Colored Pencils Plus: Watercolor and Colored Pencils

Colored pencils Plus Module 1
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Lesson Description

In this lesson series, we’ll combine watercolor and colored pencils to create a still life of tomatoes.

Lesson 1 - Materials and Sketch

In this lesson, we explore the materials and surface that will be used and create the sketch of the subject with a pencil.

Lesson 2 - Watercolor Part 1

In this lesson, we begin with watercolor washes to the tomatoes.

Lesson 3 - Watercolor Part 2

In this lesson, we complete the watercolor applications.

Lesson 4 - Colored Pencils Part 1

In this lesson, we begin colored pencil applications.

Lesson 5 - Colored Pencils Part 2

In this lesson, we complete the colored pencil applications and apply the strong highlights.

Watercolor and Colored Pencils - Tomatoes

Lesson Materials

  • Stonehenge Cold Press Watercolor Block
  • H Graphite Pencil
  • Winsor and Newton Field Watercolor Set
  • Prismacolor Premiere Colored Pencils

(Links to materials are affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you purchase and no additional cost to you.)

Lesson Resources

References

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Lesson Discussion

    • Hi Gail,

      Mixed media can be used as the medium description when you use more than one medium. Using watercolor and just gouache can be described as a “watercolor” painting. But when colored pencils are used as well, I would describe the work as “mixed media”. I hope this helps.

  1. Dear Matt,

    This is so great. I justed finished the marshland landscape (live lesson) and was exploring my next project. Since I want to jog my brain and practise, I will draw along with this course as it comes time by time.

    May you never loose your dedication and feel happy with it.

    My husband told me the other day, he can see great improvements in every drawing or painting I finish. This is not all about practise, but about having great teachers with you and Ashley.

    Merry Christmas,
    Budd

  2. MATT,

    Loving this course! But then colored pencils are my favorite. I’m struggling with the watercolors but I am determined to figure out how not to have puddles! The current live lesson is really helping me with this.

    Thank you for all your awesome teaching! You have been the best art teacher I have ever had.

    Happy Holidays
    June

  3. What a wonderful course! I have been absent for a while and was thrilled when I joined again and saw this new course. Just WOW!

    I couldn’t believe it. The Water Colour Field Box you use in this course is the same one, with the same colours that my father had, which has since made its way to me.

    It has been sitting unused for years. I am so thrilled to finally use it.

    Thank you so much Matt. You are the best teacher ever. How I wish I had you when I was at school.

  4. Gidday Matt,

    Being new to watercolours, I have no idea with regards to the size of the brushes. I’ve only got a couple of cheap and nasty brushes, which don’t really do justice.

    Could you please advise two or three sized brushes you would recommend. I have to order online, as the nearest art shop from me is 2 hours drive away. The downside is, I have no idea what each size looks like (i.e. how suitable they are for precision work or washes, for example).

    Cheers.

    • Hi Pandora,

      Brush sizes are relative to the brand. There can be great variety in the numbers between different brands. For Grumbacher Goldenedge brushes, I would suggest a round (#00) for details and a round (#4) for larger areas.

  5. Hi Matt. I apologize if this question is already answered somewhere else, but I wanted to pick your brain about water colors.

    I purchased the Derwent water color pencils but I am unsure if I should be using them more like an oil based pencil, color in layers and use water, or if I should be making a little puddle on the side, mixing with water and then using a brush to color so that it resembles more of a pallet like yours. I hope the question makes sense.

    Thank you in advance!

  6. If I bring a watercolor painting to the degree of completion you did in the first parts of this lesson, I usually decide I’m finished. How do you decide it needs to have colored pencil added? I understand this course is all about adding colored pencil, but my question is why would I want to add the colored pencil to an already detailed watercolor painting? If you had simply blocked in local colors and added most of the detail and shading with colored pencils, I’d understand better (and I’ve done that myself in the past), but how do I know when to do it this way rather than simply being satisfied with the detailed watercolor painting? (I tend to be more of a watercolor purist, I guess.)

  7. I’m off to get a Posca Marker and a colorless blender. Good lesson. Colored pencils don’t want to cover on my 150 lb watercolor paper.

  8. Hi mat I only have very cheap pencils other than my Derwent watercolour pencils and limited paper selection, the best paper is 300 gms watercolour pad from Reno art and a 190 gms watercolour paper pad from Montmartre is there any suggestion on how best to follow with this
    tutorial any suggestions welcome thankyou, have a great day.

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