Faber Castel Watercolor Pencils

7/27/2012 04:58:00 PM Edit This 13 Comments »
After ordering the wrong thing and erroneously sending them back (I wish I had kept them ... the return postage was ridiculous!), I ordered the right thing and was really looking forward to trying them out.  I watched a video about them (sadly I can't give you the link because I have no idea where I saw it) and was completely intrigued.  In the video the artist sort of made a palette of them by thickly applying them in squares on a piece of watercolor paper, and then using them like pan watercolors.  I was intrigued, but also a tad nervous about using them.  I know, that's really silly, but there you are ... somebody let the wicked critic out of her cage and she wasn't happy.

So, finally I sat down and did a quick ink sketch in the sketchbook I'm zeroing in on to complete.  I was on the front porch and drew one of the chairs.  After that sat for awhile ... OK, a pretty long while .... several days, if not a week,  I finally decided to just jump in and outcome be damned!  To put it mildly, the piece is busy, but that's because I really wanted to just fiddle with these pencils.   They are fun .... they are easy to use, although I have to learn how much to put in my square, and they mix well.  As you can see, I chose to mix mine on a separate sheet of paper rather than in the sketchbook since the book isn't very big.  I bought them online from Dick Blick - 25 in a very nice tin, along with an instruction book and color-mixing wheel.   BTW, I don't know if the above link will work .... I had trouble with it and I'm not very good at trouble shooting this sort of thing ... well, really anything having to do with computers.  Anyhow, here's the experimental, very busy, piece.





The blue on the posts is actually burgandy, but I wanted to try out a different color.  I will play with them again ....  maybe soon!        Thanks for dropping by, and I'd love to hear from you!!  



13 comments:

Jane said...

I don't find it busy, Nancy, I find it vibrant and lively! Gorgeous sketch, great colours, delightful all round - have fun with your new pencils!

meegan said...

i think it looks great. The white panels break up all the patterns so it is balanced out well. glad you just jumped in there and used them. and yes, the link works - love dick blicks.

Unknown said...

I like the blue if it was burgundy it might have been missed.

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

Its always a bit nerving and fun all at once to try out something new, glad that you had a great time with it and what a sweet little drawing. Looks like a very nice place to sit and read or just look at the plants... Or take a nap : )

Cheers,

Mari

Dan Kent said...

I think this came out really well. I would have sworn it was watercolors. I have a set of watercolor pencils, but I have never been too successful with 'em - can't figure out how to use them! And I can't ever figure out how to sharpen any of my pencils without breaking the leads. lol.

Jennifer Edwards said...

Nancy, I love your sketch! Are these the Inktense Pencils? I've never tried them. They seem to have given you a lovely summer's day look. Have a great time with your family visiting you!

Shirley said...

Nice job Nan. There are lots of ways to use these pencils and Kate Johnson has a really good mini-class.

Anonymous said...

Lovely - so summery!

Sandra said...

Well, dang--my computer is not letting me see the pictures. However, I can hardly believe that you youngest grandchild is 1! Where has the time gone?

debra morris said...

Finnaly catching up, lovely Nancy. I like the busy approach. I must say my favourite is the sketch of the plant

Cathy Holtom said...

I'm looking forward to seeing more...and curious about the ones you sent back (but I'm nosey!!)

Alex said...

Simply lovely!

Payton Brooks said...

Nancy,

I think that you did a great job chair. Hopefully you like my blog to :)

XOXO Payton