| Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils are water-soluble and | | | | lukewarm water before they tape it down. Soaking |
| made of professional artist quality grade pigments. | | | | time is generally no more than 10 minutes, and should |
| They are sold individually or in sets of 12, 24, and 36 | | | | be less with lighter weight paper. Always handle your |
| pencils. Used with or without water, the smooth and | | | | paper by the corners when removing it from water. |
| rich colored leads lend themselves to creating | | | | Allow the excess water to drip into a basin before |
| dynamic drawings. Additionally, all Prismacolor | | | | placing it on your board. Before taping down your |
| Watercolor Pencils precisely match the color palette | | | | paper, you will want to remove excess water using a |
| of Prismacolor's other products - Premier, Verithin, | | | | sponge, applying smooth, even, straight, and gentle |
| and Art Stix. | | | | strokes across the surface. Once all bubble and |
| The technique to using water-soluble pencils is up to | | | | bumps are removed, tape down one side using |
| the individual artist's imagination. There is no wrong | | | | drafting tape. Make sure to use only one piece of |
| way to use these pencils, except to avoid over | | | | tape; multiply pieces will cause your paper to dry |
| saturating paper with water, which can lead to | | | | unevenly. You will need to hold the tape taught, and |
| tearing, especially when using light weight paper. | | | | begin in the middle of one edge of the paper, |
| Artist grade watercolor paper is recommended, | | | | working it evenly from the middle to the edges. |
| rather than drawing paper. An alternative to | | | | Once one side is evenly taped down, again use your |
| watercolor paper is cold press illustration board, which | | | | sponge to smooth out your paper, but this time, |
| is a thick, high rag content paper similar in thickness | | | | apply even strokes away from the taped side. When |
| to cardboard. It has what artists call, tooth, which | | | | you are satisfied that the paper is bubble free, apply |
| means that the surface is textured and not smooth. | | | | tape to the opposite side of the paper. Depending |
| The textured surface will absorb water better, | | | | upon whether you are right or left-handed, will |
| allowing for greater artistic control. A smooth surface | | | | determine which side you will begin your taping - |
| will cause running, because there is no place for the | | | | keeping in mind that you want to use the sponge to |
| water to go. Pencils in general work much better on | | | | stroke away from the taped side. If you are |
| a textured, porous surface. When purchasing either | | | | left-handed, you may want to begin on the right side |
| watercolor paper or cold press illustration board, be | | | | of the paper. Once the right and left sides are taped |
| sure to check that it is made from 100% cotton | | | | down, your paper should be adequately stretched, |
| fiber and is acid free. | | | | and won't require further sponge work when taping |
| Illustration board can be used with a combination of | | | | down the top and the bottom of your paper. |
| media and is much more resilient to water than | | | | In order to avoid making a hole or tearing your |
| watercolor paper. When using either, particularly if | | | | paper, it is probably best to wait before you paper is |
| you plan to apply water, it is best to secure your | | | | fairly dry before applying your first markings with |
| paper to a hard, smooth surface such as Masonite | | | | Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils. Once the paper is dry, |
| board. The reason for this is twofold; first, when | | | | you may begin your drawing! Applying water to your |
| paper absorbs water and dries, it expands and | | | | drawing will require at least one watercolor paintbrush. |
| buckles. If taped down, your drawing surface will | | | | Brushes come in a variety of sizes and shapes; a fan |
| maintain better integrity. Secondly, the tape allows | | | | brush is especially useful for pulling your pigment |
| for a border, which will come in handy when it comes | | | | away from the point of pencil saturation, in order to |
| to framing your drawing. Some artists prepare their | | | | create a wisping or fanning effect. |
| watercolor paper by first gently immersing it in | | | | |