Watercolor pencils look like regular colored pencils, but brush them with water and the color turns into paint. Kids find it magical, and it’s a great way to try painting with less mess.
How to use them
- Color the shape like normal, with light to medium pressure.
- Dip a brush in water and dab off the extra.
- Brush over the color gently. It turns to paint.
- Let it dry before adding more color.
Tips for success
- Use thicker paper. Thin paper wrinkles. Cardstock or watercolor paper is best. Printer paper works for small areas.
- Barely wet brush. Too much water makes puddles.
- Light layers. You can add more color after it dries.
- Clean the brush between colors.
Fun effects
- Blended skies and seas. Color blue and green, then brush to blend.
- Soft fur. Brush lightly for a soft look.
- Dry details. Add dry pencil lines on top after the paint dries.
- Wet paper. Color on damp paper for bold, fuzzy color.
Great pages for watercolor pencils
- Underwater scenes in Trace Then Color: Fish, Sea Creatures and More
- Mermaid tails and dreamy skies in Trace Then Color: Mermaids, Unicorns and Other Cute Stuff
If you’re coloring a book page, put something waterproof behind it, or photocopy the page onto thicker paper first.
See blending colors for kids and mixed media coloring.
Water brushes (with water in the handle) are less spill-prone for younger kids.
Questions parents ask
What age can kids use watercolor pencils?
From about 5 or 6, with help using the water.
Can I use them dry?
Yes. They work like regular colored pencils without water.
Will water ruin a coloring book?
It can wrinkle thin pages. Use thicker paper or a copy of the page.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
