Caran d'Ache Technalo 6 Water-Soluble Graphite Pencils + Water Brush

Caran d'Ache Technalo – water-soluble graphite set

With the Technalo set from Caran d'Ache, you draw dry as you would with an ordinary pencil, then blend the lines with water into soft washes and gradients. Three Technalo pencils in B, 3B and 6B cover light to deep dark greys. There are also three Technalo RGB pencils in Carmine Red, Phthalo Green and Prussian Blue: graphite with watercolour pigments, for subtle touches of colour.

The water brush means you do not need a glass of water. With the metal tin, you have everything together in one compact set – in a sketchbook on the go or at your desk.

How the RGB pencils differ

The Technalo RGB pencils have a 3B lead. Dry, the colour looks subtle, almost like a tinted grey. Only when water is added do the watercolour pigments dissolve and the colour becomes stronger. This lets you add a light tint to skies, water or foliage, for example, without covering the graphite drawing.

Working with the set

• Sketch the outline loosely with the B pencil.
• Add shadows and dark areas with 3B and 6B.
• Fill the brush's water tank and run it over the hatching with light pressure – the graphite dissolves and becomes a wash.
• Let the area dry, then add details dry on top.

You can also pick up graphite directly from the pencil tip with the damp brush and apply it like watercolour paint. To switch between grey and colour, wipe the brush on a cloth until it paints cleanly. A common mistake is using too much water on thin paper: it cockles. So use watercolour or mixed-media paper.

Technalo set contents

• Manufacturer: Caran d'Ache
• 3 Technalo graphite pencils: B, 3B, 6B
• 3 Technalo RGB: Carmine Red, Phthalo Green, Prussian Blue
• 1 water brush
• Metal tin

You will also need: paper that can take water, for example watercolour or mixed-media paper.