Wet techniques transform colored pencil work from flat graphic marks into flowing washes and gradients. Prismacolor's water-soluble formulation maintains the control of dry pencil application while enabling watercolor effects when you introduce moisture, apply pigment precisely where you want it, then activate with a damp brush to blend and soften. Superior lightfastness means finished pieces resist fading, crucial for work you'll frame or sell. Professional-grade pigments deliver rich color whether applied dry for detailed line work or dissolved for atmospheric backgrounds. Thick, soft cores lay down substantial color that responds immediately to water, creating smooth transitions without the grainy streaking common in student-grade watercolor pencils. The formulation matches Prismacolor's standard colored pencils in hue and consistency, letting you combine both types seamlessly within a single composition, watercolor pencils for areas requiring fluid transitions, traditional pencils for crisp details that stay put. Tin packaging protects pencils during transport and provides organized storage. The 12-color set covers essential primaries and earth tones for learning the medium. The 24-color set adds expanded mixing options and neutral greys. The 36-color set includes specialized hues like non-photo blue and extended warm/cool options for complex color work.