Product Review: Inktense Pencils and Blocks

Derwent’s “Inktense” Pencils and Blocks

Reviewer: Elizabeth Jones, MOW artist

Derwent, the company that manufactures Inktense pencils and blocks describe them as being “a pigment-based product that is extremely soluble in water but has a transparent ink-like wash unlike a traditional watercolor. Inktense is also permanent when dry.” We asked one of our artists, Elizabeth Jones, to describe her thoughts on these products for her art.

So, what captured my interest in trying Inktense?

I liked the idea of working with water soluble ink, and I liked that the product came in pencil and block form. I enjoy working with ink, both alcohol ink and acrylic ink, and having ink in pencil form was a magnetic prospect.

I found them to be wonderful for layering. They are highly pigmented, dissolve instantly, and are permanent when dry. This makes layering multiple washes easy since you will not reactivate the previous layer when working back into an area. Vibrancy is variable depending on the amount of water you use.

What else makes them unique?

You can use this product on fabric! Fabric artists use the blocks and pencils to enhance their projects. Nothing must be done to prep the fabric beforehand. One just must remember to dissolve the pigment with water after applying it to the fabric. Inktense becomes permanent on fabric when all color is washed out fully and no remaining pencil/block/paint marks remain. Any remaining pencil marks will run, and you must be sure to read up on laundering instructions.

Pros

• Supersaturated and vibrant but can be easily muted by adding more water

• Performs well dry and extremely well when wet

• Permanent when dry

• Many colors are lightfast

• Able to be used on fabrics, not just paper

Cons

• There is no white pencil included in the 12-pencil set

• Only available in 72 colors

• Majority of the non-lightfast colors are in the yellow-orange, orange, red and fuchsia range

• They are a bit pricey.

*This is not a sponsored post and product photos are from the manufacturers’ website