How to use colored pencils?

For most beginning artists, color work is intimidating. After all, it seems as though there are so many choices — too many colors, too many techniques, and too many ways to mess things up! That’s a lot of pressure! However, the truth is that color work can be fun and creative, and the right techniques can make it easier. Getting great results is all about knowing how to use your colored pencils properly.

How to use dark colored pencils?

The dark color of black, navy or brown colored pencils gives a darker line, making them great for creating shadows, intense contrasts and strong lines. These pencils are also great for creating stark contrasts against lighter colors, such as white. You can create a gradation of color by layering multiple colors of darker pencils or by blending colors together.

How to use colored pencils to draw?

Colored pencils can be used to add color to a black-and-white sketch. Colored pencils can also be used to shade or add depth to a color drawing. For example, when shading a black-and-white landscape, use a darker color for the foreground and a lighter color for the background.

How to use colored pencils for a drawing?

Colored pencils work best for line work, so you can use them to shade, refine and blend your drawing. For example, if you’re drawing a person, you can use a darker color to shade their face, add definition to their hair and a lighter color to their shirt. Colored pencils are great if you want to color a flat image, such as a photograph or a wall painting, as your darker colors will stay sharper and brighter than if you used a ballpoint

How to use colored pencils on dark paper?

Using dark paper for coloring can help reduce the need to press down hard on the pencil. This means you won’t be applying as much pressure to the paper, which can be a problem when color breaks through the paper. This can also be a good choice for coloring something that’s darker than its surrounding area.