Are you interested in learning how to draw with colored pencils but don’t know where to start? This article is the perfect place to begin! We’ll provide step-by-step instructions and tips to help you create beautiful colored pencil drawings, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Colored pencils are a versatile and accessible medium, allowing you to create vibrant and detailed artworks. They’re also relatively inexpensive and easy to find, making them a great option for artists of all levels.
In the following sections, we’ll cover the basics of colored pencil drawing, including choosing the right materials, preparing your paper, and creating simple shapes and lines. We’ll also provide tips on blending colors, adding depth and texture, and finishing your artwork.
Easy Colour Pencil Drawing
Anyone can learn with simple techniques.
- Choose right materials.
- Prepare your paper.
- Start with basic shapes.
- Blend colors smoothly.
- Add depth and texture.
Practice regularly to improve your skills.
Choose Right Materials
Having the right materials can make a big difference in the quality of your colored pencil drawings. Here are a few key things to consider when choosing your supplies:
- Colored pencils:
Look for high-quality colored pencils that are well-pigmented and blend easily. Some popular brands include Prismacolor, Faber-Castell, and Caran d’Ache.
- Paper:
Choose a smooth, heavyweight paper that is specifically designed for colored pencils. This will help to prevent the colors from bleeding or smudging.
- Sharpener:
A good quality sharpener is essential for keeping your colored pencils sharp. A blunt pencil will not blend well and can damage your paper.
- Eraser:
A soft, kneadable eraser is best for colored pencil drawings. It will allow you to erase mistakes without damaging the paper.
Once you have gathered your materials, you can begin creating beautiful colored pencil drawings! Experiment with different colors and techniques to find your own unique style.
Prepare Your Paper
Before you start drawing, it’s important to prepare your paper properly. This will help to ensure that your drawing surface is smooth and free of any bumps or indentations that could affect the quality of your artwork.
Here are a few tips for preparing your paper:
- Choose the right paper:
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to choose a smooth, heavyweight paper that is specifically designed for colored pencils. This type of paper will help to prevent the colors from bleeding or smudging.
- Secure your paper:
Once you have chosen your paper, you need to secure it to your work surface. This will prevent it from moving around while you are drawing.
There are a few different ways to secure your paper. You can use a drawing board, a clipboard, or simply tape the paper to your work surface.
- Sand your paper (optional):
Sanding your paper can help to create a smoother surface for drawing. This is especially helpful if you are using a rough or textured paper.
To sand your paper, use a fine-grit sandpaper and lightly sand the surface in a circular motion. Be careful not to sand too much, as this can damage the paper.
- Burnish your paper (optional):
Burnishing your paper can also help to create a smoother surface for drawing. This is done by rubbing a smooth object, such as a bone folder or a spoon, over the surface of the paper.
Burnishing will help to compress the fibers of the paper and make it less likely to buckle or warp.
Once you have prepared your paper, you are ready to start drawing!
Start with Basic Shapes
When you are first starting out with colored pencil drawing, it’s a good idea to focus on simple shapes. This will help you to develop your basic skills and techniques before moving on to more complex subjects.
Some basic shapes to practice drawing include:
- Circles:
Circles are one of the easiest shapes to draw. Start by drawing a light circle with your pencil. Then, gradually darken the circle as you go around. You can also add a shadow to your circle to make it look more three-dimensional.
- Squares and rectangles:
Squares and rectangles are also relatively easy to draw. Start by drawing two parallel lines for the sides of the shape. Then, connect the lines with two more parallel lines to create the top and bottom of the shape.
- Triangles:
Triangles are a bit more challenging to draw than circles and squares, but they are still a good shape to practice. Start by drawing a straight line for the base of the triangle. Then, draw two more straight lines from the corners of the base to the top of the triangle.
- Ovals:
Ovals are a good shape to practice if you want to draw more organic forms. Start by drawing a circle. Then, stretch the circle slightly in one direction to create an oval.
Once you have mastered these basic shapes, you can start to combine them to create more complex drawings. For example, you could draw a house by combining a rectangle for the body of the house, a triangle for the roof, and a circle for the window.
Practicing basic shapes is a great way to improve your drawing skills and build your confidence. So, don’t be afraid to start simple and work your way up to more complex drawings.
Blend Colors Smoothly
One of the key techniques in colored pencil drawing is blending colors smoothly. This can be done in a number of ways, but the most common method is to use a blending stump or tortillon.
A blending stump is a small, pencil-shaped tool that is made of soft, porous material. It is used to blend colors by gently rubbing it over the surface of the paper.
To blend colors with a blending stump, first apply two or more colors to the area you want to blend. Then, use the blending stump to gently rub over the colors in a circular motion. Be careful not to press too hard, as this can damage the paper.
You can also use a tortillon to blend colors. A tortillon is a larger, cone-shaped tool that is also made of soft, porous material. It is used in the same way as a blending stump, but it can be used to blend larger areas of color.
In addition to using a blending stump or tortillon, you can also blend colors by using your finger or a tissue. However, these methods are not as effective as using a blending stump or tortillon.
Here are a few tips for blending colors smoothly:
- Use a light touch. Blending colors is a delicate process, so it’s important to use a light touch. If you press too hard, you can damage the paper and ruin your drawing.
- Blend in small areas. Don’t try to blend a large area of color all at once. Instead, work in small areas, blending one area at a time.
- Be patient. Blending colors takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get perfect results right away. Just keep practicing and you will eventually get better.
With a little practice, you will be able to blend colors smoothly and create beautiful, realistic drawings.
Add Depth and Texture
Once you have mastered the basics of colored pencil drawing, you can start to add depth and texture to your drawings. This will help to make your drawings more realistic and interesting.
- Use shading:
Shading is one of the most important techniques for adding depth and texture to your drawings. Shading can be used to create the illusion of light and shadow, which can help to make your drawings look more three-dimensional.
To shade, simply apply darker colors to the areas of your drawing that are in shadow. You can also use a blending stump or tortillon to blend the colors together and create a smooth transition between light and dark areas.
- Use hatching and cross-hatching:
Hatching and cross-hatching are two techniques that can be used to create texture in your drawings. Hatching is created by drawing a series of parallel lines, while cross-hatching is created by drawing two or more layers of hatching lines in different directions.
Hatching and cross-hatching can be used to create a variety of different textures, such as fur, fabric, and wood. The direction and spacing of the lines can also be used to create the illusion of light and shadow.
- Use colored pencils of different hardnesses:
Colored pencils come in a variety of different hardnesses, from hard to soft. Hard pencils are good for creating sharp lines and details, while soft pencils are good for blending and shading.
You can use different hardnesses of colored pencils to create different textures in your drawings. For example, you could use a hard pencil to draw the outline of an object and a soft pencil to shade it.
- Use layering:
Layering is a technique that can be used to add depth and richness to your drawings. Layering involves applying multiple layers of color to the same area.
When you layer colors, start with a light color and gradually add darker colors on top. You can also use different colors to create interesting effects.
By using these techniques, you can add depth and texture to your colored pencil drawings and create beautiful, realistic artwork.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about pencil drawing:
Question 1: What type of pencil should I use for drawing?
Answer: The type of pencil you use will depend on your personal preferences and the type of drawing you are doing. However, a good all-around pencil for beginners is a HB or 2B graphite pencil.
Question 2: What kind of paper should I use for pencil drawing?
Answer: A smooth, heavyweight paper is best for pencil drawing. This type of paper will help to prevent the graphite from smudging and will provide a good surface for blending and shading.
Question 3: How do I hold a pencil correctly?
Answer: There is no one right way to hold a pencil, but the most common grip is the tripod grip. To use the tripod grip, hold the pencil between your thumb and index finger, and rest the pencil on your middle finger. This grip provides good control and allows you to make a variety of marks.
Question 4: How do I start a pencil drawing?
Answer: The first step in creating a pencil drawing is to sketch out your subject. This can be done with a light touch, using simple lines to capture the basic shapes and proportions of your subject.
Question 5: How do I add shading and depth to my pencil drawings?
Answer: Shading is a key technique for adding depth and realism to your pencil drawings. You can create shading by applying darker tones to the areas of your drawing that are in shadow. You can also use hatching and cross-hatching to create different textures.
Question 6: How do I blend and smooth out my pencil drawings?
Answer: You can blend and smooth out your pencil drawings by using a blending stump or tortillon. A blending stump is a small, pencil-shaped tool that is made of soft, porous material. To use a blending stump, gently rub it over the areas of your drawing that you want to blend.
Question 7: What are some common mistakes that beginners make when drawing with pencils?
Answer: Some common mistakes that beginners make when drawing with pencils include pressing too hard, not using a variety of pencil strokes, and not paying attention to the proportions of their subject.
Closing Paragraph: Pencil drawing is a rewarding and versatile medium that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. With a little practice, you can learn to create beautiful and realistic drawings with just a pencil and paper.
Now that you have learned some of the basics of pencil drawing, here are a few tips to help you improve your skills:
Tips
Here are a few practical tips to help you improve your pencil drawing skills:
Tip 1: Practice regularly.
The best way to improve your pencil drawing skills is to practice regularly. Try to set aside some time each day to draw, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with the medium and the better your drawings will be.
Tip 2: Use a variety of pencil strokes.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different pencil strokes to create different effects in your drawings. For example, you can use light, short strokes to create a soft, delicate look, or you can use long, bold strokes to create a more dramatic effect.
Tip 3: Pay attention to the proportions of your subject.
When you are drawing a subject, it is important to pay attention to the proportions of the different parts of the subject. This will help you to create a realistic and accurate drawing. If you are unsure about the proportions of your subject, you can use a grid to help you.
Tip 4: Use shading and highlights to create depth and realism.
Shading and highlights are essential for creating depth and realism in your pencil drawings. Shading can be used to create the illusion of light and shadow, while highlights can be used to add emphasis to certain areas of your drawing. You can use a variety of techniques to create shading and highlights, such as hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling.
Closing Paragraph: With a little practice and patience, you can learn to create beautiful and realistic pencil drawings. So don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with this versatile medium.
Now that you have learned some of the basics of pencil drawing and some tips for improving your skills, you can start creating your own beautiful works of art.
Conclusion
Pencil drawing is a versatile and rewarding medium that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. With a little practice, you can learn to create beautiful and realistic drawings with just a pencil and paper.
In this article, we have covered the basics of pencil drawing, including choosing the right materials, preparing your paper, and creating simple shapes and lines. We have also discussed how to blend colors smoothly, add depth and texture, and finish your artwork.
Now that you have learned the basics, it is time to start practicing and experimenting with different techniques. The more you practice, the better your drawings will become. So don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with this versatile medium.
With a little practice and patience, you can create beautiful and realistic pencil drawings that you can be proud of. So get started today and see what you can create!
