Color Pencil
Color pencils are a wonderful medium to work, especially with blending, because there are
countless hues that one can create. Most people take color pencils for granted; a little wooden
stick that little children scribble with, but beautiful, complex art can be created from this
simple medium. The trick is in the different shading and coloring techniques, which are
described below.
For a beginner who is simply experimenting, regular Crayola color pencils work just fine and are
adequate substitute for Prismacolors. Prismacolor color pencils are the ones most serious artists
use because of the higher quality. Prismacolors has more wax in the pigment, which makes for
deeper, richer color that does not fade over time. In addition, more wax makes the pigment
softer so it is more easy to blend and the artist does not need to apply as much pressure
when coloring.
Shading
This is a very basic technique that is easy to learn. Shading is achieved by moving the pencil
side to side. The harder you press the pencil onto the paper, the deeper the color will be,
because more pigment is applied. A very light touch is used to create a subtle hint of color.
Logically, the less pigment there is, the easier it is to erase. Gum or kneaded erasers are
suitable for more color pencils.