Blending Techniques with Watercolor Pencils

Explore 3 practical examples of blending techniques using watercolor pencils to enhance your art.
By Taylor

Exploring Blending Techniques with Watercolor Pencils

Watercolor pencils are a fantastic medium that combines the precision of colored pencils with the fluidity of watercolors. By mastering blending techniques, you can create stunning, vibrant effects in your artwork. In this guide, we’ll explore three diverse blending techniques that will help you elevate your watercolor pencil practice. Let’s dive in!

1. The Wet-on-Wet Technique

This technique is perfect for creating soft transitions and a dreamy, flowing effect in your artwork. It’s particularly useful for landscapes or backgrounds.

To start, choose a watercolor pencil color for your base layer and lightly color a section of your paper. Then, with a clean brush, wet the area where you applied the color. The water will activate the pencil and allow the color to spread. Here’s how it works:

  • After applying the base color, wet the brush and gently stroke over the colored area.
  • You’ll notice how the color diffuses and blends seamlessly, creating a soft gradient.
  • For added depth, you can layer another color on top while the first layer is still wet, allowing them to mix beautifully.

Notes: Use this technique on thicker watercolor paper to prevent warping. Experiment with different colors and observe how they blend together.

2. The Layering Technique

Layering is a great way to build depth and richness in your artwork. This technique works well for detailed images like flowers or portraits.

Begin with a light base layer of your first color, applying it in light strokes to avoid heavy pigmentation. Once that layer is dry, add a second color on top, focusing on areas you want to deepen or shade. Here’s how to execute this:

  • Start with a pale yellow pencil for a sunflower, applying it lightly all over the petals.
  • Once dry, take an orange pencil and lightly add strokes where shadows would naturally fall.
  • Use a damp brush to gently blend the edges of the orange into the yellow, creating a smooth transition.

Notes: Layering can take some time, but the results are worth it! Use a variety of colors to see how they interact with each other and create unique effects.

3. The Burnishing Technique

Burnishing gives your artwork a polished, smooth finish. This technique is excellent for achieving vibrant colors and is ideal for illustrations or designs where you want a glossy look.

To burnish, begin with a base layer of your chosen color, pressing firmly to get a rich pigment. Next, take a lighter color (or a colorless blender pencil) and apply it over the top, using heavy pressure to blend the colors together. Follow these steps:

  • For example, color a bright blue sky with your watercolor pencil.
  • Once satisfied with the base layer, take a white pencil or colorless blender and go over the blue using hard pressure, filling in the tooth of the paper.
  • This will create a smooth, glazed effect that enhances the vibrancy of the blue.

Notes: This technique works best on smooth paper. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors to see how they blend and shine!

By practicing these three examples of blending techniques with watercolor pencils, you can expand your artistic skills and create beautiful, vibrant works of art. Happy blending!