Watercolor pastels are one of those overlooked tools that quietly offer a ton of versatility, especially for beginners. If you're someone who likes the unpredictability of watercolor but also craves more control when sketching or building up color, watercolor pastels might be the bridge you didn't know you needed. I started using them during nature journaling sessions when a full paint setup felt like too much, and they quickly became a favorite for layering and quick mark-making.
Unlike traditional watercolor pans or tubes, watercolor pastels let you draw directly onto dry or slightly damp paper, then activate the pigment with a brush. You get both line and wash in one tool, which is great for quick studies or adding texture on top of regular watercolor. If you've felt frustrated by how loose watercolor painting can feel, this medium offers just enough structure to help you ease in without losing that signature watercolor softness.
They also open the door to a lot of play. You can get graphic lines, soft washes, gritty texture, or delicate blending all from the same stick. For me, they’ve become the secret weapon in my travel kit—compact, versatile, and satisfying to use whether I’m working fast or just exploring ideas.
What Are Watercolor Pastels?
Watercolor pastels are basically soft, water-soluble crayons made with watercolor pigment. You draw with them dry, like a colored pencil or soft pastel, but then you can take a wet brush and blend the marks into paint. This makes them a super handy hybrid tool, especially if you're working on location or doing quick studies in a travel sketchbook.
Some brands feel more like soft chalk, while others lean toward crayon. In general, the higher-quality brands will give you richer pigment and smoother application. I’ve tried a few different types over the years, and I usually go for ones that are labeled artist-grade rather than student-grade—they simply dissolve better when you add water and feel more consistent to work with.
Some people confuse them with water-soluble wax pastels (like Caran d'Ache Neocolor II), which are similar but slightly waxier and more vibrant. If you're curious about that variation, I’ve written about water-soluble wax pastels here.
Getting Started With Watercolor Pastels
The best way to get familiar with watercolor pastels is to try them in a few different ways—dry, wet-on-dry, and wet-on-wet. When you're just starting, there's no need to overcomplicate it. A basic 6- or 12-color set is plenty.
Start with dry sketches on watercolor paper, then swipe a damp brush over your lines. Or, fill in large color blocks and activate them with more water for a looser wash effect. The more you play with layering, the more confident you’ll get. You can also try building up colors gradually, letting layers dry in between just like you would with regular watercolor.
I recommend keeping a test sheet nearby to see how each color behaves when wet. Some colors spread out beautifully into soft washes, while others stay fairly concentrated, which can be useful for detail.
Using good paper is essential. A dedicated watercolor sketchbook will help prevent warping, and if you're curious about the different surfaces, I’ve compared hot press watercolor sketchbooks as well.
How I Use Watercolor Pastels In My Sketching
I usually start a sketch in pencil or ink, then add quick areas of color with watercolor pastels. It helps me block in tones without pulling out a full palette. I’ll activate just some parts with water—usually the background or shadows—and leave the dry pastel visible in other areas.
It gives me the best of both worlds: some parts stay crisp and sketchy, while others bleed and soften. I especially like using this approach when I want to suggest depth quickly or keep things loose and energetic.
Sometimes, I use watercolor pastels on top of dry watercolor layers to add grit or contrast. It works especially well if I’ve used light washes from my travel watercolor set and want to punch up the texture.
If I’m mixing skin tones or neutrals, I often sketch in a base layer using pastel, then layer over it using diluted paint. You can see more about that kind of color building in my guide on how to make watercolor skin tone.
Best Surfaces and Tools for Watercolor Pastels
Not all watercolor paper reacts the same way to pastels. I’ve found that smoother papers like hot press or mixed media sketchbooks give me the most satisfying result. Rough cold press papers can wear down the pastel quickly or make the color sit unevenly.
If you like more tooth, you can definitely experiment—some pastel lovers like the friction of rougher paper. But for beginners, smooth surfaces will give you a more predictable and even activation when you add water.
Here’s what I usually use:
- A good hot press watercolor sketchbook
- My favorite masking tape for watercolor
- A small brush with a fine point, like the ones I recommend in my beginner watercolor brushes guide
If you're working on loose sheets, make sure you're using the right tape for watercolor paper to prevent buckling when activating the pastels with water.
Tips for Better Results
Here are a few things I wish I’d known earlier:
- Layer lightly: Watercolor pastels get muddy if you apply too much at once. Build up slowly.
- Test color mixes dry and wet: The dry marks can look way different once water is added. I made a small color mixing chart specifically for my pastel set.
- Combine with ink: If you like the ink and wash watercolor look, watercolor pastels pair great with a waterproof pen for sketchbook spreads.
- Use different brush shapes: A round brush gives you soft blends, while a flat brush can push pigment around more forcefully.
- Let it dry fully before layering: If the first layer is even slightly damp, your second layer might smear or lift more than you want.
Storage and Portability
If you’re on the go a lot, watercolor pastels are super portable. I keep a few sticks in a pencil case along with a water brush and a small watercolor journal. You don’t need much.
If you're storing them at home, a divided container or pencil box works well. Just make sure they're not rattling around too loosely, pastels can break if they’re jostled too much. I also recommend labeling the colors or swatching them on the box lid so you know what you're reaching for. I keep mine next to my watercolor storage supplies, organized by warmth and color family.
Where to Go From Here
Watercolor pastels are fun on their own, but they’re even more powerful when used alongside regular watercolor techniques. If you’re just starting out with watercolor in general, I have a full beginner’s guide to painting with watercolor, which walks through materials, techniques, and simple exercises.
You can also explore how to build neutrals with how to make grey in watercolor or learn about flattening your finished paintings with this guide on how to flatten a watercolor painting.
And if you want to compare different papers or sketchpads, I’ve written a lot about painting on watercolor paper and the differences between a sketch pad for watercolor and a watercolor paper sketchbook.