Papers for Colored Pencil

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Papers for Colored Pencil

It's All About Colored Pencils!

As a colored pencil artist, I have explored and experimented with many different types of paper. Not just any type of paper can hold up to many layers of colored pencil. In addition, some types of drawing papers do not hold up very well to solvents or colorless blenders. There are many types of drawing papers on the market, with different surfaces. Below is a list of the types of drawing papers I have used over the years. As you will see, there are many types of drawing surfaces. Some work well with colored pencils, and others do not so well. However, my advice is to explore and experiment until you discover that perfect paper that meets your needs and requirements. I recommend that you get an acid-free or archival paper or one that has been treated with neutralized acids to help slow down the yellowing and deterioration of the paper. To read more about acid-free paper visit Wikipedia

Drawing Papers

Rising Stonehenge - comes in black, white, warm white, tan, gray and cream colors. It is my favorite paper to work on as it is very durable and can handle lots of layers of color. The colorless blender pencils and colorless blender markers work well on this type of paper. It is 100% cotton and every sheet is acid-free and buffered with calcium carbonate to help.

Canson Mi Tientes - comes in a variety of lightfast colors. You want to use the smooth side of this paper or your pencil leads will get eaten up quickly. Canson doesn't take as many layers as Stonehenge, but the variety of colors allows one to create unique pieces with striking effects. The colorless blender pencils work best on this paper, but Colorless Blender Markers work well on it too. Canson Mi-Teintes papers are made from medium weight 100% pure rag. Canson Mi-Teintes papers are available in various size pads and sheets.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth - has a smooth surface, can use blenders and a fair amount of layers of color. It is Acid-free. The toothy texture of the regular (vellum) surface works well with pencil, charcoal and pastel. The smooth surface is ideal for detailed ink work and is great for color pencil and marker.

Strathmore 300 Series Charcoal Paper, Strathmore 400 Series Charcoal Paper, and Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper - comes in a variety of colors. Can use the smooth or textured side, depending on the technique or style you are wanting to achieve. The blender pencils and blender markers work well on this paper. Strathmore charcoal paper is a very durable, acid-free, 100% cotton fiber paper that is great for colored pencil.

Strathmore 400 and 500 Drawing Series Bristol Paper. The colorless blender pencils and colorless blender markers work well on this paper. Strathmore drawing paper is acid-free, 100% cotton paper and works well with colored pencil.

Rising Drawing Bristol Vellum - hard to use blenders on, as the surface is very toothy and very hard to blend layers of colors.

Rising Drawing Bristol Plate - has smooth surface, great with blenders and allows fair amount of layers of color.

Strathmore Drawing Vellum - hard to use blenders on and the surface is very toothy and very hard to blend layers of colors.

Paper Surfaces

Hot Press (Plate or Smooth) - smooth surface with very little tooth.

Cold Press (Vellum or Regular) - rough or textured surface. This type of paper tends to eat up pencils quickly.

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Moores Art Gallery Colored Pencil Pattern and Texture Techniques and Tips

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Creating Patterns and Textures with Colored Pencils

It's All About Colored Pencils!

When using colored pencils, one can create various patterns and life-like textures by using specific tools and applying various techniques. For example, some patterns or textures can be created by applying layers of colors and adding distinct details or you can create a pattern or texture by using an eraser. 

There are many wonderful resources out on the market today on creating various patterns and textures for colored pencil artists. One wonderful resource for your colored pencil library is a book by colored pencil artist Gary Greene, Creating Textures in Colored Pencil. The book goes into detail about how to create various life-like textures using colored pencils along with step-by-step demonstrations. Two other good resources for creating textures with colored pencil is 101 Textures in Colored Pencil: Practical step-by-step drawing techniques for rendering a variety of surfaces & textures and The Complete Book of Textures for Artists: Step-by-step instructions for mastering more than 275 textures in graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, acrylic, and oil  Both books are by artist Denise Howard and each is a great guide in learning how to use specific tools and techniques to create different types of textures using colored pencils. 

Tips and Techniques for Creating Different Textures or Patterns with Colored Pencils.

• To create a pattern or texture, try using the side of the pencil lead to create different patterns and or life-like textures.
• To create a pattern or texture, try rubbing the colored pencil onto fine-grit sandpaper to create some colored pencil powder, and then apply the colored pencil powder onto the surface of the paper.
• To create a pattern or texture, scrape the lead of a colored pencil with an X-Acto knife or other sharp object and apply the shavings to the surface of the paper with the tip of a pencil or another tool.
• After applying many layers of colors and a thick layer of color has been developed on the surface of the paper, use an X-Acto knife to scrape different patterns or textures onto the surface of the colored pencil layer. Be careful because if you scratch too hard, you can damage the surface of the paper.
• Find a fairly flat textured or patterned object, such as sandpaper, and lay it beneath the paper, and do a colored pencil rubbing onto the surface (known as frottage) of the paper in desired areas. The heavier the pressure, the more visible the texture will be.
• Try creating various patterns and textures using a textured rubbing plate under the paper.
• After layering many colors, try using an electric eraser, such as a Sakura Electric Eraser or a Pentel Clic Eraser, to make different patterns onto the colored pencil layers of the surface of the paper.
• To create a pattern, take a sharpened woodsy dowel, sand the tip to desired bluntness and use it to indent the paper with the desired pattern. Next, apply layers of color on top of the indented surface. The white of the paper or colored paper will show through revealing the pattern.
• To create a pattern, try crosshatching two different colors. First, lay down an area of straight strokes at right angles with one color, and then overlay another area of straight strokes at right angles with a different color. Try using complementary colors to add some spark.
• To create a pattern, try stippling, a technique in which you apply dots sparsely or densely using single or multiple colors.
• To create a texture, try "Scumbling." "Scumbling" is a colored pencil technique in which you lightly overlap layers of color in a small circular motion, forming tiny circles. It is also referred to as the 'Brillo pad' technique, as the texture resembles a steel-wire cleansing pad. The texture you create depends upon the size and pressure you use to draw the tiny circles. Try varying the size of the circles and colors to create interesting textures.

Video Resources

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Moores Art Gallery Colored Pencil Impressed Line Technique & Sgraffito

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Impressed Line & Sgraffito

It's All About Colored Pencils!

The impressed line technique is used to achieve fine white lines, such as whiskers, wispy hairs, details in flowers and leaves, and so on, by using a blunt object such as a wooden stylus to make indentations or impressions onto the surface of the paper. Once you start to apply layers of color over the impressed lines, the impressed lines of the paper will become visible.

Impressed Line tips:

• Be certain that the instrument you use has no sharp point, as it will tear the paper's surface.
• Make sure you mark the impressed line areas on your paper first before applying any colors.
• You can apply layers of a light color first, then make your impressed line over that layer of color.
• You may add light layers of color to the groove later if you wish.
• You can also create impressed lines with a white or light-colored pencil, revealing an impressed line of the colored pencil used instead of the color of the paper.
• Impress or indent your lines carefully, maintaining the same constant pressure throughout the length of the whisker or hair.
• Decrease pressure or indentation near the tip or end of the whisker or hair to suggest realism.

Sgraffito Technique

Sgraffito is a technique in which you carefully scratch the surface of the paper with an X-Acto knife or a similar tool to expose a layer of color beneath the first layer of color. To accomplish this technique, you must add several layers of colors, then take the X-Acto knife and scrape away the top layer to reveal colors underneath. Be very careful while scraping away the layers of colors so that you do not damage the surface of the paper. Brush away any debris from the surface of the paper so the debris doesn't smear onto the surface. This technique can be used to create whiskers, wispy lines of hair, other minute detail, and textures.

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Moores Art Gallery Blending, Burnishing and Layering Colored Pencils

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Blending, Burnishing, and Layering

It's All About Colored Pencils!

Blending 

Blending is the process of layering colors and merging the layers of colors together by using layering techniques and or using a combination of blending tools. As a result, you can achieve rich photo-realistic type works.

Some Tips On Blending

• To blend colors try using a stump or tortillion. Tortillions come in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large. Stumps are very similar to tortillons but are much bigger. Blend the colors in a circular motion. Make sure you keep the tips clean if you are using them to blend selective colors.

• A colorless marker can be used to blend layers of colors together. The colorless marker consists of a colorless solvent that dissolves and melds the colored pencil pigment. The results achieved when using a blender marker can be smooth, deep, rich, lush and vivid. The marker is great for making washes, or under-paintings in colored pencil paintings. Some top-rated brands are Tombow Colorless Blender Pen, Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker, Finesse Colored Pencil Blender Marker, or Copic Colorless Blender Marker.

• Try using makeup sponges, q-tips, or an Alvin Dry Cleaning Pad, for blending layers of color.

• Try applying a solvent, such as Gamsol mineral spirits, Turpenoid Natural, or Zest it with a q-tip or paintbrush to blend colors together. 

• Colored Pencil Artist Carlynne Hershberger has discovered a "new blending tool called the Crayon Eraser." It is similar to Prismacolor Colorless Blenders, however, it does not change the saturation of the colors as the blending markers and pencils can do.

• Colored Pencil Artist, Linda Lucas Hardy uses a dry brushing technique for blending her layers of color. She applies multiple layers of colored pencil gradually, using up to heavy pressure, and then takes a stiff-bristle paintbrush or pastel brush, no longer than 1/2 inch, and blends the colors together.

• Colored pencil artist Ester Roi has invented the Icarius Drawing Board. The board has a warm side and a cool side. The warm side of the board is used for mixing, blending, and burnishing layers of colors. You use the cool side of the board to work on the details and other layering techniques.

• The colorless blender pencil is a very effective and valuable tool for blending colors, creating rich, vibrant colors, or giving layers of color a polished look. The colorless blender pencil base consists of either a non-pigmented wax or non-pigmented oil-wax that blends and burnishes the colored pencil pigment. I have used the following four colorless blender pencils to blend colors and to help in completing finishing touches on detailed areas: Prismacolor's blender pencil (PC 1077), Lyra's Rembrandt Splender Blender, Derwent Blender, and Caran d'Ache Full Blender-Bright.

Burnishing

Burnishing with colored pencils can create a beautiful rich glazed look. Burnishing is the process of layering multiple colors and then applying heavy pressure with a light-color pencil or with an artist tool. The wax then melds together and causes the drawing surface to become slick, filling up the entire tooth of the paper's surface. 
For example, after layering several colors, apply heavy pressure with Prismacolor Cloud Blue . Repeat the process again if necessary until a polished or vivid effect is achieved. Burnishing is ideal for creating sparkling glass, polished surfaces, and metals. If you intend to burnish your drawing, make sure you wait until the end, as burnishing will take all the tooth out of the paper.

Some Tips On Burnishing

• Burnishing works best with a light-colored pencil, such as Prismacolor Cream, Prismacolor White, Prismacolor 10% Cool Gray, or Prismacolor Cloud Blue, apply heavy pressure over the layered colored area to be burnished. 

• By burnishing with specific colors, you can achieve various effects, such as burnishing with Prismacolor Pale Ochre, you can give the illusion of an aged or antique look.

• Try using a metal scoop part of a ceramic clean-up tool, a spoon, or any other smooth metal device and apply heavy pressure in circular-like motions to the colored layers to be burnished.

• Burnish light areas first so that the dark pigment fragments do not land on unwanted areas on the surface of the paper.

• Burnish colors by using a stump or tortillion. Blend the colors in a circular motion while applying heavy pressure. Make sure you keep the tips clean if you are using them to blend selective colors.

Layering

Layering is the process of gradually building layers upon layers of colors using light to medium pressure to create different colors, values and hues. It can give your works an illusion of depth, can deepen colors, can modify colors, and can even give your work an impression of light or luminosity.

Some Tips On Layering

• Layer colors using crosshatch, horizontal, diagonal, vertical, or circular strokes. Start with a single light layer of color, then keep adding different layers of color on top of one another, using light to medium pressure, until the desired results are achieved

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Moores Art Gallery Watercolor Pencil Tips and Techniques

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Watercolor Pencil Tips & Techniques

It's All About Colored Pencils!

Watercolor pencils are very similar to colored pencils in that they allow you to have precise control, achieve great detail, are very flexible, portable, and inexpensive. The difference between regular colored pencils and water-soluble pencils is their leads. Colored pencil leads are either wax or oil-based, whereas watercolor pencil leads have a water soluble base.

When working with watercolor pencils, it is important to remember that the results will not be the same as if you were working with colored pencils. After you have layered several colors down and have applied water or a solvent of some type, you will notice that the colors will sometimes be darker, sometimes more vivid, or sometimes will become a color you were not trying to achieve at all. So experiment before you start layering colors to see if it is the color you want for your project or portrait. Also, try mixing your watercolor pencils with other mediums, such as Prismacolor colored pencils, Ohuhu Gel inks or Derwent graphite pencils. You will be surprised with the results!

Tips and Techniques

• Apply the watercolor pencil dry.
• Wet the paper first to produce a bleeding type effect or to create soft lines.
• Try using various tools, such as a sponge or toothbrush or shaking the watercolor pencil, to create different effects.
• After your watercolor pencil wash has dried, apply dry layers of watercolor pencil for detail.
• Create glazed watercolor pencil washes (transparent layers of color over another) by using either water or solvents.
• Use a colorless blender marker, such as Tombow's Colorless Blender Pen, to blend the colors.
• To achieve a thick opaque look, dip your pencil in water or in a solvent, such as Turpenoid Natural (this technique tends to eat the lead of the pencil up quickly) and then apply it to the surface of the paper.
• To create detail using watercolor pencils, try using a small wet paint brush.
• Try creating a graded wash, from dark to light with water or solvents.
• Try a backwash technique by wetting your paper first then apply one color at one end, and then another color at the other end, watch the colors blend and bleed together.
• To create a cool effect, try dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and then dot the wet colored surface of your paper with the cotton swab.
• To create a sparkly effect, try applying salt to the wet surface of your paper and let it dry.

Best Papers

I have discovered the following papers work the best when combining watercolor pencils with colored pencils: Arches watercolor paper hot press, Strathmore watercolor pads cold press and Rising Stonehenge drawing paper. Rising Stonehenge works best with the dry technique, with colorless blender markers, or with minimal water. If you do use water, make sure to tape the paper down to the board to prevent buckling.

All three brands of paper are acid-free and Strathmore also has ATC/ACEO size watercolor paper.

Brands of Watercolor Pencils

The watercolor pencil brand that I work with the most is, Derwent Watercolor Pencils. They are super creamy like Prismas color pencils and they have a wonderful selection of colors. They are fine art quality water-soluble pencil. They are non-toxic with lightfast pigment. They are available in packaged tins or open stock at most art stores.

In addition, I like to use Stabilo Aquacolor Watercolor Pencils to work on skies and small details. They have leads similar to Prismacolor Verathins, but, unfortunately, they have been discontinued. However, from time to time, you can find them on Ebay.

Watercolor Pencil Example

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Moores Art Gallery Colored Pencil Tips

Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques:

Colored Pencil Tips

It's All About Colored Pencils!

Some Tips When Working with Colored Pencils

These are some tips I have learned over the years through books, magazines, articles and from other colored pencil artists. More tips will be added to this list as I learn and explore more.

• To help your drawings stay crisp and clear, keep your pencil points sharp.
• To add some interest, spark and life to your drawings, try layering several different colors together.
• Beware of over saturating your paper's surface with too many layers of color. The color will start to no longer adhere to the paper's surface because the tooth of the paper has completely filled. As a result, the surface of the paper will start to wear down and possibly tear.
• Always keep the surface of your paper clean by brushing debris away with a drafting brush, make-up brush or tissue. Be careful when applying heavy pressure, such as when you burnish, sometimes pencils tend to flake debris upon your paper.
• To prevent wax bloom (a white film that builds up on the surface of the paper), wipe the surface of the paper with a soft tissue and then lightly spray the drawing with 1 to 3 layers of Krylon Workable Fixative Aerosol Spray. The workable fixative will protect your artwork while you continue to work on your artwork. Once you are done with your artwork you can spray 1-3 layers of a final fixative on your artwork to protect it and to prevent wax-bloom. In order to make sure there is not displeasing color changes to your artwork, make sure to test before you spray any fixatives. 
• To create vivid intense colors, try applying a solvent to the layers of color such as Turpenoid Natural, liquin, colorless blender markers, bestine, mineral spirits or baby wipes.
• It is important to add a good range of values throughout your drawing. Remember the more layers of color and the heavier the pressure, the darker the colored area on your drawing will become.
• To add life to your colored pencil artwork, try varying the color intensity, saturation and or hue in your artwork.
• Try creating different moods by drawing on different colored papers, such as Canson Mi Tientes or Art Spectrum Colourfix.
• When working on a tonal drawing, work from dark to light.
• Keep your pencil strokes even, consistent in pressure and in the same direction, so the lines of your strokes will be less visible and will blend into the layers of color.
• When adding layers of color, start off with light pressure and gradually increase your pressure.
• To create, a rich dark black, try layering Prismacolors indigo blue, crimson, sepia and black grape.
• To keep areas on the surface of your paper white, try using frisket film, liquid frisket or a frisket masque pen.
• Keep a color key of your drawing for future reference in case you decide you need to take a break from your artwork.
• For fine or small detail, try using Prismacolor Verithins. Rex Art has an open stock of them available.
• Practice using only a single color to help improve your blending, layering, and graduating skills.
• Practice using different pressures (light, medium and heavy), to achieve different depths of color and tones of color.
• Try using a light colored pencil to draw out your sketch and then blend the sketch into the layers of colors you apply.
• When your pencils become too small to sharpen, try using a pencil extender for your pencil stubs, or try gluing pencil ends together with superglue.
• To prevent smearing, smudging of debris and dark spots, wipe off the tips of pencils with a tissue or cloth before applying color.
• When working with colorless blender markers you have to be careful to wipe off the nibs of the pencils after blending, or colors will mix.
• Try purchasing several blender markers for each color, so there is not a constant need to wipe off colored areas on the nibs.
• Be careful of over-blending and over-saturating your paper, you will not be able to add any more layers of colors or blend with a blender.
• Allow your drawing to dry from the blender marker before adding any more layers of colors.
• To create an illusion of depth, try using complementary colors in dark valued areas of your artwork.
• To help hide a stain on your drawing: try using a color similar to the stain color or use an opaque medium such as white or cream to cover it.
• Colored Pencil Artist, Barbara Newton, has a wonderful tip on how to conceal a scratch mark or indent on your drawing: first apply a little color over the area, then blend the color into the area with a clear colorless blender marker and then add some more color till the mark is no longer visible.
• Try making your own colored pencil wheel using specific brands of colored pencils to use as a reference tool while creating your works of art. Two great tutorials on creating a colored pencil wheels are located at the Empty Easel and at Wetcanvas.

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