This post may contain affiliate links.
One of our favorite ways to get creative is with watercolors because they’re so simple to use and low on the mess factor! We recently started using watercolor pencils
and have had great results using a technique I found via Holly at My Sister’s Suitcase. Let’s show you how!
Step 1: Choose a favorite picture from a coloring book or print an image from online. We always find fun ones at this site. You’ll want to choose a fairly simple design for your first attempt, especially with younger kiddos.
Step 2: Tape the original image on a window or sliding glass door, then tape a piece of watercolor paper over the top. Choose a colored pencil and begin tracing the image, focusing first on the main outline, then filling in any details. It was a rainy, dreary day so we improvised and took turns shining a flashlight on the papers to easily see the outlines.
Step 3: Remove the image you traced and take a seat, the fun is just beginning! Color your outline in, encouraging the kids to take their time and use smooth strokes with the pencil.
Step 4: After the picture is all colored, take your brush and begin to add water over the pencil lines, smudging and blurring as you go. There really is no right or wrong way to do this, encourage the kids to experiment with more or less water to control the color intensity. We generally start in the middle of the page and work our way out to the edges.
Step 5: Let the picture dry and then display the masterpiece your little artist created!
Here’s the original image and the one with watercolor pencils.
Ashley says
What!? Watercolour pencils is a thing? Where the heck have I been? I definitely need to buy some for use in my art journal. 😮 So glad I noticed your link (on the Mix-it-up-Monday party).
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun together! Any kind of art is a great rainy day activity.
Kira Lewis says
Ha! Ashley, you made me laugh. I said the same thing to Michelle when I saw this. Super cool, I can’t wait to try it with my own kids!
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
How pretty! I’ve never tried watercolor pencils, but I love how they come out! #pintorials
Eileen Teo says
Watercolour pencil bring so much of my childhood memory! Thanks for sharing it with us! #pintorials
Julie says
I remember watercolour pencil crayons from when I was a teenager, I used to use them a lot for my O level art pieces (that’s how old I am – O levels were replaced in the Uk way back in the 80’s!)
I know I bought some for my kids but they never loved them quite as much as I had. I especially used to love the graduated effect you can get if you press really hard with the pencil in some places and almost no pressure in others , then gently paint over with the water. I used to use it for petals and think I was some sort of amazing artist.
Thank you so much for sharing your kids artwork. I have really enjoyed this trip down memory lane!