Colored pencils are so basic that I think most crafters overlook and underestimate them. If you’ve read my review of the Inktense Pencils, you know that I’m very impressed by Derwent quality & feel that they are a “must have!” Recently, those kind folks sent me the Metallic Pencils to try out, too.
Here’s the product description from the website:
Introduce a little sparkle to your sketches and drawings with these bright, highly reflective pencils. They work best on a dark background (try Derwent Black Books) and can be used on their own or with other media to add brilliant definition and glowing highlights. Derwent Metallic is watersoluble, so you can also create interesting line and wash effects. Great for all kinds of creative projects.
Um. Wait a second. Did you say water-soluable? Swoon!
So of course, I had to start off with some swatching, just to get a feel of how the pencils laid down color on paper…
And then I had to get out my H2O pen and give them another whirl. First on the white cardstock:
The colors stay nice and vibrant on the white background- good for using as washes.
Here on the black, you’ll see the color disappears somewhat. You still get a faint metallic sparkle, but the color dulls significantly.
Next I decided to stamp an image and give it a coloring with the pencils:
I’m a sucker for the water-soluable bit, so I did give it a go-over with an H2O pen. I also used some of those staturated colors as a wash for the background.
Next, coloring on black paper. To create the image, I stamped on the paper and then embossed with clear powder:
Doesn’t the color just pop on the black? OH so much fun!
Here’s another fun tip: draw on the paper with a Blender pen first (I used one by Tombow) and then color over the top. The blender pen will act as a resist, giving you a cool negative image:
Overall, I think these are great. I will probably use it for watercoloring only on light paper, and keep black for sketching/coloring and the resist technique. And really, for under $16 USD these area great value and even come in the tin for easy storage. I think these might be slipping into my traveling craft kit, too! Can’t wait to Zentangle on black paper with these babies…..
I’d love to hear how you use pencils in your art/craft, and what you think of these….
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- SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
- Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
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Wow! I was just recently intoduced to Copic Pens at a Weekend Crop. These are really cool. Who knew pens could do all of this?
I love Derwent pencils, too. Fell in love with the inktense, and just recently realized they had metallics. I wondered what they would be like, thanks for sharing. Will definitely have to add these to my toolbox!
Oh my goodness I can see some great projects being created with those pencils! I do hope that I win them.
Barbara- thanks for your comment, but I’m not giving my pencils away! ; )
Sounds like a cool product Jenny! Love that metallic sheen. Have you tried them for polymer clay transfers? It would be interesting to test them for that to see if they would work.
Cindy- I’ve never done transfers with colored pencils….I’ll look into it!
PS….they are water-soluable pencils…so would that make a difference?
I’m…. In…. Love!!! Omg! I am a due hard colored pencil addict. I own manta Copic markers but still turn to my Prismacolor pencils a lot & my watercolor pencils. I am forever adding Stickles on top for a little shine. With these though… Uh, WOW!!! everything in one pencil! I am so off to seek these bad boys out today! THANKS!!!!
I have been using the metallics for accents and I love them. I haven’t tried using water with them as I like the vibrancy of them as my accents, but I might branch out a bit based on the samples I saw here. 🙂
A friend just gave me a set of these, and I immediately headed for your site to see if you had any info. Of course, you didn’t disappoint!
Thank you so much! I’m glad to know that you got some value from my review. I really think Derwents are my favorite pencils these days- the regular watercolor set is wonderful, too. OH…and I’m going to be reviewing the Inktense Blocks shortly! ; )
Wow, I love it !! It’s so pretty !
I love to blend colors together for more colorful and upbeat art piece, so I was wondering how well do these blend into each other (before and/or after adding water) ? 🙂
Rebecca- you can see that they are water soluable- so they’ll blend well- you just have to watch how much color you put down and how much water you use. Good Luck! -Jenny
I have just received a set of metallic pencils, I love them, they work very well on black paper, I am off now, to make some Christmas cards for some of my friends.
My wife was also very impressed with them, she now wants some.
You say you embossed with clear powder. What is this clear powder? The lines are 3-dimensional and appear as silvery in color. Can you explain what you did and/or what you used? Thank you.
Kathy- thanks for your question and I’m making a follow-up video just for you! 🙂