ScrawlrTips
Derwent Graphitint Paint Set
Featured In / November 2020 ScrawlrBox
We realise you may have never seen or used products like this before so we have put together a few hints, tips and techniques to test out and get the best from these supplies.
This Derwent Graphitint Paint Pan Set includes 12 pans of water-soluble paint made from a unique blend of graphite and a hint of colour. These paints include a unique blend of coloured graphite that are designed to create subtle muted tones with a beautiful graphite sheen. The paints contain fine graphite particles that settle into the paper grain to create a myriad of stunning effects. The subtle and naturally muted colour palette is ideal for urban and natural landscapes as well as expressive art. These versatile paints are also mixable with other Derwent watercolour paints, pencils and blocks. This set comes in small, durable plastic case - conveniently sized for on the go art - and includes a mini water brush, sponge and five mixing palettes.
Things To Try...
~ Explore wet and dry uses of watercolour. There are two main factors to consider when painting with watercolours: wet and dry. As suggested in the name, watercolour is a water-based medium which means you can manipulate the darkness, saturation and placement of the pigment depending on how much water you add. You can also play with the wet and dryness of your paper to create different textured effects.
~ A very important tool to have at hand when working with watercolours is a paper towel/tissue. This will act almost like a kneaded eraser for your watercolours. If you lay down a wash of colour, you can use the tissue to lift some parts of the pigment which is a great way of adding highlights and layers. It can also be useful for correcting mistakes or redirecting the paint – just re-wet the area you want to lift and dab gently.
~ Watercolour is a very versatile medium and there are many techniques to try:
Splattering – add pigment and water to your paint brush, gently pull back the bristles and allow them to snap forward and splatter pigment on your paper. Or you can gently tap the barrel of the paint brush over paper for a similar effect.
Blooming – a technique used to bleed colours into one another. Add a good amount of water to the pigment on your brush and apply to paper and whilst wet repeat with another colour. Whilst still wet you can manipulate the colours to blend on the paper.
Dry Brushing – dry brush painting requires using very little paint and waiter to create a scratchy brush stroke. Dip your brush into paint and water and then dab excess off with a paper towel before applying to paper.
The Wash – typically used for background colour. First wet the paper and then apply pigment. The key is to use a lot of water.Texture – a great way to add texture to your watercolour washes is to lay other materials into your paints to remove or restrict paint flow. Cling film is a great tool for this; Add a small sheet over your wet paint and manipulate with your fingers, leave to dry and remove for a crystal like texture.
Absorption – sprinkling coarse salt on your work (when wet) will suck up the pigment giving a speckled texture. Leave to dry and gently brush off.
~ Masking can be a very useful when using watercolours.If you want to add another layer to your painting butyou don’t want to affect your progress so far, you can use masking tape, your hands, scrap paper or masking fluid to mask areas off before adding other layers.
Notes From The Artist
Claudia Drexhage
For this particular piece I used watercolour in a loose kind of way to allow the naturally expressive quality of watercolour to shine through.
First, I applied watercolour with a small brush on a dry piece of paper in small lines. Then, with a large brush soaked with water I run the brush just along the thin lines to make the paint move.
Little by little I moisten the whole paper with long, fluid brush strokes.I only take a little control over the flow of water as watercolour has a mind of its own – I find it so relaxing and kind of meditative, watching the paint moving and flowing over the paper.
Remember to enjoy it and have fun!