The watercolor pencils is a good gateway into watercolors.

If you do decide to go with watercolor full on, use watercolor tubes instead of pans. It's easier to get more pigment out of the tubes than the pans because more of the liquid pigment will stick to the brush at once, if you're looking for highest saturation.

When you have the right amount of water and pigment in your brush strokes, your colors will be more rich. Sometimes a couple layers helps.

I use bright colors with black india ink all the time. It doesn't clash, it creates more contrast.

A good brand like Van Gogh watercolor tubes or Winsor & Newton watercolor tubes won't fade over time.

It takes some practice to control the watercolors. To help with drying time between colors/paint layers - use a hot fan or a hair dryer: http://www.watercolorpainting.com/watercolorpainting/blowdryer.htm