Derwent Graphitint Pencils: What They Are and How They Work
Introduction
Graphitint pencils are one of those materials that quietly sit on the shelf until you try them, and then you realise they offer something quite different from anything else in your collection. They are a niche favourite among artists who enjoy the familiar feel of graphite with a gentle shift into colour, which gives your drawings a soft, atmospheric quality. Many artists discover them when they want to add mood to their sketches, and they sit somewhere between traditional graphite and watercolour pencils, offering muted tones when dry and surprisingly vivid hues when activated with water.
This article takes a clear look at how the pencils behave, and answers the most common questions people search for when researching Graphitint pencils, helping beginners and experienced artists understand what they are, how they behave, and whether they’re right for their work.
This article takes a clear look at how the pencils behave, and answers the most common questions people search for when researching Graphitint pencils, helping beginners and experienced artists understand what they are, how they behave, and whether they’re right for their work.
What Are Derwent Graphitint Pencils?
Graphitint pencils are essentially tinted graphite. When you first put them to paper, they behave very much like a soft graphite pencil with a slight hint of colour running through the mark. The colour isn’t obvious at first, which is part of their charm. You can sketch quite freely without feeling as though you’re committing to a strong palette. Once you add water, the pigment dissolves and the colour becomes more noticeable, although it still retains that slightly smoky, textured quality that sets Graphitint apart from traditional watercolour pencils.
This combination of drawing and wash makes them particularly appealing for artists who like to build a piece gradually. You can establish the structure with dry marks, then decide later how much colour you want to bring forward. The pencils don’t force your hand, which is one of their strengths.
This combination of drawing and wash makes them particularly appealing for artists who like to build a piece gradually. You can establish the structure with dry marks, then decide later how much colour you want to bring forward. The pencils don’t force your hand, which is one of their strengths.
How Do Graphitint Pencils Behave on Paper?
Dry Graphitint has a soft, grainy feel that sits somewhere between graphite and a muted coloured pencil. The marks layer well, although they don’t blend in the same way a wax‑based pencil would. Once you introduce water, the pigment lifts and spreads, giving you a wash that feels more painterly. The graphite never disappears completely, so even the wet layers keep a slightly textured finish. Because the shift can be quite dramatic, it is helpful to make a small swatch chart before starting a piece so you can see exactly how each colour behaves in both states.
This behaviour can be both a positive and a limitation. If you enjoy expressive, atmospheric work, the pencils give you a lovely balance of control and looseness. If you prefer crisp edges and smooth, even colour, you may find the texture a little unpredictable.
This behaviour can be both a positive and a limitation. If you enjoy expressive, atmospheric work, the pencils give you a lovely balance of control and looseness. If you prefer crisp edges and smooth, even colour, you may find the texture a little unpredictable.
Red-legged Honeycreeper on Pastelmat using Derwent Graphitint pencils
Are Graphitint Pencils Water Soluble?
They are fully water soluble, but not in the same way as Inktense or traditional watercolour pencils. The colour doesn’t explode across the page. Instead, it softens and deepens. This makes them ideal for artists who want to introduce water without losing the underlying structure of the sketch. Because the graphite element remains active, you can continue to draw into the wet or semi‑dry surface, although the marks will soften. If you prefer very sharp detail, it’s usually best to wait until the paper is completely dry before adding the final touches. As the shift in colour can be quite dramatic, it is helpful to make a small swatch chart before starting a piece so you can see exactly how each colour behaves in both states.
Are the Graphitint Pencils Lightfast?
Graphitint pencils have mixed lightfastness ratings, with many colours holding up well and a few proving less stable over time. The level of dilution can influence this, since heavily activated washes tend to fade more quickly than stronger dry applications. Colours used in their dry state generally remain more consistent, while lighter, more diluted layers may shift sooner in bright conditions. This isn't limited to the Graphitint pencils, but almost every watercolour pencil. For work intended for long‑term display, it is worth checking the individual ratings and adjusting the level of activation accordingly.
What Paper Works Best With Graphitint?
The surface you choose has a noticeable influence on how Graphitint behaves, and it’s worth spending a little time getting to know how the pencils respond on different papers.
Hot press watercolour paper gives you the smoothest experience. The washes settle evenly, the colour lifts cleanly when activated, and the surface allows you to keep a tighter hold on detail. It’s a good choice if you prefer a more controlled approach or if you want the graphite element to stay crisp beneath the colour.
Cold press paper introduces a different character altogether. The natural texture of the surface catches the pigment in a way that emphasises the grainy quality of the graphite, which can add a lovely sense of movement to looser sketches. The trade‑off is that very fine detail becomes harder to maintain, especially once water is added, because the tooth of the paper naturally softens the edges. Some artists enjoy this because it encourages a more expressive style, while others find it a little unpredictable.
Pastelmat is a particularly good match for Graphitint. It grips the pigment well, allows for repeated layering, and gives you more control when adding water. The colour sits on the surface rather than sinking in, which makes the shifts between dry and wet more predictable. The only drawback is that Pastelmat can make very fine lines slightly softer than they would be on a smoother paper, and colours can bleed if you apply too much water.
A little further down the page you’ll see a small Blue Morpho butterfly study created on Pastelmat, which shows how the pencils behave on this surface in both their dry and activated state.
Hot press watercolour paper gives you the smoothest experience. The washes settle evenly, the colour lifts cleanly when activated, and the surface allows you to keep a tighter hold on detail. It’s a good choice if you prefer a more controlled approach or if you want the graphite element to stay crisp beneath the colour.
Cold press paper introduces a different character altogether. The natural texture of the surface catches the pigment in a way that emphasises the grainy quality of the graphite, which can add a lovely sense of movement to looser sketches. The trade‑off is that very fine detail becomes harder to maintain, especially once water is added, because the tooth of the paper naturally softens the edges. Some artists enjoy this because it encourages a more expressive style, while others find it a little unpredictable.
Pastelmat is a particularly good match for Graphitint. It grips the pigment well, allows for repeated layering, and gives you more control when adding water. The colour sits on the surface rather than sinking in, which makes the shifts between dry and wet more predictable. The only drawback is that Pastelmat can make very fine lines slightly softer than they would be on a smoother paper, and colours can bleed if you apply too much water.
A little further down the page you’ll see a small Blue Morpho butterfly study created on Pastelmat, which shows how the pencils behave on this surface in both their dry and activated state.
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Bockingford hot pressed paper is an inexpensive option for Graphitint.
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How Many Colours Are Available?
The range includes twenty four colours, available individually as well as in a selection of sets, including a larger set that contains three of each shade. You can also find the same Graphitint formulation in watercolour pans and in the XL blocks, which gives you the option to mix formats depending on how you like to work.
Pros and Cons of Derwent Graphitint Pencils
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Pros
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Cons
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Tips & Techniques for Derwent Graphitint Pencils
Start with light pressure
When you first start working with Graphitint, it helps to think of them as drawing tools rather than watercolour pencils. They behave best when you build the structure of your piece with light, dry layers, keeping the pressure soft so you have room to adjust things later. The colour can look quite subdued at this stage, which is normal, and it gives you the freedom to explore shapes and values without committing too early.
Activate the colour gradually
Introducing water works best in small, deliberate stages. A slightly damp brush will give you far more control than a wet one, and it allows the colour to open up gradually rather than all at once. If you prefer a more painterly look, you can increase the amount of water, but it’s worth remembering that the graphite element will always soften the edges a little. Letting each layer dry fully before adding more helps you keep the drawing from becoming muddy.
Introducing water works best in small, deliberate stages. A slightly damp brush will give you far more control than a wet one, and it allows the colour to open up gradually rather than all at once. If you prefer a more painterly look, you can increase the amount of water, but it’s worth remembering that the graphite element will always soften the edges a little. Letting each layer dry fully before adding more helps you keep the drawing from becoming muddy.
Keep a small swatch chart nearby
Because the colours shift so noticeably when activated, it’s useful to keep a small swatch chart nearby. Testing the pencils on the same surface you plan to use gives a far clearer sense of how each shade will behave. Seeing the dry and wet versions side by side makes it easier to judge how much colour you’re actually putting down. This is especially helpful when you’re working with the darker shades, which can appear almost identical until water is added.
Because the colours shift so noticeably when activated, it’s useful to keep a small swatch chart nearby. Testing the pencils on the same surface you plan to use gives a far clearer sense of how each shade will behave. Seeing the dry and wet versions side by side makes it easier to judge how much colour you’re actually putting down. This is especially helpful when you’re working with the darker shades, which can appear almost identical until water is added.
Experiment with different papers
Smooth papers give you more control, while textured surfaces emphasise the grain and create a softer, more atmospheric finish.
Smooth papers give you more control, while textured surfaces emphasise the grain and create a softer, more atmospheric finish.
Build colour slowly rather than pressing hard
Graphitint responds well to layering, but the pencils perform best when you build the colour slowly. Pressing too hard too early can flatten the tooth of the paper and make it harder to add washes later. A gentle touch keeps the surface open and gives you more flexibility as the piece develops.
Graphitint responds well to layering, but the pencils perform best when you build the colour slowly. Pressing too hard too early can flatten the tooth of the paper and make it harder to add washes later. A gentle touch keeps the surface open and gives you more flexibility as the piece develops.
Save fine detail for the end
If you enjoy fine detail, it’s usually best to save it for the very end. Once the paper is completely dry, you can return with a sharp Graphitint pencil, or even a traditional graphite or coloured pencil, to refine edges or add small highlights. This combination works particularly well because the underlying Graphitint layers provide atmosphere, while the final dry surface gives you back the control you need for crisp edges, small highlights or fine textures.
If you enjoy fine detail, it’s usually best to save it for the very end. Once the paper is completely dry, you can return with a sharp Graphitint pencil, or even a traditional graphite or coloured pencil, to refine edges or add small highlights. This combination works particularly well because the underlying Graphitint layers provide atmosphere, while the final dry surface gives you back the control you need for crisp edges, small highlights or fine textures.
How Graphitint Compares to Derwent Inktense
Graphitint and Inktense sit at completely different points in Derwent’s range, and the experience of using them is just as far apart. Graphitint leans into muted, atmospheric colour that always carries a trace of graphite beneath it. Even when the pigment is activated, there’s still a softness to the mark that keeps the drawing grounded. Inktense behaves in the opposite way. The colour is bold from the first stroke, and once water is added it becomes even stronger, settling into the paper with a permanence that feels closer to ink than pencil.
Because of this, the choice between them usually comes down to the kind of mood you want in your work. If you enjoy gentle transitions, textured shadows and a palette that never overwhelms the drawing, Graphitint feels far more natural. If you prefer colour that takes centre stage and stays exactly where you put it, Inktense will give you that clarity and impact straight away.
Neither range is trying to do the same job, and neither is inherently better. They simply support different artistic intentions, and most artists who enjoy one often find a place for the other when a piece calls for a different kind of energy.
Because of this, the choice between them usually comes down to the kind of mood you want in your work. If you enjoy gentle transitions, textured shadows and a palette that never overwhelms the drawing, Graphitint feels far more natural. If you prefer colour that takes centre stage and stays exactly where you put it, Inktense will give you that clarity and impact straight away.
Neither range is trying to do the same job, and neither is inherently better. They simply support different artistic intentions, and most artists who enjoy one often find a place for the other when a piece calls for a different kind of energy.
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How Graphitint Behaves on Pastelmat: A Study
Graphitint pencils can seem like a natural extension of graphite, but they behave quite differently in practice. They do not blend or erase in the same way, and the marks feel heavier on the surface. The colour only really reveals itself when water is added, and even then it stays within a muted, graphite‑based palette. They lack the sheen of traditional graphite, yet they can be surprisingly engaging on the right surface and with a subject that suits their character. To get a clearer sense of how they handle structure, layering and activation, a small Blue Morpho butterfly study was created on light grey Pastelmat. Only one side of the butterfly was developed, so the colour change could be observed, it also keeps the focus on how the pencils behave rather than on completing a full composition. The results are shown below.
The colours are very muted before water is added
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Keep your brush moving along the wing to avoid unwanted marks.
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In this test, the Pastelmat gripped the pigment straight away, so only a light application was needed for the first layers. Some colour could be lifted, but a faint tint always remained. Ocean Blue and Mountain Grey formed the main areas, with a small amount of Midnight Black for the veins. A size 3 brush was used to activate the colour, keeping the water controlled and following the direction of the wing to avoid unwanted marks. Each shade was activated separately to prevent over‑blending, and the colours dried lighter than they first appeared. Allowing each layer to dry fully before adding more proved important, as the firmness of the pencils can disturb the underlayers if the surface is still damp.
Excess water can cause the colour to bleed
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Fine details can be created by stippling with a brush
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The darker tips of the wings show how easily excess water can cause the colour to bleed, so it helps to keep the brush clean and soften the transitions gently to avoid muddy edges. A damp brush was also useful for lifting small highlights, and the longer the brush stayed on the surface, the brighter the lifted area became. This could still be done the following day. Cool Brown and Cool Grey were added to deepen the wing tips, and once everything had dried, fine details were built up with Ocean Blue to create the stippled texture. A damp brush repeated the same stippling motion so the marks stayed crisp rather than blended. The veins were strengthened with Midnight Black, and small highlights were added with a sharp white pencil. A light pass with a fine brush softened the lines without over‑wetting the surface, and a final touch of Midnight Black helped to reinforce the darkest areas.
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Finalising the butterfly: The Midnight Black pencil dries to a deep grey rather than a true black, so it holds its strength best when used dry. The same applies to the white pencil, although it is important to wait until the surface is fully dry before adding any dry marks to avoid disturbing the layers underneath. Additional colours were worked into the wing edges in a mix of wet and dry applications until the depth felt balanced. Softening the transitions was easiest with a damp brush, keeping the water controlled so the pigment stayed in place and the colours did not become muddy. |
Final Thoughts
Derwent Graphitint pencils offer a distinctive blend of drawing and painting that suits artists who enjoy atmosphere, texture and gradual development. They’re not designed for bright, polished realism, and they’re not a replacement for traditional coloured pencils. What they offer instead is a gentle, expressive way of working that encourages observation and experimentation. If you enjoy sketching and you like the idea of introducing colour without losing the character of graphite, Graphitint is a rewarding medium to explore.
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Derwent states that Graphitint pencils are vegan friendly, as no animal‑derived ingredients are used in the cores or binders. The pencils are also produced with FSC‑certified wood, which supports responsible forestry practices. Packaging varies by set, but the tins and cardboard components are recyclable in most areas. |
Article written: January 2026
