DELI Nusign Watercolour Pencils 48/72 Review: The UK Artist's Versatile Colour Tool

Watercolour pencils occupy a unique and exciting space in the world of art materials. They can be used dry like ordinary coloured pencils for precise, detailed work, or activated with water to create beautiful, flowing watercolour washes. The DELI Nusign NS731 Premium Watercolour Pencils — Set of 48 or 72 gives UK artists a comprehensive, versatile colour toolkit that bridges the gap between drawing and painting in one elegant package.

What Are Watercolour Pencils?

Watercolour pencils look and feel like ordinary coloured pencils, but their pigment cores are water-soluble. This means you can:

• Use them dry — for precise, detailed colouring with the control of a pencil
• Blend with water — apply colour dry, then brush over with a wet brush to dissolve and spread the pigment into a watercolour wash
• Draw into wet paper — apply the pencil directly to damp paper for intense, immediate colour
• Dip the tip in water — wet the pencil tip before drawing for a more saturated, paint-like line

This versatility makes watercolour pencils one of the most flexible art tools available — suitable for beginners exploring colour for the first time and experienced artists seeking a portable, controllable alternative to traditional watercolour paints.

48 or 72 Colours: Which Should You Choose?

The NS731 set is available in both 48 and 72 colour options:

• 48 colours — a comprehensive palette covering all the primary, secondary, and tertiary colours plus a good range of earth tones, neutrals, and specialty shades. Ideal for beginners and intermediate artists.
• 72 colours — an extended palette with more subtle colour variations, additional shades within each colour family, and a wider range of specialty tones. Ideal for experienced artists who need precise colour matching.

Techniques to Try with Watercolour Pencils

Wet-on-Dry Wash

Apply colour dry to your paper, then brush over with a clean, wet brush. The pigment dissolves and spreads, creating a soft watercolour wash. Work from light to dark, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.

Wet-on-Wet

Wet your paper first with clean water, then apply the watercolour pencil directly to the damp surface. The pigment spreads immediately and dramatically, creating soft, blooming effects that are characteristic of traditional watercolour painting.

Dry Layering

Use the pencils dry, layering colours on top of each other to create complex, mixed hues. This technique gives you the precision of coloured pencils with the ability to activate the colour with water at any point.

Lifting and Blending

After applying colour with water, use a clean, damp brush to lift pigment from the paper, creating highlights and lighter areas. This is a key watercolour technique that watercolour pencils handle beautifully.

Ideal Subjects for Watercolour Pencils

• Botanical illustration — the precision of pencil combined with the delicacy of watercolour is perfect for flowers, leaves, and plant studies
• Portraits — build up skin tones gradually with dry layering, then soften with water for a painterly finish
• Landscapes — create atmospheric skies and soft backgrounds with wet techniques, then add precise foreground detail dry
• Urban sketching — portable and mess-free, watercolour pencils are ideal for sketching on location
• Journal illustration — add colour to journal entries and travel diaries without the mess of liquid paints

Paper Recommendations

For best results with watercolour pencils, use watercolour paper (at least 140gsm / 300lb) that can handle the moisture without buckling. Cold-pressed paper has a slight texture that works well for most techniques. Hot-pressed paper is smoother and better for detailed dry work.

A Gift for Every Creative Person

A set of 48 or 72 watercolour pencils makes a wonderful gift for artists, students, and anyone who enjoys creative hobbies. They're accessible enough for beginners and capable enough for professionals. Browse our full art supplies range at TTPEN UK.

Discover the most versatile colour tool in art. Shop the DELI Nusign Watercolour Pencils today.

Free UK delivery on qualifying orders at www.ttpen.co.uk.