The Ultimate Guide to Burnishing Colored Pencils

Have you ever admired a colored pencil drawing that seemed to glow, with colors so smooth and blended they looked almost photographic?

You might wonder how artists achieve that seamless, professional finish, where individual pencil strokes vanish, leaving behind rich, vibrant hues.

The secret often lies in a technique called burnishing colored pencil.

What if you could transform your own colored pencil artwork from good to genuinely breathtaking?

Burnishing makes it possible.

Example of burnishing technique in colored pencil: A realistic drawing of a ladybird with a seamlessly blended and polished shell.

This colored pencil drawing of a ladybird demonstrates the smooth, intense color and realistic shine possible with burnishing.

It isn't just about blending; it's about fundamentally changing the texture and appearance of your colored pencil layers, creating a luminous, polished effect that makes subjects like shiny apples, gleaming metal, or sparkling glass look incredibly realistic.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about burnishing colored pencil:

What exactly is burnishing? We'll demystify the technique.
The best tools for the job: From dedicated burnishers to everyday pencils.
A step-by-step burnishing process: Easy-to-follow instructions with examples.
Advanced tips: Tackling challenges like wax bloom and choosing the right paper.
Answers to common questions: Clearing up any confusion.

(Quick Note: Burnishing builds upon solid layering. If you're completely new to layering, you might want to check out our foundational guide on layering colored pencils first to get the basics down.)

What is Burnishing Colored Pencil?

At its core, burnishing colored pencil is an advanced blending technique.

It involves applying layers of colored pencil pigment and then using a specialized tool, a hard-point colorless blender, or even a light-colored pencil with firm pressure to meld these layers together.

Think of it like polishing a surface. You're essentially grinding and compressing the wax or oil-based pigment from your pencils down into the tooth (the texture) of the paper. This process achieves several key things:

Eliminates Paper Texture: The firm pressure fills the valleys of the paper's texture, creating a unified, smooth surface.
Intensifies Color: Compressing the pigment layers makes the colors appear richer, deeper, and more saturated.
Creates a Sheen: The compressed wax or oil creates a characteristic polished, slightly glossy or waxy finish.
Blends Colors Seamlessly: It merges different colors applied in layers, creating smooth transitions and gradients without visible pencil strokes.

This technique is particularly effective for rendering smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass, polished metal, ripe fruit skins, or ceramics.

It signifies a 'finished' look, sealing the layers and giving the artwork a professional polish.

However, it's important to note that once an area is heavily burnished, it becomes difficult (sometimes impossible) to add more layers of color on top, as the paper's tooth is filled and the pigment will no longer stick.

Colored pencil drawing of two shiny red cherries, demonstrating the burnishing technique

Burnishing effectively creates the smooth, reflective surface seen on subjects like these cherries

Tools for Burnishing Colored Pencil

The tool you choose for burnishing can subtly alter the final effect. While you don't necessarily need expensive specialty items to start, understanding the options helps you achieve your desired look.

Comparison of burnishing tools including hard burnisher (Derwent), colorless wax blenders (Prismacolor, Lyra), Caran d'Ache stick and a Derwent blender.

From hard burnishers (like the Derwent) to softer blenders (Prismacolor, Lyra), various tools can be used to achieve a polished finish

White or Pale-Colored Wax Pencil

How it works: Using a white or very light pencil (like cream or pale gray) from your regular set, you apply firm pressure over the colored layers.
Pros: Readily available, inexpensive.
Cons: It will slightly tint and lighten the underlying colors due to the added white/pale pigment. This can be desirable for highlights but may dull richer colors. Requires significant pressure.
Best for: Achieving subtle blends, creating highlights, artists on a budget.

Specialty Colorless Blender Pencils

Examples: Prismacolor Colorless Blender, Lyra Rembrandt Splender Blender, Derwent Blender Pencil.
How it works: These are pencils made primarily of wax binder without pigment. They blend existing colors using firm pressure without adding color.
Pros: Don't alter the hue of your underlying colors significantly. Designed specifically for blending and burnishing.
Cons: Can sometimes create a slightly waxy look depending on the brand and paper. Quality varies between brands (some are harder, some softer).
Lyra Splender Blender: Known for being softer and offering gentle, smooth transitions.
Prismacolor Colorless Blender: Matches the soft, waxy core of Prismacolor Premier pencils, good for burnishing those specifically.

Specialty Burnisher Pencils

Examples: Derwent Burnisher Pencil, Caran d'Ache Full Blender Bright (Wax Stick).
How it works: These are typically harder points made of clear binder or wax. They are designed less for gentle blending and more for heavy pressure polishing.
Pros: Create a very smooth, almost glass-like finish. Excellent at compressing layers and intensifying color. Can create a resist effect if used before coloring.
Cons: Can make it very difficult to add color afterward. Require significant pressure, which might not suit all paper types.
Derwent Burnisher: A hard pencil point that adds a transparent wax layer, sealing the surface effectively. Great for final polishing.
Caran d’Ache Full Blender Bright: A solid stick of colorless wax, excellent for covering and blending larger areas smoothly, especially compatible with their Luminance pencils.

Tool Test Insights

In a test comparing the Derwent Burnisher and Lyra Splender on Faber Castell Polychromos (oil-based) and Derwent Artist (wax-based) pencils over Hot Pressed watercolor paper we found:

Comparison showing effects of Derwent Burnisher, Lyra Splender, and white pencil on colored pencil test squares

Visual comparison: Testing the effects of different burnishing tools (Derwent, Lyra, white pencil) on colored pencil layers.

Resist Effect:

Both tools, when applied before color, created a resist by indenting the paper and applying clear wax, letting underlying marks show through a single color layer.

Burnishing:

On Polychromos, the Derwent Burnisher produced a noticeably softer, more thoroughly blended result compared to the Lyra Splender under consistent pressure.
On Derwent Artist pencils, both performed well, demonstrating their effectiveness on wax-based leads.

White Pencil Comparison:

Using a white pencil for burnishing resulted in a distinctly lighter, less intense color compared to the dedicated colorless tools, confirming its tinting effect.

Which tool is best? It depends on your pencils (wax vs. oil), your paper, the desired effect (subtle blend vs. high gloss), and personal preference. Experimentation is key! Starting with a colorless blender pencil is often a good middle ground.

How to Burnish Colored Pencil: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to try it? Here’s a reliable method for achieving that beautiful, burnished finish.

Start with Light Layers: Begin by lightly sketching your subject and applying initial layers of color. Focus on establishing forms, shadows, and mid-tones. Don't press hard yet! Allow the paper's texture (tooth) to show through. This initial layer maps out your drawing.
Build Up Color Intensity Gradually: Add subsequent layers of color, refining shapes and deepening values. Cross-hatch in different directions to ensure even coverage. The goal is to build a substantial amount of pigment on the paper before you start burnishing. You need enough wax/oil material to work with.
Apply Firm, Consistent Pressure (The Burnishing Step): Once you have several layers down and are happy with the color composition, select your burnishing tool (colorless blender, burnisher, or light-colored pencil). Using firm, steady pressure, go over the area you want to smooth out. Work in small circles or follow the contours of your subject. You'll physically feel and see the pigment compressing into the paper, the texture disappearing, and the colors becoming richer and glossier.
Add Final Layers for Depth (Optional & Careful): After the initial burnish, you might be able to add subtle final layers, especially for deep shadows or bright highlights. However, be aware that the burnished surface is less receptive to new pigment. Use sharp pencils and lighter pressure for these final touches. Some areas might resist color entirely.
Experiment and Refine: Try different burnishing tools on scrap paper with the same colors and paper you're using for your main piece. See how each tool interacts with your specific pencils. Notice the pressure required and the resulting finish. Practice makes perfect!

Pro Tip: Keep your burnishing pencil tip relatively clean to avoid transferring unwanted pigment. Wipe it on scrap paper occasionally. A slightly blunt tip often works better than a sharp one for covering areas smoothly.

An Illustrated Example

Let's visualize the process. I used:

Paper: Cartridge Paper (has a slight texture)
Pencils: Caran d’Ache Luminance (a high-quality, soft wax-based pencil range, excellent for burnishing)

Initial Light Layers: Starting with your lightest value, light strokes establish the sphere's shape and basic shading. The paper grain is clearly visible. This maps out the form.

The initial layers of a drawing of an orange

Step 1: Begin with light layers to establish the basic shape and initial shading.

Building Color and Form: More layers are added, to enhance the 3D effect. Still applied relatively lightly, but building pigment. I used light ochres and browns here.

Adding a second layer to the orange drawing

Step 2: Build color and form by adding more light layers, ensuring good pigment coverage

Introducing More Colors: New hues (oranges and yellows in my example) are layered using a blunt pencil, adding complexity and richness while reinforcing existing layers. There's now a solid foundation of wax pigment.

Applying orange and yellow layers over initial shading before final burnishing

Step 3: Introduce additional colors and apply a final color layer (here, yellow/orange) ready for burnishing

The Burnishing Magic: A strong yellow/orange layer is applied over the entire shape with heavy pressure using a blunt pencil tip. This acts as both a color layer and the burnishing agent. Notice how:

Paper grain largely disappears.
Colors intensify significantly.
The surface looks smooth and unified.
The underlying shading still shows through the transparent orange layer.

Final touches are added to define the deepest shadows and perhaps subtle highlights.

The completed burnished drawing of an orange

Step 4: The completed burnished sphere, showing smooth, intensified color and minimal paper texture.

Refinement: Resist the temptation to overwork it - a common challenge once you start burnishing.

Advanced Tips and Troubleshooting for Perfect Burnishing

Successful burnishing involves navigating a few potential challenges:

Preventing Wax Bloom

This is a cloudy, white film that can appear on heavily layered wax-based pencil work, especially after burnishing.

Cause: Excess wax rising to the surface.
Prevention: Gently wipe the finished piece with a clean, soft cloth. Apply a final spray fixative designed for pencil work (learn more about fixatives here). Working in slightly warmer temperatures can sometimes help wax integrate better.
Fixing: Gently wipe with a soft cloth. If persistent, a light application of fixative can seal it.

Our guide on managing wax bloom offers more in-depth solutions.

Choosing the Right Paper

Burnishing works best on sturdy paper with a moderate amount of tooth.

Too smooth: Papers like Bristol Board (smooth plate finish) have less tooth to grip the initial layers, making it harder to build up enough pigment before burnishing. Burnishing might just smear the pigment around.

Too Rough: Very textured paper (like rough watercolor paper) requires a lot of pigment and pressure to fill the deep valleys, which can be tiring and lead to a less uniform finish.

Good Choices: Hot-pressed watercolor paper, Stonehenge paper, good quality drawing or cartridge paper (like in the example) often strike a good balance. Experiment to find your favorite!

Choosing the Right Pencils

While you can burnish with most colored pencils, softer wax-based pencils generally burnish more easily and effectively due to their higher wax content and binder softness.

Excellent Choices: Prismacolor Premier, Derwent Coloursoft, Caran d'Ache Luminance.

Oil-Based Pencils (e.g., Faber-Castell Polychromos, Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor): Can still be burnished, but may require more layers and pressure. The finish might be slightly less glossy and more satin. A harder burnisher tool often works well with these.

Avoiding Muddy Colors

Burnish colors that are analogous (next to each other on the color wheel) or part of a planned blend.

Trying to aggressively burnish complementary colors (like red and green) without careful layering can result in dull, muddy tones. Layer cleanly before burnishing.

When NOT to Burnish

Don't burnish if you want to retain a textured look (like animal fur, rough wood, fabric weaves) or if you anticipate adding many more layers or details later. Burnishing is often one of the final steps.

Common Questions about Burnishing Colored Pencil (FAQ)

Let's address some frequent queries:

What exactly is burnishing in colored pencil?

It's a technique using firm pressure with a blending tool or light pencil to smooth, blend, and compress colored pencil layers, creating a seamless, polished, often glossy finish by filling the paper's tooth.

Can I burnish without special tools like colorless blenders?

Yes! You can use a white or very pale-colored pencil from your set. Be mindful it will slightly lighten the area. You can also sometimes burnish by applying heavy pressure with a light-colored pencil that's already part of your desired blend (like the yellow/orange in the sphere example). Even a tortillon or paper stump can achieve some blending, though it's technically not burnishing in the same way (it smooths by rubbing, not compressing wax).

How do I avoid lightening my colors too much when burnishing?

Use a dedicated colorless blender or burnisher pencil instead of a white/pale pencil. These are made of binder without pigment. Alternatively, ensure you have very rich, saturated layers of color down before burnishing, so any slight lightening from a white pencil is less noticeable.

How can I fix mistakes after burnishing?

Fixing mistakes post-burnishing is difficult because the paper tooth is filled and sealed. Minor adjustments might be possible with a very sharp pencil of a darker color applied with heavy pressure. Sometimes, carefully lifting pigment with sticky tack/poster putty might work slightly, but don't expect miracles. Major changes usually aren't feasible. Prevention (careful layering before burnishing) is the best strategy.

Conclusion: Improve Your Art with a Polished Finish

Burnishing colored pencil is more than just a technique; it's a pathway to achieving a level of realism and polish that can truly elevate your artwork. By compressing pigments and smoothing textures, you create drawings that look sophisticated, vibrant, and complete.

We've covered what burnishing is, the tools you can use (from simple white pencils to specialized blenders and burnishers), a step-by-step guide, and tips for tackling challenges like wax bloom. Remember that practice and experimentation with different tools, papers, and pencils are key to acheiving success.

Adding techniques like burnishing to your artistic toolkit not only improves your art but can also enhance its marketability if you're building an online art business. High-quality finishes command attention and convey professionalism.

What are your next steps?

Practice: Grab your pencils and some scrap paper and experiment with the techniques discussed. Try burnishing different color combinations
Explore More: Try out other colored pencil techniques andexplore layering and blending in more detail.
Don't be afraid to press firmly and watch the magic happen. Happy burnishing!

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