Sometimes, the most unconventional products produce surprising results. And I can surely say that experimenting is the best way to creating newer trends. Although I know that my Tombow dual brush pens can be used as watercolor, I didn’t know it could be done in so many ways. Learn to create watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in today’s installment of my “Learn Watercolors” series.

Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

I know it’s been a while since my last “learn watercolors” tutorial post.  I like to bring the best for you and while I may not be shooting out posts more often, I am definitely researching and experimenting new ideas. Today’s post will all be about how you can your brush pens to create watercolor washes.

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A little bit about Tombow Dual brush pens:-

  • They are water based. This means that their inks have water as their main ingredient. Which also means that you can blend them with water.
  • They have two tips – One flexible and the other hard tipped.
  • The flexible one is a nylon tip used mainly for brush lettering, coloring in etc
  • They are my absolute favorite!

Let’s get started….

1.The single color wash

Draw horizontal strokes about 1/4th of your wash area to start with.  Tombow brush pen tips are quite delicate and watercolor paper is rough. You’ll need to make sure that you don’t damage the bristles by pressing too hard. Another thing to follow would be to keep the tip almost parallel to the surface so that there is minimum damage to the tip.

Now, the reason you need to do only 1/4th of the wash area is that your water will do the rest. As you lightly pull down the color by using your brush, you’ll find that a watercolor wash gets created. The pigment blends into the water forming a wash.

Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

2.The two-color wash

Did you love the first method to create a watercolor wash using tombow brush pens? Then you’ll love this even more. As the name suggests, you’re using two different colors. Draw horizontal lines on the top and bottom are of your surface. You could do more of one color or keep them the same. Leave a little gap in between so that the water will have space to do its magic.

Blend either by going over horizontally from the top or bottom. Honestly, it doesn’t make a difference because it’s all going to blend together.

Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

3.Mark making + Wash

Oh I had such a fun time doing this. I felt like a kid with not a worry for the world. Mark down random strokes on the area you want your wash to be. You don’t need to cover the entire area. Just enough to get your colors moving. Once you’re done blend them all in! Would this be your favorite way to do a watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens?

Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

4.Mark making + Salt

The what? Oh yes, this is a popular technique in watercolors and I was thrilled to see it work the same for these. The method is fairly straightforward. Mark your paper, blend and sprinkle salt while it’s still wet. Allow the paint to dry completely but don’t leave it for too long to stick. Remove the slat and you can a beautiful watercolor texture.

I also want to add that this method will work work better for darker colors.

Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

5.Wash transfer

I saw this method over at Destination Decoration’s blog and fell in love! Take a piece of plastic sheet.  Make brush marks on it. Spritz water on the sheet( keep it over a piece of rough paper while doing this) and turn it the opposite way. Press down gently moving your fingers around. Slowly remove the plastic to see a fabulous watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens.

Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

6.Wash transfer-2

This method is the same as above except that instead of spraying water on the plastic sheet, wet the paper surface with a brush. Mark, brush surface, flip and press down! And done.Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

What do you think?

Oh I so hope you loved this post because I had a fabulous time creating it. If you try any of these techniques for your projects, do share them on Instagram using the hashtag #makeinkstruck. I would love to see your fab stuff.

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Looking for a fun way to watercolor? Use my technique of creating watercolor wash using Tombow brush pens in six different ways - Inkstruck Studio

Thank you so much for stopping by! You’re amazing. x

About zakkiya @ inkstruck studio

Zakkiya is the creative blogger and founder of Inkstruck Studio. She’s a self taught artist who let go of her architecture profession to pursue her passion in art. Zakkiya likes to write detailed tutorials in watercolor, calligraphy, and hand lettering. She also teaches watercolor workshops occasionally in Doha where she’s based currently. Other passions include traveling, photography, and basketball.When she’s not working, you can find her cuddling and running around with her toddler boy.