Watercolor Pencils

Since I used watercolor pencils to add the very light coloring to my ICAD index card in the previous post I decided to spend this week experimenting with different techniques. I watched a frugal crafter video in which she brushed clear water on the background and then brushed color directly off the pencil and then applied that color to the wet paper. So for this first card I did the same thing. I moistened one section, swiped my brush on the watercolor pencil, applied the color to the wet paper. This created a nice soft, smooth color application. I dried each section (with an embossing heating tool...because I'm impatient!) before moving onto the next. I used a Pitt India ink artist pen to draw each section. I'm staying true to the ICAD request that only index cards be used...but I will also be trying this on higher quality watercolor paper. When I tried to apply more paint to create shading I could see the index card deteriorating.

For my second card I colored each second directly with the watercolor pencil, as you would with a regular colored pencil. Then I took a wet brush and went over the color. I waited for each section to dry before coloring the next, but a good experiment would be to work with wet edges. I applied a good amount of water to each section, but you can see that the stroke marks are still very visible.  

I find the watercolor pencils give you good control over when you place color and it is very easy to apply shading. I'm going to continue experimenting with different ways to apply the pencil and I am challenging myself to draw an object and color it with watercolor pencils by the end of the week.