Top 10 Tips for using Derwent Inktense Blocks & Pencils 😱
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Do you need help with using Derwent Inktense? I'm sharing my 10 best tips for beginners with using Inktense. They're similar to watercolor but different in some pretty major ways!
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A channel for artists from a professional artist. Get motivation, art lessons art tips in painting in acrylics or oil paints, drawing, colored pencil, graphite, & Inktense, Art Marketing tips (learn to sell your own work) from Lisa of Lachri Fine Art.
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Great tips! Another one that I use is that I use a Chinese ink stone (a small stone with a ramp and a well to collect fluid found in many Chinese calligraphy gift sets) to grind some inktense blocks, add distilled water to create a volume of ‘ink’ and use it as is from the well, or use a pipette to transfer to a container for later use….great for mixing two or more colors together.
Instead of laying down your w/c pencil (or Inktense blocks) on a scrap piece of paper, try using Dura-Lar matte (or dry media) “paper”. Since it is made of an acetate type material the pigment is much easier to get off the surface to then put down on your artwork. And ALL of it can be used since it is easily removed from the film, rather than having the pigment soak into your scrap of paper.
I go even further, use regular masking tape waxy still paintable surface. This trick was "discovered" by the brilliant Lindasy Weirich.
Lisa, please can you tell me where i can buy the brushes which you are using. The Name is Teflon Bristol brush, maybe i dont understand the Name correctly? I cant find in the Internet... Thanks a lot 🙏😊
@@tomtop82 You are perhaps looking for Taklon brushes?
@@goilo888 oh, thank you very much! i always understand teflon +lol+ i am not very good in english so its most of the time difficult to understand ... i will see if i can purchase this brushes also in austria :-) Thanks a lot
Jacqui-Holmgren shows how these pencils can be used on fabric for anyone whose interested. Beautiful work Lisa as always. You always give your honest opinion and that makes your channel a must for me. Thank you.
I’m staring at my big box of blocks. They’ve been my “precious” and I keep thinking I have to label and number them and I’m !panicking! over what they’d look like if I didn’t or they broke … Thank you, thank you, thank you! I couldn’t stop looking at yours and how loved and unnumbered they are 😊 and I’m happy!!! Woohoo, thank you! 🌺
I was careful at first. It was such a waste of time. I keep them in their general groups (blues together, greens together etc) but besides that, I just use my scratch paper to check for the color I want :D SOOOOO much easier!
@@Lachri thanks! Gotta use it up! I’m trying a no buy 2022 so this will be their chance to shine! Have a good day! 🌺
To have my own artwork on a tin of art supplies would be such an honour; maybe one day.
Yeah, it's one of the highlights of my art life for sure!
Outstanding advice from an expert in smooth, beautiful, highly technically proficient painting/drawings. Thank you!
Hi, just wanted to say that I used both the blocks and pencils on fabric with fabric medium to make a bouquet of flowers for an album quilt. I heat set it after drying and it worked great. The quilt is hanging on the wall and has not lost any of its colour. Thank you for sharing this with us. Sending best wishes from Down Under 💖💐🌸🌺🇦🇺😎
That's awesome!!
How do you use the fabric medium then? On it’s own and then the Inktense, added in the water or how exactly?
I've been using watercolor for about 3 years. I've had the 72 Intense pencil set for a few years now, but haven't used them much. Hubby gave me the Inktense 72 block set for Christmas yesterday. This demo is very informative and well done. I will be joining your patreon in hopes of leaning to use them effectively and hopefully be able to enjoy and incorporate them in future projects.
I’m joining your patrieon account. Such great information from a natural teacher.
Derwent is so innovative. They are the only ones who sell this type of colored ink blocks. I only wish wish they are more accessible to all countries because the biggest set that I can buy here in the Philippines is 24. Well at least even in small sets, It still have a your art work on the cover and say "I know the artist who drew this artwork" 😁
I totally agree! Also, that's awesome you got some with my work on the tin!!
saiboku shimbi ink sticks. Though I think they are a bit different than these.
Thank you so much for this excellent tutorial! Wish I had watched this before I started my current project! I love your channel Lisa, you're my go-to resource every time I run into a problem with coloured pencils (which is often).
I love Derwent, they are my favorite brand because they produce the most amazing supplies e.g. Inktense, Graphitint, and a wide range of coloured pencils to suit everyone's needs. I just wish they made some of their materials more lightfast
Why? No one sells real art anymore. They all sell prints.
@@phillipstroll7385 I do!
@@phillipstroll7385 I do! And know lots of artists who do sell original artwork.
@@phillipstroll7385 originals get lost or thrown or found in thrift stores, countless hours put into that. I'd rather sell prints....
@@phillipstroll7385 to hang in your own house
Great video. Now we need one with Derwent Graphitint.
OOH you're right! I've not worked with those in a long time!
@@Lachri me either. I had them in my hands last night thinking about what to draw with them.
I hated the pencils so much I gave them away but I recently acquired the pan set and its fab.
@@Lachri We know you already did a how to on graphitint a few years back but an update with new tips may be just what I need to finally 'get' it. :-) Thank you!
So gorgeous! Wonderful tips! This makes me want to get my inktense out to play!
YES!! Go Paint!!
I love that you gave 2 hours free on patreon!! Then I can see if I want to go on further. Thank you so much!! I just started watching you again. I do acrylics normally but sure love these these blocks.
I was glad to hear you find the blocks are brittle. A lot of mine broke just trying to pull them out of their tray!
I started with these a few years ago but I always hated the gritty part of it. Love these tips.
I did recently purchase a Japanese ink stone and have been using that and it also works wonders
OOH that would work great!
I have wondered about using a Japanese ink stone with the blocks…On your recommendation I think I will get one to try.
Nice idea! I went the super cheap route and scribble on a Chinese take out soup lid and use that as my Inktense palette.
@@ContagionStudios what ever works , works. :) true artists are crafty. not only with their paintings but supplies as well ^_^ when I started, I stared with an Easter egg holder that was made out of plastic from the dollar store :)
Every time I see how great these Inktense pencils are, I would love to have them! I ordered 24 pencils, and I'm excited for them to arrive, and the blocks are on my list too, thank you for share your experience with ous🥰🥰🥰
*they are in fact quite amazing once you start using them...a water brush would be helpful for blending techniques at least it has been for me*
Don’t forget you can use them on other surfaces too. Try them on fabric, they are great!
@@scottmantooth8785 thank you for your advice, I appreciate a lot😊
@@ItsOnlyMeAgain oh, thank you, I did not know that they could be used in fabrics, thanks for the idea ❤
I just got my first Inktense pencils...a set of 12 for Mother's Day from my daughter. They're currently 50% off on Amazon right now. I want that set of 72 so bad!!!
This was SO helpful! I got my set of inktense and was so frustrated. After watching this, I'm excited to try again!
Thank you so much for all your shared information. I paint primarily with acrylics and recently discovered acrylic paint pens which I have been using over my acrylic paintings for accents etc. I'm now going to try the inktense as well to see how that works out. Thank you again for the inspiration.
#5 explained what went wrong yesterday. Amazed by the way you blended with the make up brush just like in oils. Thanks Lisa.
Thanks for the anti-smudge tip! I tried once a jaguar with watercolour pencils and made the spots with black inktense pencil because they supposed to be permanent once dried and got super annoyed as they smudged when I applied the rest of the fur. Now I know what did I wrong. I only have a couple of colours and blocks but I think I will revisit them soon ☺️
Hey Katalin, I am an Inktense fan, too, i live in Budapest.
@@miklosnemeth8566 régen nem használtam az inktens készletet, köszi az emlékeztetőt 😁 mostanában inkább akvarellezek 😊 üdv Bécsből
Awesome tips, I might finally open that box of inktense blocks thanks to you 👍
YAY!!
Just bought the Inktense pencils. I’ve been putting off trying them, now can’t wait to crack the tin! Thank you!
Have fun!
Interesting video. I just bought a set of these, I will try them soon. As an artist I like to experiment with new supplies.
Thank you for all this useful information! I have inktense pencils and small paint pan sets but now I want (and can justify) getting some inktense blocks.
I got a set of 12 blocks and a couple open stock. That was how I started. I have a credit with Amazon so I think it’s time to use it up and get a full set of pencils. TIP… use a piece of clear laminate film as a palette. Run a sheet of white paper and film thru the machine, the heat seal both sides. Bingo you have a a white palette to test colours and you can use ALL the paint because it lifts up off the film
thanks Lisa, I bought these over a year ago, but really didn't understand how to use them correctly. I started mixed media, and these would be nice. And I'm learning watercolors as well.
Did you know you can use them on fabric please check out Jaqui-Holmgren she has a great channel as well showing how to do this.
I got a set of the pencils for Christmas so fascinating 😮to use really unique 😊
Derwent inktense pencils are on my Christmas list!!
Same i get them for christmas 😍❤
Wow! Wow! Wow! You taught me things I didn’t even know I needed to learn. 🤯 Warm wishes from Minnesota! ❤❤❤
YAY!! Glad I could help! :D
Yay! You finally tried Arches! Good for you! 😃
Thanks for those tips. I had problem with smoothing large areas. Now I know how to do this.
i was very happy to have your artwork on the inktense pan. your work is amazing
Wonderful video. I'm a hobbyist so on the fence about buying these so is very helpful information.
Beautiful owl! Once again, awesome tips! Thank you so much for mentioning what paper you use for the Inktense. I was wondering since I just bought them.
Glad it was helpful!
Arches Hot Pressed Watercolor Paper
I love your work. Thank you for answering my questions.
Very cool drawings!
I have the Inktense pencils in your beautiful tin! I really want the blocks but that’s down the road a bit! Love these tips and the owl is incredible! Thanks for sharing!
Great video on inktense. Thanks for all tips and ur artwork is very very beautiful
Thank you!
I'm loving this. I just ordered some inktense blocks. Looking forward to it.
I bought some hot press watercolor paper this year, and I hate it! I got it for an online watercolor class, and then ended up not finishing because I was so frustrated with my paper. I’ve looked for help, and I’m honestly not finding any. The few artists who demo it, act as though the difference isn’t that great, but it is. I have one large Arches sheet that I’m actually giving to an artist friend (she given me a lot of art supplies over the years), but I still have a block of Fabriano hot press. Both of those are good brands, so I know that’s not the problem.
As it happens, I do have Inktense pans and pencils, and now I’m wondering if I might be able to do something with them on hot press. I looked through your videos to see if you did watercolor on hot press, and didn’t see anything, which is fine. At one point, I thought hot press was what I needed for detail, and I know it is good for that. However, the pain of getting to that point in a painting doesn’t seem worth it. I’m so much happier when I’m using cold press.
(Also, I remember watching one of your videos a few years ago when you said someone complained about how fast you talk. That’s exactly what I like about you!!! You keep things moving along, and your interesting (and funny!). I can always slow the video/audio down a little if I want.) Never change!!!
Pretty Bird and sweet use of the Inktense medium too! Keep the informative videos comin'! Thanks!
Wow, very creative and beautiful owl, I really like it. And your tips concerning pencils are very useful, thank you
The makeup brush! Genius
Well done, great tips.
for me they are unfortunately only lying around since I got along well with watercolor paints. they are from the time when I preferred aquarelle pencils and wanted a color complement to my Albrecht Dürer.
Spesialiseer video. Was always interested in this product and I've heard and seen mixed reviews. I'm currently in my fountain ink phase but i just may buy a set and give them go.
This owl is utterly fabulous!!!
Thank you
Awesome video, thanks for the tips! I love my inktense so much.
I have a small set of Inktense and don't care much for them. My concern is, Lightfast ratings not present on the packaging or on pencils. Not easily re-workable when dry, Once wet, only 40 of the 72 colors available or 55% are considered to be lightfast. Majority of the non-lightfast colors are in the yellow-orange, orange, red and fuchsia range. Not ideal for selling originals if a piece includes a range of warm hues. I am a professional water-colorist and these are not very pigmented compared to what I'm used to, which is real artist grade watercolor paint. I do however Love my Caran D Ache watercolor pencils. Expecting my Faber Castell Albrecht Dürer, Artists' Watercolor Pencils to arrive soon.
Thank you.
Wow had no idea that was your artwork. You must be so proud. I have just bought some blocks, so this will be useful. I bought them to try and do blocks of colours in outdoor sketching.
What would you say the advantage is over watercolour?
This was really informative. I had no idea the blocks and pencils behaved so differently.
Beautiful owl! Thank you for the tips! I have a 24 set of the pencils and blocks, which I love using. Also, I have tried wax crayons with Inktense, the Inktense just goes over it like it wasn't there! Though I still am trying it with salt. I know it won't work as well as normal watercolors but I love the effect that salt gives.
Have you tried using the wax crayons on top of the inktense instead?
Could you please repeat your reference to the light fast aspect you spoke about
Is there a fixities that can be used on inktense work
i am surprised that you haven't had luck with pencils over Inktense. I use wax and oil pencils all the time over them and have had no flaking at all. One of my favourite combinations. Odd how experiences differ.
🤔 I wonder if it's to do with the surface? I've had mixed results on my watercolour papers, mixed right across the price range. What paper are you using?
Thanks for the fun and informative video. With all the different sets available, I am curious which ones you think are good for whom. For example, if you love the blocks, is the largest set really the best? Are some sets better for certain types of art subjects (animal, landscape, floral, etc.)? I really enjoyed hearing the difference between the blocks and the pencils and how you like to layer the pencils over the blocks. So I thought I would ask this palette-building question that plagues my brain. Thank you for all the information that you share!
okay so where do the half pans fit in as far as opaque / dark /light as compared to the blocks and pencils you mentioned?
I don’t like the sandpaper technique, it’s still paper so can get mushy and will damage some (of the more delicate) paint brushes. Knowing the palette Caran d’Ache has, I have replicated that with a small plastic cutting board or little bread board, found a white one. Although it lives with my Neocolor II’s when not in use since I don’t particularly use Inktense that way
What could be the reason that my dried artwork always has a chalky finish? (I almost ALWAYS just take the paint from the pencil instead of using the pencil directly onto the paper.)
It looks SO good when it’s wet, but once it dries, it seems chalky. 😔
You art the reason I bought inktense pencil and they were my inside door to watercolors which I was afraid of. Now I would like to do a painting on wood. Are inktense suitable for it? Maybe with Gesso under? I assume on acrylics would be best for wood but J don’t want to bug additional art materials as I would need everything for acrylics (paint/ Brushes etc)
Rather than using a sanding block and losing some of your medium to the paper and its grit, have you used that rough Caran d'Ache palette? I have one, but haven't put it to use yet with my Neocolor IIs or watercolour pencils, or even my Inktense products.
I saw that in a video the other day! But my first thought was, that looks like a plastic cutting board. I saw another comment that says they scribble on a plastic takeout lid as a palette.
I have that caran d'ache palette and use it with inktense and it works fine. Use a magic eraser the clean it.. 😉
Lovely
Thank you ❤️
What can you say about putting fixative or varnish over it?
I've used a UV protecting spray with no trouble. Just do a test first on another sample before spraying anything on your finished project just in case, and apply it in very light layers.
Gorgeous
Hi, I'm very confused and frustrated as I have purchased a selection of inktense colours both in pencil and block form to try out.
I have tried both forms on both mixed media paper and cold press WC paper, both seem to unexpectedly lift/smudge with a damp brush once dried.
In both cases I'm not directly applying the pencil/block to the paper
I just wondering if you I'm doing something wrong. Any Help would be appreciated, thanks
Great video! Love all your videos 😊😍
If you had to choose between the Derwent Inktense and the Derwent Watercolour pencils (I know they are very different) for someone looking at starting to use pencils with water which would you choose? I've watched all your reviews, both here and on patreon and just can't decide which to get for myself 🙈
Also if you ever put up reference photos of your Greyhounds you would make me a very happy patron😂😂😁😁
Ooooh that's soooo hard! I love them both! I felt that inktense were a bit easier to get the hang of. Almost like they prepared me better for some of the challenges of working with watercolor. I've always said that Inktense feel like a mix of acrylics (which are permanent so great for layering) and watercolor which are super translucent (like inktense) but not permanent so that can be more of a challenge when it comes to layering.
I will try and get some good photos of the greyhounds for this month's patreon reference photos
@@Lachri thanks so much for taking the time to reply 💜
Inktense it is then!
And YAY(!!!!!!!!!) for the greyhound reference photos 🍾🍾🥳🥳🎉🎉💃💃
Most places have them open stock so you can just get a few to start with. I like them too.
Absolutely love this owl painting and thus video. My husband just purchased me the inktense pencils with a coloring book. I currently do acrylic paint but haven’t had access to them since July 2022. So my husband thought this would be fun. So if course I now had to do research and I came across you snd this wonderful video. I’m intrigued with your patreon but would I have to have the blocks? And do all your videos have the traceables?
The blocks will make it easier. I have one lesson of the dolphin (the one I painted for the cover of the tin of the inktense pencils you now have) on my patreon where I show you how do use the pencils without the blocks though. As for "traceables", this is a term used by crafter type artists like tole painting, not fine art (which is what I teach). I provide the reference photo or tell you where you can get it and then you can trace that. Tracing someone else's line drawing leads to more inaccurate work AND it doesn't help teach you to see or draw more accurately. You want to stick with tracing actual photos if you want to improve your skills and create more accurate work :)
Great demo - I am buying the three types of Inktense products. But you mentioned they aren’t lightfast - I thought when they said Permanent they meant lightfast. Can you explain please? Thanks!
Permanent means the color won't lift (like watercolor does), where lightfast means they won't fade when exposed to light. Hope that helps :)
@@Lachri Thank you - I was confused, not usually a water color person - but I have a project that I would like to have major light-fastness. What I think I have learned is that most people make high quality prints to keep the colors bright. I never thought of that - and it's a great idea, but I like giving original artwork to friends and family so am a bit disappointed.
When using the pencils do you keep them sharp like colored pencils or if blending them out use them dull?
Great question! Only for smaller details. If you blend them out with water there is no real need to keep them sharp.
Thank you
Have you tried the Inktense paper yet? I’m so curious about it.
If you were to put this in a gallery, what would medium would you label itm? A watercolor?
Inktense. It's it's own medium. 😊
Thanks
If you were gifting the original, roughly how much protection does the uv spray and glass give? Would it be ok out of direct light?
Awesome owl…..what size paper & are you painting vertical or on table?
I have a bunch of inktense pencils and had no idea they could do that.
Where did you find spiral bound Arches? OMG!! I need it!
OH, that sample was just a mixed media paper. The artwork itself was done on arches. Sorry to get you excited for nothing :P
@@Lachri
Damn it!!! Oh well, one can dream.
Great video, and such a beautifOWL painting! (sorry!)
LOL
Oh, you can use a UV fixative spray for the Inktense??? That would be awesome, because you can sell the original...
You can and it will help but it's still not quite the same as using pigments that are lightfast :)
@@Lachri oh, ok, I get it, yeah, it should not be the same, thank you 😊👍🏻
I purchased the inktense blocks & pencils myself, but I'm a bit reluctant to use them just for the issue you stated about the lightfastness! Would you still not take a chance at selling a piece even if you protect it with a couple coats of a UV spray and or varnish?
I’ve noticed no fading over time with mine. They also photograph/scan very nicely for prints.
Some of the colours are rated an 8 on the blue wool scale, and with the blocks there are only 9 out of the entire set of 72 rated a 6 or below (which is "good" and corresponds to ASTM II or lasting 50-100 years in museum conditions) with the lowest being 0600 Shiraz getting a 4/5 rating (ASTM III, 15-50 years). The pencils are formulated differently and especially around the oranges, reds, pinks, and purples there are 21 rated 6 or below (with 0530 Crimson being a 2 on the blue wool scale, 0510 Cherry being 3, and 1710 Amber being 3 - all classed as ASTM IV, 2-15 years; ). I've not done any work with these that's had long term exposure but if you kept to the 7 and 8 colours and work more with the blocks it's going to be a bit more lightfast.
If you had to chose pencils or blocks which would you start with?
Hi. Do you offer traceables on your pattern? Thank you
#Lisa thank for the tips in this video.
When I use inktense no matter how much I activated it even using the block it reactivates after dry. I have no Idea what I am doing wrong...
I shall try again.
I have the same problem, watched this video and had a lightbulb moment and tried painting it straight from the block, nope still reactivated! Tried different paper, another nope! I can even rub it off with my finger! Only plus side about inktense for me is that I have some of Lisa’s stunning artwork! 😊
This lady is an amazing artist and a great teacher but she sure does talk fast, I struggle to keep with her lol 😂
LOL don't worry, you're not alone 😂
@@Lachri no offence intended. I love watching your videos and I learn a lot. 🙂
Yes I agree :) and as a french woman it's a painting lesson as well as en english lesson.
do they really stay permanently? i see a lot of reviews of people saying the layers underneath reactivate.
From what I've seen, when they reactivate it was because that layer wasn't blended all the way with water. This is especially the case when you shade the paper directly with the block or pencil. Chunks will stick to the paper and if it doesn't get all the way blended out, it will reactivate. When I use them like I would with watercolor, mixing the block with water in a palette then applying THAT mixture to the paper I don't see any reactivation. Whenever I apply directly to the paper with the pencil or block I NEVER get it mixed all the way out so I have to be careful when blending water over those areas later.
@@Lachri thank you for explaining that to me! now i am even more set on getting some blocks!
Can I use Ph. Martin's bleed proof white instead of inktense since my white block got used up ?
I've not tried that myself so I'm not sure what the results would be. It might be amazing, so worth giving it a try on test paper for sure!
@@Lachri thank you :) mixing it with Derwent inktense does give an opaque gouache like look but you are THE Artist who introduced me to inktense medium and everything that I have learnt is by watching your videos . I will keep trying till I better myself .
Are these lightfast?
Great video! Are these Derwent Inktense available in Europe?
Yes
They should be but I can't find them online or in any stores in Denmark. The blocks are impossible to get. Not sure if it's due to corona or just high demand for the product 🤷🏻♀️
@@omdhdk I am from Germany.
🥰🥰😉
The sandpaper is damaging the brushes!!!!
First
Thanks