Derwent Inktense Pencils 72 Tin

Latest purchase is the 35-pencils set, though have bought several smaller sets in earlier years. Fabulous saturation and intensity! If used dry at maximum pressure, some of these (for instance, dark purple, bark, peacock blue) can mass as almost black but then can be used as a lighter color via light pressure. The black mass looks almost charcoal-y with some of these colors. Then, when you add water, wow! It's like each pencil is 2 or 3 in one.

Because of my tendency to be fussy, I like sketching with indelible pencils. They can't be erased, so you need to really commit to a line, live with mistakes and learn to work with them. For a long time, I used a pile of Eberhard Faber Blu-Black ink pencils for this purpose. The line they make is beautiful, and you can wet them down to make them permanent. However, when it came time to replace my pencils, I discovered they were no longer made, and the ones you can find on auction sites go for a premium (people collect pencils, go figure). I cast about for a replacement for my beloved Blu-Blacks, and someone suggested Inktense.While these pencils do not produce the beautiful silky line of my old pencils, they are amazing in their own right. Soft and responsive to ... MoreBecause of my tendency to be fussy, I like sketching with indelible pencils. They can't be erased, so you need to really commit to a line, live with mistakes and learn to work with them. For a long time, I used a pile of Eberhard Faber Blu-Black ink pencils for this purpose. The line they make is beautiful, and you can wet them down to make them permanent. However, when it came time to replace my pencils, I discovered they were no longer made, and the ones you can find on auction sites go for a premium (people collect pencils, go figure). I cast about for a replacement for my beloved Blu-Blacks, and someone suggested Inktense.While these pencils do not produce the beautiful silky line of my old pencils, they are amazing in their own right. Soft and responsive to pressure, they provide a good range of values when sketching. And they make lovely permanent washes and crisp lines when used with water.I'm now addicted to Inktense. I have a good assortment of colors now, using them for color studies and quick paintings in my sketchbook. I'm terrible with watercolors but love the look of watercolor paintings, and I love layering and glazing; Inktense pencils seem to have been made for people like me. Since the pigment becomes permanent once the water dries, you can glaze and layer colors to your heart's content. The pencils give you a measure of control over your lines and saturation that I (terrible artist that I am) don't get with brushes when using water media.One caveat: check the lightfastness ratings on Derwent's site if you intend to make pieces for display. The pencils especially are all over the map when it comes to permanence, and most unfortunately the beautiful reds suffer most from this issue. You might be able to find the same color with better lightfastness in Derwent's Inktense blocks or paint sets. I'm told this is due to different binders and manufacturing processes for each product.A solid product from a solid company.

These pencils are unlike anything I've ever used, but they feel like they were made for me! I can't choose just one medium to focus on, I want to do them all. My main focus is on Creative Journaling, and I use watercolors, and colored pencils - both regular, and watercolor, and I own just about every pen known to man!I got to sample these pencils from BzzAgent in exchange for an honest review, and I was so excited!! While I was waiting on shipping, I lived on the Derwent website/blog to get an idea of what Inktense was, and could be used for - the possibilities are endless! They can be used as regular colored pencils, and like watercolor pencils, but once you get the color wet, - it's permanent.It's not as scary as it sounds!I told you I can't choose a medium, ... MoreThese pencils are unlike anything I've ever used, but they feel like they were made for me! I can't choose just one medium to focus on, I want to do them all. My main focus is on Creative Journaling, and I use watercolors, and colored pencils - both regular, and watercolor, and I own just about every pen known to man!I got to sample these pencils from BzzAgent in exchange for an honest review, and I was so excited!! While I was waiting on shipping, I lived on the Derwent website/blog to get an idea of what Inktense was, and could be used for - the possibilities are endless! They can be used as regular colored pencils, and like watercolor pencils, but once you get the color wet, - it's permanent.It's not as scary as it sounds!I told you I can't choose a medium, but I never said I was good at any of them - so I was scared! So, just like with any new art supply, I did swatches, and practiced blending, while watching videos, and I started to feel a lot less anxious! I have a couple projects that I want to share so you can see how vibrant the colors are and to show different ways the Inktense can be used.I worked on a page in my art journal and used multiple techniques in multiple layers. There wasn't anything I tried that the pencils couldn't do. Dry on dry, dry on wet, wet on dry, wet on wet - I loved seeing how they reacted! The first layer was wet on wet just to get a base down. After I wet the page, I used a brush to wet the pencil, and just dotted the brush on the page. They blend so beautifully! I drew some, and went over it with a wet brush, and I painted some on top of that. I also made a color spray, and used my favorite fling and splatter technique with different brushes. I tried it all! I think the pic I've showed here is going to be the final project.I found a shaving cream technique on the Derwent website, and lost an entire day making things!! I just want you to see how well they explained it, because my picture looks pretty close to theirs. You don't have to be a seasoned artist to use these - you just feel like one! I tried other colors, and tried it on a shirt, too! Make sure to check their site if you need inspiration.On all the blogs, websites, and YouTube, I found that the main thing commenters would ask was about Inktense on fabric. There is a lot of great stuff out there, people are so creative. I have been working on some a little different... I am distressing a shirt. I started by just doodling the Green Day grenade on the bottom, and went over it with a paintbrush and water. I wanted to keep drawing so I did the anarchy symbol, and another band logo and threw it in the wash. I didn't wipe off any shavings or little pieces, I left it just like it was, and loved the outcome. That's when I decided to distress the entire shirt. I made another spray with a different bottle, and that gave the rings you see, there is a lot of fling & splatter, too. I haven't decided on the main image (Social Distortion logo), but the pic is of the bottom edge, and it's been through three washings! I'm going to add this review on my blog, and I'll add more pictures there.I did everything here, and more, with the set of 12 pencils! As soon as I can afford it, I'm upgrading to a larger set! I thought they were expensive at first, but after using them, I understand why. They are worth every penny.I just can't stop! My review is late, and my house needs dusting, but I want to find something else to draw on!I can't wait to try everything else by Derwent!! The website shows products I didn't know I HAD to have! This company knows artists, and how they think. I will be checking the Derwent brand first every time I need something, because it would be stupid to waste my money somewhere else just to be disappointed. I'm a customer for life!I also want to thank BzzAgent for giving me the opportunity to try these! I didn't know anything about them, but now I can't wait to get more!