In The Art Studio…

Color Pencil ~

• Don’t just use one color, try using several layers of different colors together, to add some spark and life to your drawings.

• Beware of over saturating your paper’s surface with too much color, the color will start to no longer adhere to the paper’s surface. It will also start to wear and possibly tear the surface of the paper.

• Be careful when applying heavy pressure, such as when you burnish, sometimes pencils tend to flake. To remove the flakes, I use a brush or tissue.

• Make sure to add a good range of values throughout your drawing, the more layers and the heavier the pressure, the darker the color.

• Make sure you apply all elements of design in your drawings-line, texture, shape, value, space, and color.

• To add life to your work, try varying the color intensity in your artwork. Blend or burnish.

• Make sure the color temperature (warm and cool areas) in your drawings are well balanced.

• Try creating different moods, by drawing on different colored papers.

• Make sure to keep the surface of your paper clean, by using a clean flat brush to sweep away debris and dust. It works great, especially on small portraits.

• When working on a tonal drawing, work from dark to light.

• Keep pencil strokes even, and consistent in pressure and in direction.

• Start off with light pressure when adding layers of color and gradually increase your pressure.

• To create, a rich dark black, try layering indigo blue, crimson, sepia and black grape.