I am pleased to introduce you to a new course "Drawing with colored pencils" based on the book “Drawing with colored pencils is easy” author Ilene Sorg (original title - “Drawing made easy: Colored pencil” by Eileen Sorg).

The course consists of 4 theoretical lessons, in which you will learn the main drawing techniques with colored pencils And 22 practical step-by-step drawing lessons with colored pencils various objects.

I decided to take this course with you, so along the way I will make my comments and show my work. I will highlight my notes and observations in blue.

Everyone creative success and patience! Let's get started.

Introduction

Colored pencils have come a long way from the tools we used in primary school. Artists all over the world take this small wooden stick with pigment inside and create entire galleries of their work. Colored pencils have many useful properties, both for beginners and for experienced artists. They are portable, inexpensive, non-toxic, convenient and absolutely essential. You can achieve anything with pencils artistic style, from light sketches to photorealistic paintings. You are limited only by your imagination and desire.

I've always considered myself a draftsman at heart, but have been captivated by colored pencils since I was introduced to them many years ago. I am passionate about drawing lines and the many ways that line can describe the world around us. My curiosity and tenacity led me to the need to develop my skills to show myself and my unique style on paper. In this book I intend to teach you basic principles drawing with colored pencils and give you the confidence to continue improving your skills. I hope these step by step lessons will ignite the same fire inside you that lit me many years ago, and then you will continue to study drawing with colored pencils to find your artistic voice.

Materials and tools

Work with colored pencils and requires very few supplies, many of the ones described below you can find at home. As your skills develop, you can add more tools to your arsenal and expand your color palette.

Pencils

There are three main types of colored pencils. I use wax crayons, but there are also oil and watercolor ones. Each type has its own characteristics, so it's best to experiment. Many stores sell pencils individually so you can try and find exactly the ones you need.

For me personally watercolor pencils Kooh-I-Noor 36 colors. I'll use them. To begin with, I advise you to make a palette of all the colors that you have in your set. Just draw a sign on a sheet of paper, preferably the same quality as what you will draw on. Make small swatches of all colors and label the numbers. This will be much more convenient when choosing a color, because the color of the lead or the pencil body itself does not convey the true color and saturation. When I swatched, I immediately noticed that some pencils were softer and brighter, while others were harder and paler. It is better to do swatches at different pressures.

If you do not have the opportunity to purchase pencils in your city, then you can always order them online.

Let me give you an example of a few sets that are perfect for completing these lessons:

1. Budget option - Lyra “Osiris Aquarell” colored pencils, watercolor, 36 colors. These pencils are suitable for beginners to learn the basics and try their hand at drawing.

2. For those who want to do more professional work, it is better not to skimp and buy professional Faber-Castell pencils. This set consists of 36 colors, which is enough to get you started.

3. Well, the last option for those who can’t get enough of 36 colors is ART GRIP AQUARELLE watercolor pencils, set of colors, in a metal box, 60 pcs. This is my dream set!

Erasers

Successfully erasing marks from colored pencil depends on two factors: the color of the pencil line and the pressure with which it was drawn. Dark colors tend to stain the paper and are more difficult to erase. It's also difficult to clean up dense lines, especially on wrinkled paper. I usually use a kneaded eraser (pictured above, center). When used, it captures graphite particles without damaging the paper or smearing the drawing, unlike a regular eraser. For difficult areas, use a battery-powered eraser (bottom right). Do not use rubber or vinyl erasers when working with colored pencils, because the friction between the paper and the eraser can actually melt the wax pigment and flatten the surface of the paper.

I have a regular double-sided eraser. Let's see how she behaves in the process of drawing with colored pencils.

I also recently purchased a kneaded eraser. It turned out to be quite convenient to use.

Sharpeners

You can achieve different effects depending on how dull or sharp your pencil is, but generally you want to keep your pencils sharp at all times. I rarely use pocket sharpeners (pictured in the middle) because they tend to break the pencil tip and shred the wood, but some artists love them. I prefer a good electric self-stop sharpener (left) because it cuts quickly and cleanly, and the self-stop prevents over-sharpening. If you plan to work outdoors, a battery-powered sharpener (right) is a good choice. You can also use sandpaper to sharpen the tip of the pencil.

I had a regular pocket sharpener, which sharpens pencils quite well. The main thing is that it is at least new, not dull.

I also recently ordered a mechanical sharpener online. It planes perfectly and fits into the interior of my work area :) I advise you to take a closer look.

Pencils for mixing colors (blenders)

These are the same colored pencils, only without pigment. They create a smooth, shiny finish. After applying two or more layers of different colors, work with these pencils to blend the colors together. The surface of the paper will be a little slippery after using the blender, so no matter how many colors you add on top, they will blend easily. This technique is called "polishing" and is very useful when depicting a luminous or wet surface. You can also use shading sticks or clear markers.

I don’t have blenders yet, but I do have blending sticks. But, unfortunately, I was unable to shade colored watercolor pencils with them. But they blend out a simple pencil very well.

Paper

The choice of paper is the most important factor on which the quality of work depends. Many papers do not meet color layering requirements, so it is best to take the time to test new paper before you start big project. If you use watercolor pencils, then use watercolor paper. For highly detailed work, I use hot pressed watercolor paper, which has a very smooth surface that is ideal for painting fine details. For projects where many additional layers may be needed, I use sandpaper designed for pastel painting. You can use coarser granulated paper for landscapes or other textured subjects. Always use acid-free paper for your drawings, otherwise it will turn yellow over time. For practice outside the home, it is convenient to use a sketchbook or drawing pad. Experiment.

It is very convenient to use a sketchbook, which you can carry with you always and everywhere and do what you love at any free moment. I ordered mine.

Rulers

Use rulers to mark the area of ​​your drawing. Never neglect them when you need to draw hard, straight lines, such as buildings.

Artistic tape

Use special tape to attach the paper to the surface you are drawing on, such as a table or easel. This type of tape is acid-free and can be easily removed from the surface of the paper without causing any damage. But even when using this tape, be careful.

Additional tools

Use a dust brush to carefully remove pencil residue from the surface of the paper, since if you wipe it with your hand, you risk smearing everything, and if you blow, you may get drool on the drawing. You may want to purchase a spray to set the finishing work.

So, we figured out the tools. Let's now move on to learning the basics of color theory.

Dear friends! In my last article, I talked about the features of working with colored pencils, but now it’s time to put this wonderful artistic material into practice. In this step-by-step drawing lesson, using the example of drawing peonies, we will learn how to make a contour drawing, learn about the features of working with colored pencils, and learn how to select and mix colors.

Required art materials

✔ Thick sheet of A4 format (I use whatman paper, density 200 g/m); ✔ Ruler, sharpener, eraser; ✔ Simple HB pencil (I prefer to work with an automatic pencil); ✔ ; ✔ Set of Faber-Castell colored pencils. To work on each element, we will choose 2-3 primary colors, and several colors to add accents in the end. For example, to draw leaves, we need three shades of green: light, dark and in between. An intermediate color is needed to smooth out the transition from light to dark. I will use the following colors of Classic Color Pencils, Faber-Castell: - for petals and bud: 330, 319 and 325, 327 - for leaves: 370, 359 and 357 - for color accents: 327, 383, 378, 392 - for stamens: 309.

The next stage of work is the selection of references. If you already have artistic experience, then you can draw peonies from life, but for beginners I would recommend finding a photo on the Internet first. It will also be useful to see how other artists depict flowers. You can choose one photo and draw from it. But for the drawing to be interesting and not an exact copy, we'll pick it up different photos and we will put together our own original work from this. It is not necessary to copy the entire image; somewhere we can spy a beautifully curved leaf or notice a picturesque petal. Look for interesting angles and details.

Step 1: Draw a sketch of the peony with a pencil

Let's start drawing our peonies with a pencil. Take a sheet of A4 format, use a ruler and a simple pencil to find the middle of the sheet and draw auxiliary lines. Now we know exactly where the center of our future composition is. Next, we very schematically outline the image of the peony. I decided to draw a large flower with several leaves. So that the flower does not feel lonely, I will add a bud to it. Such details are very important; they will make your work look more interesting. When making a sketch, we remember that it is better to place large elements at the bottom and leave more air at the top. This is why we determined the center of the sheet.

Step 2: Working out the details of the peony with a pencil

So, schematic drawing peony flower in pencil we have. Now we understand where and what we will have. Our next step step by step lesson drawing will be more detailed. To do this, we carefully study references or nature. We draw the petals, leaves, bud, outline the stems. We try not to press too hard on the pencil, soft pencil We also don’t use it so as not to spread dirt on the sheet. We should get a fairly detailed, but light sketch.

Step 3: Outline pencil sketch peony liner

Now let's start working with liners to get a beautiful finished contour drawing. To begin with, let's take a liner with a thickness of 0.3 mm. Slowly, very carefully trace our sketch along the contour. We try to keep the line straight. As a result, our drawing will have a clear, complete outline.

Step 4: Draw the details of the peony flower with a liner

Our drawing lacks liveliness, so now we will add details. We take a liner with a thickness of 0.2 mm. If you are not yet very confident in your abilities, then you can first draw small details with a pencil. We draw the stamens of our flower. We add veins to the leaves to make the design look even more interesting. Add some touches to the leaves and petals. When you have drawn everything, take an eraser and erase the entire pencil.

Step 5: Color the peony petals with colored pencils

The main principle is this: first we put a light shade, then a dark one and make a smooth transition using an intermediate color.

Ksenia Oskolkova

Now we will learn how to draw a peony flower with colored pencils. Let's start by drawing the peony petals. Using one petal as an example, I will show you how to work with colored pencils. The main principle is this: first we put a light shade, then a dark one and make a smooth transition using an intermediate color. We take the lightest shade that you chose for coloring the petals, I use a 330 pencil. Carefully paint over most of the petal, while adjusting the pressure of the lead. At the top we can put the color more densely, towards the bottom we try to loosen the pressure of the lead, due to which the color will lie a little paler. Next, take the shade that you chose for the dark areas. Take a 319 pencil and paint over the dark area. We are not afraid that one color overlaps another, that’s how it should be. The border between colors will be rigid for now. To soften the border, take the light shade number 330 again and add several layers over the entire petal. We work carefully, trying not to apply too much pressure. Our first petal is ready. As you can see, there is nothing complicated, you just need to be patient! Guided by the same principle, we paint over all the remaining petals, with the exception of the inner ones, we will make them darker.

Step 6: Draw the inner petals of the peony with colored pencils

Now in our step by step drawing lesson we will draw the inner petals of a peony flower. We take a 319 pencil, which we used to draw the dark places on the petals. Paint it with this color inner part petal Next, take the darkest shade 327 and paint the bottom of our petal with it. Do not forget that at the very bottom we apply more pressure to the stylus; the higher we rise, the weaker the pressure of the stylus. To even out the color, take the lightest shade 330 and paint over the entire petal.

We use the same principle with all the other internal petals.

Step 7: Draw peony leaves with colored pencils

Ksenia Oskolkova

We'll do things a little differently with leaves. First, let's put the main color, then select the light and dark areas and make a smooth transition.

Now it's time to draw the leaves of our peony. We'll do things a little differently with leaves. First, let's put the main color, then select the light and dark areas and make a smooth transition. I decided to make the leaves a rich grassy color. Therefore, my main shade will be 359. You take the color that you chose as the main one. We paint the entire surface of our leaf with it. Next, take a light shade, mine is 370, and paint the light areas of the leaf with it. We use the darkest shade to work on the dark areas of the leaf, I use 357. We see that the border is quite clear, now we need to soften it, make a smooth transition. Let's return to the main shade, let me remind you that mine is 359, and in our usual manner, apply this color over the entire surface of the sheet. We make several layers to smooth out the color transitions well. Our beautiful leaf is ready! In the same manner we paint the remaining leaves of the peony.

Step 8: Draw the stamens and bud of the peony with colored pencils We continue to detail our peony. Let's take it yellow

Colored pencils have been familiar to everyone since childhood and are therefore associated with something insignificant and childish. But take a closer look and you will see that colored pencils can be used to draw beautifully and realistically.

So, let's look at the features of drawing with colored pencils. They:

• suitable for drawing only on small formats;
• have color transparency;
• difficult to erase with an eraser;
• allow you to create complex colors by overlay;
• Requires drawing experience.

Materials

Beginners will inevitably make mistakes, so they'll need a lot of inexpensive paper that's thick enough to withstand multiple edits.

There is no need to choose highly textured paper. Hard pencils they will cling and the soft ones will break against it.

Colored pencils require careful selection in order not to be disappointed in drawing with them. You shouldn’t save money and buy pencils that are faded, don’t shade, don’t adhere well to paper, and are inconvenient to use, made from low-quality wood. They will not bring pleasure from drawing.

There are many manufacturers of professional and semi-professional pencils: Faber-Castel, Derwent, Creta-Color, Daler-Rauni, Koh-i-nor, etc. Study the reviews on them, look at the work they have done and make your choice.

It is preferable to buy from 24 colors. If you wish, you can purchase even more. After all, there are sets with hundreds of shades.

There are also watercolor pencils that are brighter and softer than regular pencils, and they can also be washed out with water.

How to draw

A few tips will help you avoid many errors:

1. Start with a sketch. Without paying attention to small details, outline the main points with a simple pencil on a separate sheet. You can outline areas of light and shade. We carefully transfer the result to a clean sheet.

2. Increase color saturation carefully. You should not immediately start with bright color spots, so as not to get confused. In addition, it will be easier to correct inaccuracies. The eraser will only erase the saturated layer of dye.

3. Draw with light lines. This will allow you to work through and improve your work with each layer.

4. Learn to see the depicted object as a collection of spots. This will make it easier for you to depict him. Highlight mid, dark and light areas

5. Mentally divide the subject into fragments and draw them gradually, because it is difficult to cover with thin pencil lines large area straightaway.

6. It is better not to use a white pencil to mark light areas, but leave unpainted areas of the paper in the area of ​​​​the highlights.

7. After designations of three We mix the basic tones, i.e. transitions. Work on the same area until you get the desired shade.

8. Don't use just one pencil to indicate a color spot. Add a few more shades.

9. The more colors you use, the more interesting the effect will be, but choose ones that combine well with each other.

10. Having completed the main work, proceed to clarification small parts and the transmission of the subtlest play of light.

11. Use different pressure on the pencil to get lines of varying thickness and brightness. But don't press too hard, otherwise you'll end up with unnecessary shine.

12. When the drawing is almost ready, move away a few meters and look at it from this distance. You may want to change or add something.

13. Now all that remains is to erase everything unnecessary: ​​a simple pencil, mistakes and stains on the paper.

• See also -

Experiment with the choice of paper and color application, practice and you will enjoy the technique, which allows you to combine painting and graphic techniques.

Technique for drawing with colored pencils - video

Today we'll talk about various techniques drawing with colored pencils.

WITH colored pencils are incredibly enjoyable to work with, partly because they are easy to manipulate and control. How you sharpen the pencil, how you hold it and how hard you press it determines what effect you will achieve when drawing. By using colored pencils you can create both soft combinations and dazzlingly bright realistic textures. Once you have grasped the basics described below, you can decide which technique will give an object its unique properties. Technician in drawing with colored pencils there are a lot, as many effects as can be achieved with their help. So the more you practice and experiment, the more potential you will see in the images that inspire you.

Pressure

Drawing with colored pencils different from painting with paints, you can't just put more color on the tip to make it darker. Therefore, your main tool is pressure when you apply color. It is best to start with a light color, this will preserve the texture of the paper much longer. Over time, you will develop the mechanical skill to vary the pressure on the pencil to achieve the desired effect.

Light pressure

In this area (in the picture on the left) the color was applied just barely touching the surface of the paper with a pencil. With light pressure the color is still transparent.

Moderate pressure

Moderate pressure on the pencil creates a good base for the layers (center). This is also the click you might want to sign your drawings with.

Strong pressure

Very strong pressure on the pencil flattens the surface of the paper, making the color truly solid (right).

Strokes

Every line you make colored pencil very important - the direction, thickness and texture of the line will help create a particular effect. Practice different types of shading. You will notice that you have a tendency towards one or two types of hatching, but strokes help convey the texture and emotion of your work.

You can imitate different textures by creating dot and dash patterns on paper. You can even create a dense, thick texture using dots.

While a group of straight lines gives direction (in the picture on the left), a group of slightly curved lines conveys a sense of movement (right). Try combinations of different shading options and to create a more exuberant, rich design. Such exercises show you how lines and strokes can be not only expressive, but also informative.

Lines of varying thickness help create texture. These lines create a sense of volume in the drawing.

Types of hatching

Make circular movements with a pencil or random order, as in the figure, or in identical rows. For a thicker coverage, like the one on the right side of the example, apply multiple layers, layering circles on top of each other. You can also experiment with varying degrees pressing, for more chaos.

You may be more comfortable working in a straight-line style: vertical, diagonal, or horizontal, depending on your preference. Your strokes can be short and choppy or long, depending on the texture you want.

This effect is created by scribbling a pencil across the surface of the paper in a random manner, creating an organic mass of color. By changing the pressure and the amount of time you spend drawing a line in one area, you can increase or decrease the color saturation.

This term refers to the creation of series of almost parallel lines. The closer the lines are to each other, the denser and darker the color. Cross hatching is created by superimposing one parallel line on another, but at a different angle. You can use shading to fill areas with solid color or to create texture.

No matter what your favorite type of shading is, you should strive to be able to control the pencil and apply smooth, even color. I used small circles in this example. Note: when the color is even, you cannot tell with what lines it was applied.

This is the most mechanical view application of color, but it creates a very strong texture. Simply sharpen your pencil and create small dots all over the surface. Place the dots closer together for more coverage.

Layers and shading

Anyone who paints can first mix colors on a palette and then transfer them to canvas. Working with colored pencils, all mixing and shading of colors occurs directly on the surface of the paper. With the help of layers, you can either get a new color or a new shade. To intensify the color, apply more layers on top, and to tone it down, use a complementary (contrasting) color. You can also blend the colors using a white pencil or a colorless blender.

The easiest way to mix colors is to apply a second coat of color directly on top of the first coat. You can do this with as many colors as you need to achieve desired color or saturation. The key to this technique is to use light pressure, work with a sharpened pencil, and apply each layer evenly.

To refresh your memory, let me remind you that polishing is a technique that requires pressing firmly to fuse two or more colors together and give them an even, glossy look. A colorless blender tends to make colors darker (as shown in the picture), while using a white or light pencil ( next example) brightens colors and gives them a distinct look.

You can also mix colors by using a lighter or white pencil. To create an orange tint, apply a layer of red and then layer yellow on top. remember, that dark color should always be under light. If you apply a dark color over a light color, blending will not occur. Also try not to press too hard on the bottom layers in the polishing area, as if you flatten the surface of the paper too quickly, the blending result will not be as effective.

This method is usually used when working with pastels, the viewer sees two colors next to each other, as if they were mixed. Use scribbles, strokes, dots, or rounded scribbles to apply color, allowing each pencil to look like a small piece of string. When you look at it as a whole, the lines of different colors merge and look like one mass. It's very lively and new method mix that will captivate your audience.

Many people know how to draw with lines. This lesson proposes to learn methods of toning and painting in several layers, which certainly complicates the drawing and makes it deep and rich.

Colored pencils are so versatile and easy to use that you can use any drawing technique that suits your temperament and your needs. However, most artists use a technique called multi-layer toning.

Toning

When toning, pencil strokes are superimposed tightly, forming solid areas of color. Multilayer - implies the overlay of several translucent layers of tone on top of each other.
For example:

Section A - painted over with a blunt pencil

Area B - painted over with a sharp pencil, which reduced the gaps in the paper and increased the saturation of the tone

Section B - the tone is applied so as to create the impression of surface unevenness - the texture gives the drawing credibility and vitality.

Multi-layering

There can be 4 main reasons for laying flowers in several layers:

1. To dull the natural brightness or sharpness of individual pigments

2. To mix and get new colors

3. To modulate color, vary shades and, with their help, color areas have volume, complexity and richness

4. To create and change the texture of depicted surfaces.

In most cases, the expressive effect is achieved using two or three layers.

The blackness of the cat in this tonal drawing was achieved not with a black pencil, but with the successive application of three other colors: red, blue and dark purple.

Laying layers with strong pressure.

Demonstration of methods for depicting smooth, textureless objects.

1 method - traditional

1.Apply different tones with light or medium pressure on the pencil. The whiteness of the paper remains very noticeable.

The entire surface of the drawing is painted over with a white pencil with strong pressure. This mutes the previously applied tones and significantly reduces the gaps in the paper.

3. New color layers are applied to the smoothly bleached surface of the paper.

4. To polish the remaining paper texture over the entire surface, use a white pencil again. Now the surface of the drawing looks like a painting.

5. At the end of the work, colors are again applied to the waxed surface of the drawing, restoring the tonal saturation and eliminating the last gaps and roughness of the paper.

Method 2 - fast.

1. Use soft paper. The background and table surface are painted in dense layers with strong pressure on the pencil. The tones on the apple are more superimposed light movements, since they will almost imperceptibly connect with the next layer. Compare this method to the white pencil polishing method.

Wherever necessary, additional colors are tightly applied. White color used very limitedly. The picturesque effect of the drawing is achieved only by applying strong pressure to the pencil when mixing colors. The colors themselves look more saturated, since smoothing the surface with a white pencil was not required.

Two-layer tinting

A surefire way to save time when layering is to use fewer layers. Try the two-layer method. Remember that the main reasons for using multiple layers are to mute the bright colors, creating new shades, tonal transitions and creating surface textures.

Overlapping layers of two bright, close colors on top of each other results in a slight decrease in brightness.

2.Bright, complementary colors layered on top of each other create an almost neutral tone.

3. When two low-saturated colors are superimposed, it seems that much more was mixed large quantity shades.

Spot Toning Technique

The idea of ​​this toning is to layer colors in small fragments or spots for better color modulation and smoother shade transitions.

Accented spot toning

Detailed drawing

Spot toning can be pronounced, accentuated, or more subtle, unnoticeable, muted - depending on your style and the work itself. In this Strelitzia painting, color is applied quickly and boldly, highlighting the natural expressiveness of the flower.

At first graphite pencil a composition is created. Then the negative space is painted over with warm pink, strokes are applied in all directions. Next, using spot tinting, the following are applied to the flower: sunny yellow, orange, and also blue on the “tongues,” and grassy green on the “boat.” The tips of the leaves are painted sunny yellow. Several spots of purple tone are added on top of the pink background.

The “boat” of the plant is modeled in olive green. A little lavender and blue bring the flower closer to the original. The blue “tongues” are finished with ultramarine and green. A purple tone is superimposed on top of the pink tone, so that pink is visible here and there. Red is added in some places in the background.

The “tongues” are finished off with alternating specks of orange, scarlet, warm pink and red. We return the original grassy green color to the “boat” and leaves. The edges of red spots in negative space are softened. The picture is ready.

Interaction of colors

The tone set with one colored pencil looks raw and rustic. You can create a more complex layer of interlocking colors that interact with each other.

Similar colors

They are similar to each other, these are neighboring tones on color wheel.

Complementary colors

They are located opposite each other on the color wheel. In the figure the field is colored Blue colour, and flowers are depicted different shades orange and yellow colors.

All bright colors

The whiteness of the paper itself participates in the “bright colors” scheme

All dull colors

We are talking about dim colors.

Colors of contrasting “temperatures”

The “temperature” of the same color can change depending on the environment.

Using lines in tonal drawing

A purely linear drawing is the most fast technique work with a colored pencil, but when drawing, all the expressiveness of colors is provided by mixing colors and, as a rule, lines alone are not enough.

Some of the possible uses of line in tonal drawing:

• A - A careless line arbitrarily crossing the tone
• B - Purposeful shading. The color of the strokes can be changed as needed.
• B - Eccentric calligraphic lines forming an intricate pattern.
• G - Tone laid over the lines
• D - A line created by two separate colors and delimiting the tonal area.

Flowers on a white background

In this drawing, lines were used in two ways. The most obvious way is linear drawing on the petals. The color here was set by a simple combination of close red and orange tones. Adding lines helps emphasize contours and texture.

Removing color - two methods

1.Using masking tape

Small pieces of tape are glued to the areas from which the tone will be removed. Due to the strong adhesive nature of the masking tape, it must be applied very carefully. In this case, grinding is done with a wide wooden spatula.

Now we remove both pieces of tape, exposing two stripes cleared of pencil pigment. But they were not cleaned equally: the smooth boundaries of the upper section were ensured by thorough grinding of the masking tape to the very edges; in the lower section the grinding was not so thorough. Remember this difference and use it depending on the result you need.

2.Use of self-adhesive film

After tearing the film away from the protective base, move it slightly before sticking it back onto the base, freeing up some of the sticky surface. Then, with the adhesive side, it is applied to the area that needs to be cleared of pigment or to create a texture on it. Do not press on the film with your fingers to avoid unwanted stains. The result of this process is largely determined by the type of lapping tool. Shown here is a special tool with polished metal balls at the ends, which can be moved over the film to create the desired lines and marks.

Demo drawing

This colored pencil drawing needs significant corrections. It is necessary to add more drama and diversity to the overall color, and also to correct the weakness and isolation of the central parts, the hat and wand, surrounded by too wide empty areas. Before the appearance modern technologies removing color, these problems would seem almost insoluble.

First, use self-adhesive film, masking tape and a medium-width lapping tool to remove the hat and part of the background. Pieces of duct tape, on the tablecloth against the background, left for possible reuse. Pay attention to the star outlines in the upper left corner. They were painted "negatively" by removing the corresponding areas of tone using self-adhesive film and a pointed tool.

We bleach the background to a very light tone, which is visible on the stars, and add new, more complex colors. We repaint the tablecloth and cane. Let's remove enough tone from the black hat so that a white rabbit can take its place.

Introduction of color

The introduction of color means adding it to a previously lightened area of ​​a different tone. This technique is similar to spot tinting, but it is more suitable for large areas that are not complicated by details and is aimed primarily at modulating color rather than shape.

When tinting a large area, you deliberately leave small “gaps”, and then introduce a different color into the light areas. Or, carefully remove the desired area with an eraser without making sharp corners.

Underpainting technique

Underpainting in painting is the preliminary elaboration of a painting in a solid tone, onto which the rest of the colors are then applied.
Along with significant savings in time spent on background tinting, underpainting has an additional advantage. This tone, participating in all subsequent mixtures, usually helps to unify the overall color scheme drawing.

First, the underpainting was done with a blue pencil with medium pressure. It can have gaps or be applied quite tightly - the choice is yours.

The general coloring is similar to the selected underpainting color. Leaves and grass are colored various shades green tone, with some underpainting showing through. The background is left unchanged.

In this blue underpainting painting, the warm color scheme contrasts with the blue of the background. Various areas of the underpainting were lightened with a plastic eraser, and purple was introduced there using the method of spot toning.

Good luck!

based on the book by B. Johnson