Here at KROMA, we're big fans of Viarco - the Portuguese pencil company, particularly their ArtGraf collection. Designed with artists in mind, the ArtGraf line of water-soluble graphite products and other drawing tools is a unique collection of sketching products suitable for professionals and novices alike.
Though Viarco has been manufacturing high quality pencils in Portugal since 1907, their ArtGraf line is relatively new, beginning production 80 years later in 2007. For nearly 20 years, ArtGraf has produced some of the finest water-soluble drawing tools on the market, steadily expanding their line with new and innovative products.
At KROMA, we have carried ArtGraf drawing tools for many years now, purchasing them through a distributor in the USA. Recently, however, we were able to secure a relationship with a distributor in Europe, allowing us to acquire these lovely drawing tools at a reduced cost. We have passed that savings on to our customers, and are pleased to report that we have lowered the prices on nearly all the ArtGraf products we carry.
What follows is a run-down of our favourite ArtGraf & Viarco products.
ArtGraf Water-Soluble Graphite Pencil
Given that Viarco has been manufacturing fine pencils for nearly 120 years, its no surprise that their ArtGraf Water-Soluble Drawing Pencil is an exquisite little piece of mark-making technology. Encasing the graphite particles in a water-soluble binder allows them to be manipulated in ways a regular pencil can only dream of.
In the above image, I tested the 6B version of the pencil on cotton watercolour paper. The top example shows how the pencil works dry. The middle example shows how the dry mark can be manipulated with a paint brush. For the bottom example, I wetted the tip of the pencil before using it. In each example, I used less pressure as I moved along in an attempt to show the variety of grey tones that can be achieved.
What is particularly nice about the ArtGraf Water-Soluble Graphite Pencil is that, if used lightly, the marks it makes can easily be worked into a painting without leaving evidence behind. It also responds well to an eraser, which is not true of all ArtGraf graphite products.
ArtGraf Water-Soluble Graphite Stick (regular & XL)
Not content with simple pencils, Viarco decided to cut out the middle man (wood) and manufacture 8B (quite soft) graphite sticks in two different sizes. These sticks perform much like the Water-Soluble Graphite Pencil, and are equally manipulatable and erasable.
Once again I tested this product on cotton watercolour paper, in three examples of usage: dry, dry with a swipe of a wet brush, and wet. I found it a little different to the pencil in a few ways. First, the nature of the stick and its soft edges means that it loses some of the precision of the pencil, and might therefore be more useful for sketching on larger canvases or sheets. I found it smoother than the pencil, which makes sense as it is a bit softer. I also found that it was easier to make a variety of grey tones with the stick than the pencil.
ArtGraf Watercolour Graphite Tin
Designed for those who prefer to sketch with a brush, ArtGraf's Watercolour Graphite Tin is beautifully smooth, generously sized, and attractively packaged. While not erasable like the afore-mentioned products, its versatility in mark-making is unparalleled.
Above, I tested the ArtGraf Watercolour Tin on cotton watercolour paper, with exciting results. This product can only be used wet, but the artist has full control over how much water to use. You can be generous with water usage as this product is very thirsty! Of all ArtGraf's water-soluble graphite products, I was able to achieve the widest range of grey tones with this one, simply by altering how much water I used with it. I also noticed some lovely granulation, and was impressed with its re-wetability once laid down. While this is an ideal product for brush sketching, I also think it could be featured beautifully in a final work as a versatile grey watercolour paint.
ArtGraf Liquid Graphite Ink
One of ArtGraf's more recently developed products, the Liquid Graphite Ink is simply beautiful to work with. In its raw form, it's a bit thicker than need be. I actually recommend diluting this product when working with a brush. I suspect a bit of dilution would positively impact its use in a fountain pen as well.
This product comes already wet, so there's no way to use it dry. Because it is already formulated with water, it is difficult to achieve the range of grey tones available with ArtGraf's other water-soluble graphite products. That said, the ink is a beautiful medium for graphite, enhancing its natural sheen and showing off its depth. I also liked the granulation I saw when working with it. Furthermore, I think its need for dilution is an added bonus, as it makes the product go much further.
ArtGraf Soft Carbon Pencil
Ooh baby. ArtGraf's Soft Carbon Pencil might be my favourite of all their products. Everything from its round shape with gold text to its incredibly smooth mark-making abilities make this pencil luxurious and delightful to work with. It also comes in an attractive 6-pack, making it an ideal gift for most artists.
Once again, I used cotton watercolour paper and laid down a few examples of how to use this product. The first example is dry, the second is dry with a swipe from a wet brush, and the third is wet. I am so enamoured of the depth of black that can be achieved when using this product wet or manipulating it with a brush. The soft carbon is smooth and beautiful, and it's manipulatability with water means that artists can use it effectively for all kinds of shading. If you have the ability, I think sharpening this pencil to a shorter, softer point is ideal as its softness can cause it to break if it has a long tip.
ArtGraf Tailor Shape
Inspired by tailor chalk, a water-soluble mark-making tool for tailors, ArtGraf's Tailor Shape is essentially a block of pressed pigment in a water-soluble binder. These popular tools come in thirteen individual colours. They are also available in sets - primary (red, blue, and yellow), monochrome (white, black, and grey), and a six-colour earth tone set.
It had actually been some time since I tried an ArtGraf Tailor Shape, and I had forgotten how satisfying they are to work with. Above, I made four examples of how the product can be used. First, I laid it down dry using the corner of the Shape. Second, I did the same and then added a satisfying brush swipe. For the third example, I dipped the product in water and again made a scribble. Finally, I used it like a paint, picking up some colour off the Tailor Shape with a wet brush.
ArtGraf's Tailor Shapes are incredibly smooth and satisfying to work with, whether you use them to draw or to paint. They are made with high quality artist grade pigments, and tend to be much more heavily pigmented than your average watercolour paint. They mix beautifully with each other to make gorgeous secondary and tertiary colours, though some of them use pigments that can be a bit overpowering and should be used sparingly when mixing.
Viarco Silkscreen Series Watercolour Pencil Set
While most of Viarco's artist-grade products belong to the ArtGraf line, their Silkscreen Series Watercolour Pencil Set is a beautiful exception. Made with high quality pigments, these pencils come in 24 vibrant colours that play well together.
Because they aren't as heavily pigmented as the Tailor Shapes, these pencils behave more like a traditional watercolour. I was impressed with the fact that I could still achieve a precise mark in a small puddle of water, which opens up many possibilities for mark-making. I also liked the granulation I saw when using them like a paint. Finally, the range of colours, while limited to 24, is not only inspiring but also endlessly mixable. Viarco's Silkscreen Series is a limited edition, with only 1500 sets being produced, so I don't expect to have it in stock for long.
I had fun re-familiarizing myself with Viarco's beautiful water-soluble drawing tools, and making a bit of a beautiful mess in the process. We're so proud to carry these lovely products here at KROMA, and are even more pleased that we're now able to offer them at a more affordable price.
Happy drawing!
Jocelyn @ KROMA
