Techniques and Tips Using Albrecht Durer Watercolor Markers

Faber-Castell’s are the modern definition of artistic expression supporting both spontaneous sketching and watercolor painting. The quality markers are highly pigmented and offer excellent lightfastness. Part of Faber-Castell’s unique color matching system, they can be easily combined with other drawing materials from the company. The dual ended pens feature both a brush nib and a fineliner nib for maximum flexibility.

Albrecht-Durer Watercolor Markers – open stock

Correct Paper

Optimal results are ensured when proper paper is used. Faber-Castell recommends fine grained or hot pressed watercolor papers as they support good water solubility of the ink. For best results, individual sheets should be fixed onto an underlay before beginning. Because Albrecht Dürer artists’ watercolor markers do not bleed through paper, both sides of a sketchbook can be used.

Mixing Colors

Layering colors dry on each other produces color blends with sharp edges and shapes. The transparency of the ink lets layered color surfaces shine through. Depending on the order in which the colors are overlapped, various colors can be produced. Thus, blue over yellow produces something different than yellow over blue.

With brush and water, layered colors can run into each other and mix. The edges and lines of the drawing blend and leave picturesque surfaces.

In addition to applying color directly to the work of art, color can also be applied to a separate piece of paper or a dish where it is mixed with water and used as a color palette.

Cleaning the Tip

If the nib is dirty and shows residue after mixing with other colors, it can be easily cleaned with a paper towel. Dab or gently wipe the nib on the towel until excess color is removed.

Hatching

The light intensity of objects can be defined using hatching. The closer the lines are to each other, the darker and more intense the color effect is. For cross hatching, lines are overlapped at different angles.

Blending

Applying two colors on areas adjacent to each other and then blending with a wet brush in the middle will produce flowing bleed patterns and brilliant mixed colors.

Extravagant effects as well as interesting mixed tones are created when spraying a drawing with water from a spray bottle.

Lovely watercolor effects can also be produced by using a wet brush to dissolve colors that have dried slightly.

Here, several thin color layers are laid on top of each other. Each layer of color applied is allowed to dry before overlapping with the next color. This type of painting gives a picture layer-for-layer depth. Waterbrushes

Every watercolor painter knows and loves this painting technique. First, the paper is well dampened with clear water. The color pigments are dissolved on the paper when the drawing starts and immediately they spread out across the wet surface.

The salt technique provides wonderful textures. Sprinkled on a wet picture, coarse salt intensely absorbs water and color and is easily removed after complete drying.

Masking

Masking fluid can be applied to protect areas which should stay the same color as the paper. Using a brush, it is applied at the very start to parts of the picture which should be protected and must then be left to dry.

After drawing and painting, carefully remove the masking fluid with a finger once the picture is dry.

Final touches and painting can then be done in the areas that were previously masked.

Mixed Media

Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens are perfect for setting clear lines and accents on dried watercolors. Since the ink is waterproof, sketches prepared with a Pitt Artist Pen remain clear upon subsequent watercolor painting.

Watercolor pictures combined with graphite pencils impress with a classy appearance. The drawing lends elegance and subtle vibrancy when set on a dried watercolor.

Albrecht Durer Watercolor Markers are available in several gift set sizes.