In
finally got my hands on some Inktense. I’ve heard nothing but great
things about them. Maybe because all I’d heard was great, I was left a
little underwhelmed.
First the colors are not named after typical artist colors, so we’ve got grass green and apple red instead of sap green or alizarin crimson. This causes me to look around more than I want to for a color I want. It can also lead to some unfortunate color ,mixes. If I were to buy a tin of these I’d have to do a test to see how each of the colors would mix with one another, just so I would know what would make mud and what would not. The colors are also very bright, jewel toned in hue.
The good thing about these is that once you wet them, the color is set in place. No matter of water or scrubbing will move them or blend them. They layer really really well. I found it took way more effort to wet the dry marks and move the wet color around than with other watercolor pencils. In the end I tried a nylon bristled brush and was more vigorous in my effort. Even with that effort I found the marks made as I drew with the pencils stayed. if I were to use Inktense on a regular basis I’d make sure to create a texture or pattern.
I probably won’t buy a tin of these pencils, maybe a few singles of specific colors. I can't think of a time when I’d use them on a regular basis where regular watercolors won’t do the trick. The price point on these is about $1.75 per pencil. They are also available in blocks form. Which I might like more than the pencils.
Just as an aside I’ve read on multiple forums and blogs that the inktense are not lightfast, so something to consider if you are creating art for the wall.
First the colors are not named after typical artist colors, so we’ve got grass green and apple red instead of sap green or alizarin crimson. This causes me to look around more than I want to for a color I want. It can also lead to some unfortunate color ,mixes. If I were to buy a tin of these I’d have to do a test to see how each of the colors would mix with one another, just so I would know what would make mud and what would not. The colors are also very bright, jewel toned in hue.
The good thing about these is that once you wet them, the color is set in place. No matter of water or scrubbing will move them or blend them. They layer really really well. I found it took way more effort to wet the dry marks and move the wet color around than with other watercolor pencils. In the end I tried a nylon bristled brush and was more vigorous in my effort. Even with that effort I found the marks made as I drew with the pencils stayed. if I were to use Inktense on a regular basis I’d make sure to create a texture or pattern.
I probably won’t buy a tin of these pencils, maybe a few singles of specific colors. I can't think of a time when I’d use them on a regular basis where regular watercolors won’t do the trick. The price point on these is about $1.75 per pencil. They are also available in blocks form. Which I might like more than the pencils.
Just as an aside I’ve read on multiple forums and blogs that the inktense are not lightfast, so something to consider if you are creating art for the wall.
