covering my rent now - thank goodness!
The blending tip is awesome. I keep forgetting to do that, always end up pulling too much pigment out. I have both Derwent and Faber Castell, and they do have a lot of pigment. I’ve also gotten to where I use much less water. I kind of like the pencil look when it’s not completely blended.
They are very versatile 🙂
Best tutorial Thank you
Informative video, thank you.
I have about four brands of WC pencil sets that I’ve not used yet, but will put to use soon. I think I’ll do some comparison tests like you’ve demonstrated.
BTW: I notice that you personally respond to your viewer’s comments. You are a true jewel 💎♥️
I try Richard. I won't be able to for all of them soon, as there are so many, but it's a good problem to have!
Thank you for all these tips! I don't use watercolor pencils too much but they are part of my media palette. I am a botanical artist and like to work in mixed media, although it's a challenge sometimes to get the right paper. I use watercolour, watercolour pencils, coloured pencils and technical pens with permanent ink. I particularly appreciated your tip on pencil pressure.
You are welcome!
Thank you for the tip about not pressing too hard and also when to use a sharp tip and when to use a blunt tip.
very helpful right on time! thank you!
Amazing video! I'm kind of an amateur artist and like to draw with anything I can get my hands on. However, sometimes I need some guidance instead of just winging it😅 This was very helpful
Brilliant, good luck with your work!
I love my inktense pencils. So vibrant. Surprised you didn’t mention drawing into wet sets the line, can’t be blended out easily. Also I’m a fan of picking up pigment on my brush directly from the pencil. Good tips. Way too many commercials
Very helpful! Thank you 💖
thank you for such lovely ideas..
I learned so much from this video, so when I went shopping for paper I thought of what you'd said when making my selection. I chose Strathmore Mixed Media paper vellum surface 184 lb and used it tonight with great results. I had been getting such gritty results with other papers and this was SO smooth. Plus water didn't cause the paper to buckle or bend at all. Perfectly flat when my two little studies were done.
Wonderful!
I am literally just starting out with watercolour pencils so this entire video was extremely helpful. Thank you very much for sharing this information. I will keep each point in mind tomorrow as I tackle my first flower painting.❤😊
Good luck! I will have a watercolour flower tutorial during March :-)
Very helpful tips. Thank you.
I am a very early beginner and so happy to have found you. Thank you so much for the tips
Welcome!
Wonderful tutorial -- I'm learning so much! I've got watercolor pencils I quit using out of frustration because I didn't know what I was doing. Now I'm going to get them out again and give them another try. :) (No idea what brand they are... that may be my first problem, huh?) Thanks so much for doing this!
You are so welcome!
Thank you. I bought a set, but I wasn't really sure how to use them.
You’re welcome 😊
Awesome tips to help beginners ❤
Thank you!
That was an excellent presentation. I'm getting back into painting after about 40 years and have invested in Inktense pencils. I find them convenient to use when outdoors and all I have to carry are the pencils and a 'water brush'. The techniques on blending the inktense actually solves a problem I've been struggling with and that's the hard edges. Worked really well and I'm looking forward to the next drawing trip. Subscribed!
Thanks so much!
Great video, thank you!
Forgive me if you have already talked about this, but I am very new to water color painting so this was just something I kind of learned on my own as a beginner experimenting. I do not have professional grade pencils, nor can I afford them, so I make best with what I have. I have Arteza brand and they were about $40 on Amazon.
I notice that the pigment lays down a little better if I wet the paper first and then I just layer to get my desired shade. It also helps with avoiding that heavy pressure on the paper that gives those harsh lines.
Like I said, I am a beginner and don't know if this is an appropriate tech to use, but it works well for me.
If it works it's appropriate 😸
So practical, learning so much!
⛅🌈💜🌈🌤
Valuable information! Thank you so much.