Drawing 011 - Color Pencil Techniques

Color Pencil Techniques 

Basics

Typically has the similar method to the pencil sketch. only that it uses colors. If you go back to the previous post "Back to Basics" I have two sets of COLLEEN brand colored pencils. I didn't really talk about it much back then since i was only starting on the pencil sketching.

To start off, here's the color chart for the two boxes of colored pencils that I have. I know that there are many good ones for artist uses. As a beginner, guess I'll finish up these colors before trying up new brands. 

Singer of the colors are repeated but some looks like repeat but there's a slight difference. 

Grip Methods

We'll still follow with "Pencils...Holding It Right". The different methods will help to perform similar for color pencils as well to give us with the different textures, shades, curves, and etc.

Mark Making and Contouring

Same goes for "Mark Making". It is only a matter of using it on color pencils rather than graphite pencils. Contouring in mark making is also useful especially during blending.

Color Layering

This is something similar to pencil shade only that we will use the different colors. 

Point to keep in mind:-

• The tip will need to be kept sharp always to allow pigment penetrate into the paper.
• Gradually add in color by layers to achieve the needed results.

Color Pencil Works from Dark to Light

Color the darkest value of the object then layer the lighter colors on top. Purpose is to keep the color's visibility on the drawing. 

Adding Highlights / Making Adjustments

Certain areas of highlights for an object can be adjusted using white color pencils, kneaded eraser, normal eraser, water (for watercolor pencil), and solvents. Then relayering onto the piece of work to blending again. This depends on the type of color pencil being used. 

Avoiding Color Smudging / Contamination and Housekeeping

This is a lesson learn from the watercolor painting and the graphite sketching. I was doing the work from here and there, then the smudge occurs when I accidentally rested my hand on the finished part. That's where the smudge occurs. Same happens in the watercolor, I accidentally transferred unwanted color onto other part of the drawing.

Point to keep in mind:-

• If you used right hand, try doing it from left to right, top to bottom and vice-versa for left hand people. Unless you are ambidextrous, you can start in the middle 
• Like my case, when it is too late, you can also use a piece of paper to cover the area so that it does not smudge. But remember not to drag the paper as this will also smudge and contaminate the other areas as well.
• If there are debris on the paper, ensure to remove it using a soft brush / spray off using compressed air.