Derwent - Charcoal Pencils
Transform quick sketches into painterly washes with water-soluble charcoal
Water transforms these wide-strip charcoal pencils from crisp sketching tools into painterly washes. Derwent formulates each grade, light (HB), medium (4B), and dark (8B), to dissolve smoothly when activated, letting you build atmospheric effects or soften bold marks with a wet brush. The generous strip width encourages gestural work and rapid tonal blocking, while water-soluble binders respond predictably to moisture without muddying.
Dry, these pencils deliver the rich blacks and responsive layering charcoal artists expect. Add water and watch defined strokes bloom into graduated tones, perfect for skies, shadows, or underpaintings that need both structure and atmosphere. The three grades provide distinct tonal ranges: light for subtle transitions, medium for versatile mid-tones, and dark for deep contrasts that hold intensity even when diluted.
Wood-cased construction keeps your hands clean while maintaining the immediate, tactile quality that makes charcoal essential for expressive work. Work entirely dry for traditional charcoal drawings, add selective washes for mixed-media effects, or dissolve completely for monochromatic paintings that bridge drawing and watercolor techniques.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
- Water-soluble for painterly wash effects
- Wide strip ideal for loose sketches
- Creates soft, blended artwork with water
- Available in light, medium, dark washes
- HB, 4B, and 8B hardness options
