Unleash Your Creativity: Faber Castell Watercolor vs Classic Pencils Compared

Good day Artists,

Deciding between Faber Castell watercolor pencils and their classic counterparts can feel like a daunting task, especially for those just dipping their toes into the world of art. We know that all too well—standing in front of both options, scratching our heads, trying to figure out which set is the best fit for our creative endeavors.

Through diligent research, we discovered that watercolor pencils offer delicate washes of color when moistened, while classic pencils provide a diverse palette of vibrant hues straight out of the box.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the differences and performances of each type to help pinpoint what aligns most closely with your artistic vision. Let's dive in!

Faber Castell Watercolor vs Classic Pencils: What's the Difference?

Faber Castell Watercolor pencils and Classic pencils serve different purposes. We can use watercolor pencils for painting effects, while Classic pencils are great for drawing and shading tasks.

Barrel design

The barrel design of Faber Castell pencils plays a big role in our art experience. The Classic Red and Black Edition pencils have smooth, easy-to-hold barrels. This helps us create fine details and precise lines as we sketch or draw.

Watercolor pencils also feature unique barrel designs. They often feel thicker, which is great for comfort during longer drawing sessions. We find that the shape can help with grip while working on detailed projects such as landscapes or florals.

For artists like us, having the right pencil in hand makes all the difference in our artwork!

Lead quality

Faber Castell pencils have a great lead quality. Their cores are strong and smooth. This means they create clean lines easily. The Classic Red set is known for its good blending abilities.

These colored pencils work well for shading, too.

For watercolor pencils, Faber Castell offers lighter colors when washed. This allows us to explore soft blends in our artwork. Derwent watercolor pencils tend to be darker when wet but still provide unique tones.

We notice that harder pencil leads are better for fine details while softer ones help with bold strokes.

Next, we will compare performance in blending and layering techniques.

Performance Comparison

We can see big differences in performance between watercolor and classic pencils. Watercolor pencils blend easily, making smooth colors on paper, while classic pencils offer great shading for detailed work.

Blending and layering

Blending and layering are key skills for artists using Faber-Castell pencils. With classic colored pencils, we can create smooth transitions between colors. The Faber-Castell colored pencils blend well, making them great for shading and adding depth.

Watercolor pencils work a bit differently. They produce lighter colors when washed compared to their dry form. This gives our art a unique look. We found that Derwent watercolor pencils tend to have darker hues when dried.

Using both types allows us to experiment with different techniques in our art projects, enhancing our creativity as beginners.

Color vibrancy

Faber Castell watercolor pencils are known for their color vibrancy. They produce lighter tones when washed, allowing us to create soft washes and subtle effects. We notice that these colors stand out beautifully on paper.

Faber-Castell colored pencils also deliver vivid shades, making them great for detailed work.

We find that Caran d'Ache watercolor pencils can yield a slightly darker hue compared to Faber Castell when washed. This difference allows us to choose the right pencil based on our desired outcome.

Each brand has unique strengths in color vibrancy, which helps us in our artistic journey with art supplies and techniques like layering and shading.

Lightfastness

Lightfastness is an important factor for artists. It refers to how well colors resist fading over time when exposed to light. Faber Castell watercolor pencils have good lightfastness.

They maintain their brightness even after washing, making them great for long-lasting artwork.

Some brands like Derwent may produce a slightly darker hue when washed than Faber Castell pencils. This could affect our choice based on the final look we want in our pieces. We should also note that watercolor pencils tend to be more expensive and often have fewer color options compared to classic colored pencils.

For beginners, understanding these details helps us choose the right art materials and techniques for our projects.

Set Sizes and Prices

Faber Castell offers different sizes for their pencil sets. Prices can change based on the set you choose and where you buy them.

Faber Castell Classic Red

Faber Castell Classic Red pencils are a great choice for artists. They offer rich colors that stand out on paper. We find the lead quality impressive, making it easy to create sharp lines and fine details.

These pencils help us achieve precise pencil shading with ease.

We appreciate that sets of colored pencils come in various sizes. Faber Castell offers these in sets of 48, 72, or more. This gives us many options for our art projects. The Classic Red is favored for its bright tones and strong performance when blending colors together.

Faber Castell Black Edition

Moving from the Faber Castell Classic Red, we now explore the Faber Castell Black Edition. This set offers a step up in quality that many artists appreciate. The Black Edition pencils use high-quality cores for better color and blending.

We find these pencils ideal for detailed work. They hold a sharp point well, making them perfect for fine details in our artwork. The core's hardness helps achieve clean lines and vibrant colors.

For beginners, this set may be on the pricier side, but it provides great value with rich colors and impressive performance.

Which is Best for Beginners?

Watercolor pencils offer a fun way to blend colors and create soft shapes. Classic pencils, on the other hand, are great for drawing fine details.

Tips and techniques for using watercolor pencils

Using watercolor pencils is fun and rewarding. Here are some tips and techniques to help us get started.

1. Choose the Right Pencils: Faber Castell watercolor pencils are a great option for beginners. They produce lighter colors when washed, perfect for soft blends.
2. Layering Colors: Start with light colors first. We can add darker colors on top for depth and contrast. This technique helps create rich layers.
3. Blending Techniques: Use a wet brush to blend colors together on the paper. This will make our artwork look smooth and vibrant.
4. Experiment with Water Amount: Try using different amounts of water. A little water creates soft washes, while more water gives bright, bold colors.
5. Test on Scrap Paper: Before working on our main piece, we should test colors on scrap paper. This practice will show how they react with water.
6. Apply Dry First, Then Wet: Draw with the pencil before adding water to enhance control over details and shapes in our artwork.
7. Consider Pencil Hardness: Using harder cores can help us achieve fine details and sharp points in our drawings.
8. Use Good Quality Brushes: Invest in decent brushes to apply water smoothly over the pencils’ marks without damaging the paper.
9. Limit Color Range: Watercolor pencils often have fewer color options compared to classic colored pencils like Faber-Castell Classic Red or Black Edition sets that come in 48 or 72 pieces.
10. Practice Regularly: Like any skill, we improve with practice! Setting aside time just for experimenting with watercolor techniques will boost our confidence and skills.

Trying these methods will help us enjoy using watercolor pencils more fully while creating beautiful art!

Recommended projects for each type

Faber-Castell Watercolor and Classic pencils both have their unique strengths. We can explore different projects that work well with each type.

1. Nature Scenes
   We can create beautiful landscapes using watercolor pencils. They blend nicely when wet, giving soft edges to skies and hills.
2. Floral Drawings
   Classic colored pencils are great for detailed flower artwork. Their hard cores help us draw fine lines and get rich colors.
3. Portraits
   Watercolor pencils allow for easy skin tone blending. Washes create smooth transitions, perfect for a soft look in portraits.
4. Abstract Art
   Both pencil types shine here. We can layer colors with classic pencils or blend with water using watercolor pencils for striking designs.
5. Animal Studies
   Using classic pencils helps us capture fur textures in detail. For softer looks, we can use watercolor pencils to depict animals in their natural habitat.
6. Greeting Cards
   Watercolor pencils add a fun touch to homemade cards. We can draw bold images and wash them out for gentle effects.
7. Sketching Outdoors
   Classic sketching pencils are ideal for quick outdoor scenes. Their portability makes them perfect while we observe nature.
8. Mixed Media Projects
   Combining both types of pencils allows us to experiment creatively. We can use the vibrancy of classic colored pencils alongside the softness of watercolor ones.

These projects cater to our different artistic needs as beginners, helping us learn valuable techniques along the way!

Conclusion

Choosing between Faber Castell watercolor pencils and classic colored pencils can be fun. Each type has its strengths for beginners. Watercolor pencils bring soft washes, while classic colored pencils shine in vibrant details.

Experimenting with both will help us find our favorite style. Enjoy the journey of creating art!

FAQs

What's the difference between Faber Castell Watercolor and Classic Pencils?

Faber Castell Watercolor pencils use a water-soluble lead, which can be used for both drawing and painting. On the other hand, classic pencils are designed primarily for drawing.

Are Faber Castell Watercolor pencils suitable for beginners?

Yes, they are! Both types of Faber Castell artist supplies are beginner art tools that can help newcomers to fine art develop their skills.

Which type of pencil is brighter: Faber Castell Watercolor or Classic Pencils?

The brightness of these artists' pencils depends on how you use them. However, when used with water, watercolor pencils often produce more vibrant colors than classic drawing pencils.

Can I use both types of Faber Castell color pencils in one artwork?

Absolutely! Mixing different types of color pencils in a single piece can create unique effects and add depth to your artistic creations.

Where can I get reviews about these two types of Faber Castell color pencils?

You can find detailed reviews about both the watercolor and classic varieties on various online platforms that sell painting supplies.