COLORED PENCIL SUPPLIES & MATERIAL

The question that began the reason for this guide was posted on the ACEO (Art Card, Editions and Originals) Discussion Board.

"Are all colored pencils created equally?" NO, was the simple answer!

Then began how to work with colored pencils which I will cover over several Guides.

In this guide we will discuss:

A) Colored Pencils
B) Paper
C) Pencil Sharpeners
D) Blenders
E) Erasers
F) Brushes
G) Stylus

DIFFERENT KINDS OF COLORED PENCILS

A) School Quality Colored Pencils (usually less then $10).  These are OK colored pencils for a school class project but not for a serious art project.  The do not blend, are not smooth and if you wear one out you have to replace the entire package.

 B) Scholar/Student Level Colored Pencils.  May be a nice entry colored pencil for the aspiring artist DEPENDING on the brand.  Not all pencils have the same quality.  Look for pencils that can be replaced individually rather then by the case.

Prismacolor makes a quality Scholar level with a matching professional colored pencil.  So if you wear out a Scholar Prismacolor Colored Pencil you can replace it with a Professional Colored Pencil individually " open stock" (Approx. $1.50 each).  Ex. Olive Green #311 Scholar is #911 Olive Green in the Professional Prismacolor (Add 600 to the pencil #).

C) Professional Colored Pencils are either WAXED BASED or OIL BASED depending on the brand.  Prismacolor, Derwent, Steadler, Faber Castell are just to name a few.  All can be bought individually (open stock) or in sets.

Some are also marked for their colorfastness (How fast do the colors fade over time).

D) Watercolor/Water Soluable Colored Pencils work similar to regular colored pencils but when water is added to them they dissolve and take on the effects of watercolors.

PAPER

A) Paper can be a discussion in itself.  When working with colored pencils select a paper with some tooth "Texture".  When working with Colored Pencils some of the color will fall into the valleys creating a layering effect as colors are added.  If there is no texture "tooth" then all the colors tend to blend together and get "Muddy" rather then layer.

Different kinds of Paper offer different textures here are a few different kinds.:

• Stonehenge
• Strathmore
• Canson

Investigate what paper works best for you.   Also look for a paper that is Acid Free.  Acid free paper will not break down and yellow over time. 

Because Colored Pencils are Translucent, papers can play a large role in what colors are achieved in your artwork.

B) COLORED PAPERS can be used when using colored pencils.  When using colored paper you can let the paper's color bleed through.  For example if you are drawing portraits use a peach and let the color paper do the work for the skin tone.

Mi Teines paper by Canson offers a large variety of colors and are acid free.

PENCIL SHARPENERS

It's very important to have a SHARP TIP.  Keeping a sharp tip helps get the colors into the tooth.  A dull colored pencil bounces over the tooth of the paper and results in white spots.

A) ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENERS are the better option when sharpening colored pencils.  A big problem with using colored pencils is breakage in the pencil.  With the hand turned pencil sharpeners "Manual Twist" you tend to twist the colored pencil unevenly resulting in the blade catching the colored pencil and snapping the lead inside the colored pencil.  An electric pencil sharpener from Staples/Business Depot should cost around $15.  Once a month take a graphite pencil and sharpen it in the sharpener to remove the Colored Pencil Residue "WAX" off the cutting surface.

B) SANDPAPER is a quick way to get the edge back on a colored pencil when on the road rather then constantly sharpening your colored pencils.

COLORED PENCIL BLENDERS

A) COLORED PENCIL BLENDER (Prismacolor PC 1077) colorless blender is a pencil with no color pigment.  It is designed to blend the colors on your page and helps get the color into the tooth better.

B) TORTILLONS are rolled tubes of paper designed to rub/blend colors together.  Be careful not to use a used tortillon on another part of your artwork or you may accidentally transfer color from one piece of your artwork to another.

 FIXATIVE

FIXATIVE Krylon Workable Fixative is what I use.  This is a definite when working with Colored Pencils to prevent "WAX BLOOM".  Most colored pencils are a combination of wax and color pigment.  Over time wax works its way out of the pigment from the pencils giving your art a dull hazy look.  Fixatives prevents this process.

ERASERS

Not all erasers are created equally.

A) White Art Eraser - This eraser will make a good effort at removing colored pencil from your paper BUT will not bring your paper back to white. 
B) Electric Eraser - You can buy electric battery operated erasers for as low as $15.  These are excellent for taking off small areas of colored pencil, preferably while using an eraser guide to control where you want to erase. BE CAREFUL not to erase too much or you will damage your paper.  Brush your paper after using them to remove the eraser remnants.
C) Kneaded Eraser - These are gray moldable erasers that will help get into tiny spots if you twist them to a point.  Or you can spread them out and use them to dab off excess color from your artwork.  They are limited on how much color you can remove.
D) Blue Putty (Tac'n Stik) Excellent for dabbing off excess color from your artwork.  Similar to the Kneaded Eraser.  Will not remove all the color but will lighten the area.

The best way to clean an eraser is by rubbing it on a cloth to take off the residue.

*****AVOID*****

The red school erasers, they can tear your artwork, damage your paper or leave red eraser pigment on your paper.

KEEP YOUR ARTWORK CLEAN

Brush your artwork often when working with colored pencils small fragments of colored pencils are constantly collecting on your art.  If you wipe these with your hands you will smudge color all over your artwork.  Using a Drafting Brush or a SOFT Bristle Paintbrush will help eliminate the accidental blending/smudging of color on your art.

STYLUS

A Stylus is a blunt metal tool designed to create a deep groove into your paper.  Why would you want to groove your paper?  An example would be when you're drawing a cat and you wnat to create a white whisker.  When you do your preliminary sketch use the stylus where the whisker would be.  If you're carful when working with your colored pencils this area should remain white. 

OTHER INFORMATION

ARTISTS

Ann Kullberg CP artist, She does "My Perspective" a monthly subscription newsletter with techniques, Critiques and much more.  There are different kits she sells to work on Colored Pencil techniques, many created by other artists.

Lee Hammond, Gary Greene, Anne deMille Flood, Janie Gildow, Barbara Benedetti Newton are other artists just to name a few.

Find your style.

Enjoy

Rick

• Look to my Future Guides in the upcoming months including:
• How to use Colored Pencils
• Framing your Colored Pencil Art