Water Color Pencils As Ink

Use your Water Color Pencils (not colored pencils) to add subtle color to an image or die cut as though it was ink.  In today’s projects, NO ink is used, but the result appears to be so. I'll use all of the colors, except white. See a project with white WC Pencil at the end.

                                                            

SUPPLIES:  Water Color Pencils (#161700, #149014), Water Painter (#151298) or Paint Brush, Basic White Cardstock (#159276), Fluid 100 Water Color Paper (#149612), Blender Pen (#102845), Water Spritzer (#126185), Silicone Craft Sheet (#127853).

PAPER: Basic White Cardstock is good for designs with color pencils. Use water sparingly as the fibers in the paper are broken down by excess water and the rubbing of the pencil on the wet surface.  By using Water Color Paper, the water is absorbed into the fibers, and although there may be some warping, the design is not distorted. The water color paper has a slight texture to it, but that does not affect the design (in my opinion).

Here's a few techniques to use your Water Color Pencils as ink:

#1  PENCIL on dry CARDSTOCK or WATER COLOR PAPER: Use white cardstock, water color paper or similar paper (I tried “onion skin” paper in my second example below). Color at random or for a background design. Add a drop of water with a paint brush or Water Painter. Use the brush to spread the water over the area of pencil color.

   

Water Color Pencil on Water Color Paper, above photo. When you add water, you can spread the color as seen on the edges.

"Onion Skin" paper is above. Dry your print in a warm area – sun on a window sill, old radiator, or use your heat tool. Stamp on top of this background print as I've done with the onion skin paper print. If you don't like your print, set it aside for later - it will be great for die cuts.  

#2.  WATER on WATER COLOR PAPER: Cover a 4x6 space with a light coat of water.  Immediately, while paper is still wet, add color with pencil. See the instant look of ink.  

NOTE: As in photo below, If you use cardstock instead of water color paper, the fibers could break down because the paper isn’t made to absorb water.  See below.

                                            

#3.  PENCIL DIRECT to STAMP  - This is one of my favorite ways to make water color prints. Use a  Cling/Rubber or Photopolymer stamp. Spritz it lightly with water. Color directly on the stamp with your Water Color Pencil. Lay the pencil on its side, not using the tip, and scribble quickly over the stamp. Stamp directly onto Basic White cardstock.  There shouldn't be any issues with the paper warping as shown above, because of the low water content.  (So Very Merry Stamp Set #162345)

For more examples, refer to a post on this page dated April 18, 2022.  

On the prints below, I've used this technique on the sentiment stamp as well as the bird. 

BLENDER PEN: when water is not an option, for a small space emphasis, use the tip of a Blender Pen to push the color into little corners or to darken the color in a small area. When you are finished blending, clean the Blender Pen tip by rubbing the color out of it till the end writes clear.

Here, with Zany Zoo Designer Series Paper, I've added color to the image as seen below.  

                       

                              The photo below shows an image filled in with color from a WC Pencil. 

 In the photo below, see the difference between the space where it has been colored with WC Pencil only (left leg) and the rest of the image with the Blender Pen.

  

Images above with WC Pencil. Images below show the brighter colors with the Blender Pen, then more of the color was added to other flowers from the pen tip.

WHITE Water Color PENCIL: 

The White Pencil can be used with water, like the colors. Most likely, the White WC Pencil would be used on bright or dark cardstock.  The technique that I have found to work the best is #3 above, Pencil to Stamp. Spritz the stamp with water. Scribble with the White WC Pencil liberally on the stamp, then immediately stamp it on bright or dark paper.  You may be able to get more than one print out of one

application of pencil to stamp. The WC Pencil image will dry brighter than it looks when its wet. 

I hope you’ve learned something new or refreshed your abilities. I’ve always loved water color prints. How about you?  Will you try this water color technique?

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