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Colored Pencil Solvent:
A Must-Have for Artists?

Is there a safe colored pencil solvent? Why would you want to use it?

After you have applied several layers of colored pencil to your paper, there are still more things you can do to make your artwork look even better. You can add more layers on top to make the colors stronger and the contrasts deeper. Additionally, you can move the color around on the paper surface to create different effects. This is because the pencil core is made up of both color and wax, which can be moved around easily.

Need for caution!

I am repeating here a similar warning to that given in the section on fixatives. 

The only liquid colored pencils are designed for is, in the case of aquarelle pencils - WATER. Very few liquids in the art world are manufactured specifically for colored pencil use. This is notably so in the area of fixatives and solvents.

A safe option

There is one reasonably safe liquid I am aware of, made for blending colored pencil and that is Zest It pencil and parchment blend. 

If you wish to add anything else in liquid form to your artwork, either as a brushed on or sprayed on material, first check the manufacturer's instructions. 

Test first!

If it does not specifically say that the product is made for colored pencil use, then it probably isn't. That doesn't mean that the product cannot be used. Simply that, before use, you need to test the liquid thoroughly on a similar surface that carries similar media to the one you wish to treat. 

Do not risk your carefully worked and blended colored pencil artwork by applying solvents without testing first or without guidance from the manufacturers instructions. It will normally prove safe to do so BUT you never really know... until you try!

The notes below are offered without any guarantees of effectiveness. They should simply guide your own research. 

Zest It colored pencil solvent

There are many methods to dissolve and blend an oil-based color on paper, but they often leave an oily residue around the area treated, and this may take some time to clear.

You don't want your artwork to get damaged, so test your solvents before using them. Then dispose of all solvents in an appropriate container after use and work in a well-ventilated area.

There are options designed for art and pencil use, including the familiar Zest-It * colored pencil solvent which is a non toxic, non inflammable and fully biodegradable.

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.

The chemical classification of the original ‘Citrus’ product is Orange Terpene - substance number CAS:8028-48-6. This is a solvent which was sourced from citrus material (often the rinds of oranges used for fruit juice production) and not only acts to dissolve the waxes in the pencils, but also acts as a de-greaser and glue remover.

Some users had commented that they didn’t like the citrus smell, and I see a newer version of Zest-It is now available through art supply sources such as Jacksons Art Supplies, Ken Bromley, and also direct from the manufacturers in the UK. The new version is without the citrus smell and is described as ‘Citrus Free’. I understand the original version is still available.

It is probably the safest solvent on general sale.  It is non-flammable (and many solvents are highly inflammable), it is environmentally friendly, and what is most useful, it leaves no residue on the paper. However some artists have reported headaches after using it. 

Spectrum Noir Pencil Blending Solution

In August 2015, I was able to locate a seller of Spectrum Noir products, who not only sell their craft lines but also sell their pencil blending solution.

This colored pencil solvent was suggested to me by a reader in Finland who also critiqued the Spectrum Noir pencils (which she did not recommend). The solvent is very expensive at £6 for a small 75ml bottle. It proved effective on the two brands of pencils I tried, Faber Castell Polychromos (oil based pencils) and Derwent pencils Coloursoft (wax based colored pencils). It had no smell that I could discern.

A scan of the results is shown below, with tests on the same paper, with the same brands, and utilizing a third cheaper but similar solvent. This test was carried out on a rough surfaced 500gsm Bockingford watercolor paper, so there were plenty of white flecks visible before treatment. The paper dried quickly and there was no residual stain.

The test used three products. 

  • Zest-It Pencil Blend  
  • Spectrum Noir
  • and a further solvent, easily available in the UK, De-solv-it ‘sticky stuff remover’.   

There seems to be little difference in the effectiveness of the three solvents.

Zest It at Jacksons Art was selling for £10.40 for 250ml (July 2022). Spectrum Noir is £6 for 75ml  and the De-Solv-it solvent was £1.99 for 250ml at a local discount supermarket - three times the quantity of the Spectrum Noir solution for a fraction of the price.

The results of the tests are shown below.

Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS)

Odorless mineral thinners, such as those sold for oil painting, will also work but may leave more of a permanent oily mark on a paper surface.  

If you are using a mineral-based spirit (Odourless Mineral Spirit is sometimes referred to as ‘OMS’) then be cautious about the amount you use.  

This liquid can soak into the paper surface and stain it, leaving a dark ring around the edge of the treated area.  

For this reason, the recommended technique is to use blending stumps to take a small amount of the liquid from a safe container that can then be used for blending pencil pigment without wetting the paper surface.

Some of these liquids are also labeled as 'Toxic' in the USA and are inflammable. 

Gamsol

In the USA and also sometimes available in Europe, the solvent ‘Gamsol’ can be used. This is a mineral-based odorless solvent from a petroleum base that has a higher flash point than turpentine and is also generally sold as an oil paint thinner.

This product is advised as being safer than white spirit. It certainly has no smell and is available from several suppliers in the UK and Europe.

The Spectrum Noir blending solution quoted above is manufactured by the Gamsol company (Gamblin) and my guess is that it is identical. 

Turpenoid

Turpentine Substitute - also sold as Turpenoid - is another option however, it is highly flammable and can cause respiratory issues if inhaled, so it is important to use it in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in the fumes. It should also be kept away from any open flames or sources of heat. 

n addition, it can be harmful if it comes into contact with skin, so it is important to wear gloves and avoid any prolonged skin contact. It is also important to dispose of Turpenoid properly and not pour it down the drain, as it can harm the environment.

Overall, Turpenoid can be a useful tool for artists, but it is important to prioritize safety when using it and take necessary precautions to avoid any potential harm.

Solvent in a pen

Possibly a safer option to using thinners or solvents from a bottle is to use a pre-packed solvent in a fibre tipped ‘pen’.  These are sold by a number of art product firms such as Tombow, the Finesse blender pen, Derwent's blender pens (with nibs in two sizes) and Sanford’s own brand Prismacolor blender marker.

This can be a dearer way of using solvent as the amount of liquid in a pen is small, but the more gentle application will probably be of benefit. The solvent is often alcohol based and they do work.

If you are using any of these colorless blenders, be sure to test out a sample on a similar paper and your chosen pencil brand colors. Some solvents have been known to change the color balance of the pigments. 

After treatment you may find that the solvent has bedded the pigment into the paper with a lot of the wax/oil carrier and the resultant picture surface may be matte where the treatment has taken place. This may stand out against the more polished surface of the rest of the picture.

It is possible to work the solvent into part of your picture to soften the pencil colors, and then blend them using a wax type burnisher such as the fairly hard Derwent burnisher, the Faber Castell burnisher, or the softer wax based Lyra Splender Blender and the Caran d'Ache Full Blender Bright blending stick.

Baby oil?

Baby oil has featured in the past in articles about colored pencil solvents. I agree that it works - but is it inclined to leave a permanent oil mark on the paper. Not something I would either want or recommend.

There may well be other colored pencil solvents  sold throughout the world. Do let me know of any not listed and give details of known benefits and problems if you can.

Safety Code

  • Most solvents can be inflammable and have a high flash point. They may also damage your health if breathed in - so a well ventilated work space is a must.
  • Bear in mind the need to ALWAYS work in a well ventilated area if you are using any solvent. 
  • Store any solvents you are keeping in a cool place. 
  • Dispose of any fabric that is soaked in the liquid carefully - bear in mind there will be cautionary notes on any container that will need reading and understanding. Some flammable solvents left on material and shut in a container may build up an explosive ability. 
  • Keep solvents off your skin. 
  • If you use limited amounts of solvent on a felt pad, don't dip the pad in solvent. Control the amount of liquid by transferring it to the pad with a brush.
  • Avoid wetting the support too much unless you are sure the solvent will not stain it.
  • Solvent can take quite a long time to dry.

A link to a useful article on using solvent is on the ZestIt  web site - https://www.zest-it.com/zest-it-pencil-blend.htm

Icarus Board

There are a number of other options for blending colored pencils - quite apart from the obvious choice of water with watercolor pencils.

One of those I will briefly discuss is the Icarus Board. This is manufactured in the USA and sold by developer, Ester Roi.

I have not tried this heated drawing board, but I have seen excellent results from those who have.  It melts the wax binder with a controlled heat. 

Full details and a demonstration can be seen on their website.  The boards are despatched worldwide. Discounts are sometimes available to members of pencil groups such as CPAL Facebook group. The board is expensive - the smallest size is 14 inches x 20 inches working area and is priced around $270 plus shipping and Insurance.

In conclusion

In conclusion, using a colored pencil solvent can enhance the look of your artwork by allowing you to blend and move the color around on the paper surface.

However, it is important to exercise caution when using solvents as they can damage your artwork if not used correctly.

The safest option for blending colored pencils is Zest It pencil and parchment blend, which is non-toxic, non-inflammable, and environmentally friendly.

Other options include odorless mineral spirits and Gamsol, but they should be used with caution and in a ventilated area. Additionally, it is important to test any solvent on a similar surface before using it on your artwork.

The Icarus Board is another option for blending colored pencils, but it is expensive.

Overall, using a colored pencil solvent can be a useful tool for colored pencil artists, but it is important to prioritize safety and test any solvent before using it on your artwork.

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