Explore painting with water over gel pen sketches to achieve stunning organic stains and watercolor effects. This easy technique brings playfulness and unpredictability to your creative process. Ready to experiment and add fresh textures to your designs? Dive in now!

1. How an Accidental Water Stain Became a Happy Discovery

One day, while I was sketching with my gel pen, a simple accident led to a creative breakthrough.
I took a sip from a cold bottle of water that had condensation droplets on it, and some water drops fell onto my sketch.

At first, I thought, “Oh no, my sketch is ruined!”

But then, I noticed something magical—those water drops created beautiful stains and soft textures on the paper.

I could use that!

This unexpected event reminded me something important: not every “mistake” is bad.
Sometimes, it’s a door to new techniques and free play.

2. How to Experiment with Gel Pen and Water Like Watercolor

This accident gave me a new idea: why not intentionally combine gel pens and water to paint?

Here’s how you can try this fun technique:

  1. Draw with a gel pen or felt-tip ink pen. These pens lay down ink that can be diluted.
  2. Use a clean brush with only water. Gently brush over the ink lines and watch the color soften and spread, just like watercolor.

This simple process turns your sketches into fresh, fluid paintings with stunning textures. It’s a fantastic way to add life and spontaneity to your work.

3. Why You Shouldn’t Fear Water on Your Ink Sketches

Quick sketches are meant to be loose and playful perfection isn’t the goal.

If you’re like me and don’t put too much pressure on early sketches, spills and stains become part of the creative process.

It is part of your personal experimentation and growth.

4. Embrace Experimentation and Surprises in Your Sketching

The joy of creating comes from embracing surprises—whether planned or accidental. Being open to experimentation helps you discover unique techniques that become part of your personal style.

So, don’t be afraid of the unexpected. Let accidents inspire you and open new creative doors.

5. Share Your Experiences and Keep Exploring

Have you tried mixing gel pen and water? Or turned a spill into art? I’d love to hear your stories and tips.
Leave a comment, and let’s keep inspiring each other.

See you tomorrow for the next TIP of the day!
Cheers,
Chou-Tac


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Chou-Tac

Hello! I’m Chou-Tac, a French product designer and founder of The Design Sketchbook, a blog dedicated to teaching product and industrial design sketching step-by-step!

I’ve worked as an industrial designer in Japan, Germany, China, and Singapore, and I share the same sketching methods I used in the design industry.

Here you’ll find step-by-step design sketching tutorials, free resources, and online courses to help students and professional designers sketch products like a pro, build a strong portfolio, and create a passionate creative career.
Imagine drawing your ideas for a living!

Feel free to leave a comment on the blog or send me an email at choutac@thedesignsketchbook.com.

Chou-Tac

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