Watercolor pencils are one of those tools that don’t look impressive at first glance. They look like regular colored pencils, feel familiar in your hand, and seem almost too simple. But once you add water, everything changes.
That’s what makes watercolor pencils so fun. They let you color the way you’re used to, then suddenly behave like paint. With just a brush and a little water, you can create soft blends, textured backgrounds, and effects that instantly add depth to your coloring pages.
In the video below, we walk through five easy techniques you can start using right away. You don’t need fancy supplies or perfect timing. Just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.
Why Watercolor Pencils Work So Well for Coloring Pages
Watercolor pencils are especially great for coloring pages because they give you control. You can stay inside the lines, layer color slowly, and decide exactly how much water to add. That makes them less intimidating than traditional watercolor, especially if you’re new to wet mediums.
You can use them dry, activate them with water, or combine both approaches on the same page. That flexibility is what makes them such a favorite.
Technique 1: Dry on Dry
This is the easiest place to start and a great way to get comfortable.
Color part of a section using a dry watercolor pencil, leaving some of the area white. Then take a damp brush and gently pull the pigment into the uncolored space. As you move the color outward, it naturally fades, creating a soft gradient.
The result is almost like a reverse ombré. Darker where the pencil was applied and lighter where the water carries the pigment. It’s simple, forgiving, and works beautifully on larger open areas.
Technique 2: Using a Sponge for Texture
This technique is all about texture.
Start on a scrap piece of paper by coloring a small patch with your watercolor pencil. Activate it with water so it turns into paint. Then dab a sponge into the wet pigment and gently press it onto your coloring page.
You’ll instantly see a textured effect that feels organic and playful. Let the layer dry completely before adding another. Building texture in layers gives you the most interesting results.
This technique works especially well for backgrounds, abstract areas, or places where you don’t want a smooth, flat look.
Technique 3: Dry Pencil on Wet Paper
This one feels a little magical the first time you try it.
Begin by brushing clean water onto a blank section of your page. While the paper is still wet, take a dry watercolor pencil and start coloring over the damp area. You’ll notice the pencil behaves differently depending on how wet the paper is.
In wetter areas, the color melts and spreads more. In areas that are just damp, the color stays more controlled. You can actually feel the difference as you color, which makes this technique very intuitive once you try it.
Technique 4: Wax Resist
This technique might bring back memories from childhood.
Use a white or clear wax crayon to draw patterns or textures on your page. Lines, shapes, or even simple crosshatching all work. Once that’s done, create a watercolor palette from your pencil on scrap paper and paint over the waxed area with a brush.
As the paint goes on, the wax resists the pigment and your hidden pattern appears. It’s a great way to add interest to backgrounds without overwhelming the main design.
Technique 5: Salt Texture
This is one of those techniques that feels a little strange until you see the result.
Paint an area with activated watercolor pencil while the paper is still wet. Then sprinkle a small amount of salt on top. The key here is patience. Don’t touch it. Don’t tilt the page. Let it dry completely.
Once dry, gently brush or wipe the salt away. You’ll be left with a unique texture that’s impossible to recreate any other way. It works especially well for organic effects like stone, sky, or abstract backgrounds.
A Final Thought Before You Start
Watercolor pencils are forgiving, playful, and full of surprises. Some effects will turn out exactly how you imagined. Others won’t. That’s part of the fun.
Layer things. Try combinations. Let some areas stay imperfect. Coloring doesn’t have to be precise to be beautiful.
If you try any of these techniques, watch how the water and pigment interact. That’s where the magic really happens.
Have fun with it, and enjoy the process.
