The power of pure pigment is at your fingertips with portable, versatile watercolor sticks. Painting, drawing, scribbling and mark-making come together for maximum creative expression. Each stick is the equivalent of three full pans of paint, making it a fantastic value.
A warm, semi-transparent, leaning to an opaque pigment. Historically, this black was derived from burnt ivory from now-endangered species, thankfully, this is no longer the practice. An Ivory Black touched with yellow creates a blackened green excellent for backlit foliage. Think sumi and hand-painted stone lithographs. Can be used to darken transparent pigment.
Here are five ways to use them as an alternative to watercolor in tubes or pans.
1. Dip and smudge
Dip the stick into water, then smudge saturated color on to wet paper.
2. Rub and blend
Rub different sticks into a small puddle of water to create a blend.
3. Brush the tip
The flat tip and the sides (once the label is removed) of the stick are similar to a pan when used with a wet brush – it’s like a pan in your hand!
4. Make marks
Sharpen a dry stick to draw distinct marks on wet paper that can be slightly softened with a damp brush.
5. Create a wash
After sharpening your sticks, save the shavings to dissolve in water to draw distinct marks on wet paper that can be slightly softened with a damp brush.
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