just coming back into watercolor... and this is leading me to sketching

[nick57]

I was wondering if you could offer me some guidance/suggestions etc on what are the best drawing pencils, also pastel pencils as these are what I am looking at to extend my work somewhat.
some makes I am looking at are
Derwent,
stabilo
caran d'arche
Rembrandt

and maybe some others,

can you please offer me a critique on these,
Derwent seem to have the broadest most diverse range but, would you buy these against the others? One aspect is my using these in conjunction with watercolors, though very much as stand alone sketching in the field..

again all drawing and pastel pencils, any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Yorky]

Hi Nick. Actually I find a fine HB propelling pencil the best option for sketching before watercolours.

Doug

[nick57]

its been a while away from wetcanvas, Yorky !!! I have grown a bit wooden with oils lately and need to have a rest so am starting watercolor again, very pleased so far, but two things. I am hoping to do some mixed techniques using pastels, pastel pencils, and two, I wish to go out in the field and so some sketching, basically all these run into each other for me. I have a good range of pastels and watercolors, but feel pastel pencils would give me even greater scope, and of course, I am looking to sketching now, not something I excel at??? but I have the urge so, why hold back????

basically I am looking for ideas, more than anything else.

[nick57]

oh, most important, I wish to combine these at some point in my watercolor... so, am looking for flexibility and choice. I do wonder though reading some reviews here, if all the major brands are to be recommended, and if only our personal preferces come into play?

[Studio-1-F]

Hi, Nick! Watercolors are used by many as an 'underpainting' layer for pastel paintings.

For more on this see:
-- McKinley's vid Bold Underpaintings
-- Watercolor Washes Under Pastel

As for recommendations and discussions of pastel pencils, ask in the Pastel Forum here.

EDIT: If you'd like to try out various pencils, Dakota offers a Sample Pack. I don't have extensive experience with them, but my fav pastel pencil right now is CarbOthello.

Jan

[nick57]

thank you for this. I am coming round to buying Derwent who have a new range, improved, I believe and also buy stabilo carbothelo, I did some reading and found a post on this subject. ir shiows what other artists are doing , using.I am always interested in what others say,
these two will provide all the shades and colors.

[luicre]

I have had very good experience with CarbhOtello Stabilo pastel pencils..some of them are a dream to work with....I have also some Cretacolors, the reds and pinks are very good pencils. I have not practiced with the greens but overall Cretacolor pastel pencils are good. I have tried Derwent and I find them kind of waxy......I don´t use them often....

I have also heard that Gioconda´s are good , have great pigmentation...

Graphite pencils for sketching...as Yorky said...a good HB....A good 2b and 3b....coult be Faber Castell 9000, great ones, or the clutch pencils from Staedtler, also great ones...


The few times I have sketched from life (persons )I have used just one pencil....I din´t have time for a broader variety of graphite´s grades....but if you are going to sketch from Nature then carrying some pastels it´s always a good choice.

Good luck and happy drawing!

Saludos

Luicre

[nick57]

thats very helpful, luicre. I have just ordered the Carbothelo and the Derwent now, so should have plenty of choice. As for pencils I have a small set of mixed, but keep losing them I put them in a safe place and forget. !!! I will find them though,
I want to catch the autumn colors now.

[nick57]

Oh, I believe Derwent have revamped their pastel pencils, making them softer, saw it on one of the supplier sites.