Watercolour pencils Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua, set 48 pieces, soft leads, multicolour

Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua watercolour pencils set of 48 pieces features soft, fully water-soluble leads in a multicolour range. The pencils deliver intense colour laydown and vivid brilliance both dry and when activated with water. Designed to support dry drawing techniques as well as water-based blending, this set is suitable for sketching, detailed drawing and producing wash effects by applying a wet brush to drawn areas. The formulation emphasises good lightfastness and smooth application for predictable behaviour during mixed-media and fine-art work.

Advantages

The soft leads provide rich, even colour coverage that blends easily when water is applied, allowing for smooth gradients and painterly washes. These water-soluble pencils work well for layered techniques: they perform as conventional colour pencils for detailed line work and texturing, and transform into watercolour washes when activated with a brush. The selection of 48 colours offers a broad palette for illustration, sketching and colour studies while maintaining consistent pigment quality and resistance to fading under normal display conditions.

Suitable for

• Sketching and preliminary studies
• Detailed drawing and line work
• Watercolour washes and blended backgrounds
• Mixed-media artwork and illustrations
• Art education, student projects and hobby craft

Key specifications

• Set composition: 48 coloured pencils with water-soluble soft leads
• Lead properties: soft, fully water-soluble cores suitable for dry and wet techniques
• Colour range: wide multicolour selection covering primary, secondary and intermediate hues
• Lightfastness: improved resistance to fading for preserved colour brilliance
• Suitable surfaces: watercolour paper, mixed-media paper, sketchbooks designed for wet media
• Application: dry drawing, water activation with brush for wash effects

How to use

Use the pencils dry for precise lines, hatching and layering. To create watercolour effects, deposit colour on paper and blend with a damp brush; the pigment dissolves and spreads to form washes and gradients. Work in layers—allow washes to dry before adding further pencil detail or subsequent wet layers to avoid unwanted lifting. Combine dry pencil texture with wet blending for mixed-media techniques and vary water amount to control transparency and intensity.

Usage recommendations

Choose a paper suited for wet media to prevent buckling and achieve optimal pigment flow. Test colour combinations on a scrap sheet before committing to a final composition. Maintain pencil points with a sharpener recommended for coloured pencils to preserve control for detailed work. Store pencils horizontally in a dry place to protect core integrity.