Watercolor pencils allow artists to draw and paint using the same medium. They combine the control of colored pencils with the soft, blended look of watercolors. When using watercolor pencils, having the right blending tools makes all the difference in your final piece. Blending watercolor pencils helps smooth and soften the strokes, remove white gaps, and create subtle gradients between colors. With the right blender, you can transform your pencil sketches into beautiful watercolor paintings.
Blending Tools for Watercolor Pencils
There are several common tools that artists use to blend and smooth watercolor pencil work:
Water Brushes
Water brushes are popular blending tools made specifically for watercolor pencils. They have a hollow barrel and synthetic brush tip designed to dispense water as you paint. Water brushes provide excellent control over the amount and flow of water. The brush tips come in different shapes and sizes, allowing you to blend and smooth small details or large washes.
Natural Hair Brushes
Soft, natural hair brushes are another excellent tool for blending. Brushes made from sable, squirrel, and goat hair hold and release water nicely. A #10 or #12 round watercolor brush works well for most blending. Larger mop brushes can smooth large areas. The soft ends push around and mix the watercolor pencil pigments.
Paper Blending Stumps
Blending stumps are tapered tools made of rolled paper. They have a finely rounded tip that allows you to precisely blend details and small areas. Stumps work similarly to a finger or cotton swab, smoothing and feathering the pencil strokes. They are straightforward to control and great for delicate blending.
Cotton Swabs
Common household cotton swabs work perfectly for blending watercolor pencils. A lightly dampened swab can soften edges and push colors together. The cotton tip also absorbs excess water and pigment. Make sure to use a light touch so you don’t damage the paper surface. Cotton swabs are inexpensive and readily available.
Facial Tissues or Paper Towels
Facial tissues, paper towels, or soft paper napkins can also be used to blot and blend watercolor pencil work. A small bit of damp tissue or towel can soften hard edges and soak up excess pigment. They work well for gradual, subtle blending but are too delicate for scrubbing or vigorous smoothing.
Chamois Cloths
Chamois cloths are very absorbent, flexible leathers made from sheepskin. Their soft, pliable texture makes them ideal for blending large areas of watercolor pencil work. A damp chamois lifts and spreads pigment in a diffused, feathered way. Chamois can also remove scratches and scrapes from heavy-handed early layers of pencil.
Plastic Palette Knives
Flexible plastic palette knives can scrape, spread, and mix wet watercolor pencil pigments. Use the rounded tip to gently lift and move colors together. The thin edge can smooth out texture and brush marks. Palette knives work for blending large wet areas, but are not ideal for precise, controlled blending.
Soft Erasers
Kneaded erasers and soft vinyl erasers gently lift watercolor pencil pigment to lighten or remove color. They provide very subtle blending by feathering and softening edges of overlapping strokes. Erasers work best on small areas and delicate details. Aggressive erasing can damage the paper surface.
Your Fingers
Your own clean, dry fingertips can be used to blend and push around wet watercolor pencil pigments. The warmth and texture of your fingers helps mix and soften colors. Fingertip blending takes practice but allows subtle, organic color transitions. Be careful of over-blending fingerprints into the paint.
Blending Techniques
In addition to having the proper tools, mastering blending techniques is key to creating smooth watercolor pencil effects:
Apply Controlled Water
Wet the blending tool and gently moisten the pencil area to be blended. Work in small sections, using a minimal amount of water. Too much water can cause colors to run and bleed unexpectedly.
Use Light Pressure
Gently run the blending tool over the pencil strokes. Heavy pressure can damage the paper or brush away the color. Light, delicate touches build up the blending gradually.
Blend in Circles
Applying the blender in small circular motions helps mix and push around the pigment. Work from the outside of the area towards the middle to contain the color.
Work Quickly
Blend before the initial layer of pencil has dried for the smoothest effect. Once watercolor pencil layers dry, they become water-resistant. Set a goal to complete blending 1-2 minutes after applying pencil.
Lift Excess Pigment
Use a facial tissue, towel, or dry brush to gently lift and absorb pigment. This softens edges and creates delicate color transitions.
Re-Wet if Needed
If the pencil pigments start to dry out during blending, re-wet the area with clean water. Continue smoothing until you achieve the desired effect.
Watch for Back-Runs
Excess water can pool underneath and cause colors to run backwards outside of the blended area. Absorb excess moisture to prevent back-runs.
Take Your Time
Rushing through blending can cause muddiness and unevenness. Work slowly and gently until you get your desired effect. Watercolor pencil is a very forgiving medium.
Achieving Different Blending Effects
You can create a variety of blending effects using your watercolor pencils and chosen blending tools:
Smooth, Even Blending
– Apply pencil in solid, overlapping strokes
– Use large brush, damp tissue, or wet cotton swab
– Gently sweep across area using light, even pressure
– Result is seamlessly blended color without visible strokes
Graduated, Blended Edges
– Overlap colors so they fade into each other
– Use a damp brush or blender to soften the area where they meet
– Move pigment from the denser area into the lighter area
– Creates a subtle, feathered edge between hues
Wet Blending for Texture
– Apply pencil to textured paper or canvas using linear strokes
– Use a wet brush to move and blend the color
– Let initial texture show through for visual interest
– Allows the paper’s natural look to interact with the pigment
Lifting Out Color
– Apply hard pencil marks then use a very wet brush
– Rub surface in circular motions to lift and move color
– Soften strokes and reveal white of paper below
– Great for adding highlights and creating a glow effect
Over-blending for Mud
– Load brush with lots of water and heavily blend still-damp pencil
– Mix colors together until they lose vibrancy and turn to gray
– Creates low-contrast, hazy effects with muted tones
– Useful for shadows, backgrounds, and stormy weather
| Blending Effect | Technique | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth, Even Blending | Light, consistent pressure with brush across solid pencil | Seamless color without visible strokes |
| Graduated Edges | Soften area between overlapping colors | Subtle, feathered edge between hues |
| Wet Blending for Texture | Brush over pencil on textured paper | Interaction between pigment and surface |
| Lifting Out Color | Vigorously blend wet pencil in circles | Reveals white of paper |
| Over-blending for Mud | Excessive blending of wet pigments | Muted, grayed colors |
Best Paper for Blending
The paper surface plays an integral role in how smoothly you can blend watercolor pencils. The right paper allows you to easily move and manipulate the pigment:
Hot-Pressed Paper
Hot-pressed paper is run through hot rollers during production, resulting in a hard, smooth surface. The compressed fibers allow for beautiful even blending with no tooth or texture. Colors easily run into each other seamlessly.
Cold-Pressed Paper
Cold-pressed paper is pressed without heat, leaving a slight natural texture. The delicate tooth holds pigment with just enough friction for control. The fibers bloom when wet for soft, feathery blending.
Rough Paper
Rough watercolor paper has an extremely pronounced, irregular texture. The valleys created by the rough tooth retain bright pigment and resist blending. Some texture remains even after vigorous smoothing.
Aquabord or Claybord
These boards are coated in absorbent kaolin clay with a silky texture. The clay readily accepts and blends wet pigment. The results are vibrant colors with no hard edges between pencil strokes.
Yupo and Other Synthetics
Non-porous Yupo and plastic sheets have an ultra-smooth surface. Watercolor easily floats around for wet-in-wet blending effects. Use minimal water to avoid overly diluted pigment.
| Paper Type | Surface Texture | Blending Ease |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-pressed | Smooth | Seamless, even |
| Cold-pressed | Moderate tooth | Soft, feathered |
| Rough | Pronounced texture | Retains some texture |
| Claybord | Ultra smooth clay | Vibrant, seamless |
| Yupo | Non-porous plastic | Wet-in-wet washes |
Troubleshooting Common Blending Problems
While blending watercolor pencils can produce beautiful results, beginners often face some common challenges:
Pigments Resist Blending
If your colors won’t mix smoothly, the layer is probably too dry. Re-wet the area with clean water and blend again quickly while wet. Synthetic-tipped blenders won’t move dry pigment.
Colors Bleed or Run Uncontrollably
Too much water makes colors bleed outside their bounds and lose shape. Use a controlled minimal amount of water and blot excess with paper towels. Lifting and reapplying pigment can help regain lost edges.
Over-blending Causes Muddiness
Blending excessively mixes pigments into dull brown or gray mud. To keep colors bright, avoid circular motions. Instead, glide the blender across to simply soften edges between strokes.
Heavy Texture Remains Visible
Some textured papers will retain irregularity even after blending. Try a smooth hot press paper or claybord if you want an entirely even result. Embrace the texture for visual interest.
Hard Edges Remain Between Colors
Letting the initial layers dry too much prevents seamless blending. Re-wet and quickly blend while working. Overlapping wet colors before blending also reduces hard edges.
Colors Lift Off Altogether
Lightly rubbing damp pigments can accidentally remove them entirely, exposing the white paper. Use extremely gentle pressure or switch to a dry blender like a stump. Reapply lifted color.
Conclusion
Mastering watercolor pencil blending takes practice, but the right tools and techniques make the process easier. Start with quality pencils on smooth paper and use a light hand with your blending tools. Remember to work quickly while wet and lift excess pigment to prevent bleeding. With time, you’ll be able to create stunning works full of seamless gradients, smooth washes, and lifelike color transitions. Experiment and find the blending methods you enjoy most!
