14 Ways to Blend Colored Pencils
- Dry Methods. These dry methods are the easiest and most straightforward, which is why we’re starting with them.
- Use the Pencils to Blend. This first method involves no tools other than the colored pencils themselves. To do it, you...
- Fingertip Method. The next method is also an automatic reflex for many adult colorists, which is using...
How to smoothly blend with color pencils?
To recap, for beginners trying to blend with colored pencils:
- Layer one color on top of another
- Layer lighter colors on top of darker colors
- Use a burnishing technique by pressing down hard while coloring
- Always use dull pencils for burnishing
Are colored pencils better than crayons?
Yes coloured pencils are much better than crayons. Crayons contain more wax and little pigment while coloured pencils contain little wax and more pigment. But still even great company high quality coloured pencils leave a unwanted shine on the page when looked at an angle.
How do you blend with coloured pencil?
You can also blend with other colored pencils! Use a lighter colored pencil over darker layers, or even a white colored pencil. This method works best using medium to heavy pressure over the top of a few darker layers. You could also get fancy with a colorless blending pencil.
What are the best cheap colored pencils?
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What can you use to blend colored pencils?
Baby Oil - Baby oil has always been a popular choice for blending colored pencils. The oil dissolves the binder of the pencil allowing it to be spread easily over the surface. Baby oil is safe, odorless, and easily spread with a soft brush.
How do you smoothly blend colored pencils?
0:439:447 Ways of Blending Colored Pencils for Beginners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing no more pressure than what you could use to sign her name or take notes in class thenMoreUsing no more pressure than what you could use to sign her name or take notes in class then alternate between your colors gradually. Creating a transition by layering each color over the other.
How do you blend cheap colored pencils?
Paper towel and bathroom tissue. Both are great for blending colored pencil and producing an eggshell smooth surface. They're also easy to use. Simply fold a piece into quarters or smaller and rub them over the area you want to blend.06-Nov-2015
Can you use water to blend colored pencils?
Water can be used to blend color pencils if they are water-soluble. Most colored pencils use a wax or oil to bind the pigment into a pencil so these types of colored pencils will not blend with water. If you have watercolor pencils then these will definitely blend with water.
How do you blend Faber Castell colored pencils?
0:3612:55How to Blend Faber Castell Polychromos Colored PencilsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStarting with my light colors gradually building up the dark colors and then i will go back in withMoreStarting with my light colors gradually building up the dark colors and then i will go back in with the light colors moving back across. And then i will finish with a lighter color on top to blend.
How do you blend colored pencils with Vaseline?
7:4218:15Blending with Vaseline Do's and Don'ts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAway the pencil lines. I'm getting a nice steady ombre effect there. And again you can still go overMoreAway the pencil lines. I'm getting a nice steady ombre effect there. And again you can still go over the top. And because you've got that coating of Vaseline. It also helps give you a nice smooth.
Can you blend colored pencils with Q Tip?
1:472:54How to Blend Colored Pencil with Solvents - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis method gives me a lot of control and keeps me from applying too much solvent as I rub myMoreThis method gives me a lot of control and keeps me from applying too much solvent as I rub my drawing with the wet cotton swab. You can see the pencil blending.
How do you blend with pencils?
0:5510:02BEST WAYS TO BLEND GRAPHITE PENCILS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could use a bigger blending stumps in this if you wanted to normally. The bigger the area I'mMoreYou could use a bigger blending stumps in this if you wanted to normally. The bigger the area I'm actually blending. Out the bigger the blending.
Does soaking colored pencils make them better?
So, does soaking colored pencils make them better? No soaking colored pencils do not make them better. Dry colored pencils offer artists more versatility, control, and last longer all while keeping the pencil relatively less damaged as you draw or color.
Can you use nail polish remover to blend colored pencils?
0:385:42Blending Colored Pencils with nail polish remover Does it really work??YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI have to say I was absolutely amazed. So to start off I used a very tiny amount on a q-tip. And IMoreI have to say I was absolutely amazed. So to start off I used a very tiny amount on a q-tip. And I began really gently rubbing it into the darker.
Does rubbing alcohol blend colored pencils?
Rubbing alcohol is a great solvent for colored pencils. It breaks down the wax binder in most colored pencils and allows the pigments to blend more like paint. It's also wonderful for restoring the paper's tooth.16-Jul-2012
How do you blend colored pencils with baby oil?
Hold the cotton swab like a pencil, and rub it on the colored area with the same amount of pressure that you use to color. The colored pencil strokes will immediately begin to smooth out and blend together like magic! My best tip is to work slowly and start small with the oil. You can always add more.04-Jun-2017
What is colorless blending pencil?
Another precision method of blending colored pencils involves using a colorless blending pencil, which is exactly what it sounds like. These blender pencils contain wax cores with no pigment that you can use to color over the area that you want to blend. Using colorless blending pencils is much like the first example we talked about ...
What pencils blend well?
That makes wax-based pencils ideal for blending, although oil and water-based pencils blend as well.
What is rubbing alcohol blending?
The rubbing alcohol blending method is a less precise, but perhaps more convenient, method than using a colorless blending marker. Simply apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to one of the dry tools mentioned above and use it to blend as needed.
What is a blending stump?
Blending stumps and tortillions are usually used for blending charcoal drawings, but they work on colored pencils as well. They’re made of paper that’s compressed into a pointed pencil shape, and work for blending precise areas.
What is the act of smoothing out the color pencil pigment on a page?
Burnishing is the act of smoothing out the colored pencil pigment on a page so that absolutely no white paper speckles show through. It can also smooth out stroke patterns.
What solvent is used to thin paint?
Turpentine is another solvent that’s made to thin paint, and it’s much stronger than gamsol or turpenoid. It’s recommended to use this method outdoors or in an area with good ventilation.
Do colorless blending markers have alcohol in them?
Colorless blending markers work in much the same way as colorless blending pencils, except their core contains alcohol. If you’ve ever used a highlighter over notes written in pencil, you’ve already experienced how these markers work – it’s the same concept, only they don’t deposit any color.
How to blend colored pencils?
The easiest and fastest way to blend colored pencils is by layering your pencils. This approach is precise and straightforward because it involves only the use of your pencils and no additional supplies. A colorless blending pencil, however, can go a long way in making this approach much easier.
How to make colored pencils stronger?
Blend colored pencils with solvents. Blending colored pencils with solvents is one way to maximize the blending effects. The solvents are rubbed on the tip of your colored pencils and are only used when dealing with strong/thick paper. You can test the strength of the paper by trying out the method on different types of paper.
What is a colorless blender?
Colorless blenders are markers or pencils that contain fillers like wax. These markers and pencils are essential tools every artist should have because they can be used for fading as well as moving colors. When it comes to blending colored pencils, they also make great blenders. The introduction of extra wax to the wax already on the drawing surface helps mix the colors in a nice transition.
What is smudging pencils?
The smudging process involves the use of paper products to help blend the pencil colors. If you can’t afford fancy paper products, you can choose to blend colors with items like regular paper, tissue, paper towels, serviette or even toilet paper.
Why do you put pressure on colored pencils?
This is because pressure influences the intensity of the color and end result of your drawing.
How to smudge a drawing?
To smudge with any of the tools mentioned above, start with a heavily layered colored pencil. This maximizes the effect, making your drawing appear vibrant. Burnishing can be used in this technique but lighter layers can also work as long as you use the perfect combination of pencil and paper.
What pressure do you use to blend a drawing?
Note: Blend with either soft or bristle brushes. If you are working on a drawing with lots of pigment, you can make use of hard pressure. Medium pressure, however, is the best type of pressure to use as it prevents the paper from scoffing and does not present a risk of removing the color.
Basic Methods of Blending Colored Pencil
This might seem painfully obvious, but the obvious is often the thing that gets overlooked most. One of the only three blending methods you’ll ever need for colored pencil is….
Blending Colored Pencils Without Solvent
I’ve written a tutorial describing how to blend colored pencils without solvents. The tutorial is now available at Colored Pencil Tutorials. It’s ideal for artists who cannot use solvents for health reasons or who simply prefer not to use solvents.
Carrie L. Lewis
Carrie L. Lewis has been an artist longer than she can remember. An oil painter from her teens, she began using colored pencils because they were ideal for highly detailed work, and were easier to transport and use at horse shows. She now uses colored pencils almost exclusively.