I had some art supply funds left over from my last Etsy sale so I went “shopping” for fun. A few years ago I noticed the Graphitint colored pencils: pencil graphite combined with watercolor for muted colors with lots of granulation — both things that I love. But everyone posting reviews mentioned they are definitely NOT lightfast, some colors fading quickly even in a closed sketchbook. So I was a bit leery to spend money on these.
Reviews on this new paint pan version had better lightfast ratings so I got a set and made my own test. One swatch has been tucked in my sketchbook; the other has been taped for nearly 3 weeks in a south window in full sun. So far, no noticeable fading, but I’m leaving the window swatch in the sun another month or two to make sure. The colors are more pastel than my usual Daniel Smith watercolors.
I also tested a page of using regular watercolors combined with water-soluble graphite pencils. Paint added to a graphite sketch was too muddy; this combination works best if a bit of graphite is lifted off the end of the pencil with a wet brush, then mixed with watercolor on a palette.
Hello! Could you give us a feedback on what happened with the colours since then? I have the same palette, I think from the same year, and do not dare to use it... Which is sad. Any input? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIn the almost two years since I made this test, the color values have stayed the same. Unfortunately, I don’t use this palette much because I work in sketchbooks on both sides of the pages — Graphitint paints are still “pencil” and will rub off onto the opposite page unless sprayed with a fixative. Which I’m usually too lazy to go get! 😂
DeleteThank you very much for your answer!
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