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Coloured Pencil Tips, Articles & Artist Insights

Welcome to your go-to resource for in-depth Coloured Pencil Tips, Articles & Artist Insights here at Pencil Topics!

If you're looking to move your coloured pencil skills beyond the foundational techniques and explore specific subjects, advanced concepts, or gain inspiration from the detailed processes of fellow artists, you're in the right place.

My aim here is to provide you with practical advice, thoughtful explorations and the kind of insights that will help you develop your skills and create coloured pencil art you're truly proud of.

Browse through this collection below to find your next learning adventure!

SERIES: How to Draw Realistic Water - An Artist's Journey

how-to-paint-water-adjustments.png

Follow Daryl Cogavin's inspiring 3-part journey as she learns to capture the beauty and complexity of drawing realistic water with coloured pencils.

This series takes you through her initial challenges, the expert feedback she received, her problem-solving process, and the stunning refinements that led to a successfully sold artwork. A must-read for any artist looking to master realistic water!

How to Draw Trees with Coloured Pencils – A Beginner’s Guide

Line sketches illustrating the basic forms and branch structures for drawing four different tree types

Ever feel like your trees end up looking more like 'broccoli on a stick'?

You're not alone! This popular, in-depth guide walks you through everything from understanding basic tree shapes and structure to capturing details like bark and leaves. Learn to draw trees that feel grounded, organic, and truly alive.

Read the Full Tree Drawing Guide

Three Creative Techniques for Drawing Realistic Clouds

A beautifully rendered sky with soft, delicate white clouds against a light blue background, showcasing artistic cloud effects

Explore three inspiring methods for bringing your skies to life! Learn how to draw soft, fluffy clouds using coloured pencils with felt, create atmospheric effects with watercolour pencils, and achieve depth with pastels. Perfect for adding realism and beauty to your landscape drawings.

Three Techniques for Drawing Clouds

Drawing Reflections in Water With Colored Pencils - Learn How Your Viewpoint Matters

Waterside scene showing a building and bridge reflected in a river, used as an example for drawing reflections.

Learn why your viewpoint is key to drawing realistic water reflections in coloured pencil. This guide explores how to observe accurately and capture convincing distortions, light, and colour.

Drawing Reflections in Water

What Colour is a Shadow? Painting Realistic Shadows in Coloured Pencil

Coloured pencil illustration showing how a complementary colour, like green, is used to create a realistic, richer shadow on a red curved object.

Move beyond flat, grey shadows! This guide explores how to see and mix the true colours found in shadows. You'll learn why shadows have colour, how to use complementary hues for depth and vibrancy, and tips for making your subjects look three-dimensional.

Look For The Colours In Shadows

Composing Your Art with the Golden Section (Made Easy!)

Pine cone base revealing its natural spiral patterns, an example of the golden section in nature.

Improve your artwork by learning how to compose with the Golden Section. This easy-to-understand guide demystifies the renowned principle, showing you practical ways to create more balanced and visually compelling coloured pencil pieces.

Composing Your Art with the Golden Section 

Wax Bloom: What It Is and How to Deal With It

A hand gently wiping away the hazy residue of wax bloom from a dark coloured pencil artwork using a soft cloth.

Say goodbye to that frustrating hazy layer! This essential guide for coloured pencil artists clearly explains what wax bloom is, why it happens, and provides practical techniques to both prevent and safely remove it for a pristine finish.

What Is Wax Bloom and How to Deal With It

I'm regularly adding new coloured pencil tips, tutorials, and artist insights, so be sure to visit again soon! If there's a particular topic or technique you'd love to learn more about, feel free to [send me a message/let me know].

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