Watercolor Pencils – Studio Exploration
Brands & Quality
There is a big difference in color pigment quality based on the price. It is a wise decision to invest in a higher quality medium.
Low Quality
- Artists Loft Artist’s Loft Watercolor Pencils
- Pentel Arts Watercolor Colored Pencils
Medium Quality
- Faber-Castell Art Grip Aquarelle Pencil Set
High Quality
- Derwent Watercolor Pencil Set
- Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils
Age Appropriateness
If a low quality is used: 3rd grade and up.
If a medium-high quality is used: 6th grade and up.
Higher quality medium should only be used by students that are mature enough mentally and physically, and understand how to properly use the medium. If younger students use a high quality medium, it will both go to waste and be unusable when they are finished.
In addition, slender color pencils are too difficult for young children to properly use. Crayons are a good transition into regular color pencils, leading into watercolor pencils.
Additional Resources to Consider
- Paint brushes – paint brush, water cups, Q tips
- Cleaning supplies and proper safety precautions
- Pencil sharpener – since watercolor pencils are much nicer than the average pencil, a nice sharpener would be a good investment
- High quality paper is a must – watercolor cold pressed paper
- Tape and a drawing board to make the artmaking process easier
Safety:
- What precautions should be taken?
- Toxicity level: every medium is different, it is always smart to read the labels and do your best to instill a safe environment for the students.
- Sharpness of the lead
Limitations
This medium needs to be used on high quality watercolor paper
It is wise to invest in a higher quality – there is a huge difference in low quality vs. medium quality
Tips on using water color pencils
Beginner level watercolor pencil techniques
Strengths
Watercolor pencils can be used as regular color pencils or can be elevated to a water soluble medium. This versatility provides many variations to blending of a dry vs. a wet medium.
Watercolor pencils are a good introduction to watercolor paint because the control enabled through the pencils makes this liquid medium easier for beginners.
watercolor pencil sample 
watercolor palette 
blending 
using watercolor pencils 
color palette 
pencil vs watercolor
Personal Comfort Level
Before this class I have experimented with Derwent watercolor pencils and I am familiar with Prismacolor pencils. I would feel comfortable incorporating this medium into a lesson.
