The wide range of colors and textures found in so many varieties of flowers can be rendered realistically through the direct medium of color pencil. By experimenting with basic techniques used to produce realistic drawings, you can become more proficient as you learn to master your skills.
Art SuppliesColored pencils – The choice of colored pencils depends on the look you want to achieve in your drawing. For a lighter, more pastel look, choose Verithin pencils. However, for a richer, more textured rendering, you’ll probably want Prismacolors. Paper – Although colored pencil drawings are rendered on other surfaces such as wood, canvas, and gesso, most drawings are done on paper. The type of paper is determined by the result you want for your drawing. For example, if you want a smooth drawing, choose cold-press boards and papers, which do well with layers, but not for heavy burnishing. For a rough surface, select hot pressed surfaces with more of a tooth, as well as vellum-finish papers, which help the colored-pencil pigment attach onto the paper’s valleys. However, toothy, rough surfaces often require more layering, taking longer to complete a painting. Tools – Other tools include pencil sharpeners, as well as erasers and colorless blenders. Also known as colorless markers, colorless blenders blend colors as turpentine blends oil colors. What’s more, turpentine can also be used to blend colors (Odorless turpentine is advised.)
Pencil in a Light Drawing
Begin by lightly penciling in a drawing. Even if you draw well freehand, it’s best to grid, as explained in my article “Drawing Birds in Colored Pencils”. Using a mechanical pencil produces neater results.
Layering
Layering is simply applying light applications of color in layers on top of one another. First, begin with your darkest values, using small circular strokes, applying light pressure, making sure to follow the shape of the object. Then, begin with your lightest colors, building up each layer. Remember to study your reference photo before you start, as you can’t completely erase colored pencils without hurting your paper. Also, be sure to erase any pencil marks.
Burnishing
After layering colors, move on to burnishing, which is layering at least two colors by blending them together with a light color. Often white is used for burnishing. Continue burnishing until the surface of your paper is totally covered. Be sure to finish the lighter areas of color so darker colors from neighboring areas won’t be pulled into lighter areas. Use a hard lead-colored pencil for cleaning up frayed edges.
Underpainting
The purpose of underpainting is to color white paper without damaging its tooth. This enhances a painting’s texture, and also saves time that you’d spend with repetitive layering and burnishing. You can either use water-soluble pencils (thinned with a water wash) or wax-based pencils washed with solvent. This is an excellent technique when you don’t need as much graduation of color.
Additional Tips
For white paper, leave enough space free of pigment for sparking highlights. Never limit your drawing and/or painting to just one color, but always mix at least two colors to render more brilliant hues. Work from clear photographs. Although you can draw from nature, it’s easier to study a picture without the hazards of weather getting in the way of a realistic drawing.
Most of all, don’t forget to have fun. In other words, if you mess up, just chalk it up as a learning experience. The more you practice with colored pencils, the more you’ll gain confidence.
Originally published on Suite 101.