I’m currently working on putting together the first tutorial for this blog. It’s going to be a super easy project for beginners. It will probably be posted in a week or so. In the mean time, I encourage you to practice techniques for layering and blending.

Layering:

• Remember, the paper has tooth to help it hold the pigment. However, there is a limited capacity.

• Lay down color starting with very light pressure. Pressure will need to increase with increased layers to facilitate blending.

• Too much pressure too soon will crush the tooth and ñmake it much more difficult to apply further layers.

• Some colors are softer and easier to lay down than others. Be aware of this so you can adjust your pressure.

• Always lay down color from lightest to darkest.

• Be very careful when light and dark colors adjoin. It is very easy to “contaminate” one with the other

Blending:

• Blending can be done a number of ways, the most common is just layering color and burnishing.
• Burnishing is applying enough pressure to cause friction allowing the wax to soften and mix.
• Burnishing can be done using the last layer of color, by using a white pencil, or a colorless blending pencil.
• Blending can also be done using a multitude of solvents. This will be covered in later posts.

So, until the tutorial posts, practice. Practice on the same type of paper you will use for your project. This may seem boring, but it will pay-off in the future.

https://images.app.goo.gl/zTYn8swRETuK2LHX9

Ok, by now you should have your supplies and you reference photo. The next question is, “How do I get this idea down on paper?” Before we start let me give you a few important tips/reminders:

We are not drawing the complete picture in graphite pencil

This will be a line drawing

Do not draw heavy lines, they need to be erased later.

So, what is a line drawing? With a line drawing you want to outline the major image edges and you want to indicate areas of major color changes. When I am getting ready to transfer an image, I usually print it in black and white (low grade image on regular printer paper is fine). Then I use a pen, pencil, or white gel pen (depending on the values) and indicate what areas I need to transfer to my main paper. Sometimes it’s alot sometimes it’s not, it all depends on your subject. Here you can see my reference. I used red pencil to show what I will transfer to my art paper as my line drawing. I am modifying the reference slightly by removing the straw going into her lips which means I have to modify that part of her profile. I relaxed her lips and chin. I also tend to erase some of the background before printing just to save on printer ink. This is the original reference photo which was cropped from a larger shot because I only wanted the profile. This photo comes from Upsplash.com which is a royalty-free reference photo source.

Once I know what to transfer, I have to decide a method. I will tell you now, there are no set rules for this. I can tell you about common techniques, but you can do it any way you want. If you’re good at free-hand drawing, you can just draw your line drawing directly. Plenty of people can do that. I cannot! If you do, just keep in mind that the lines need to be erased later.

One technique I use occassionally is grid transfer. That’s where you draw a grid over your reference photo and a grid on your art surface. You will the draw what you see in each square. This is especially useful if you want to enlarge or shrink your image. I use this alot if the image is fairly simple. This piece was done in that manner There are also apps you can download for free that will overlay you photo for you. Once again, make sure the grid lines on your art paper are light enough to erase and don’t impress the paper.

The technique I use the most is using transfer paper. When you buy transfer paper make sure it is NOT wax-based. This is the brand I use , but there are others avaiable. The lines need to be erased later and wax-based will not erase. Look for graphite or chalk-based transfer paper. Graphite can come in black or grey. Chalk-based paper can come in a variety of colors including red, blue, yellow, and white. The color I use depends on the color of the reference photo and the color of the art paper I’m using. I often use several colors on the same piece. The way its done is to place the transfer paper between the reference and the art paper then trace your line drawings. The way I do it is to clap the art paper and reference photo to a drawing board the lift the reference and insert the transfer paper. This way I can keep everything secure if I want to change out the transfer paper. One big goof I’ve made, several times, is placing the transfer paper wrong side up. I’ve traced an entire piece that way, ending up with the reference image on the back of the reference image. This is easy to do when using white transfer paper.

Another method I’ve used is a light table. This is a lighted surface that allows you to see your reference image through the art paper to allow tracing. I don’t use it too often because the art paper I use is too thick to see through. I know many professionals that use this method, so I may be doing something wrong.

There are plenty of other methods that I’m less familiar with. Some artists will use a printer and print a line drawing directly on the art paper. This method is good as long as you can adjust the printer to make the image very light. The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter how you do it, so use the method you are comfortable with. Once you get your image transferred then you’re ready for color! This is my final image transfer. Now comes the fun part!

As always feel free to leave any comments, questions or samples of artwork. Suggestions of future topics are welcome as well. Thanks!

Ok, you’ve got your basic supplies. Now what? First, don’t jump the gun. There are a few things to do before tackling a colored pencil painting. When I get a new set of colored pencils, the first thing I do is to create a swatch sheet. This is basically a sample of each pencil so you can see how they each perform. Attached are both a blank sheet that I use and one specifically for Prismacolor. The reason you want to make these yourself instead of downloading pre-made ones is that the printer color can vary from the actual color. I make mine then laminate them so they keep. I refer to these all the time. You can also use these to keep track of a particular color blend recipe that you like. For example I have a swatch sample of different skin tones that I like to use.

Next, make sure the space you’re going to use is set up. You want to be comfortable, have your supplies in reach, have a smooth surface, and plenty of light. A lot of people like to draw with natural light, which is great, but keep in mind that light from a window will change based on time of day, time of year, and weather conditions. The space I use doesn’t have access to enough natural light so I have an overhead, adjustable light on my drafting table. The one I use has different modes and the intensity can be adjusted. Whatever light you use just make sure it is consistent throughout your entire project. Make sure your surface is clean and smooth. You can use a table, table-top easel, drawing board, whatever works for you. I have a ginormous drafting table that I picked up from a retiring architect, but I still use a drawing board. I tend to work on several projects at once, so I have each one on its own board. Some artists place another blank piece of paper under their primary surface to help but I generally don’t do this. As far as organizing my supplies, I tend to be a little OCD. Before I begin any project, I have to make sure my pencils are in the right order (right being how they are listed on my swatch sheet). That way I know what I have and what needs replaced. I keep my main set of Prismas in a 4-drawer, wooden pencil box on my desk. The other sets I keep either in the original tin or in a zippered pencil case. As far as being comfortable, for me that means I’m in my sweats, my music is on, and I have snacks and water within reach.

Now, are we ready to draw? Nope, we forgot one major thing. What are you going to draw? Subject matter. It’s a big topic. For those first starting out, do not sabotage yourself by choosing a subject that is too complex for your abilities. Once you get some experience with this medium, then you can stretch yourself. What we want to focus on at first is blending, so stay away from anything with visible texture. I find cherries and apples are good for practice. You can Google these to get an image you’re comfortable with, but I caution you not to post your final piece or claim it as your own. This will breach copyrights and can cause you grief you don’t need. There are two web sites I use for images that are royalty-free. They are Pexels and Unsplash. There are other sites like iStock and Adobe that you have to pay for the download (and the prices are ridiculous) or you can join a monthly membership (again, price…no). You can, of course use your own reference. Personally, I struggle to look at a 3D subject and translate that to a 2D drawing so I always use a photo. Plus, with a photo you don’t have to worry about the light source changing or the subject changing.

So, get your work space ready and get your subject or reference photo. The next post will be on how to get the sketch down on paper and how to begin your painting. Until next time, may you always have sharp pencils! Feel free to subscribe/follow and leave any comments on what you think. Feel free to share your projects also.