This GENIUS Colored Pencil Hack will Save You Time

Wow. I am a watercolor artist and I never wanted to try colored pencils because of how long it takes. But this changes the game for me. Thankyou!!!

I have a massive collection of budget colored pencils that would be perfect for this technique, since I wouldn't mind grinding them down to make the powder blend. In fact, I think this might be the best way to repurpose the spent stubs I've been saving up.

Something that's not mentioned in the video that I think is a huge potential benefit for this method is how it can save your hand. I've had to quit colored pencils because of how badly it hurts my hand, but I might try this and see if it's easier on me.

Some tips. Try using pastel pencils (like Stabillo Carbothellos). They have the powdery texture you were getting without having to grind them and rub them on. Also try a heavier weight paper that can take some pressure without wrinkling. Also try a smoother surface paper to avoid the white spots. Those white spots are low areas that the pencil can't get down into. You might also experiment with other types of paper. There are "pastel" papers that come in pre tinted colors. Also you might try velum. And you might also try taking regular mat board and adding a clear acrylic "texture" paint which dries to a feeling of fine sandpaper. This added tooth helps pull the pencil lead off the pencil just like the sandpaper you used to make the powder. In other words make your whole working surface like sandpaper by adding the clear texture paint. When I discovered pastel pencils I didn't ever want to go back to colored pencils.

This is brilliant. Made me rush immediately to get my inexpensive pencils and use your technique to create a lovely soft background. As a beginner, I've been struggling to stay within budget. Now there is no need to buy any more supplies (pastels/fixative spray and whatnot) Thank you so much for sharing this.

Reducing solid and friable drawing media to powder is a great way to get broader coverage and more variety in mark making! Artists testing this technique who can use light-duty solvents might also try using denatured alcohol to "paint" with the powder- some colored pencil core material can be blended with alcohol, and after it evaporates, it leaves a uniform brushstroke that can be incorporated into further drawing! (Works with graphite, too)

About six months ago I joined your patron page, and I just have to say that you made a huge difference in my life. Five months ago I attempted a drawing for a school expo, after watching your tutorials. And by the event I had many people come up to me and ask if the drawing was printed! It was simply a drawing of an eye, but it taught me a lot about shadow, layering/ mixing colors and other techniques that can be used for multiple mediums. It also gave me the confidence to start painting again. which I haven’t done for years, and I’m really grateful for that! It also helped me view the world in a new light, and start to appreciate all the beauty that God has placed on this earth. From the colorful change of leaves during autumn, to the vibrant flowers in the spring and summer, there lyes so much beauty all around us. We just need to stop and take a moment to appreciate it. Instead of just looking at an object/scenery as a whole I now see the blending of perfect colors,shadows,highlights and angles that make up that object/scenery. For anyone who believes that that drawing/art is a waste of time, or any less important than other subjects in school, I would recommend giving it a real shot. And before you’re so quick to say that you can’t draw try one of Kirsty’s tutorials and you might surprise yourself! I know I did! Drawing doesn’t only help change your view on the world, it helps you increase your attention span. And this is so important these days where everything is instantaneous. And this video even helps you speed up the process a little bit so you have no reason not to start! Just go for it! Don’t let the blank page scare you! And for those of you who have taken the time to read this long comment thank you. 🙏 I hope you have a wonderful day full of beauty and inspiration.💕

When you drew in her eye details it was like a magic trick. Absolutely brilliant I can't wait to try this technique. Thank you for sharing this.

You can also use the pan pastel knife(applicator) and also a makeup tool that has a foam-like tip for blending.

I discovered this technique by accident last winter. I use Conte hard pastel sticks to powder the base into place and then draw onto that. By using Conte sticks I can scrape the powder directly into place over large areas for block in and then smooth out with a tissue. I can lay down a 2/3-layer base coat very quickly.

This is a game changer! Especially for doing backgrounds! I do adult coloring and I enjoy coloring with my Prismacolor pencils and a few other brands like Faber Castill and Caran d'Ache, but I have to use a different medium for my backgrounds because trying to color a whole background will eat up your colored pencils super fast, and the pencils I use cost too much to use them up on backgrounds! So I usually have to use pastels, water soluble pencils or gel sticks, etc. So I am super excited to try this method out and share this video with my coloring friends! Thank you so much for sharing! And you are an amazing artist!

The container she uses to hold her powder in the first part of the video is for pan-pastels (note the printing onthe lid). That is a powdered pastel pigment which is applied exactly as her "new" technique is, and for the same reasons. You can also layer colored pencil over it, erase it off and so forth. You can also mix a medium into it ans apply it as a watercolor looking base layer. Often pan-pastels are used with sanded paper because they fill the tooth of the surface so well.

Watercolour artists may like to try watercolour pencil crayons. You can keep the sharpened shavings from the pencils. I’ve made combo colours by combining the bits of sharpened pigments Regarding pencils you can shave then with a knife you might loose less pigment using this technique

Great video! This is a technique that has been used by artists for years. I can't remember who taught me, but I know it was over thirty years ago. It's a great way to lay a foundation to keep the paper from ripping.

Great idea! This needs to be taught in elementary school all the way to art school. I think that a better idea would be to get a long thin nail and gently grind away at the top end of the pencil, instead of wearing away at the usual sharpened tip. You could even use a cheap drill to spin the to nail. The idea is that the top of the pencil will become hollow, and you can still hold on to it, as the pencil shortens, which means that you get more use out of the coloured stuff. Also, the powder can be collected in pill containers, which are used to keep track of 7 days worth or a month's worth. Another idea is to use old contact lens containers: they seal tight, even though they are supposed to be thrown out. Does this all make sense?

Cool technique. I do the same with chalk pastel. I use it as the foundation then spray it with a fixative. It creates a tooth that the pencil can grab ahold of. It's great

I literally got anxious and all rigid for the outcome of that drawing/all your work when that grey (which looked blue on my screen) was accidentally swiped onto that face. So glad you could fix it. Thanks for showing all that too. It really helps. Quite frankly, everything you post helps so much you’re my number 1 recommendation to others that want to draw “but can’t “ because you are such a master at giving newbies the confidence on top of the know-how to draw and more. QUESTION though: what was that white pencil with wooden barrel please? I have no idea what difference white charcoal, white pastels or white chalk would give, what the pros and cons are with each one

Love this! Not only does it speed up the drawing but it gives it a lovely texture that brings out the essence of the medium instead of that super smooth look that burnishing and some other techniques for blending color pencil give.

This was amazing! Thank you so much! I've actually tried a similar technique with the skin using old makeup and the brush! It really did help to speed up the process. I'm nowhere near as good at coloring as you, but it was so fascinating to see this being done using coloring pencils! Thank you so very much!

That's great! I usually work with watercolor and use the crayons over it more or less excessively to add more detail to my watercolors. But with your new technique, I might also try working (almost) entirely with dry media and wouldn't necessarily have to use the watercolor paper. That opens up new possibilities. Thank you!