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Colour Tinted Pencil Sketches
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Message
Posted
Hi,
I have recently started making pencil sketches, mainly of dogs, but also of some other animals copied from photos. I would really like to add subtle colour tints to the sketches but I do not have the knowledge of the best approach. Initially I thought a water colour wash on a graphite pencil sketch would work, however, this did not seem promising. I have seen sketches produced using coloured graphite pencils (Derwent ) and then carefully washed using a water brush (?).
Could any one advise me of the best method to start with. Obviously, practice comes into it but I do not want to waste time (and money) pursuing wrong or outdated methods.
Any advice appreciated.
David
Posted
I bought Derwent Graphitint Coloured Pencils some years ago. The colour range is restricted - it's mainly blues, browns, ochres and greys. I didn't like them, the colours look a bit murky, because the pigments are greyed by the graphite in the pencil.
An alternative might be to buy 12 Derwent Watercolour Pencils, for about £16. These have a wider range of colours, but you can still get more muted shades by mixing them.
This is a link to an artist Demonstrating Derwent Artists Watercolour Pencils - probably more expensive than the basic watercolour pencils, although the technique will be the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT6E70OJpuU
Edited
by keora
Posted
Hi Keora,
Thanks for your reply I will probably take your advice.
Could you also comment on whether it is best to make the sketches with the watercolour pencils or stay with the original concept of sketching with a graphite pencil and then adding the colour tints with the watercolour pencils and a water brush.
Thanks for your interest so far.
Kind regards,
David
Posted
I'd probably go the same way as recommended: there was a demonstration I saw - can't remember where, but it's all I can do to remember my own name these days - in which an artist drew the shape of the animal (bird in this case) in watercolour pencil; then rather than adding watercolour washes on top and getting in a mess, s/he incorporated the drawing into the first wash, adding others when it had dried. Seemed to work, and there was no need then to rub anything out, and no hard outline. I seem to recall trying it myself, and it worked out OK.
I would be very unsure about using an ordinary coloured pencil and then trying to add watercolour washes on top - especially if it were a waxy pencil, which would probably repel the washes anyway.
Posted
One thing I have done in the past David is to shave some of the solid colour from a water soluble coloured pencil into a saucer or some similar container and make a wash that way, I found that with a little bit of practice you can make a very subtle wash with it that is different to using paint, obviously once it is down it is fixed, hope this may be something you could try.
Posted
Hello David. Have you thought about first sketching with an HB or maybe a 2B ordinary pencil, then going freely over your sketch using a fine waterproof ink graphic type pen? This will then take the washes beautifully. As you have already sketched out your subject it is relatively easy to follow your sketch in a fairly free way with the pen. Worth a try anyway, you might be pleasantly surprised by the result, a form of pen and wash. Once you have established your drawing you can then erase the pencil marks before colour washing it. And if you are not happy with your watercolour wash you can scrub it off without disturbing your outline.
Edited
by RuthDolan
Posted
The best advice was given in the last reply by Ruth. I'm all for simple methods so forget the coloured pencils and start your drawing with a 2b carbon or graphite pencil. Add colour with light washes of artists watercolour. The watercolour has more subtlety and is more permanent than the pigments used in watercolour pencils. I'll try and find examples from established artists that are worth copying for practice.
Posted
Just enjoying this line and wash work of Peter Partington's, Rob. It's very inspiring. I see he is a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists..(SWLA.... I think that is it, isn't it?) .I usually get to their exhibition near Merseyside each year, but have had to miss for the past two years because of a road accident, but am hoping to get there this summer. Thank you for posting your purchase for us to see.
You refer to using a graphite or carbon pencil. I find that using Graphitint and water is great for tonal work, but used in conjunction with colour it does tend to grey it somewhat. It works beautifully in this example as the overall tones are grey/black , and do I see a hint of Paynes in there? His touch of lemon (?) yellow is masterly..
Posted
I don't make much use of coloured pencils, and not so far at least for any finished work - but I think those who do might take issue with Rob on the lightfastness issue: I can't, because I simply don't know, never having produced anything (other than personalized birthday cards and that sort of thing) for display. There is a coloured pencil society - Diana Hudson, who used to show on POL, is a member, and produces interesting work in CP. All I can add, and that tentatively, is that when I last looked coloured pencils had come on a long way from where they used to be just a few years ago.
Others might like to take up the cudgels, if they're better informed than I am.
The work shown above is wonderful, irrespective of that issue - and shows just what can be done by a master of line. The drawing or painting shows the way that badgers are actually built - they tend to be painted as small bears, so often, but of course they're of the weasel family - the nose is prehensile, not stiff as so often shown; we have a lot of them around here; poor old devils must be very soggy in their setts just now, with this endless wet.
