How to BLEND COLORED PENCILS For Beginners (Prismacolor Tutorial)

450,827
0
Published 2021-01-15
Learn how to blend colored pencils WITHOUT solvents or blending tools in this colored pencil tutorial, where I’ll show you the best method for beginners with Prismacolor and Polychromos colored pencils!

You can see the step by step photos and a written version of this blending tutorial in my blog post here: sarahrenaeclark.com/how-to-blend-colored-pencils-b…

This simple colored pencil blending technique is easy and doesn’t require any extra tools. It is an important skill for any artist or colorist to learn, and is the basis for almost every other pencil blending method.

I’ll also talk you through my best tips for blending, choosing colors that work best for beautiful gradients, which pencils to use, and which paper will give you the best results.

Other blending methods:
PART 1: Testing 12 professional blending methods:    • 12 WAYS to Blend Colored Pencils (Sol...  
PART 2: Blending with household items:    • Testing Household Products to Blend C...  


Get the Color Theory Booklet: sarahrenaeclark.com/shop/color-theory-for-beginner…
Get the Color Catalog + Companion: sarahrenaeclark.com/color-palettes/

In this pencil blending tutorial:
01:39 About this method
02:31 The best pencils for blending
03:33 How to blend colored pencils: Tips for beginners
07:17 What is Burnishing?
09:37 How to choose the best colors for stunning gradients
18:09 Other pencil blending techniques
19:18 How do oil-based pencils work differently?

If you find this video helpful, please comment below and remember to subscribe!

I’ll be comparing 25 different pencil brands in my next 2 videos so you can find the best pencils for you – including Prismacolor, Faber-Castell, Caran d’Ache, Derwent, Arteza, Crayola, Uni Posca, Holbein, Lyra, Chameleon, Black Widow, Castle Arts, Spectrum Noir AND MORE. I’ll be testing their quality, price, color range and more to bring you the ultimate colored pencil reference guide – check it out here:    • Testing ALL the BEST COLORED PENCILS ...  

#sarahrenaeclark #prismacolor #coloredpencils
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Subscribe for art videos, tutorials, and more: sarahrenaeclark.com/youtube
Become a channel member: youtube.com/channel/UCibTRXCGW9o16HjUODtvTVQ/join
Join my free Facebook group: sarahrenaeclark.com/freegroup

Connect with me!
facebook.com/sarahrenaeclark
instagram.com/sarahrenaeclark
pinterest.com/sarahrenaeclark

All Comments (21)
  • @glowbandz7499
    Prismacolors used in this video: 1. Aquamarine (pc905) 2. Cerulean blue (pc103) 3. Violet blue (pc933) 4. Violet (pc932) 5. Mulberry (pc995) 6. Process red (pc994) 7. Poppy red (pc922) 8. Yellowed orange (pc1002) 9. Spanish orange (pc1003) 10. Canary yellow (pc916)
  • @sherryhunt3739
    Thanks for this video. It was exactly what I was looking for. I'm self-taught and have been drawing for a long time but needed help with blending technique. This was it!!!! Thanks so much!!
  • I'm mainly self-taught and I've been trying to get back into coloured pencils as an art medum, and this video was exactly what I needed, glad to have seen it in my recommended. I often layer mine on markers, but it's frankly speaking a whole different ballgame to use my pencils on their own. Several art classes I had to take for school neglected to teach me the basics of coloured pencils, but forced me to buy a really nice set for school anyways without me even knowing how to use it properly. I honestly didn't know about the difference between wax-based and oil-based pencils until I looked things up online! So thank you for picking up their slack. If you're explaining things in a way that even an autistic artist like myself can understand, then you can safely say that you're a good teacher. How is your channel this underrated? Can't wait to really try out those 4 tins of Decotime pencils I have lying around in my bookcase.
  • I just bought my first 120 count prisma color pencils... I’m self taught and always looking for tips of the trades... Love your videos! Keep them coming...
  • @LaurenRichardi
    Thank you so much for posting this video! I am a prismacolor pencil artist, and I am paving my way as a children's author/illustrator. I wanted to learn more techniques on how to blend colors, and this helped me a lot more!
  • @jay_mick
    I've started doing coloring and I really like the combo of pink and honey yellow. I use the white of the page to blend instead of just going from one to the other, and I add a pop of bright yellow/pink to either side and blend those two with the milder colors. I also really love burnishing with a completely different color than I'm using in the gradient, such as a ochre or blush pencil over greens and browns. Thanks for the video :)
  • Thank you for helping me better understand the color wheel and using transitional colors to create nice gradients! This is something I've struggled with and with this information and using the color wheel as a reference guide, I think I can finally use pretty much any set of colored pencils to create something I actually like!
  • I sometimes have episodes of synesthesia, where I basically see these gradient colors when I’m listening to music. I’ve been trying to find some sort of art method to try and express what I see. Next to LED sculptures and 3-D modeling/animations, what you’ve shown here is my absolute favorite method so far. Very hands on and foundational it seems. Also there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of materials used (unless you count all the pencils, lol) I purchased your book in the description and will definitely be ordering a set of prismas. Maybe when I get skilled in pencil and paper I can move onto the 3D and LED ideas I have. Thanks once again for the video!
  • @Renee11123
    This is just what I was looking for. I'm getting back into using color pencils and I just wanted to know how to blend and know when to layer and burnish all without solvents, stumps, and extra tools. I'm still a beginner and this video helped me know where to start and how to make beautiful gradients. Thank you!🥰
  • I recently discovered a set of color pencils that in my opinion are a great creamy butter smooth oil consistency that absolutely blows my mind body and soul away. Crayola signature edition have won my heart hands down. ❤❤❤❤❤ ❤
  • @ranijose5716
    I'm thinking about drawing myself and this is my first attempt of drawing myself. This is helping me a lot THANK YOU
  • I am a beginner to understanding colors and gradient trust me you solved the riddle in my head to achieve amazing results to draw and made my drawing a lot more fun and experimental,I love you to the core of my heart we need teachers like you,who can make us fall in love with learning painting fundamentals,thanku
  • @Spangadora
    I've really just started colouring and am addicted. I know there's a lot to learn and found this video in my search. Totally taught me exactly what I needed to know! Thanks! I'm a fan now!
  • I've been drawing since I can remember (late 1970s). In high-school I took every art class available. I feel like color theory wasn't stressed enuff because i don't recall most of what your showing us here. You're awesome, keep it up
  • @Lalitpatelksy
    Namaste from India. Thank you sister for sharing your unique knowledge here. This tutorial is very precious for beginners of color pencil drawing. 💝💝🙏🙏
  • @Chaotic_Pixie
    So, not exactly the point of this... but, I'm actually really happy to know how to get those swampy, murky, but still vivid colors. This could actually be really beneficial for a lot of stuff. I'm thinking doing eyeshadow, dying yarn, and even choosing colors to marl together when knitting or crocheting with multiple strands of yarn.
  • @annsterling_
    I've been struggling with blending But after watching your video until the end I understood that we need patience,cuz layering is the foundation for the blending color pencil. Thank you Mam...
  • Im more into alchohol markers, but i would love to try blending thee handful of crayola colored pencils stuffed at the end of my drawer! XP