The dry brush watercolor pencil technique is a fantastic way to create texture and depth in your drawings. By using a minimal amount of water and applying your watercolor pencils in a dry manner, you can achieve a beautiful, painterly effect. This technique is perfect for adding fine details or soft washes to your artwork. Let’s dive into three diverse examples to help you master this technique!
In this example, we’ll use the dry brush watercolor pencil technique to illustrate a vibrant sunset.
Imagine you’re at the beach during sunset, with warm hues reflecting off the water. To begin, sketch a simple horizon line where the sun will set. Choose warm colors like yellows, oranges, and reds, and lightly color the area above the horizon with your watercolor pencils. Instead of saturating your brush with water, dampen it slightly and gently drag the colors downward to blend them.
As you move closer to the horizon line, switch to cooler colors like purples and blues to represent the sky transitioning into night. Apply these colors with a dry brush technique, allowing some of the pencil strokes to show through, creating a textured effect that mimics the look of clouds. This will give your sunset a warm glow while maintaining the lively brush strokes characteristic of dry brush watercolor.
Notes: You can experiment with different color combinations or add silhouettes of palm trees at the bottom for added interest!
In this example, we will create a detailed illustration of leaves using the dry brush technique.
Picture a lush garden filled with various green leaves. Start by drawing the outline of a leaf with a pencil. Choose a variety of green watercolor pencils, from light lime to deep forest green. Begin coloring the leaf with your lightest green, using quick, short strokes to create texture. Remember to keep your pencil dry!
Next, add depth by layering in darker greens along the edges, still using the dry brush technique. To enhance the leaf’s texture, you can also scratch in some lines with the end of your pencil to mimic veins. If desired, use a damp brush to lightly blend the colors in the central part of the leaf, while keeping the edges sharp and distinct.
Notes: Try this technique with different types of leaves to see how the texture changes, or combine it with other techniques for more complexity!
In this final example, we’ll depict a stormy sea using the dry brush watercolor pencil technique.
Visualize a turbulent ocean, with waves crashing against the shore. Begin with a light pencil sketch of the waves and the shoreline. Select various shades of blue and gray watercolor pencils. Start by applying the lightest blue at the top of your drawing, using long, sweeping strokes.
To create the appearance of movement, use a slightly damp brush to drag the color downwards, allowing it to fade into white for a foamy effect. Then, switch to the darker blue and gray pencils to add depth and dimension to the waves, applying these with a dry brush technique. Focus on the tips of the waves, where the water would be breaking, and use quick, short strokes to simulate the texture of the foam.
Notes: You can also introduce some splashes of white gouache for added dramatic effect, giving the ocean a lively, realistic appearance!
With these examples of dry brush watercolor pencil technique, you can explore a variety of subjects and styles. Practice these methods, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different colors and textures. Happy drawing!