Derwent Watercolor and Inktense: Which Pencil Reigns Supreme?

Greetings, art adventurers!

Picking the perfect art supplies isn’t always easy, and we totally get it. If you’re stuck between derwent watercolor and inktense pencils, you’re not alone. We’ve dived into both to give you a hand in making your choice.

This guide will walk you through their differences and how each can be used. Let’s dive in!

Comparison of Watercolor and Inktense Pencils

Watercolor and Inktense pencils each have unique qualities. They differ in how they mix with water and their color strength.

Composition (pigment vs ink)

Derwent Inktense pencils use an ink-like pigment. This feature gives us strong, vivid colors when we add water. The colors become more vibrant with activation. Some may look slightly muted at first, but the intensity shines through on paper.

Derwent Watercolor pencils contain traditional pigments. They are harder and not as easily wet compared to Inktense pencils. To achieve a more intense color, we can wet the paper or the tip of the pencil before drawing.

Each type offers unique characteristics that suit different artistic needs in our mixed media projects.

Activation with water

We see clear differences in the way water interacts with Inktense and Watercolor pencils. Inktense pencils activate wonderfully with water. They create vibrant colors that stand out on the page.

Once dry, these colors become permanent. This means we can layer them without worrying about fading or running when adding more water.

Watercolor pencils also work well with water but are a bit different. They are harder and not as easy to wet compared to Inktense pencils. It helps to wet the tip of the Watercolor pencil or even the paper first for better results.

This way, we achieve a more intense color when blending our artwork. Both types have unique ways they respond to water, making them great choices for different projects and styles in watercolor painting.

Color intensity

Inktense pencils offer vibrant colors. They become more intense when we add water. The pigments in these pencils are like ink, which boosts their color strength. We notice that some colors appear strong and beautiful, yet others can look a bit muted.

Watercolor pencils provide softer colors. They often need the paper or pencil tip to be wet for better brightness. Inktense has a greater range of vivid shades than watercolor does.

Artists appreciate the strong pigment intensity in both types but may prefer one over the other based on their project needs.

Lightfastness

Color intensity connects closely to lightfastness. Lightfastness describes how well colors resist fading when exposed to light. Derwent Inktense pencils are known for their strong, beautiful colors.

Once dry, they claim to be permanent. This makes them a good choice for projects where we want long-lasting results.

Some colors in the Inktense range, like purples, pinks, and reds, can fade over time. We have seen artists get shocking results with these intense shades. Many appreciate their vivid look but must be cautious about certain hues that may not hold up as well under sunlight.

On the other hand, Derwent Watercolor pencils offer softer tones but do not claim the same permanence once dry.

Color range

Derwent Inktense pencils offer a wide range of colors. We can choose from sets of 72 or even 100 pencils. These pencils feature strong, vibrant colors that come alive when activated with water.

Some colors may look muted before we add water, but they become much more pigmented afterwards.

On the other hand, Derwent Watercolor pencils also have a good variety of shades. They are harder and require wetting the paper or pencil tip to bring out color intensity. Both types give us options for different projects and styles in our artwork.

Differences between Watercolor and Inktense Pencils

Watercolor pencils offer subtle colors that blend softly. Inktense pencils provide vibrant shades that are bright and bold.

Subtle vs vibrant colors

Derwent Inktense pencils give us vibrant colors. These pencils contain ink-like pigments that shine when wet. The colors become even stronger with water activation. Artists love their intensity and vividness.

In contrast, Derwent Watercolor pencils offer subtler shades. They are harder to wet, which can lead to softer results. We often need to wet the paper or pencil tip for more color impact.

This difference makes each type unique in its uses for art projects.

Permanent when dry vs reworkable

Moving from subtle to vibrant colors, we find a key difference between the two types of pencils. Inktense pencils become permanent when dry. This means once we apply them and let them set, they won’t change or smudge with water.

Their ink-like pigment becomes fixed on the paper.

Watercolor pencils are different. They remain reworkable even after drying. We can add more water to blend or lighten their colors later. This gives us flexibility in our artwork. Some artists have shared surprising results with both types of pencils, especially praising how vivid Inktense colors can be while still being permanent when dry.

Water activation vs dry application

Water activation changes how our colored pencils perform. We see this clearly with Inktense and Watercolor pencils. Inktense pencils have an ink-like pigment. They become very vibrant when we add water.

The colors pop off the paper, giving us strong effects. Once they dry, they stay permanent.

Watercolor pencils work differently. They are harder than Inktense ones and do not wet easily. To get vivid colors, we should wet the tip or the paper first. This way, we can layer our colors better and create soft blends.

From our experience, both types of water-soluble pencils offer unique results in art projects. Choosing between them depends on what look we want to achieve!

Performance and Characteristics of Watercolor and Inktense Pencils

Watercolor pencils are soft. They mix well with water. Inktense pencils feel harder and do not activate easily with water. Both types offer unique ways to layer and blend colors.

Watercolor: softer and easier to wet

Derwent Watercolor pencils are softer than Inktense pencils. They wet easily when we add water. This makes them great for blending and layering colors. To get a more intense color, we can wet the paper or the pencil tip first.

In our experience, using these watercolor pencils is simple and effective. They glide smoothly on paper. We found they create gentle hues that work well for subtle effects in our artwork.

Many artists love using Derwent Watercolor pencils for their softness and ease of use in painting techniques.

Inktense: harder and not easily wet

Inktense pencils are harder than watercolor pencils. They do not get wet easily. This means we need more effort to activate them with water. We might want to wet the paper or the pencil tip first for better results.

The colors become very vibrant when we do this.

The ink-like pigment in Inktense pencils gives strong, beautiful colors once they are activated with water. Even though some may look muted before adding water, they still shine brightly after activation.

Thanks to their unique qualities, artists enjoy using these watersoluble tools for striking effects in their projects and mixed media art.

Color layering and blending

Color layering and blending are key for artists. With Derwent Watercolor pencils, we can create soft layers easily. A gentle touch allows us to build up colors without overwhelming the paper.

Wetting the tip or the paper first helps achieve brighter hues.

Inktense pencils offer vibrant outcomes when blended together. These pencils work well with water, giving strong and vivid shades. Some colors might appear muted until activated with water.

Many artists have shared their excitement about how Inktense pencils enhance color intensity during use. We enjoy mixing both types in our artwork for diverse effects and striking results in our projects.

Review of Watercolor and Inktense Pencils

5. Review of Watercolor and Inktense Pencils: Each type of pencil has its strengths and weaknesses. We find the watercolor pencils are softer and blend easily with water. The Inktense ones offer bright colors that stay strong when dry.

Our experiences with both types show how they can bring different styles to life. For more details on their pros and cons, keep reading!

Pros and cons of each type of pencil

We enjoy exploring the pros and cons of each pencil type. Here’s what we found about Derwent Watercolor and Inktense pencils.

1. Derwent Watercolor Pencils
   • These pencils are softer and easier to wet. We love how they blend smoothly when water is added.
   • They allow for subtle colors. The shades can be soft, perfect for gentle washes.
   • Color intensity can vary. We need to wet the paper or pencil tip for stronger results.
   • A good range of colors is available. This helps us create a variety of effects in our artwork.
   • They are reworkable when wet. We can always add more layers or change the look until it’s dry.
2. Derwent Inktense Pencils
   • These pencils stand out with their vivid, intense colors. When activated with water, they pop beautifully on the page.
   • Once dry, the colors become permanent. This is great for projects where we want long-lasting results.
   • Color application is vibrant but some shades may look muted before use with water. The pinks and reds can be fugitive.
   • They come in large sets of 72 or 100 colors, offering many choices for our art projects.
   • Layers of color blend well but are harder to rework after drying compared to watercolor pencils.

Both types have unique traits that artists like us can use creatively!

Personal experience and opinions

We have tried both Derwent Watercolor and Inktense pencils. Each has its charm. The Inktense pencils stand out with their vivid colors, especially when activated with water. They create strong, beautiful shades that light up the page.

Once dry, they claim to be permanent, which is great for finished work.

Derwent Watercolor pencils feel softer but are a bit harder to wet. Wetting either the paper or the pencil tip helps bring out more color intensity. We noticed some colors in both types vary in vibrancy.

Some purples or reds might look muted but can surprise you when mixed with water. Overall, using these artist tools gives us different results and effects we really enjoy exploring.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Pencil for Your Project

Choosing the right pencil depends on what you want to create. Think about your project type and the effects you wish to achieve. Each pencil has its strengths. Explore both options to find what works best for you! Happy drawing!

Factors to consider (project type, desired effect, personal preference)

Choosing the right pencil can shape our art. Different projects need different tools. Here are some factors to think about:

1. Project Type: What type of art are we making? Watercolor pencils work well for soft and subtle backgrounds. Inktense pencils shine in detailed, vibrant pieces.
2. Desired Effect: Do we want soft or strong colors? Derwent Inktense pencils provide vivid colors when wet. They become permanent once dry, which is great for lasting artwork.
3. Color Range: Consider the colors we need. Derwent offers sets of 72 or 100 Inktense pencils, giving us many choices for our palette.
4. Application Method: How do we want to apply color? Watercolor pencils are easier to control when wetting the paper first. In contrast, with Inktense, adding water makes colors pop more.
5. Layering and Blending: Think about how we blend colors together. Watercolors allow for smooth transitions, while Inktense gives bold layers but may not blend as softly.
6. Personal Preference: What feels good to us as artists? Some might prefer the softness of watercolor pencils, while others love the intensity of Inktense pencils.

These factors help us decide between watercolor and Inktense pencils for our next project. Understanding their characteristics allows us to choose wisely based on what we want to create!

Final thoughts on using watercolor and Inktense pencils in mixed media.

Using watercolor and Inktense pencils in mixed media can be fun. We enjoy the different effects each pencil brings. The Derwent Watercolor pencils are softer and not as easy to wet compared to Inktense pencils.

This makes them great for a lighter touch or subtle colors. On the other hand, Derwent Inktense pencils offer vivid, strong colors that pop when activated with water.

Mixing both types allows us to create unique artwork with depth and vibrancy. The intense colors from Inktense can enhance our pieces while the gentler hues from watercolor can soften them.

This blend of styles gives artists a wide range of options for projects, enhancing overall creativity in ways we hadn’t thought possible before!

FAQs

What’s the difference between Derwent Watercolor and Inktense Pencils?

Derwent Watercolor and Inktense pencils are both types of watersoluble pencils, but they have different characteristics. The watercolor pencils create a traditional watercolor effect, while the Inktense pencils produce an inklike pigment.

How do I choose between Watercolor and Inktense Pencils for my drawing materials?

When choosing your painting materials, consider what you want from your final piece. If you prefer vibrant colors with an ink-like finish, opt for Inktense pencils. However, if you’re looking for more subtle tones with a classic watercolor feel, then Derwent Watercolor Pencils would be best.

Can you compare the color range of Derwent Watercolor vs Inktense Pencils?

Both these watersoluble pencil ranges offer diverse color charts to cater to artists’ needs. However, their performance may vary due to their unique features – like how intense or soft the colors appear when applied on paper.

Are there any comprehensive reviews comparing Derwent Watercolors and Inktense Pencils?

Yes! There are many detailed reviews that focus on “Watercolors vs InkTense” comparison in terms of their respective features and practical application as drawing materials.

Which one is better: Derwent Watercolors or InkTense Pencil?

It depends on individual preference because each has its own strengths – whether it’s about achieving certain artistic effects or using them as preferred painting tools.