Graphite shaded line-drawing: Can I apply a water colour wash or coffee/tea stain?

[DaggerAndBrush]

Fellow mapmakers,

I drew a map with fineliners and shaded it using a graphite pencil.

Now I would like to apply a coffee stain and maybe some acrylic or water colour washes.

I used an Artist Trading Card for the map, so lightly structured art paper with some thickness to it, but not water colour paper specifically.


Will the graphite dissolve when I apply the wash? Can I fixate it somehow? Should I instead consider using pastels or coloured pencils?

[Falconius]

I don't think it will be very affected, but you should test it, graphite isn't exactly known for its permanency. There are workable fixatives for dry mediums and should still allow water based media ontop, but again I'd test it. You may get beading etc.

[Baron]

I wouldn't do it. Test it elsewhere if you like.

[Tom Solo]

When I sketch I can usually give a wash to lead that is f or harder you should not use a wash on anything softer than HB without a specialized wash.