Menu

New to Coloured Pencil? This Beginner's Guide is Your First Step

What we’re going to achieve together

I remember when I first started out, I spent weeks agonising over which paper to buy and felt terrified of making that first mark.

My goal here is to strip away all that noise so you can get straight to the joy of drawing.

By the time you’ve worked through this Getting Started hub, we’ll have ticked off these milestones:

  • Finding your feet: You’ll see why I’ve stuck with coloured pencils for all these years—it’s a remarkably forgiving and rewarding medium once you know the basics.
  • Buying only what works: I’ll show you the exact core supplies I use. No more guessing in the art shop or wasting your hard-earned money on "beginner sets" that actually make drawing harder.
  • The "sharp pencil" secret: I’ll teach you my specific knack for sharpening. It sounds simple, but it’s the difference between a blunt, muddy mess and crisp, professional detail.
  • Stress-free outlines: We’ll look at how I get my initial sketches onto the paper accurately. You don’t need to be a master of freehand drawing to start making beautiful art.
  • Creating your nook: I’ve worked on tiny kitchen tables and in dedicated studios; I’ll help you set up a workspace that feels inspiring, no matter how much room you have.
  • Feeling the "magic": You’ll complete your very first exercise where we’ll play with pencil pressure. This is the moment most of my students realise, "Oh! That’s how they get it to look like that."
  • A clear path forward: I’ve mapped out a step-by-step route that respects your time. We’re going to bypass the usual beginner roadblocks and get you creating sooner.

I want to take you from that "where do I even start?" feeling to being genuinely excited to sit down at your desk. Let’s get stuck in.

1: Why Coloured Pencils?

I’m often asked why I choose pencils over oils or watercolours.

For me, it’s about the incredible control and the fact that I can pack my entire "studio" into a small bag.

If you’re looking for a medium that’s clean, portable, and capable of breathtaking detail, you’re in the right place.

➡️ Why I Love Coloured Pencils (and why you will too)

2: Essential Coloured Pencil Supplies for UK Beginners

Walk into any art shop in the UK and the sheer wall of options is enough to make anyone’s head spin.

I’ve wasted a lot of money on "bargain" sets that I ended up giving to the grandchildren.

I’ll show you exactly what’s worth your hard-earned cash and which bits you can skip for now.

➡️ Your Essential Starter Supplies

3: How to Sharpen Without the Heartbreak

There is nothing worse than watching a £3 pencil disappear into a sharpener because the core keeps snapping!

I’ve tried every gadget out there, and I’ll show you my personal technique for getting a needle-sharp point without wasting your supplies.

➡️ How to Sharpen Your Coloured Pencils Effectively

4: Getting an Accurate Outline onto Your Paper

I used to feel like a "cheat" if I didn't draw everything freehand, but I soon realised that a solid foundation is what makes the final piece sing.

If you want to get straight to the colouring, these two methods are my go-to's for a perfect start.

  • The Grid Method – This is how I trained my eye to see proportions accurately.
  • Using Tracing Paper – My favourite "shortcut" when I want to get an image onto my good paper quickly and cleanly.

5: Set Up Your Drawing Space

You don’t need a fancy studio; for years, my "studio" was just one end of the dining table.

However, a few small tweaks to your lighting and posture will make your drawing sessions much more relaxing. Here’s how I set up my workspace.

➡️ Creating Your Drawing Nook

6:  Your First Exercise: Pressure Control

If you only learn one technical skill this week, make it this one.

The way you hold and press your pencil changes everything from soft skin tones to deep, rich shadows.

Let’s try a quick exercise together to get you used to the "feel" of the pencil.

➡️ Mastering Pressure: Your First Mark-Making

What's Next?

Once you’ve had a play with these basics and feel ready to dive a bit deeper, we’ll move on to the actual "building blocks" of a drawing—things like light, shadow, and form.

Every professional artist you admire started exactly where you are today - with a single pencil and a bit of curiosity. Pick a topic above that interests you, and let’s get stuck in.

I’m so glad you’re here.

➡️ Let's head over to the Foundation Skills Hub!