by Brenda Reeves

Created on: August 03, 2010

Many people erroneously refer to the art medium of colored pencil as drawing. Colored pencil painting is the correct term. The logic of this becomes obvious once the novice realizes they aren't drawing at all. The act of producing art with colored pencils involves layering colors just as a fine artist layers oil paint.  

Those wishing to learn this art medium may be in for a surprise. Very few workshops or classes exist. So how does one learn to paint with colored pencils? You teach yourself, just as many excellent colored pencil artists have done in the past. Buying the correct supplies is the first step in teaching yourself to use colored pencils.

If you are serious about becoming a colored pencil artist, buy good quality colored pencils. There are many brands from which to choose such as Derwent, Prismacolor, Faber-Castell, and Staedtler to name a few. All of these pencils are available in sets. Prismacolor is a very popular brand and often recommended or required by university art professors. You might want to buy a few pencils in different brands to get a feel for the brand you prefer. Keep in mind that colored pencils are either wax-based, such as Prismacolor; oil-based, such as Lyra-Rembrandt; and water-soluble, such as Faber-Castell.

Artist paper for colored pencil painting comes in different grains or tooth. The tooth gives the paper texture. Some artists prefer a smooth texture and others prefer a rough texture. This is a matter of preference. Pads of artist paper are available with a sampling of different paper texture. It is suggested that you buy one of these pads with which to experiment.

Other supplies you'll need are a gum eraser, 2B graphite pencil and a good quality electric pencil sharpener. The importance of an electric  pencil sharpener can't be emphasized enough. A fine, sharp point is essential when doing colored pencil painting.

Now it's time to get started painting with colored pencils. Try this simple exercise. Lightly draw a circle with the 2B pencil. Choose a colored pencil of your preference and using the "scumbling" technique begin painting in the circle. The scumbling technique is a light pressure, circular motion with the pencil. Ann Kullberg, author of  "Colored Pencil Portraits, calls this the Brillo pad technique, because the circular motion is the same motion used when cleaning a pot with a Brillo pad.

Practice this technique on the different textured papers. Keep in mind that your pencil strokes should not be visible. The end result will be a well-blended finish with only the texture of the paper evident. Once you have mastered this technique, you'll be ready for the next colored pencil painting lesson.

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