Water-soluble pencils, pastels or pens : choosing your art supplies

Traditionally, watercolor painting conjures up images of sets of hard tablets or tubes of watercolor paint and a few paintbrushes sitting next to a jar of water. There are however other supplies and accessories that can be used to create the unique effects of this painting technique. Water-soluble art supplies (felt-tip pens, chalk, pastel and colored pencils) have enriched the practice of watercolor by supplying artists with new creative tools. These are perfect for painting outdoors and for experimenting!

Felt-tip pens, colored pencils or pastels …Become familiar with all the specificities of our watercolor instruments and make the choice that’s best for you.

"Water-soluble" is used to describe art supplies - pencils, chalk, pastels or felt-tip pens - that can be used with watercolor techniques and give a similar end result.

Unlike the solid square tablets of watercolor paint that are used with a paintbrush, other water-soluble supplies are used directly on paper. All that’s left is to use a paintbrush and a little water to work the colors.

Another technique consists in taking a small amount of color from the tip of a water -soluble color pencil and depositing it on to a watercolor palette to mix colors just as you would with paint. After that, you apply it with a brush on to paper as you would traditionally.

Whether you’re working with pencils, felt-tip pens, chalk or pastels, it’s best to use your water-soluble supplies with a classic paintbrush (or a water brush which has a water reservoir), a “petit gris” squirrel-hair brush, mop or wash brush, watercolor paper, water, and of course all your creativity. While it is possible to use acrylic paintbrushes, those specifically designed for watercolor often have more supple fibers and are better at retaining water.

The Supracolor Aquarelle water-soluble colored pencils have a water-soluble soft tip and allow you to try many different techniques and obtain the same watercolor results. Available in 120 coulours, the Supracolor water-soluble colored pencils allow your creativity to run loose. Mix your colors to obtain creative new hues and try out hundreds of new combinations.

Strictly speaking, Museum Aquarelle range is not a watercolor pencil range. They are extra fine watercolor paints that come in the shape of a pencil or stick. With up to 80 shades brought together in their wooden box set, these professional accessories offer vibrant and bright colors thanks to the high concentration of pigments.

 

To create a beautiful watercolor effect, you can also try the Neocolor II Aquarelle pastels. Available in box sets containing up to 84 colors, these water-soluble oil pastels, sometimes called water-soluble chalk, are used in the same way as water-soluble colored pencils. Let your imagination run loose on the page. With damp paintbrushes which retains water perfectly, you can add the desired watercolor effect to your work. They can also be used dry.

The Neocolor ® I pastels on the other hand are not adapted to the practice of watercolor techniques as they are resistant to water. They can however be used in countless ways on all types of material.

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Good to know: pastels, pencils, felt-tip pens, and other water-soluble Caran d'Ache accessories can all be used together! To do so, just make sure you have thick enough paper that will retain the water without getting damaged.

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Complete your collection and further explore the wonderful world of watercolor with the Fibralo® Brush, Brush water-soluble color fiber-tipped pens that have a brush-like tip. Available in sets of 10 or 15 colors, these Caran d'Ache fiber-tipped pens are perfect for tracing precise strokes and lines up to 5 mm wide. They can also be used without water like traditional felt-tip pens.

©Arnaud CHILDÉRIC-Studio Kalice
 

Thanks to their supple and sturdy tips, these pens with water-soluble ink are perfect for lettering and calligraphy. With them you can draw upstrokes and downstrokes with delicate gradations and hazy effects. To use our fibre-tipped pens with water-soluble ink in the best conditions, opt for paper and drawing pads with the appropriate thickness and weight.

Chalk, felt-tip pens, pastels and colored pencils, all these supplies with water-soluble properties perfectly complete the watercolorist’s traditional collection. With them, you can obtain the diluted effects of watercolor and play with the transparency of the colors.

Easy to carry around in their box, they offer a practical solution for painters and artists on the go. With them you’ll be able to rediscover a delicate technique with new painting supplies that you will enjoy mastering as you create.