Watercolor Pencil Tips for Journaling and Sketching 

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.

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 !

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!

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 RU-vid. Thank you.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 !!

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

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

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.

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!

What a great and relaxing video, i always enjoy watching your videos. The artwork is always fantastic and in this video that work is no exception. Beautiful work and great art tips, thankyou so much for sharing your vast knowledge and great art expertise.

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! 🤗

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.

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

Your videos are all so informative and interesting! Thank you very much.

I just begun to use watercolor pencils and water brushes. The idea for your picture is amazing.

your videos are a blessing! pls keep making them!

Thank you thank you thank you for all of your videos. Your personality and spunk make these so enjoyable, like a comfy fit for my art journey. Keep on creating! Thanks for sharing.

Great video! I'm hoping to try out some watercolor pencils soon. I've got waterbrushes on my wishlist, thanks again for the great tips!

Hi i loved your video, you seem to be a great person! And I’m a total beginner with watercolour pencils, but I’ll try to draw more or less what you did there:)

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.

A dandy demonstration of water color pencil. Kinda hard to get the hang of. I have been a colored pencil user for so many years that making the switch is challenge, but it's a challenge I enjoy. Thank you.

Another wonderful video Steve! Thanks! When one is new to watercolor, I think starting out with quality watercolor pencils is economical in that you can make a good quality, portable "watercolor palette" on heavy watercolor paper with a nice choice of colors.....I also carry along palette paper that I pick up from Joann's crafts (of course with a coupon!) where I can mix colors or change the values using the waterbrush of choice. This works great for my "emergency sketching watercolor kit" I have in my purse. I also have a Peerless watercolor palette that I made (I cannot say enough how much I LOVE these!!) and a Neocolor II palette to complement the watercolor pencil palette. One never knows when I might need to break out with my art and feed my soul! Now all I need to do is practice, practice, practice. I started getting involved with art journaling, watercolor and nature journaling about a year ago. Your inspiration is really helpful and I am appreciative for your expertise!

Great tips, thanks!..my favorite water brushes, by far, are the Aquash , by Pentel. They come in three sizes. What qualifies them as best, is the flow regulator..not too much or too little. Good for on the go or armchair Line and Wash.

I love your videos so much! Definitely learned a lot from watching your videos.

I have enjoyed your videos, and this video is very informative. I've just recently took up watercolors as a medium and the watercolor pencils have really sparked my interest. Looking forward to your future tutorials with interest. Subscribed. Thank you, Ray.

I love you work! I have been experimenting with Moleskine watercolour pencils are a little while now and loving it! and still figuring out the techniques. I've uploaded a few videos so far :)

I think you have great teaching methods. Keep it up. I appreciate your information and I love to watch you paint and draw. Thanks

Thank you for this! I have some watercolor pencils but have never figured out how to use them. This has inspired me to try your technique. It actually might work out well for an upcoming project. And I LOVE your style!

Actually you can mix, scrape two colors into the well of a palette, add water, voila you have a green, etc., same as with regular watercolor. Want to apply a glaze, scrape the appropriate color into the well, add water,and glaze.

I just found your art lessons. Thank you. I'll be viewing all your older posts and looking forward to new videos.

ive love the thought watercolour pencils.id wish i had recorded my past paintings.thanks for showing records.

Thank you- appreciate your presentation!

Im so glad that I came across your video, its fantastic. I might give this set a try as it makes water colour painting a lot easier than those I have came across. Thank you for sharing!

I lean so much from you, fun fun fun! Great tips for watercolor pencils.

Thank-you for this video. I have had watercolour pencils for a long time and couldn't get to use them properly. I am taking a weeks vacation and will take my watercolour pencil s with me.

Hi Steve. I loved your video. I have found that if you take some of your pigment off your pencil with the brush, you can paint rate on the paper and the colors are more vibrant.

I think you are fantastic!!!!! You have taught me so much. Thank you for all your videos! Please keep posting your paintings! Thank you!

Love it, thank you for show and sharing

Love the paper palette idea!

So amazing,thank you for the demostration!!

Great discussion. I have the desire for watercolor and the pens you used appear to be easily learned. Thank you for your demonstration was great.

Love your style and videos. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you a lot! You are awesome :) your tutorials are my way into watercolor pencils - I was very confused of which technique should I use with it.

I know this is an older post but its new to me. it has been years since I have done any art work,I have thought about it. now after seeing a few of your viedos I have been slowly buying watercolor supplies, need a few brushes and a board I cannot wait to be able to go out and paint. thank you for inspiration!

You did a great job on that piece. That was a new perspective of using watercolor pencils for me.

Your making my 70's fun, your videos are helping me to learn again. Keep it up!

I so would love to buy a water color journal like that. One I can call my own. Will search online. Thanks for sharing your great vids. Darwin Australia NT.

Just discovered your channel! A little late for the giveaway but I dint mind... I'll be watching your videos in the future. I have been looking for a journal really like the one you have. Happy New Year!

I recently purchased that water brush; it came in a cool little Koi Pocket field sketch box. I agree with you; I like the way it handles very much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

i just have to let u know i love ur videos and u as an artist and you are a huge reason i have started to explore water colors and painting i have always drawn and colored but couldnt understand watercolor i would try to hard to control the color process but thru your teaching i have learned to be more free and let it flow and its amazing how awsome my art has become thank you so much and hey if you ever feel like giving another journal like that away im here lol jk weather i win a give away or not just watching your art come to life and learning from your gift is enough for me thank you

Aw missed the give away! Glad I found your demonstrations though 😀 thank you!

Caran dache makes a mixing pallet just for watercolor color pencils

Love this technique.

You re such a decent person...a true artist in spirit. I am living in Saudi Arabia and wanted to start watercolor for the joy it brings...as a teacher I can definitely say ...you are a great art teacher.

You look like Robert Deniro I’m new to water coloring i ordered a huge set of watercolor pencils and I can’t wait to get started.

I really love all your videos! I prefer using watercolor pencils myself but I also combine watercolor paints to my animal portraits. Learn so much from watching your videos! Thanks so much!!!!

This is really informative. I'd like to see you actually do the drawing of the tree tops - I really like that part. Whole piece is really nice.

i am really enjoying this channel. would you consider doing a segment on how to sharpen the watercolir pencils...for example...recommending a particular sharpner and also how to get a very sharp point like the one you are using here in this lesson...thank you...great inspiration for us beginner's...👑💖👑💛👑

Im learning so much with ur videos ! thank you so much for the content !!!

I love your videos and you scriptures at the end of each. They get the day off to a great start. Praise the Lord for the gift of painting!

Thank you for making this tutorial. I always draw with pencil, black and white. I'm gonna try to draw with colours now, and this will help a lot! I will explore more of your videos. And now you inspired me to make art videos too.

Beautiful Steve!! Love your work...posting your tutorial to my FB journaling group. I know they're gonna love it...I did! What a great find! Thank you! ~Evon Robinson

Thanks Steve. I bought some Derwent watercolor pencils a few weeks back but, I haven't done anything constructive with them yet other than test the colors.

Watching in 2021 - still relevant and helpful 👍🏻

Love it. Thanks.

Would love the walter colored pencils.

Hello Steve - you can use a Caran d Ache plastic palette to scratch off colours and mix them in the palette - you probably know that by now 🤗😁

Hi Steve. New to your channel. I love watercolor. I have bought several types including some pencils. It seems I am unable to keep away form the watercolor aisle in the art store. Buying them is one thing, mastering it is another (haven't done that yet;far from it lol). Therefore I am looking forward to your tutorials. Your art is wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

*Im so thankful i came across this video!*

Thanks for taking the time to do this. You have really helped me a lot.

Good tips!! Love and Kiss from the Netherlands xxx

Steve, what a great video! I'm delighted to discover your channel! Your verse at the end is Amazing! What do you advise for Artists who are studying the Business of Art? People who want to sell?

Just love your videos! ❤️👌

I've been thinking about get a set of watercolor pencils and experimenting(messing) with them.

Absolutely delightful ......love your videos

I’ve watched a lot of tuts & You are the best for my interests. Thank you!

Awesome! Thank you for sharing.

Super useful, thank you so much for the tips :-)

Another wonderful video. I found you looking for watercolor pencils (haven't tried them but want to). Subscribed and now, look, a video perfect for my level! Thanks for explaining it so well, love looking at your creations, too. Yes, I'm going off to your Facebook page...it's everything I need to get off on the right foot, too. That journal is just gorgeous, isn't it? You're a generous spirit. Thanks.

Great video! I really (REALLY) need to resolve for 2017 to sketch much more! I've recently retired and want to make art a big part of my weekly "schedule." I've heard you say many times that we need to sketch and paint in order to get better ~ and we need to be willing to make "mistakes" in order to learn. I need to convince my brain of this truth. I really like to watch your videos as well as many others - my grand daughters often like to watch with me ... and one day Josie said "Papa - how about you paint a picture instead of just watching him?" (Youch! :) So please keep up the great work and I will work WITH you! Paul

Very nice. I like the minimalism of the materials. Personally I have a tendancy to bring way too much stuff when I sketch in a coffee shop or plein aire.

Love the Sharp Pencil 😍

Nice video thanks , Very helpful ! Winks Lisa

Very interesting and helpful

LOVE your vids!!! Thanks for sharing!!

good morning sir.your nice & beautifully work. it's simple.thanks. Ajit Raj from India.

I recognize that sweater ;) Either you one one of your family members worked there? I enjoyed learning more about watercolor pencils. I use watercolor paints, but never really used watercolor pencils. I really like the sketchy quality to it. I just started watching your videos I'm really enjoying them and just subscribed. Thanks for making these videos!

This was very helpful. Thank you!

Hi! I'm a beginner, trying to learn water color for the very first time. In my opinion, you are great! Thank you so much for this video, I'll give it a try. Thanks again

thank you for all the information about water colors

I just found these videos and I have enjoyed them. Thank you for doing this.

Tip for using a water brush ... empty it if you are leaving it unused for a while. If you live in a hard water area the tiny holes that allow the water through to the brush may block with limescale and you can't clean it out!

Wendy here...I just subscribed to your site and I just love your videos. So informative and you deliver in such a nice way. Thank you.

Thanks for the tutorial and the Scripture. Maranatha.