Clear water pens usually come empty. To use, simply unscrew their top and fill with water. [1] X Research source Watercolor brush pens have moist tips that resemble a paintbrush. They offer you the effect of watercolor painting with the ease and control that you’d typically find in a marker or pen. Get a feel for what it’s like to hold them and move them across a page. In the beginning, tracing paper can offer a nice smooth surface for learning how to use them, despite its lightweight.

Depending on the look you want, paper with a rougher surface may work for you, but it can also wear out the brushes on your pens more quickly. A sturdy cardstock is a great choice when working with these pens. You can also use these in coloring books. Just look for a book that has high-quality, thick pages. You can paint with anything on anything, really, but it makes a huge difference to paint on watercolor paper, since it’s specifically made to be absorbent and painted over.

You can try this with a variety of basic shapes. Start out with a small shape to conserve your watercolor ink.

Continue to pull your colored ink with the clear pen to fill in and complete your shape.

Keep their caps sealed tightly when storing them so that they don’t dry out.

Once you’ve finished layering, clean your pens by dipping them in water and wiping them on a piece of scrap paper. [3] X Research source

Beginning at the top, move your water pen back and forth, while also slowly moving it down Repeat this blending effect, this time moving from the bottom up into the middle.

This will provide a gradient in your artwork that moves from dark to light.

Use the bag as a stamp, flipping it onto a pre-moistened piece of paper. Use your fingers to spread the colors around, creating the effect you desire.

Add flowers of a variety of colors to create a pattern or bouquet effect. Add leaves, vines or stems to complete your look. Experiment by using different colors for the inner and outer petals.

Experiment with your advanced shading and blending techniques to create even more lettering options. [9] X Research source