Colored Pencil Techniques

Colored pencils can do far more than simply fill a space with color. With a few techniques, you can create smooth blends, rich layers, glowing highlights, deep shadows, realistic textures, and surprising dimension—all with the same pencils already sitting on your table. Here you can explore techniques like layering, blending, burnishing, pressure control, directional strokes, underpainting, complementary-color shadows, and creating light and glow. Try them one at a time, combine the ones you love, and develop a way of coloring that feels entirely your own.