Watercolour is often associated only with paint, water, and paper, but in reality there are many additives and mediums that can alter the behaviour of colour and open up new techniques. Some help achieve greater control, while others add texture, transparency, or special effects. Although mediums are not essential in watercolour painting, they can significantly expand creative possibilities and make experimenting even more exciting.
Derwent paint pans offer a practical and compact way to paint with water-based colour both in the studio and on the go. The range includes different styles, from vibrant Inktense colours to soft pastel shades.
Chalks, charcoal blocks and graphite blocks are excellent tools for freer and more expressive drawing. They make it easy to create strong contrasts, soft transitions and bold marks in both detailed works and large-scale sketches.
Graphite and charcoal pencils may seem similar at first glance, but different ranges can produce very different results, from soft shading to strong contrast and highly detailed line work. Derwent’s selection includes classic graphite and charcoal pencils as well as tinted and water-soluble options that add depth and new expressive possibilities to drawings.
Water-soluble pencils combine the possibilities of drawing and painting. Derwent’s range includes both classic watercolour pencils and vibrant Inktense pencils, each offering a very different working experience and final result.
Derwent’s colouring pencil range includes everything from soft, easily blendable pencils to stronger core pencils designed for detailed work. Different series suit different techniques and artistic styles, and choosing the right pencil can help you achieve the exact result you are looking for.
Watercolour is a light and fluid painting technique where colour, water, and paper work together. The result is transparent layers, soft transitions, and effects that are difficult to control completely. This unpredictability is one of watercolour’s greatest charms.
Lightfastness is one of the most important quality indicators of art materials, showing how well a pigment withstands the effects of light over time. When an artwork is exposed to daylight or strong artificial light, some colors may fade or shift over the years. This makes lightfastness especially important for works intended for display, sale, or long-term preservation. The marking on a paint tube, pencil, or marker is not just a technical detail, but information about how permanent your work will truly be.
When painting with acrylics, you don’t always have to use canvas. A good acrylic paper offers a similar painting experience while being lighter, more affordable, and easier to use.
In calligraphy, the nib is one of the most important tools. It directly affects the line that appears on paper, how the ink flows, and the overall feeling of writing. Different nibs are designed for different styles, line widths and working methods, and there is rarely a single nib that suits everything.
Calligraphy is the art of writing where every line, pause and curve is a conscious choice. It is a slow and focused process that offers balance to the rush of everyday life. In calligraphy, not only the final result matters, but also the rhythm and feeling of writing.
As a beginner, it may not be easy to assess which painting technique best suits your style and way of working. Acrylic and oil paints offer very different painting experiences and require slightly different skills and approaches. Let’s take a look at what this means in practice.
