Derwent Inktense Pencil Set, 72 Colours, Tin Box

You can either wet a brush and pick up colour directly from the pencil, or apply the dry pencil to your surface and then brush over the area with a damp brush. The water turns the pigment into a vivid wash, and you can lay down multiple layers once the previous layer is dry.

Inktense pencils are versatile and can be used on paper, fabric, and canvas. They produce durable, ink-like colour on these surfaces when activated with water.

Once the wash or coloured layer dries, it won’t reactivate with water. This makes it ideal for layering and building up colours without disturbing the previous layers.

The set includes 72 highly pigmented Inktense pencils across a wide colour range, neatly organized in a durable tin case for safe storage and portability. The model in this set is RXL2301843.

Use a sharp, quality pencil sharpener to keep the cores exposed for precise lines. Keep the tin closed when not in use to protect the pigments and prevent drying out. Clean the pencils gently if you notice any excess wax buildup.

Apply colour dry for precise lines, then activate with a damp brush to blend. For deeper tones, layer multiple washes once each layer is dry. Avoid excessive moisture on delicate papers to prevent warping, and experiment with a light touch for subtle blends.

Yes. Derwent Inktense pencils are designed to meet safety standards for artists and are widely regarded as non-toxic. As with any art material, avoid contact with eyes and skin for prolonged periods and keep away from young children without supervision.

Start with light washes to establish the colour and gradually build up layers. Practice both dry application for lines and wet application for washes. Test on a scrap sheet to understand how the colour expands when water is added and how it dries on your chosen surface.

The 72-colour set provides a broader colour range, allowing for more nuanced shading and detailed work. For a smaller starter option, you might consider the 36-colour Inktense set, which offers many of the same properties in a compact pack. See the 36-colour option here: https://fepy.com/product/derwent-inktense-pencil-set-36-colours-tin-box

Inktense pencils give ink-like, highly saturated colour that becomes permanent when dry, enabling strong layering and archival-quality lines. Traditional watercolour pencils are re-wettable and reactivatable, which is great for blending but requires more careful handling to preserve layers. Inktense is typically preferred when you want vibrant, stain-like colour that won’t lift later layers.

With 72 colours, you gain a wide tonal range and a high level of flexibility for layering, blending, and mixed-media work. The durable tin box also helps keep tools organized and portable for on-the-go work, which can be cost-effective for ongoing projects compared with purchasing multiple smaller sets.