Paul Howard Demonstration of Watercolour Pencil Techniques
Watercolour pencils are a medium which I have never used before and talking to many members last night neither had they, yet they all had some and didn’t really know how to use them to good effect.
Paul talked us through and array of techniques that can be used to create pictures using Derwent water colour pencils. Firstly he explained that there are two types of pencils, inktense and ordinary, the inktense ones are permanent colours and when dry you cannot take the pigment off, so you had to be fairly sure that what was on the paper was what you wanted. By wetting the paper first, then taking some inktense pigment off the pencil with a wet brush you are able to create wet in wet. When dry this can be worked over with other pencils using a brush to take off the pigment and apply to the paper over the top of the already dried inktense work.
After wetting the pencil dry it by sharpening it, this preserves the colour from going into a soggy mess.
Paul developed his picture with a range of techniques, including using the pencil on its side and scumbling it over an area to form trees and then applying a little water to spread the paint or using the point to draw in area or give deeper pigment. Always considering the composition of the painting and how your eye would be drawn in and through the painting.
I think these pencils would benefit me when I go out sketching, this would give me quick references to the colours around, as they can be used as either a paint or a pencil or both.
Paul was a demonstrator for Derwent for many years, he was also on the original Watercolour Challenge, but unfortunately was forced to retire from demonstrating 18 months ago when he had an injury to his arm(he was doing 50-60 demonstrations a year). He still teaches art in Boston and has many exhibitions throughout the year.