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Coloured pencil brands

What to draw on

Papers - All about suitable drawing and watercolour papers

Paper and pencil tests - how different brands of paper and pencil work together

The best paper for coloured pencil? - how the same picture looks on different types of paper

Pastel paper - papers and boards suitable for pastel and coloured pencils

Traditional pastel papers - put to the test
Velour pastel paper - soft to the touch
Pastelmat pastel paper - LOTS of layers!
Sanded pastel papers - in depth review

Stretching watercolour paper - to prevent it from buckling when wet

Working on black paper - using coloured pencil on black paper

Learn coloured pencil

Beginner's guide to coloured pencil - Start here

Why choose coloured pencils?
Essential coloured pencil supplies - What do you need?
How to sharpen coloured pencils - we all need sharp points
The grid method - get your drawing on the paper
Using tracing paper - to get the drawing on the paper
Setting up your drawing space
Coloured pencil pressure

Fundamentals of drawing

Understanding value in drawing - getting the lights and darks right
Understanding colour basics - choosing and mixing colours
Colour in shadows - they are not all grey!
Composition basics
Perspective basics
Using photo references
Preparing your coloured pencil drawing
What is a thumbnail sketch

About coloured pencils

Wax vs Oil based pencils - the difference between wax and oil based pencils
Pencil core - What is inside your pencil?
Sharpening your pencil - which is the best method of getting a sharp point?
Wax bloom - how to prevent wax bloom from spoiling your pictures
Coloured pencil solvents - blending coloured pencil pigment with solvents
Using fixative spray - Is it safe for coloured pencils?
Coloured pencil accessories - those odds and ends that prove useful when drawing

Learn to use coloured pencils

Coloured pencil techniques - learn the skills to make the most of the medium
Colored pencil strokes - ways of applying the pencil to the paper
Layering techniques - learn how to build colours with layers
Underpainting to achieve depth - five ways to use underpainting
Burnishing coloured pencil - how to create a smooth finish to your artwork
Paper blending stumps - learn how to put these tools to good use
Coloured pencil backgrounds - how to cover large areas
Applying powdered pigment - ideal for drawing clouds and skies

Art Basics

Art basics - Start here for all things related to art
Colour Theory - learn how light works to allow your eyes to see colours
Limited color palette challenge - try this landscape using just 6 colors!
Contrast and value - this is more important than using the 'right' colours!
UK Copyright Law - how to avoid getting into trouble
Gridding and other methods of transferring your line drawing
How to tracing paper to transfer your drawing
How to photograph pets - tips for clear photos to draw from - NEW
Using photo references - what to be aware of when drawing from photos
Composition for still life drawings
The Golden Section - a composition technique

Landscape art

Landscape drawing - an introduction to drawing landscapes in coloured pencil

Landscape composition basics - how to pick the scene and focal point to draw

What is a thumbnail sketch? - and why they are useful
The Golden Section - An excellent tool for composition

Perspective drawing - getting the right angle on things

One point perspective drawing NEW - how to draw things that are facing you
Two point perspective drawing NEW - how to draw things from the corner

How to draw trees - part 1 shows how to get the shape of your trees correct

Drawing trees in the distance - how to draw trees on a distant hillside
Draw trees with watercolour pencils - no green blobs

Drawing skies and clouds - ways to approach large areas in coloured pencils

Drawing buildings - brick, stone and rock textures are included here

How to draw a roof - we cover tiles of many types along with thatched roofs

Drawing a boat - and its reflections in water

Drawing reflections - about getting the reflections correct in your drawing

Watercolour pencils

Watercolour pencils - an introduction to these versatile pencils
Watercolour brushes - what type of brushes are best for watercolour pencils
Underpainting coloured pencil - underpaint a country lane scene
How to use watercolour pencils - learn the basic techniques
Beginner easy watercolour pencil art - a pair of pears
Background painting with watercolor pencils - paint a Scottish Hillside scene
How to draw trees in watercolour pencil - a simple foliage exercise
Watercolour pencil landscape - Coventry canal step by step
Watercolour pencil techniques - Brokken Bridge landscape tutorial

Pastel pencils

Pastel pencil brands - find out the best brand for YOU
Pastel pencil primer - the pros and cons - how they differ from wax coloured pencils
Sharpening pastel pencils - the knack of using a knife to sharpen
Pastel pencil tutorial - for beginners to the medium, paint a simple still life
Pastel pencil drawing - Annecy Reflections step by step project

Mixed Media

Mixed media techniques - coloured pencil and other media
Pan pastels - Using pan pastels in coloured pencil art
Combining colored pencil and pastels - the Abbey of Bellapais
Drawing on black paper - Cottage Doorway in pastel pencil and coloured pencil
Coloured pencil and pastel drawing - usng pastel pencils as a base

Step by step projects

The fruit bowl - coloured pencil still life for beginners
Draw a garden archway - Rectory Garden in coloured pencil
Sweet Jar - Glass on black paper
Realistic Cat's head - Draw a wild cat
The Bowerman Stone - How to draw stone and rocks in coloured pencil
Tavy Rocks - Devon river scene using polychromos pencils
Grand Union Canal - composing a scene from two photographs
A pair of pears - a beginner project for using watercolour pencils
Coventry Canal - a landscape using watercolour pencils
Polperro harbour - an exercise in line and wash
Italian street scene - watercolour pencil step by step
Scottish hillside - quick demo using watercolour pencils
Brokken Bridge - an old packhorse bridge in watercolour pencils
Country Lane - watercolour pencils and coloured pencils
Simple still life - vase in pastel pencils
Annecy reflections - step by step pastel pencil drawing
Cottage doorway - pastel pencil and coloured pencil on black paper
Abbey of Bellapais - mixed media tutorial using pastel and coloured pencils
Allerford, Somerset - landscape drawing step by step
Gondolas - student step by step
Painting realistic water - student step by step (3 page series)
Venice Grand Canal Railto Fish Market - page 1 - page 2 - page 3 - page 4

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