Creating Realistic Pencil Crayon Drawings

Q: Where do coloured pencils go on vacation?

A: Pencil-vania!

Alright, now that the dad joke is out of the way, let’s focus on how to create realistic pencil crayon drawings. While practice is important, understanding how to blend and layer pencil crayons will help you produce realistic drawings. Once you have a few basic tips and tricks down pat, you will naturally start creating drawings that are well-blended and truly come to life!

To start, it is essential to use pencil crayons that work with you, not against you! Personally, I always choose Prismacolor pencils because they blend beautifully and have excellent pigmentation. They layer well and do not leave streaky or waxy lines on the paper. While you can still achieve good results with Crayola or Artist Loft pencil crayons, they simply will not deliver the same quality as higher-end brands. Keep in mind that although Prismacolor pencils are more expensive, you can purchase them individually. This way, you can select only the colours you need, avoiding the expense of buying an entire set!

When you are ready to start drawing, keep two main techniques in mind: layering and colour theory. Aim to build up light layers of colour instead of using opaque, heavy layers of a single colour. For instance, if you want to create a wash of purple in your drawing, avoid relying on just one pencil crayon. Instead, try layering a mid-tone purple, a deep magenta, and a blue pencil crayon in light layers. Gradually build up your drawing by adding light sections of colour until you achieve the perfect purple.

Understanding and applying colour theory is important when using pencil crayons or creating art. It helps you make careful choices about colours, instead of just picking them randomly. Since pencil crayons work well with layering and blending, understanding colour theory gives you control over the depth, mood, and harmony of your artwork. For example, placing complementary colours (like blue and orange) next to each other can make your art pop. In contrast, using analogous colours (like blue, blue-violet, and purple) can create smooth layers or gradients. Additionally, understanding how warm and cool colours work together or against each other helps create lighting, depth, and atmosphere. Value refers to how light or dark a colour is and assists in creating realistic shadows and highlights. This may seem like a lot to remember, but with practice, these theories will become second nature! I find it helpful to create your own colour wheel to use as a reference while you work. I made one with acrylic paints, and I use it all the time! Below is an image of the colour wheel I created and two of my pencil crayon drawings to inspire you to make your own!

Other helpful tips and tricks:

1. Keep your coloured pencils sharp! A sharp point helps create smooth layers of colour.
2. Avoid relying solely on black for shadows; instead, use dark blues, purples, or browns to achieve richer and more natural shading. This approach will also enhance the depth of your drawing.
3. Choose good-quality paper. Heavier, textured paper holds layers better and allows for blending without tearing. You can find sketchbooks specifically designed for coloured pencils at most art stores.
4. Be patient! Achieving realism with coloured pencils takes time, so enjoy the process of layering and refining your artwork.
5. Just start drawing! You will never improve unless you practice, so start drawing and do not be afraid to mess up. It is all part of the process!