Coloured Pencil Blog

As we add or edit pages on the site we will link to each here. This will make it easy for you to check out the new information.

Apr 06, 2026

Best Fixative for Coloured Pencils: Types, Brands & How to Apply

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Workable or final fixative? Which brands work best for coloured pencil and pastel? How to apply without ruining your artwork. UK and European brands tested.

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Apr 06, 2026

Holbein Colored Pencils Review: Worth It vs Polychromos?

hobein colored pencil set

Are Holbein colored pencils worth the premium? See test results, compare with Polychromos and other brands, and find out which techniques suit them best.

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Apr 06, 2026

How to Burnish Coloured Pencils: Tools, Technique & Common Mistakes

A red apple drawing using layering only

Burnish coloured pencils for smooth, intense colour without wrecking your layers. The right tools, timing, technique, and how to fix common mistakes.

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Apr 05, 2026

Perspective Drawing for Beginners: One & Two Point Explained

The horizon line between sea and sky, marked with text as the 'EYE LEVEL / HORIZON LINE'

Perspective doesn't have to be scary! Learn one-point and two-point perspective with clear diagrams and a simple step-by-step box exercise. Beginner-friendly.

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Apr 05, 2026

Light and Shadow in Drawing - A Coloured Pencil Artist's Guide

I used black pencil for shadows. You can't go darker than black, can you? Here's what I learned about light, shadow types, and why colour changes everything.

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Apr 04, 2026

How to Pick Watercolour Brushes for Your Watercolour Pencil Art

Three flat synthetic watercolour brushes of varying widths, shown alongside two smooth swatches of colour (one beige, one pink) demonstrating their use for even washes and clean edges.

Improve your watercolour pencil art with the right brushes! Explore essential types, sable vs synthetic pros & cons, and expert advice on choosing.

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Apr 01, 2026

Draw Trees with Watercolour Pencils (No Green Blobs)

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Draw realistic trees with watercolour pencils: sketch structure, scribble foliage masses, add a light wash, then glaze dry layers for texture

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Apr 01, 2026

Beginner Easy Watercolour Pencil Art: Paint Pears Step-by-Step

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Create beautiful, easy watercolour pencil art with our beginner pear tutorial! Learn step-by-step how to layer, blend & paint fruit. Perfect first project!

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Apr 01, 2026

How to Use Derwent Inktense Pencils: Paper, Fabric & Watercolour

neutral inktense swatches

Master Derwent Inktense pencils with step-by-step techniques for paper and fabric. Vibrant, permanent watercolour effects with blending and layering tips.

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Apr 01, 2026

Using Watercolour Pencils: Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

Using watercolour pencils opens up low-mess painting. Learn beginner tips on testing colours, layering, blending with water, and avoiding muddy mixes.

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Mar 31, 2026

Why Your Trees Look Like Blobs — And What to Do About It

Simple pencil drawing of a tree

Most trees look like blobs because we try to draw the leaves. This 5-step method starts with shape and structure. It changes everything.

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Mar 31, 2026

Colour Basics for Coloured Pencil Artists | Pencil Topics

Basic colour wheel

Stop muddy colours! Learn essential colour basics for coloured pencil beginners. Understand the wheel, complementaries for shadows, warm/cool & layering mixes.

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Mar 31, 2026

Best Solvents for Coloured Pencils: Zest-It, OMS & More

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Zest-It or OMS? Compare the best solvents for coloured pencil blending. Safe application techniques, what to expect, and which solvents to avoid completely

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Mar 10, 2026

How to Use Tracing Paper for Drawing (It's Not Cheating!)

Transfer accurate outlines onto your drawing surface using this easy step-by-step tracing paper method. Works for coloured pencil, graphite and more.

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Feb 11, 2026

How to Draw a Boat That Actually Looks Like It Floats

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Step-by-step guide to drawing boats that sit properly in water. Master hull shapes, perspective & realistic reflections with the simple figure-8 method.

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Jan 29, 2026

How to Combine Pastel Pencils and Coloured Pencils for Depth

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Layer coloured pencils over pastel pencils for atmospheric depth. Learn the underpainting technique, the crucial fixative step, and how to add crisp details

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Jan 29, 2026

How to Layer Coloured Pencils Without Mud: Techniques That Work

blue pressure test

Master coloured pencil layering with proven techniques. Build rich, deep colours without muddy mistakes. Step-by-step tips for smooth, realistic results.

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Jan 25, 2026

Coloured Pencil Still Life Tutorial: Step‑by‑Step Fruit for Beginners

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Easy coloured pencil still life: clear steps, reference photo, and tips on layering, stroke direction and burnishing—download the outline and start today.

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Jan 21, 2026

Watercolour Pencil Techniques | Beginner Guides & Tutorials

Polperro harbout in line and wash

New to watercolour pencils? Start here with beginner guides, tutorials, and practical tips to build confidence and explore this versatile medium.

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Jan 10, 2026

One-Point Perspective Drawing: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

one point perspective basics

Learn one-point perspective drawing with simple exercises. Draw roads, rooms, and hallways that look realistic. Perfect for beginners - no maths required!

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Jan 10, 2026

Two-Point Perspective: Drawing Buildings and Boxes Step-by-Step

Diagram comparing 1 and 2 point perspective

Master two-point perspective drawing with easy exercises. Learn to draw realistic buildings, boxes, and furniture. Step-by-step guide for beginners

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Jan 06, 2026

Wax vs Oil Coloured Pencils Explained – With UK Brand Picks

Wax vs oil-based coloured pencils—which is right for you? Match pencil type to your artistic goals, plus UK brand picks from Polychromos to Prismacolor.

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Dec 21, 2025

Coloured pencil drawing step by step

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Coloured pencil drawing step by step demonstrations by Peter Weatherill - watch how he tackles different drawings

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Nov 22, 2025

How to Use Thumbnail Sketches to Plan Better Drawings

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Most drawings fail at the planning stage. Thumbnail sketches catch composition mistakes before you commit to a full piece. Here's how to use them.

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Nov 20, 2025

Drawing a landscape in colored pencil - what to include

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Drawing a landscape in colored pencil - tips and tutorials for areas such as skies, trees, bricks, stones and tiles

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