Colored water-soluble pencils Astra Prestige — 12 colors, cedarwood casing

Astra Prestige colored water-soluble pencils — 12 colors in cedarwood casing provide a compact, portable set for drawing, sketching and producing watercolor effects. The pencil leads are formulated to dissolve when water is applied, allowing artists to create washes, soft gradients and blended tones while preserving pencil control for detailed work. The cedarwood casing ensures comfortable sharpening and a stable grip for extended use.

Advantages

The set combines the precision of a colored pencil with the blending possibilities of watercolor: dry strokes can be preserved for texture, then softened with a wet brush to form smooth washes. Twelve well-chosen hues cover primary and secondary tones for versatile palette combinations. The cedarwood casing facilitates easy, even sharpening and reduces splitting, while the water-soluble formulation enables layered effects, gradients and seamless transitions between colors.

Suitable for

• Sketching and field studies where portability and quick washes are needed
• Illustration and detailed line work with optional watercolor blending
• Mixed media projects combining pencil detail with wet techniques
• School art classes, hobby crafts and beginner watercolor practice

Key specifications

• Set contents: 12 water-soluble colored pencils
• Casing material: cedarwood for improved sharpening and durability
• Lead behavior: water-soluble formulation for washes and blending
• Color range: selection of primary and secondary tones for mixing
• Suitable surfaces: watercolor paper, mixed media paper, sketch paper

How to use

Use the pencils dry for detailed lines, hatching and texture. To obtain watercolor effects, apply colored pencil to paper and then brush over the drawn area with a damp brush to dissolve the pigment and create washes or blended gradients. Work in layers: allow the first wash to dry before adding further pencil details or additional washes to build depth and control color intensity. Sharpen with a standard pencil sharpener designed for colored pencils to maintain a fine point for detail work.

Usage recommendations

For best results, combine with medium-weight watercolor or mixed media paper (200 g/m² or higher) and use a soft, round water brush or a fine synthetic brush to control pigment flow. Test color blending on a scrap to adjust water amount and brush pressure. Store pencils horizontally in a dry place to preserve lead integrity.