Derwent Graphitint Pencils Review

Derwent Graphitint Review

Derwent Graphitint pencils are graphite pencils from the professional line of Derwent, 24 different colors, very calm, not bright. I would say that the series has a restrained, noble color scheme, because graphite (the base of these pencils) is gray itself. All colors of this line have a grayish tint: gray-green, gray-blue, gray-lilac, beige.

I have a set of 12 colors for testing.

The degree of softness of the lead is not indicated, according to my feelings, it is close to B (soft). You can work with them like ordinary graphite pencils, with the only difference that the drawing will not turn out to be gray, but with different shades.

But I was more interested in the possibility of blurring Derwent Graphitint with water. It was nice to note that the paint was blurred with a rather soft brush – you don’t have to keep a special very resilient brush close at hand.

When washed with water, the strokes do not completely disappear, leaving traces on the relief of the paper that resemble the pigment precipitated in a watercolor spot. We get an effect very similar to granulation (very fashionable among watercolors). But this is not granulation in its pure form, but its imitation.

Blurry spots look like watercolor, a second attempt to blur them will have no effect, it is impossible to wash them off.

If, when applied dry, the colors of the pencils are very delicate, then after blurring the color becomes brighter.

It is important to note: Unlike regular graphite pencils, Derwent Graphitint is practically indestructible with an eraser.

The impossibility of correction is a minus in academic drawing, but a huge plus in sketching! Painting with indelible materials makes the hand harder, more confident. Attempting to blend the colors with a dry blend did not work – it turned out to be a darker gray. But by blurring the superimposed colors with water, you can achieve new shades.

By applying strokes on wet paper, we get a brighter color than dry. The strokes do not flow. After drying, these strokes cannot be blurred.

These crayons can be dry applied over watercolor stains, revealing the relief of the paper for textured effects.

Also, pencils can be applied over watercolors, followed by blurring – the effect of a watercolor glaze is obtained. At the same time, the texture remains on the paper.

In theory, pencils seemed to me a good alternative to watercolor for sketching in museums (as some museums prohibit the use of water and other solvents). And I did some sketches from the exhibition.

But practice has shown that drawing with pencils takes more time (shading takes longer than filling with watercolors). You also need a device for conveniently storing pencils by weight (for example, a belt bag). So I kept the whole set for studio use, putting just a couple of my favorite flowers in my travel pencil case.

I enjoyed working the most in mixed media, combining pencils with watercolors and a white gel pen. The pencils gave a beautiful texture to the brick wall.

Using the Derwent Graphitint pencil set , you don’t have to be afraid that the work in the sketchbook will look too motley and scattered. All pencil colors are muted and blend beautifully.