Watercolor Pencil Tips for Journaling and Sketching

I talk about some tips for sketching and journaling with Prismacolor watercolor pencils and give away a watercolor sketching package.

NOTE: This giveaway is now over. For the winner announcement see comments below or go to my Facebook page.

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My Amazon Store of Favorite Products:

- Sakura Koi waterbrush (large)

- Prismacolor 12 Watercolor Pencils

- Handmade Watercolor Journal

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Picking great watercolor paper. A great place to start.

Introduction to the Mind of Watercolor

The Mind of Watercolor Web Page

Steve Mitchell Design

Royalty Free Music provided via Pond5

[MyLifeInTheDesert]

I use watercolor pencils for sketching in bed, when I’m sick (and I’ve had long covid so that’s been a while), because it’s so much easier to do than set up a water cup and the brushes etc. I love it so much. I also like the Derwent Graphite water solubles. Creates a moody tone.

[molliestrotkamp]

Thanks for the demo. Rather new to watercolor and just started journaling. Your tips on watercolor pencils is very helpful.

[mindofwatercolor]

And the GIVEAWAY WINNER is??? – Ashley Lewis

Thanks for participating everyone. I appreciate all the great comments and look forward to more fun like this in the future.

[elliemay]

Thanks for your video! I also teach my students that you can take pigment off of the pencil and onto your paint brush to paint with. This allows you to do a nice wash when you may not have paints with you. 

You can also dip the pencil into water and get a bolder line when you draw.

Finally, I love using watercolor pencils to finish details in my watercolor paintings that I might not be able to do with a brush!

[robertsloan]

That was a great giveaway kit! I often carry Prismacolor watercolor pencils. I bought the full range of 36 and it was very easy to carry and use them all in a Niji pencil roll that only cost $5 and change at Dick Blick. If you like a larger range of pencils, those rolls are fantastic. They have a texture close to Prismacolor Premier, are very soft, and if you want a full colored pencils burnished effect can be layered, washed, layered again and burnished with any brand of colorless blender. 

One thing I like to do is sketch and shade before washing. I'll lay in very soft shading and strong linear accents, often overlapping to get certain mixtures. 

Purple is a friend to green! When I'm doing foliage I love to put a strong dark violet into the deep darks and then shade it up into the greens. Earth reds that lean toward orange are good for muting them. I like to pay attention to the hues and values of tree trunks and bark and often mix complements to get it right.

I like a large palette because it lets me use different combinations for what I'm doing at the time. It's easy to get muted colors mingling saturated color but sometimes a blue-gray is a good base or I want to use bright green to mute a red. I may not use many pencils in a given sketch but I'll choose them for that subject, the light and my mood. The light colors in the large set are very useful, they have a little opacity but are elegant for soft effects in clouds.

[ClintRoseCarving]

That paper palette thing got me! That is brilliant, glad I found this video, thank you.

[ZannerBatman]

Hi Steve, I just discovered your videos, been watching them since last night and all today so far. I really enjoy your approach to watercolour and like your technique as well. Can I just say that, as a Christian person, I love your Biblical quotes at the end of each lesson, that's a great addition and such a rarity these days. Thanks for that !

[donnad]

Love this demonstration. Like working with wc pencils & mixed media for my travel sketching.

[RandySandknop]

I just watched this one this morning and I'm so happy to have your expertise with watercolor pencil! I have some that I've never tried because I had no clue how to begin. NOW I can get to it! Thank you!

[yasmincoats]

This was an awesome demonstration, thank you very much Mr. Mitchell. I hope you do continue to explore watercolor pencils as it seems woefully difficult to find solid information on them, and your results are much better than most of what I've seen so far. I'm still new to watercolor itself and regret that I never pursued it years ago when I was being taught to sketch and today I can only describe the area I live in now as a desert for artistic supplies. No art stores, no studios, nothing which leaves me with teaching myself everything. And I truly appreciate what you share on Youtube. Thank you.

[joanporter]

I love everything you create and appreciate how you share your knowledge in such a friendly calm manner.

[karentemplesnow]

I absolutely LOVE your vignette style!!! Please do more of them. I'm having trouble with composition. A video on that would be really welcome. Yo're my favorite YT artist. Thank you for your invaluable videos! xx

[msdeedee]

I just found your channel today and I'm so glad!. I find your style and voice relaxing and humorous in attempts. I'm a subscriber and I thank you for teaching us humble artists, albeit amateurs!

[mukwah]

Thanks for the referral to this vid. Love the journal with the raggedy pages.  I feel so drawn to this scene.  I can almost feel like I am there - stepping up the rocks towards the trees ... sun shining, light breeze, bird singing.... living the dream if you will. Fabuloso !!

[dfraser]

I was a bit hesitant about trying watercolor pencils but you made my mind up. Your tutorial made it look easy and now I’m excited to get started. Thank you! 🤗

[sharoncoffman]

I’ve been binge-watching your videos! I’ve painted in oils many years and wanted to return to watercolors for a while to loosen up. I’ve gotten so “tight” in oils it was frustrating! Now I’m loving the watercolor medium and results! Thanks for your dedication to the journey! You’re helping me on my creative journey.

[melodytoolson]

Just discovered your channel these past few weeks and have enjoyed your demonstrations, reviews and tips. Very informative and pleasant.

[GingerCupcakeCards]

Your videos are informative and your voice is incredibly relaxing to listen to while I paint. Thanks!

[cindykingsland]

You have inspired me to do more watercolor. I hope to get some watercolor pencils and water brush and try them out.I love the way you review the different items available. Please do some more complete paintings.

[nc]

Dear Steve,
Your videos are so inspiring and relaxing at once. Lots of useful and interesting information, it helps to be a bit more brave and get more fun from painting. I'm almost used to turn on your channel when painting. Thank you so much and keep on -painting and telling about it.
Greetings from Russia. Elen.