If you've explored blending coloured pencils, you might have heard about using solvents to achieve very smooth, almost painterly effects.
Solvents are liquids that can dissolve the wax or oil binder in your coloured pencils, allowing you to move and manipulate the pigment on the paper in ways that dry blending methods can't always achieve.
While solvents can produce beautiful results and help blend large areas or heavy applications of pencil, they also require a greater degree of understanding, care, and safety consciousness than most other coloured pencil techniques.
This guide aims to provide you with clear, practical information about what solvents are, which types are commonly used by artists, how to use them effectively and, most importantly, safely.
We'll cover everything from the essential precautions you must take, to different solvent options (including safer, artist-focused products), application methods, and what to expect.
My goal is to empower you with the knowledge to decide if solvents are a technique you want to explore, and if so, how to do it responsibly.
Before we jump into specific products and techniques, it's crucial to understand a key point: apart from watercolour pencils (which are designed to be used with water), most traditional coloured pencils are not manufactured with the intention of being dissolved by external liquids after they've been applied to paper.
When you introduce a solvent, you're creating a chemical interaction with the pencil's binder (the wax or oil holding the pigment) and the pigment itself, as well as with your paper.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing – it's how the blending effect is achieved!
However, it does mean that:
This is why the two golden rules when working with any solvent on your coloured pencil art are proceed with caution and always test first.
I cannot emphasize this enough: before applying any solvent to a piece of artwork you care about, you absolutely must test it thoroughly. This is a non-negotiable step that can save you from disappointment and potentially irreversible changes to your hard work.
Why test?
How to test
Taking the time for this preparatory step will give you predictability and control when you eventually work on your actual artwork. Your art deserves this careful approach!
Once you start researching solvents for coloured pencils, you'll likely come across a few different types.
It's helpful to understand the main categories, especially focusing on those readily available and generally considered safer for studio use in the UK and Europe:
What they are:
These solvents use natural terpenes (often derived from citrus fruit peels, like d-Limonene) as the active ingredient.
Zest-It is a very popular example designed specifically for artists.
Why artists like them
They are generally considered much safer than traditional petroleum-based solvents.
Zest-It, for instance, is biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-flammable, making it a great choice for home studios.
It effectively dissolves the wax/oil binder in coloured pencils and typically evaporates completely, leaving no residue on the paper.
Things to note
It has a distinct citrus scent which most people find pleasant, although, a very small number of users might find strong scents trigger headaches, so good ventilation is still sensible.
It's widely available from UK art suppliers along with their other product for pencil blending, an sponge imprenagted with the Zest It! solution.
What they are
These are petroleum distillates that have been refined to remove the most harmful aromatic compounds, significantly reducing the strong odour associated with traditional mineral spirits or white spirit found in hardware stores.
Brands like Gamsol (by Gamblin, sometimes available in Europe) or Winsor & Newton's Sansodor are examples often used by oil painters that can be used cautiously with coloured pencils.
Why artists use them
They are effective solvents for both oil and wax-based binders.
Important Cautions
Careful, sparing application is key (often using a tool like a stump to apply, rather than wetting the paper directly).
Always check product labels for specific warnings.
What they are
These are markers filled with a solvent solution, offering a convenient, controlled application method.
Examples include Tombow Blender Pen, Derwent Blender Pens, Finesse Blender Pen, or the Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker which is sometimes available in the UK.
Why artists like them
They are very easy to use, offer good control for detailed areas, and reduce exposure to fumes compared to bottled solvents. The solvent is often alcohol-based, which evaporates quickly.
Things to note
Baby Oil: While it might technically move pigment around, it is non-drying and will leave a permanent oily stain on your paper. Not recommended!
Hairspray: As mentioned in the Fixatives guide, hairspray is not an art material, can yellow and become sticky, and is not designed for blending.
Applying solvents correctly is about control and moderation. The aim is usually to lightly dampen the pencil layers just enough to allow the pigment to move and blend, not to soak the paper.
Work Area: Ensure good ventilation and protect your work surface.
Artwork: Make sure you have sufficient layers of coloured pencil down first. Solvents need pigment to work with!
Tools: Have your chosen application tool ready – common choices include:
Solvent: Pour a very small amount of your chosen bottled solvent into a stable, non-plastic container (like a small glass jar or ceramic palette well).
Never dip your tools directly into the main solvent bottle, as this contaminates the bottle and usually picks up far too much liquid.
Use light pressure and gentle strokes to apply the solvent to the coloured pencil area you want to blend. Work in small sections.
Use circular motions or strokes that follow the contours of your subject
You should see the pencil layers start to dissolve and blend. Stop when you achieve the desired effect for that section. Avoid scrubbing.
Allow the area to dry completely before adding more layers of pencil or solvent. Drying time varies based on the solvent type and how much was applied.
Using solvents changes the nature of your coloured pencil layers. Here’s what you might observe:
Okay, we've talked about what solvents can do, but before you even consider opening a bottle, we need to talk seriously about safety.
Using any solvent, even artist-grade ones, requires careful handling and respect for the product.
Your health and safety are more important than any blending effect! Please read and follow these precautions diligently:
Why?
Solvents evaporate and release fumes (Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs) into the air. Breathing these in concentrated amounts can be harmful to your health over the short or long term.
What is 'Good Ventilation'?
Before using any product, read the entire label, including all safety warnings, instructions for use, and first aid advice. Different solvents have different specific risks and requirements.
Even low-odour solvents release vapours. For anything more than very brief, occasional use in excellent ventilation, consider wearing a respirator mask rated for organic vapours.
This is especially important if you are sensitive to chemicals or working for extended periods
Wearing safety glasses is a sensible precaution to protect against accidental splashes or spray
Most artist solvents (including citrus-based, OMS, and alcohols) are FLAMMABLE.
Keep them well away from any potential ignition source – open flames (like pilot lights, candles, gas stoves), sparks (including static electricity), heaters, cigarettes, etc.
Do not smoke while using solvents.
Keep solvents in their original, tightly sealed containers.
Store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and out of the reach of children and pets.
Rags & Paper Towels
This is critical!
Rags or paper towels soaked with certain solvents (especially oil/solvent mixtures) can potentially spontaneously combust if crumpled up or stored improperly in a confined space (like a bin).
Always allow solvent-soaked materials to dry completely flat in a safe, very well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors, away from buildings) before disposing of them according to your local council's guidelines for hazardous waste.
NEVER leave soaked rags crumpled in a pile or in a closed bin.
Liquid Solvent & Empty Containers
Never pour excess solvent down the drain or into the environment. Dispose of unwanted solvent and empty containers according to your local council's hazardous waste disposal regulations.
Pour only a very small amount of solvent needed for your session into a separate, stable container (glass or ceramic is often best).
Apply it sparingly to your artwork using a tool (cotton bud, stump, brush), rather than flooding the paper. This minimizes both fumes and potential paper damage.
Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in your workspace when using solvents
Check the product label for first aid instructions in case of accidental inhalation, eye contact, skin contact, or ingestion. Seek medical advice promptly if needed.
Taking these safety steps seriously allows you to explore the potential of solvents while minimizing the risks.
Solvents can indeed be a useful tool in the coloured pencil artist's repertoire, offering unique ways to blend colours, create smooth transitions, and achieve painterly effects, particularly with wax or oil-based pencils.
However, as we've seen throughout this guide, they are a technique that demands respect, caution, and a commitment to safety.
They are entirely optional; beautiful coloured pencil work is absolutely achievable using only dry blending methods or burnishing.
If you do choose to experiment with solvents:
Ultimately, the decision to use solvents depends on your desired artistic effects, your comfort level with the necessary precautions, and your working environment.
By understanding the different types, application methods, potential results, and crucial safety steps, you can make an informed choice and, if you proceed, use solvents responsibly as part of your creative process.
For other ways to blend, please see our blending methods page.
Happy (and safe) creating!
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