Tips And Techniques For Learning To Draw In Colored Pencil

Are you a budding artist looking to expand your skills in the world of colored pencil drawing? Colored pencils are a versatile medium that allows for intricate details, vibrant colors, and beautiful shading. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some experience in drawing, this article will provide you with valuable tips and techniques to improve your colored pencil art.

1. Choose the Right Materials

Before you start your colored pencil journey, it's important to invest in high-quality materials. Choose colored pencils that have a strong pigment and a wide range of colors. Look for brands like Faber-Castell, Prismacolor, or Caran d'Ache. Invest in a good set of drawing papers that are specifically designed for colored pencils to ensure you achieve the best results.

Additionally, consider purchasing a set of blending tools such as tortillons or blending stumps. These tools will help you create smooth and seamless transitions between colors, giving your drawings a professional and polished look.

Portfolio: Beginning Colored Pencil: Tips and techniques for learning to draw in colored pencil

by Eileen Sorg (Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	38214 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages

FREE

2. Start with Simple Shapes

When you first begin drawing with colored pencils, it can be overwhelming to jump right into complex subjects. Instead, start by practicing simple shapes like squares, circles, and triangles. This will help you familiarize yourself with the medium and learn how to control the pressure and strokes of your pencils.

As you gain more confidence, gradually move on to more challenging subjects such as still life objects, landscapes, or portraits. Remember, practice makes perfect, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of learning.

3. Understand Color Theory

Color theory is crucial when working with colored pencils. Familiarize yourself with the color wheel and learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Understand how different colors interact with each other and the emotions they can evoke.

Experiment with color combinations to create harmonious or contrasting effects in your artwork. Learn how to create depth and dimension by using warm and cool colors. Understanding color theory will greatly enhance the impact of your colored pencil drawings.

4. Master Layering and Blending

Layering and blending are essential techniques in colored pencil drawing. Layering involves building up multiple layers of colors to create depth and richness in your artwork. Start with light pressure and gradually build up darker shades, allowing the colors to blend together seamlessly.

Blending is the process of smoothing out harsh lines and transitions between colors. Use a blending tool or even your fingers to gently blend the colors together. This technique creates a more realistic and soft look in your drawings.

5. Use Reference Photos

Reference photos can be invaluable when learning to draw with colored pencils. They provide you with a visual guide and help you understand the different shapes, values, and colors in your subject.

Start with simple reference photos and try to replicate the colors and textures using your colored pencils. As you progress, challenge yourself with more complex reference photos and aim to capture the details and realism in your drawings.

6. Practice Textures

Colored pencils allow for incredible texture effects in your artwork. Experiment with different stroke techniques like cross-hatching, stippling, or scumbling to create various textures such as fur, woodgrain, or fabric.

Practice observing different textures in the world around you and try to replicate them in your drawings. The more you practice textures, the better you'll become at capturing the intricate details in your colored pencil artwork.

7. Learn from Others

Don't be afraid to seek inspiration and learn from other experienced artists. Join online art communities or attend local art workshops where you can interact with fellow artists, share your work, ask for advice, and gain valuable insights into the world of colored pencil drawing.

Study the works of established colored pencil artists and take note of their techniques, composition, and use of colors. Learning from others is a great way to expand your knowledge and improve your own artistry.

Learning to draw in colored pencil can be an incredibly rewarding journey. By choosing the right materials, starting with simple shapes, understanding color theory, mastering layering and blending, using reference photos, practicing textures, and learning from others, you can develop your skills and create stunning colored pencil drawings.

Remember, the most important aspect of learning to draw in colored pencil is to enjoy the process and let your creativity shine. So grab your colored pencils, embrace the techniques, and let your imagination run wild!

Portfolio: Beginning Colored Pencil: Tips and techniques for learning to draw in colored pencil

by Eileen Sorg (Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	38214 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages

FREE

Beginning Colored Pencil lets you master the art of drawing with colored pencils.

*Named One of the 54 Best Colored Pencil Drawing Books of All Time by BookAuthority*

What medium is as immediately relatable as the colored pencil? Vibrant, versatile, and familiar, the simple colored pencil is the proverbial first step on your journey to becoming an artist. Beginning Colored Pencil is an inviting and approachable guide loaded with everything an aspiring artist needs to know about colored pencil, including tools, materials, composition, and color theory.

Walter Foster Publishing’s Portfolio series takes a technique-driven approach, emphasizing topics like blending, shading, and creating form and texture to provide a well-rounded approach that allows readers to master key concepts. Try step-by-step demonstrations with a fresh, contemporary design to keep lessons vibrant, so you can practice your fresh, new skills. Get in touch with your inner creativity, and dive into colored pencils today!

The Portfolio series covers essential art techniques, core concepts, and media with an approach and format that’s perfect for aspiring, beginning, and intermediate artists.

Also available from the series:Beginning Acrylic, Beginning Drawing, Beginning Watercolor, Beginning Pastel, Beginning Color Mixing, Expressive Painting, Beginning Color Mixing, Beginning Pen & Ink, and Beginning Composition.