Sketch & Wash

7/13/2009 08:22:00 AM Posted In , , Edit This 9 Comments »
Not too long ago I got a couple of new pencils. They are called, "Sketch & Wash", and they are water-soluble graphite pencils. Now I was really intrigued when I heard about them and thought it would be great fun to try them. So yesterday while the rice was cooking, I sat down with a Vanity Fair magazine and did a sketch using one of the photographs as a model. Here's what I learned. They seem like a regular, fairly soft, pencil and can be blended with your finger (or a stump or chamois, etc) just like a good old-fashioned pencil. By adding water (I used a brush, but you could use your finger or a cloth) the color gets a lot darker than when it's dry. I wanted to remove some of it, but found once it was wet I couldn't easily do it. I definitely need more practice with them, but all in all, I think I'll really like using them. I like the way the water helps the color blend and soften. I'll noodle around with them some more and see if I can get a bit better!

9 comments:

Vicki Holdwick said...

Looking good!

I have a couple of those - don't remember why I bought them, but I think I will have to try a face with them, too.

xoxo

carin.c said...

I've used watercolor pencils but not yet tried water soluable graphite. Your sketch looks great!

Beverley Baird said...

I haven't tried these altho I am just starting to use watercolour pencils.
Great sketch.

surrealmuse said...

I really enjoy reading about your experiments with new art materials. Great Post!

MagicMarkingsArt said...

At first glance I thought this was a self portrait :) then read the post - well done and I like your take on the medium.

Leah said...

Thanks for sharing your experience! I like the eyes in this portrait!

arlene said...

Sketch and Wash sounds very interesting! I think I'm going to have to find those to play with too. Thanks for sharing..

Maree said...

What a unique idea Nancy! giving away an interesting gift. And congratulations to the lucky winner!

Alex said...

Great sketch! I wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS for having more than 1000 visitors to your blog, but I didn't want to take the chance to win anything because it'd be too troublesome and expensive to have things delivered all the way to Germany if I do win. :)
And this is absolutely a great idea, water soluble graphite... something really new to me ^^ I might try it someday!