Pencils are fun and relatively easy for all age groups from kids to adults. There’s are wide range and types of coloured pencils on the market for every level. You’ll now doubt be able to find a small, cheap set at your local corner store, supermarket or newsagent. For those wanting to take things up a level and more seriously, there’s medium and large sets with a wide range of prices.

What’s great about pencils, is they can be very cheap and easy to source, they last a long time and rarely need replacing. Pencils are also a dry medium and therefore less messy than watercolours and paints. There’s no huge setup or cleanup required.

Whether you’re brand new to using coloured pencils or have had some experience, these few tips will hopefully help make your experience an easier one, with more successful results.

1. WORK AREA

Ensure your work area is clean and flat. If working on a single sheet rather than colouring books, make sure there are no lumps and bumps underneath. It might be beneficial to place a piece of card or more sheets of paper underneath for some cushioning.

2. CHOOSING PENCILS

Purchase the best quality that you can afford, but do not worry if you cannot afford the most expensive. You can still achieve good results with mid-range and even cheaper pencils. Saying that, if you only have access to no-name, dollar store pencils, don’t expect too much from their performance. If the cheapest is what you have access to, don’t let it stop you from having a go. It will still be fun!

Generally, beginners will find it easier to start with waxed-based pencils, as they are softer and creamier which tends to make them a bit easier to blend. Oil-based pencils can be a bit harder for beginners to work with but they are better for finer, sharper details as their consistency is harder.

3. MAINTAING PENCILS

Whichever pencil type and brand you choose, it’s generally advised to keep them sharp while you’re working with them. You’ll find that professionals will always say that if you’re looking for the best results possible, work with sharp pencils.
Especially when colouring small, fine detailed areas, a fine point really will be needed.

Keep in mind though, when it comes to shading, the pencil will need to be tilted at a slight angle, rather than on the tip. Shading larger areas with the tip will probably result in a scratchy, uneven look.

There are times when a slightly blunt pencil is better e.g. when burnishing, which will be discussed later. Everyone is different though and some do like to use a blunter pencil. Each to their own!

4. HOLDING PENCILS

How the pencil is held will have an impact on the results achieved.

• Layering: Hold the pencil lightly and further back.

As the word suggests, this is the adding of multiple layers to either build the pigment of the same colour or blend different colours. Pressing hard will saturate the paper’s texture or tooth with pigment, preventing the ability to add more layers. So holding the pencil lightly and further back stops you from being able to press down hard. This technique forces you to colour more lightly, allowing the pigment to be layered.

• Small details and Burnishing: Hold the pencil closer to the tip.

Holding the pencil closer to the tip is easier for small, precise details and pressing harder for dense, intense colours and burnishing. This method gives more control for precision work.

* Burnishing is simply filling the texture or tooth of the paper with pigment until it becomes saturated and often a little shiny. This requires a more pressure and the colours will look more solid and deeper in tone.

5. ERGONOMICS

Be mindful that holding the pencil too tightly creates tension and strain in the fingers and hands. This can cause discomfort and even pain over time if you colour a lot and often.

6. PREVENT SMUDGING 

One way to avoid smudging your piece is by working from left to right if you’re right-handed or right to left, if left-handed. This way the hand isn’t rubbing over the previously coloured area.

Another option is to place a piece of clean tracing paper or printer paper under your hand. This also keeps any oils from the hand from transferring to the paper.

Another option is to colour without placing the hand on the paper. Most find it easier and have more control when resting the hand on the paper or page, but if you can train yourself to colour with a lifted hand, it can be very beneficial for keeping the work clean.

7. SWATCHES / COLOUR SAMPLES

Create swatches of each coloured pencil on a sheet of paper, with the name and/or the number of the colour beside each sample. Try shading light to dark/heavy/burnished. This gives a reference for each colour that can be referred to at any time. The outside coloured coating of the pencil does not give an accurate representation of how the colour will look on paper or the difference between light, medium and dark shades.

Developing swatches for each pencil also gives you experience with a new set. You will start to understand how the pencils and colours perform.

8. EXPERIMENT

If you are new to colouring, I suggest starting with some experimenting. Have a play and try things out before starting on a final piece. Get to know what the pencils are capable with different techniques.
Try shading by using different pressures and holding the pencil in different positions. Have a go layering the same colour to build a variety of tones and layering different colours to see how they blend etc.
It’s recommended to start with a blank piece of paper or sketchbook, before embarking on the main image of a colouring books or pages etc. 

9. COLOUR THEORY

You don’t have to go too in-depth (unless it interests you), especially in the beginning, but having a basic understanding of colour theory can help when choosing a palette for your colouring pages. It’s also very helpful when blending different colours. There is a lot of information on the internet which can help with this. The diagram below can start you off.

10. CHOOSE COLOURS BEFORE STARTING

Choose the pencil colours you will most likely need for the piece before starting. Of course, you can change or add as you go, but it can be helpful to have the majority of the main colours at hand, before beginning.

If you work on multiple different pieces at the same time, you might like to record the colours being used or do a little colour swatch for each colouring page. It can get difficult to remember which colours were used when using large pencil sets especially.

11. COLOUR PALETTES

Use pre-designed colour palettes as inspiration. Tools online such as Canva’s ‘Color Palette Generator’ and similar websites have a large range of colour palettes.
These tools can help inspire when stuck, in a rut and tired of using the same combinations or encourage you to use palettes you wouldn’t think of. Or maybe you don’t find it easy picking colours that go well together.
These sites are up to date with trending colour schemes too. Follow a particular palette or use it to get you going as a jumping-off point.

Images can also be used as a reference and inspiration. You might have books and magazines around the house or take photos of colour combinations you like. And of course there are endless sources for images online.

New colour palettes from a generator, your environment or images, can take your work in a new direction and makes things a little more interesting.

12. SHADING COLOURING TECHNIQUE

When shading with pencils, try using small circular or oval strokes rather than linear or one-directional strokes, as this helps with smooth blending and helps prevent obvious lines from forming. This should give your work a more sophisticated look, as scratchy, one-directional lines look more amateur or childlike.

Practice shading from light to dark and vice versa. While shading, gradually build the pressure on the pencil and/or add multiple layers at the darker end to increase the depth of colour.
Try shading 2-dimensional and if you wish to develop your skills give 3-dimensional shapes a go e.g. a sphere. There’s many great tutorials on Youtube to show you how.

13. WATCH TUTORIALS

There is no need to reinvent the wheel or go it completely alone. Even if you’ve been colouring for a while, you may pick up handy hints and hacks that improve your work by watching tutorials. There are loads of tutorials on Youtube to help with tips and techniques. Why not learn from the experts?

Note: When watching experienced colourists and artists, don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to them, as they have had years of experience and everyone has to start at the beginning.

CONCLUSION

Colouring can bring fun and enjoyment, be an outlet for stress and anxiety, a way to develop creativity and skills….and so much more! Whatever your reasons for colouring, have fun, be kind to yourself and don’t worry about producing masterpieces from the start! Everything takes practice and time to reach its potential.

I also recommend experimenting and not being afraid of trying new things. Over time, you will discover the techniques you prefer and that work best for you and what you want to achieve. Over time you will develop your style. Most of all, have a good time : )

Good Luck and Happy Colouring!

Take a look at our:
Colouring Greetings Cards
Colouring Pages