Using Inktense

Produced by Derwent, Inktense is a product which comes in pencil and block form. As the name suggests, the colours are intense and ink-like. You can use them dry, and add water just as you might with other water-soluble media to create a range of effects. Once a wash of water has been applied, your work is permanent on paper and fabric.

We love using Inktense in our sketchbooks, altered books and on our textile work. Here are a selection of workshops to get you started.

Screenprinted Drawings on Fabric

Join Laura is this video to see how she’s been experimenting with a technique that transfers drawings onto fabric using a silkscreen. She’s tried a range of printing mediums and shares with you her favourite. This is a fun technique that captures the essence of a hand drawn image but gives it the quality of a print.

To access this post, you must purchase Screenprinted Drawings on Fabric.

Rubbings: Frames and Windows

Having used rubbings to create frames and windows, see how Linda is working into them with collage and drawing. This is a fun way to include your favourite subjects – anything goes!

To access this post, you must purchase Rubbings: Frames and Windows.

Freehand Quilting an Inktense Drawing

Linda’s freehand quilting a recent drawing on fabric made using Derwent Inktense pencils.

Inktense Rubbings: Background Pattern

You might have a portrait drawn with Inktense, or maybe a monoprint worked on fabric with tricky, empty background areas. In this workshop Laura will demonstrate how you can make rubbing plates and take rubbings with Inktense blocks to fill those areas with pattern and colour.

To access this post, you must purchase Inktense Rubbings: Background Pattern.

Inktense Portraits

Draw a portrait using Inktense pencils and/or blocks. Join us to see how you can use the exciting Inktense products to work with a free drawing approach that’s loose in style and full of painterly marks. We’re working on fabric with this one, but the techniques will also work on paper too.

To access this post, you must purchase Inktense Portraits.

Inktense Traced Print

Drawing is often the best way to start a watercolour, acrylic or mixed media painting, but what if you you feel your drawing skills aren’t strong, or maybe you just want a fast and effective way to get your image down on paper so you can quickly get started with your painting? In this workshop Linda will demonstrate her technique for creating that drawing which will be the perfect foundation for your painting. 

To access this post, you must purchase Inktense Traced Print.

Working with Inktense

Do you have a set of Derwent Inktense pencils, or blocks? In this collection of videos we’ll demonstrate a diverse approach to using them in your work on paper and fabric. See how to make rubbings, use them to colour fabric, add colour to your altered books and even print with them. There are four workshops in this collection.

Altered Book and Inktense Blocks

In this workshop see how Linda uses Inktense Blocks to add colour to her altered book.

To access this post, you must purchase Working with Inktense.