Derwent Inktense Water-Soluble Coloured Pencils 36-Piece Set — Intense Pigment & Permanent Washes

These pencils combine a soft, round 4mm core with high-pigment formulation to deliver bold, saturated colour whether used dry for sketching or activated with water for vivid washes. Designed by Derwent—makers of art materials since 1832—the set of 36 shades gives illustrators, designers, students and hobbyists a broad palette to explore layering, mixing and fabric work as well as traditional paper techniques.

How do Inktense pencils behave when used dry and when washed with water?

Used dry, Inktense pencils produce smooth, richly pigmented strokes ideal for expressive drawing and precise linework. When water is applied, the pigments dissolve into bright, translucent washes that look and act like ink until they dry.

• Dry: strong, even colour laydown for sketching and detailing.
• Wet: instant soluble wash for painting effects and gradients.
• Dries permanent: once the wash sets, colours resist reactivating.
• Layering possible: build depth with dry over dry or dry over dried washes.

What surfaces can I use these pencils on and will the colour stay true?

Inktense pigments are formulated to dry permanently, which makes them suitable for paper and certain fabrics like silk and cotton. The permanence after drying means colours can be layered closely without unwanted bleeding and remain vivid on both porous and treated surfaces.

• Paper: works well on heavyweight and mixed-media papers.
• Fabric: suitable for silk, cotton and other natural fibres for craft projects.
• Mixed media: pairs with inks and watercolour techniques for texture.
• Colour stability: pigments dry quickly and hold intensity when set.

How can I mix and customise shades with this 36-colour set?

The 36 colours provide a wide starting palette for creating custom hues by layering, blending or activating with water. Mixing wet washes and overlaying dry strokes lets you achieve subtle tints or dramatic contrasts depending on the look you want.

• Create lighter tints by adding water to the same colour.
• Combine adjacent colours dry for soft gradients and transitions.
• Mix wet washes on a palette or directly on paper for new shades.
• Use lifting and reworking techniques before the pigment fully dries for softer blends.

Which tools and techniques pair best with Inktense pencils?

These pencils suit both drawing and painterly methods; a soft brush, water brush pen, good-quality paper and fixative (for non-fabric projects) will extend their versatility. Because the pigment sets permanently, plan washes and layering order to achieve the desired effects.

• Brushes or water-brushes: for controlled washes and gradients.
• Heavyweight paper (200gsm+): prevents buckling with wet techniques.
• Fabric applicators: use appropriate textile methods for garments.
• Blending stumps or solvents: for dry blending alternatives.

Who is this for? The Derwent Inktense 36 Piece set is ideal for illustrators, colourists, textile artists, students and anyone wanting a flexible, high-pigment tool that bridges drawing and painting. If you need concentrated colour that can be used both as pencil and bright, permanent wash, this set provides a broad palette, quick colour laydown and the ability to create layered, durable artwork across paper and select fabrics.