How to build up coloured pencil layers to create tones and textures.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/465d09_9bb74e3e868b40618d865099ee6dfc0d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_694,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/465d09_9bb74e3e868b40618d865099ee6dfc0d~mv2.jpg)
For this project you will need:
Smooth cartridge paper. (I worked on an A3 pad)
Coloured pencils. I used Faber Castell Watercolour pencils (although I added no water to them)
A rubber.
Pencil sharpener.
This project should take between 45 minutes and 2 hours.
I first practised drawing the basic shape from some different angles. It didn’t seem like any were easier than any other.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/465d09_2751d4ca37d74b49b5457c60640bde58~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_511,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/465d09_2751d4ca37d74b49b5457c60640bde58~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/465d09_b93b03ef51dd42dd8622695fb719251c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_689,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/465d09_b93b03ef51dd42dd8622695fb719251c~mv2.jpg)
I did lightly (VERY lightly) sketch the basic form with a graphite pencil, then rubbed most of it away.
I used the coloured pencils to sketch in the basic form using a pale version of each colour. I could also have begun my sketch with a very light yellow pencil as this would have been covered by the subsequent layers.
Once my colours where as close as I could get, I worked over some darker
muted tones (ochre on the yellow, greys on the yellow and purple) to give a sense of form and shadow.
You can see all the colours that I used to build up to the final layer.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/465d09_9bb74e3e868b40618d865099ee6dfc0d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_694,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/465d09_9bb74e3e868b40618d865099ee6dfc0d~mv2.jpg)
I then added a shadow underneath that the object cast, so it didn’t look like it was floating on the page.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/465d09_2a031283f97a4b25ad1dbbeaab186d95~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_694,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/465d09_2a031283f97a4b25ad1dbbeaab186d95~mv2.jpg)
Download tutorial:
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