Pencil crayons (the Canadian in me still refers to them this way, I just can't help myself- LOL!), also better known as colored pencils, were the first medium I learned to color with as a young child and one I still favor. The ability to control the amount of color dispersed on the paper, create various textures and add depth over my Copic colored images always draws me back to these beautiful little cylinders of color.
One of the most requested subjects on our Facebook page is coloring information. Tomorrow begins a week-long series of projects our designers have created for you, using a variety of colored pencils! Today I am sharing some basic knowledge I have developed over the year that I hope gives you a better understanding of colored pencils. Once again I have to make a disclaimer here - this is my opinion and experience - it is in no way scientific, but I hope it helps guide you as you learn more about colored pencils.
COLORED PENCIL BASICS
Colored pencils are constructed of a narrow, pigmented core encased in a wooden cylindrical case. Typical cores are wax-based, oil-based and water-soluble materials. They each contain varying proportions of pigments, additives, and binding agents. Colored pencils vary greatly in terms of quality, usability, lightfastness of the pigments, and durability of the core.
Q. What should I look for when purchasing my first colored pencils?
A. You always want to look for a colored pencil that has the core of color centered in the pencils. If they are warped or have an off-centered core the core will break more easily and you will constantly be sharpening your pencil away to create a point you can use for coloring.
Q. What is the best paper to use?
A. Again, there is no one-size fits all answer, BUT I prefer the Neenah Classic Crest Solar White. This is the paper that Karen Lockhart introduced me to when I first began learning colored pencil techniques from her. It is the primary reason it was introduced to the Copic Marker world. When I first discovered Copic Markers and worked with Marianne at Imagination International to share my passion for all things stamping and coloring with her it is the paper I primarily used. I tested Copic markers on it and LOVED the way the Copic markers worked together with the Prismacolor Colored Pencils and so my love affair and proclamation to the world was announced. With that being said following are characteristics you will want to look at when selecting your cardstock or paper:
- Finish -the roughness or texture of the surface. I like a paper with a little tooth because it allows for a variety of techniques. Rougher paper allows for texture to naturally show through, whereas smoother paper is better for highly detailed works where intricacy is more important than depth of layers of color.
- Weight - this is not the literal weight of the paper, but rather thickness of the paper. For many layers, a higher-weight material will be more suitable; while other techniques, such as rubbings, a lower weight would allow for more texture to appear.
- There are other characteristics of paper that one can consider such as fiber, sizing, and dimension, but for a beginner these first two are the most important to consider.
Q. Which colored pencils are the best?
A. Yet again, this is an impossible question to answer because it all comes down to personal preference, budget and skill level. The most popular colored pencil cores are wax-based, oil-based and water-soluble. Oil-based varieties generally have some wax in them but will be of high oil content. There are various other additives included in the core that give each pencil a unique color, texture and characteristics. Many people enjoy using both varieties due to their varying properties and the way they lay down color.
Wax-based colored pencils are by far the most popular. They are less expensive and more easily found. They come in a wide range of colors, but they can be less durable since the core is softer. They are easy to blend and add depth and texture to your images.
Oil-based pencils are far more specialized and therefore costly. The color application can also be quite unique. The harder core means that they may be a bit more durable and sharpening them to a fine point makes these better for intricate areas. As well, wax bloom is not a potential problem. However, the output of these colors can be on the light side, so additional passes may be necessary to achieve the desired look. They also can smear somewhat easily so precaution needs to be taken.
Water-soluble pencils are a unique medium for creating art. They combine coloring with painting in a manner that no other medium can replicate, BUT they can be also be used dry with beautiful results! They are similar to colored pencils but behave differently when water is added because the pigment is held with a water-soluble binder rather than a waxy or oil-based binder. These will need a feature all their own, but we will be including them in our instructional series this week, so stay tuned!
Today I am going to focus on two varieties of colored pencils and share a comparison between Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils and Spectrum Noir Colourblend Colored Pencils.
SPECTRUM NOIR COLOURBLEND PENCILS
- Spectrum Noir Product Link
- 120 colors – divided into five 24-set pencil collections
- Wax and oil hybrid, blendable pencils - 4mm core, encased in 8 mm thick premium California cedar casings with a matte coating
- High pigmentation
- Water resistant
- Lightfast - rated Very Good
- Can be blended with solvents
- Pencils are designed to come in groups of three color families – light, medium and dark – to allow for light and shade techniques in their color work. Layer to add depth, or create smooth, seamless transition by overlaying related tones
- Essentials set are colors Spectrum Noir believes you will use over and over, a collection of soft and vivid tones
- Primaries set contains a comprehensive selection of primary tones, but also a variety of additional colors that you can use to complement the core colors
- Can be used for sketching, illustration, adding depth and definition to markers and mixed media work.
- Compatible surfaces: paper - many, many different varieties of paper; wood, canvas, gessoed surfaces and so much more
- A versatile, hybrid colored pencil with a unique formula, makes Spectrum Noirs a great choice for transition from beginner to a more serious artist.
- Con: not available individually
PRISMACOLOR PREMIER COLORED PENCILS
- Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils - we are adding these to our store due to many requests, please watch for more arrivals in the coming weeks!
- 150 colors – sold in tins and individually
- Soft wax pigment - 3.8mm core is enclosed in a round cedar casing that is lacquered to match the core
- High pigmentation
- Water resistant
- Lightfast - a large portion of colors are not lightfast, but a spray fixative will prevent wax bloom on your finished work and help protect against UV damage. For a complete listing of the lightfast quality of each Prismacolor Premier pencil refer to this chart that Prismacolor has provided.
- Can be blended with solvents and with their own colorless blender (which burnishes to blend)
- Layer and blend nicely, but layered colors build up quickly which can result in wax bloom
- Can be used for sketching, illustration, adding depth and definition to markers and mixed media work. These pencils are so soft and velvety that almost anyone can be successful with them.
- Compatible surfaces: paper - many, many different varieties of paper; wood, canvas, gessoed surfaces and so much more
- Con: soft and brittle lead can increase breakage
- Prismacolor Colored Pencil Chart
(Click to enlarge)
Colored Comparisons to show variances between Spectrum Noir Colourblend Pencils vs. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils:
- Single layer using back and forth stroke - one color
- Single layer using back and forth stroke - two colors blended using the feathering technique
- Two colors blended using burnishing technique
- Underpainting of Copic Marker, then single layer using back and forth stroke and two colors blended using the feathering technique
- Three colors blended using one colored pencil for highlights and burnished with mid-tone color
- Single layer white on black cardstock using back and forth stroke all-over petal
- Single layer white on black cardstock using shading and light pressure
- Heavy pressure using burnishing
- Single layer using back and forth stroke - one color on Kraft cardstock
- Single layer using back and forth stroke - two colors blended using the feathering technique on Kraft cardstock
- Two colors blended using burnishing technique on Kraft cardstock
- Poppin' Kraft technique - white pigment ink dried and then two colors blended using the feathering technique
The top row shows the results of the Spectrum Noir Colourblend Pencils using the techniques above and the bottom row is the results of the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils.
Conclusion: The Spectrum Noir seemed to have a "softer" feel to them as I colored. This seemed to put the color down in a quicker manner with less option to get distinct details between colors. I found that I could get a more vivid look with the Prismacolor colored pencils. It appears from an uneducated eye that the Prismacolor pencils may have more pigment in them based on how the white laid down on the black cardstock. The "feel" as I colored was different between the two brands and I can see how artists may prefer one over the other for different looks. Even though they have a different feel when you color you can mix the two brands of colored pencils without any problems.
SPECTRUM NOIR COLOURBLEND PENCILS
- 120 colors – divided into five 24-set pencil collections
- Wax and oil hybrid, blendable pencils - 4mm core, encased in 8 mm thick premium California cedar casings with a matte coating
- High pigmentation
- Water resistant
- Lightfast - rated Very Good
- Can be blended with solvents
- Pencils are designed to come in groups of three color families – light, medium and dark – to allow for light and shade techniques in their color work. Layer to add depth, or create smooth, seamless transition by overlaying related tones
- Essentials set are colors Spectrum Noir believes you will use over and over, a collection of soft and vivid tones
- Primaries set contains a comprehensive selection of primary tones, but also a variety of additional colors that you can use to complement the core colors
- Can be used for sketching, illustration, adding depth and definition to markers and mixed media work.
- Compatible surfaces: paper - many, many different varieties of paper; wood, canvas, gessoed surfaces and so much more
- A versatile, hybrid colored pencil with a unique formula, makes Spectrum Noirs a great choice for transition from beginner to a more serious artist.
- Con: not available individually
COLORED PENCIL TOOLS
- Colored pencils - wax-based, oil-based, or water-soluble
- Erasers - plastic, kneaded, Frisket Film, removable tape
- Surfaces - first and foremost paper of all varieties. BUT colored pencil can be applied to just about anything - fabric, wood, gessoed surfaces
- Solvents - Gamsol, odorless Turpentine, rubber cement thinner, and colorless blenders (be certain to use in a well-ventilated area and keep away from children and pets!)
- Pencil sharpener
- Pencil extender - attach to the pencil, so it can be held comfortably when sharpened to a stub.
- Graphite pencils - use a medium-soft lead (B, 2B, or 3B) to lay out your art, because harder leads can impress a permanent line in your work
- Brushes - used to create washes or underpaintings
- Blending stumps or tortillons
- Cotton swabs - used to dispense solvents
- Heat tool
- Desk brush
- Sandpaper
COLORED PENCIL TIPS
- A secret of pencil work - don't go hard! Go light to medium until you know where you want your darks. You can change your mind easier and lighten it with an eraser if you go lightly!
- Workable Fixative - adds tooth back to your paper after your paper has been burnished. This allows you to add additional layers of color.
- When you sharpen your pencils, it is best not to sharpen the pencils to a long fine point. The lead is so soft and brittle that you are more likely to have the tip break when sharpened this way. Rather use a piece of sandpaper to sharpen the tip to a fine point rather than sharpening the whole pencil – this will allow you to maximize the pigment in each pencil core.
- When your pencils get too short to hold comfortably in your hand use a pencil extender to allow for ease and control when coloring.
- Use your heat tool to blow warm air over the surface of your colored work if a wax bloom occurs. A fixative or varnish will ensure that wax bloom will never recur.
- Hand sharpen colored pencils for best results or invest in a high quality electric sharpener.
COLOR PENCIL GLOSSARY
- adjacent hue - a hue that is next to another hue on a color wheel.
- blending - a technique of applying one layer of color over another layer of color. The combining of the two or more colors together creates a new color. A tortillon (or blending stump), solvents, erasers, or blending pencils can be used to blend and smooth out the colored pencil layers which make the colors very bright and vivid.
- burnishing - using a light-colored pencil or metal object with heavy pressure and applying it over layered colors. It makes the colors look brighter, sometimes lighter and can give an image a polished or reflective look.
- chroma – the characteristic of a color that refers to its saturation or intensity.
- color pencil - a pencil containing a wax, oil or water-based bound pigment as its "lead". They are semi-opaque accept for white, cream and grey.
- color temperature - warm and cool hues.
- complementary colors - hues that are opposite of each other on a color wheel; when mixed together complementary colors yield a brown or gray color.
- cross-hatching - a technique used in coloring, where patterns of lines in different directions may be layered to create tones and new colors. Colors can be mixed by crosshatching.
- fixative - a protective spray you can apply to color pencil work. It prevents wax bloom and can be used when color won't adhere to the surface of the paper any longer. Fixative will add "tooth" back to your paper so that you can add additional color layers.
- hue - the specific color classification given to an object based on the seven colors found in the color spectrum; red, orange yellow, green, blue, indigo, or violet.
- impressed line - a technique in which one can impress lines onto the paper using a tool to achieve white lines or light colored lines.
- intensity - a color's strength – brightness or dullness.
- layering - applying one pencil color stroke after another, building numerous layers of colors.
- pigment - the substance that absorbs light, producing (reflecting) the same color as the pigment; the pencil color to be applied, either wax or oil-based.
- pressure - term used when applying color either lightly or heavily to the surface of the paper.
- saturation - the purity or intensity of a specific hue.
- solvents - a class of chemicals that are used to dissolve other substances – i.e. the color pigment on the surface of the paper.
- strokes - the direction in which color pencil is applied.
- value - the shade (darkness) or tint (lightness) of a color. Also, called brightness, lightness, shade and tone.
- wax bloom - is a buildup of wax from wax based pencils, which creates a whitish haze on the surface of the paper. It forms especially when heavily worked, as a layer of the wax medium rises to the surface. It tends to appear once the work has been sitting for a week or two. To prevent wax bloom, give the drawing a couple of layers of fixative or heat with an embossing gun.
