Drawing: Animals: Learn How to Draw with Colored Pencil, Step-by-Step

TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

You don’t need many supplies to get started in colored pencil, so you won’t need to invest a lot of money. All you need to start out are a few basic colors, an eraser, a sharpener, and some paper. (See page 3 for the colors used in this book.) Below are a few recommended tools that are good for beginners. You’ll also find information on using colored pencils—remember that the way you sharpen your pencil, the way you hold the pencil, and the amount of pressure you apply all affect the strokes you create. You can create everything from soft blends to brilliant highlights to realistic animal textures with colored pencil. Once you become familiar with the basics, you’ll be able to decide which tools and techniques will capture your subject’s unique qualities.

PENCILS

The price of a pencil indicates its quality; better pencils have truer color. Many brands offer sets of pencils that provide a basic array of colors. Some art stores also sell colored pencils individually—this way you can choose which hues you like best among several different brands. Once you’ve chosen your palette, make sure to store your pencils safely in a container—and try not to drop them. The lead in a colored pencil is very brittle, and it’s likely to break in the shaft if the pencil is dropped. This may not be immediately apparent, but it will eventually render the pencil useless.

Choosing Pencils There are many different types of colored pencils available—harder, thinner leads are ideal for rendering fine lines and detail, whereas softer, thicker leads are great for filling in large areas. Experiment to find which you prefer.

ERASERS

Ordinary erasers can’t be used to remove colored pencil; the friction between a rubber or vinyl eraser and the paper will actually melt the wax pigment and flatten the tooth (or grain) of the paper. Instead, many artists use a small battery-powered eraser to remove the pigment without crushing the paper underneath. A kneaded eraser is also useful for removing small amounts of color; twist or pinch it into any shape you like and then press it lightly on the paper to pick up the pigment. When it gets dirty and is not as effective, you can knead it (like dough) thoroughly to reveal a clean surface. To remove unwanted pigment, you can press clear tape over an area. You can also use an craft knife to carefully remove colored pencil from small areas.

PAPER

Slightly textured, thicker paper is best for colored pencil work because the rough grain catches the color so it accepts more pigment than a very smooth paper would. Art and craft stores carry a variety of textured water-color papers and illustration boards that offer a good tooth for colored-pencil art; look for a paper with a medium grain to start. For practice or doing quick studies on site, you’ll want to have a sketch pad or sketchbook.

Experimenting with Paper You might also consider experimenting with different colored papers. Be sure to use the less-textured side of the paper. If you choose a colored paper that shares a dominant hue in your drawing, you can create color harmony in your drawing. Using black paper with light colors creates a sense of drama and contrast.

SHARPENERS

You can achieve various effects depending on