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Coloured pencils - how to use them

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Keith Orange

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Posted
I've four or five different versions of coloured pencils by Derwent. They're very good for quick sketches such as life classes. Where I find them lacking is when doing detailed drawings, such as landscapes. It takes too long to build the colours up, the tonal values look too pale, and some of the colours are peculiar especially the greens. Mixing a limited choice of blues and yellows to make a green never seems to get me the right colours. It's simple to mix greens in oils, but quite hard with coloured pencils. Has anybody any advice?
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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Hi Keora, Have you got Inktense pencils - there are some quite good greens in that range. You do not have to add water if you do not want to. I have had trouble trying to get intensity of colour on Bristol Board paper. Only Inktense would do it. Best Wishes Linda

Syd Edward

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Yes Keora In my opinion coloured pencils are ok for srketching but a pain in the neck for building up colour or mixing. I prefer the fluid mediums for these reasons.some artists manage with them but I aint one....Syd

Keith Orange

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I've considered buying Inktense pencils. I'll have another look at them after seeing the picture you've just posted - it's very good.