Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Tokyo; President: Junichi Fukushima) is responding to customer requests by adding water-soluble colored pencils—which allow for watercolor-like effects when blended with a wet brush—to its “IROJITEN” (trademark) product line. The new product is named “IROJITEN Water-Soluble Colored Pencils.” Prices are set at 3,300 JPY (3,000 JPY excl. tax) for the 12-color set, 6,600 JPY (6,000 JPY excl. tax) for the 24-color set, 9,900 JPY (9,000 JPY excl. tax) for the 36-color set, and 220 JPY (200 JPY excl. tax) for individual pencils. Sales will begin sequentially starting August 12 at stationery stores, art supply sections, art supply shops, and other retailers nationwide.
“IROJITEN” is a series of oil-based colored pencils originally launched in 1988. It debuted as a 30-color set featuring shades—such as *Ama-iro* (Celeste Blue), *Wasurenagusa-iro* (Forget-Me-Not Blue), and *Ayame-iro* (Iris Violet)—that captured natural hues and trendy colors previously unavailable in colored pencil ranges. The collection expanded from the original 90 colors (across three volumes) to the current 100-color lineup. As a pioneering brand, it drove the colored pencil boom by offering colors that had never been available and introducing unique color names that had previously lacked a designation. It later garnered strong recommendations from many fans during the “adult coloring book” (*coloriage*) craze that emerged around 2015.
The key features of the “IROJITEN” watercolor pencils include: ① a color selection ideal for depicting plants and (Japanese) scenery, allowing users to enjoy sketching flowers and the changing seasons; ② the ability to transform colored lines into washes—creating a watercolor-like effect—by tracing them with a water brush (included with all sets*); ③ excellent adhesion to paper with a single stroke, enabling bold, vivid drawing; and ④ water-resistant, book-style packaging (with a sleeve case) that allows for easy color selection by displaying all colors and their names at a glance. *Water brush: A brush-pen style tool with a built-in water reservoir in the body.
Watercolor pencils are also popular as an art medium that allows you to create watercolor-style paintings without the need for a preliminary sketch.
(1) A color palette capable of depicting Japan’s seasonal flora and scenery
This product features a selection of intermediate shades—distinct from those found in standard educational colored pencil sets*—that are ideal for capturing the plants and landscapes of the four seasons. Examples include “Dandelion”, signaling the arrival of spring; “Celeste Blue”, seen during breaks in the rainy season; “Forest Green”, representing the Forest hues of summer; and “Tangerine Orange” , reflecting the vibrant energy of the earth in early winter.
The 12-color set contains the essential colors needed to depict Japan’s seasonal flora and scenery through color mixing. The 24-color and 36-color sets (pictured below) incorporate additional shades—such as “Narcissus” (in the 24-color set) and “Coral Pink” (in the 36-color set)—allowing for a richer, more nuanced approach to coloring.
*Educational colored pencil sets: Typically, 12-color sets based on the 48-color standard defined by the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). These are designed to help users learn basic colors and their names, such as “Red” and “Blue.”
(2) Lines dissolve into color washes when using a water brush; enjoy color mixing and layering with these watercolor pencils.
These pencils feature water-soluble cores where the color pigment is blended with high-quality, fine-textured base materials—the same type used in cosmetics like foundation—along with surfactants to aid dispersion and a water-based binder. You can enjoy dissolving, mixing, and layering colors, as well as creating fade-out effects. Handling and sharpening these pencils is the same as with conventional colored pencils.
Techniques include:
①Drawing just like with oil-based colored pencils (using stippling, line work, or solid fills) to achieve a standard colored pencil look.
②Dissolving the drawn lines with a water brush to spread or mix colors.
③Touching the water brush directly to the pencil core to pick up color for painting (similar to using traditional Japanese watercolor pens).
④Shaving the core into a powder and mixing it with water to paint.
Use these methods to expand your color palette, mix and layer colors, and enjoy creating watercolor-style art with IROJITEN.
(3) Rich, dense color application with a single stroke.
The soft-touch cores allow for color application that is over 30% more intense (based on the average compared to previous IROJITEN models) in a single stroke. The pigment richly adheres to the drawing paper, enabling a finish with great depth when used with a water brush.
(4) Book-style packaging: view all colors and names at a glance—perfect for gifting.
The convenient book-style packaging makes it easy to store and enjoy watercolor pencil drawing whenever inspiration strikes. You can view all colors and their names at once, making color selection simple.
The 12-color set is roughly the size of a standard book: 136mm wide, 198mm high, 24mm thick, and weighing 250g. The 24-color set measures 198 mm wide, 226 mm high, and 24 mm thick, weighing 452 g—dimensions close to those of a magazine.
The 36-color set measures 206 mm wide (comparable to A4 size), 333 mm high, and 24 mm thick, weighing 709 g (including the sleeve case).
The book-style package features a cream color that closely matches the barrel color of the pencils. It is finished with a water-resistant PP coating, making it stain-resistant and easy to wipe clean. When opened, the inside front cover displays the color names (in both Japanese and English) along with descriptions of the colors. A sleeve case is included to enhance the durability and preservation of the package.
“IROJITEN” Watercolor Pencils – Sample Artwork by Dari Yamada
Spring
〇 Main colors used:
Celeste Blue P18 / Narcissus P4
〇 Comment:
Layering yellow over spring grass creates the look of fresh, young foliage. “Celeste Blue” represents the color of a clear sky; I created a careful gradation with it.
Summer
〇 Main colors used:
Ice Green P6 / Kingfisher V7
〇 Comment:
Summer greens are lush and deep. “Kingfisher”—a signature color of the IROJITEN line—is perfect not only for the kingfisher in the foreground but also for trees, grass, and mountains.
Autumn
〇 Main colors used:
Dandelion V3 / Tangerine Orange V2
〇 Comment:
Autumn yellows seem to radiate light. I used orange for the shadows on the ground to depict a vibrant carpet of ginkgo leaves.
Winter
〇 Main colors used:
Tangerine Orange V2 / Asiatic Dayflower EX12
〇 Comment:
I used a grayish blue to capture the quiet atmosphere of winter. In contrast, a vivid orange makes the dignified fox stand out.
“IROJITEN Watercolor Pencils” 12 / 24 / 36-color set
You can view all the colors and their names at a glance, making it fun and easy to choose the right shade.
In-store display set
“IROJITEN Watercolor Pencils” Special Site
https://www.tombow.com/sp/irojiten/water_color/
