Graphite dissolves into fluid washes when activated with water, bridging the gap between drawing and painting. These water-soluble pencils let you build compositions with traditional graphite precision, then selectively transform areas into painterly tones with a wet brush. The effect ranges from subtle gradations to dramatic wash effects, depending on how much water you apply and how heavily you've laid down the graphite.

Smooth, bonded leads resist breakage during application and maintain consistent marks whether used dry or dampened. Dip the tip directly in water for rich, soft lines that flow onto paper, or work dry and activate later for more controlled wash effects. This flexibility suits everything from plein air sketching to mixed media layering, where you might want crisp graphite details alongside atmospheric washes.

The five-pencil set spans the essential hardness range, giving you options from light preliminary marks to dense darks that create intense washes. Environmentally friendly water-based varnish coats the cedar casing. The included No. 6 round watercolor brush handles both delicate blending and broader wash application, providing everything needed to explore water-soluble graphite techniques immediately.