I spent a lot of time today working on swatching  my Prismacolor watercolor pencils and my new Stabilo markers as well as some stragglers from other brands.  I have found that the colors on pencils and on markers can be very deceptive.  I’ve only ever seen people swatch their pencils out on paper and although I have done this,  I have found it to be a fruitless exercise.  Most of you are probably saying “fruitless, why?”  I suppose others would refer back to their pages of swatches, but I have never done so.  I swatch them and then immediately throw that paper inside the pencil holder, never to look at it again.  I needed a system that would work for me.  I’m apparently too lazy to look past the pencil to find the swatched paper.  The only solution has been for me to swatch my pencils and markers on a strip of sticker, then use a wet brush (for watercolor pencils) and liquefy the pigment.  Once this dries, I cut it out and wrap the sticker around the pencil.  When looking at my pencils and markers, I know immediately the color that I am looking for.  No more guessing if it is a real red or an orangish red, the swatch tells me all I need to know.  I have mentioned this on videos, but should consider making a very quick video so others can benefit from my system.  I’m sure others have the same problem I have, and  I appreciate anything that is easy, and hope others do as well.

• Uncategorized