Colored Pencil drawings - Top 10 Tools

Colored Pencil Drawing - Fallen Leaves

Back in the late 1990's I was introduced to Colored Pencils. I had no idea at the time that coloured pencils could create such wonderful works of art and there were even pencils that were considered 'professional'. At the beginning, I was a bit overwhelmed in learning which tools to use to create the colored pencil drawings but once I knew I can honestly say that I was hooked after that. The magic of coloured pencils is that you can bring your drawings to life in full colour in every possible way you can imagine. From the vibrancy of the fallen leaves above or the contrast of a peony against a dark black background. No mess to clean up and always available no matter where you go with them.

Morning Peonies - Colored Pencil Drawings

Here are my Top 10 Tools I Use For Colored Pencil Drawings

1. Colored Pencils

I use several brands of coloured pencils in my drawings. In fact, I have well over 350 coloured pencils to choose from. Everything from Prismacolor, Derwent, Caran d'Ache, Lyra and Faber-Castell. An artist can't have enough pencils, right? My favourites have always been the Prismacolor, Faber-Castell and Derwent coloured pencils but have also used many of the others as well.


prisma-120-Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

The Prismacolor can be intense or soft depending how you use them in your drawing. These professional artist-quality pencils have a wide range of colours to choose from.  Colors are easily blended containing high-quality lightfast pigments . I love their rich colour saturation.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B005O2ZU68" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]

faber-castell3Faber-Castell Polychromos, 120 Pencil Wood Box Set

The Polychromos have 120 vibrant colors and unsurpassed lightfastness pigments. They are also waterproof and they don't smudge. Polychromos pencils are made for professional artists and can be easily blended for layered effects, and transitions, and highlights. Sets of Polychromos are presented in a hard tin case to protect pencils from travel.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B000EWYCX0" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]

derwent-120Derwent Artists Colored Pencils, Wooden Box, 120

The Derwent Colored Pencils are slightly waxy in texture and are easy to mix and blend. The highly pigmented pencils create a spectrum of hues and tints capable of very intense and delicate shading.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B000P6YNH0" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


2. Stylus

I don't draw any animal without using this tool! The Stylus was originally designed for embossing projects but pencil artists found a better way to use it in their drawings. A Stylus can be used for both pencil or coloured pencil drawings. The Stylus is used for indenting strokes in the paper so when you shade over with your pencils the while lines will be intact. These will create awesome whiskers, hair strokes or textures in your drawings.

embossing-set

Stylus Embossing Set

These are Martha Stewart Crafts Embossing Set. The set includes 3 tools with 2 tips each so you can choose from various size for indenting whiskers or hairs on your drawing subject. For strong bold whiskers of a tiger (and depending on the size of your drawing) I would use the largest tip and the smallest tip for the fine whiskers of a chipmunk. You will have to try these!!

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B005QB1A66" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


 3. Erasers

Yes, we pencil artists use erasers - but not just for erasing lines we no longer want. We use various types of erasers to create textures, highlights and some pretty cool effects!

sakura-erasersSakura SE2000 Electric Eraser Kit, Black

The electric eraser can bring out highlights in fur or hair that no other eraser can do. I have had mine for several years now.  The Sakura is very easy to hang on to and is not big and bulky like some electric erasers out there. Sakura is known for their strong erasing capability and durability. It's also cordless (yay!) and weighs only 2.8 ounces making it very lightweight to use.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B001E27CTA" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


4. Fixative

Fixatif is used to help preserve and prevent smudging on your drawings. It is similar to varnish and is sprayed over your finished artwork.  When drawing with coloured pencils you will get something called 'wax bloom' on the surface of your layers of coloured pencils. Wax bloom will create a white haze on the surface. The more heavier your layering is of the coloured pencils the more likely hood you will have wax bloom. If you do have it you can easily wipe it off with a kleenex or soft cloth and then spray light layers of Fixative to the surface.  NEVER USE HAIRSPRAY!!

fixativeKrylon Workable Fixatif Spray Clear

The great thing about a 'workable' fixative if that you can erase or work the layers between coatings. The Krylon Workable Fixatif is non-wrinkling, non-yellowing and dries within 30 minutes. It protects pencil, pastel and chalk drawings. Acid-free and archival too!

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B00023JE7U" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


5. Papers

The papers you choose is just as important as the coloured pencils you choose. You want the paper to be sturdy enough to hold up to the coloured pencils. The paper also needs to be acid-free with a slight 'tooth' in it.

51IpHIus5LLRising Stonehenge Drawing Pads 11 in. x 14 in. 15 sheets

The Rising Stonehenge paper is a sturdy and clean paper. While it can come in several shades of white, off-white and cream I always tend to stick with the plain white. I have used it for many of my coloured pencil drawings and would recommend to anyone who wants to get into drawing with coloured pencils. It is available in different sizes of pads and large individual sheets.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B0025TX14Q" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]

starthmore-bristol-vellumStrathmore 300 Series Bristol Pad - 11-Inchx14-Inch - 20 Sheet Pad

Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Vellum paper is a nice thick sturdy paper for pencils, coloured pencils or charcoal. Both sides of the paper are not the same so be sure to test whether or not you want the smoother side (backside) or the side with a small bit of tooth in it. You can get Strathmore in various pad sizes or large individual sheets.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B0027A7K2C" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


 6. Sharpeners

Depending on the pencil sharpener you are using, it can start costing you money in chewing up your coloured pencils. I have tried various pencil sharpener over the years and it all comes down to using two sharpeners that I like the best. One is the Boston electric pencil sharpener and the other one is Pismacolor Premier Pencil Sharpener. Both of these sharpeners do not eat up my pencils and are very reliable over many continuous hours of sharpening my pencils. I have had both of them for a few years now.

61QxFyUqcxL._SL1500_Prismacolor Premier Pencil Sharpener

The Prismacolor Premier Pencil Sharpener was specifically designed to sharpen these type of coloured pencils to a perfect point. The blades are high quality steel and contain one 3-inch tall tall 1-3/4 diamater pencil sharpener.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B004ZDL0K2" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


7. Blenders

Derwent Blender and Burnisher Sederwnet-burnisher-blender

If you have Derwent colored pencils then I would make sure I have the blender and burnisher Derwent set. The blender pencil is soft (and colorless) and allows you to blend numerous layers of pencils together. The burnisher is a hard colorless pencil that will produce a glossy, rich finish. The set includes a pencil sharpener and a plastic eraser.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B001283FMO" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]

prisma-pencil-setSanford Prismacolor Colored Pencil Accessory Set

This Sanford Prismacolor Set includes a drawing pencil, sharpener, eraser, colorless blender, kneader eraser, colorless blender, and a pencil extender. All in one package!

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B001E21SVS" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


8. Drafting Brush

You would be surprised how much pencil debris can accumulate on a drawing. You can use a soft bristle brush, a make-up brush or any soft brush to gently wipe away debris.

drafting-brushDrafting Brush, 10" - by Quint Graphics

It is absolutely crucial to keep your drawing clean. Where does the debris come from? Every time you sharpen your pencil you create graphite dust and if using an eraser this can leave residue which if not brushed way, can stick to your drawing. I would suggest swiping your brush across your drawing as often as you can. I don’t create a drawing without one.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B000HF6KA2" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


 9. Pencil Extenders

Pencil extenders are great to use when your pencil gets down to an uncomfortable size and is hard to hang on to. Without having to throw away your pencil, an extender allows the pencil to sit into the extender so you can use every bit of the pencil without throwing it away.  You can't have enough of these!

derwent-pencil-extenderDerwent Pencil Extender Set, Silver and Black

The Derwent pencil silver extender set fits larger size pencils up to 8mm. The black pencil extender fits any standard pencil up to 7mm. Adjustable screw fitting holds pencils securely and offers a firm grip on the outside barrel.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart="yes" align="left" asin="B002U0OX4C" cloaking="default" height="42" key="tall-orange" localization="yes" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="yes" tag="reapendrahowt-20" width="120"]


 10. Acid-Free Artist Tape

In always staying with acid-free supplies in protecting your drawing as much as possible, I only use acid-free quality tape. Tape can be used to lift off layers of coloured pencils or to tape your paper onto your drafting or Masonite board.

pro-art-tapePro Art 1-Inch by 60-Yards White Artist Tape

The Pro-Art white artist tape is a non-glare paper tape that is 1-inch wide. It is a white tape and acid-free.