Painting with Colored Pencils: A Beginner's Guide

Colored pencils are a versatile addition to your creative repertoire, and can be used to create beautiful paintings. Working in layers with various blending techniques, you can transcend the medium of paper and pencil and create artwork that moves beyond the realm of drawing and illustration. In this 50 minute class, you’ll learn how artist Kendyll Hillegas works with colored pencils to create vibrant, realistic artwork, using techniques borrowed from classical oil painting.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

1. To build a palette with colored pencils
2. To identify your unique colored pencil handwriting
3. To create an underpainting using watercolor pencils
4. To layer colored pencils 
5. To blend using solvents and burnishing
6. To create vibrant color, interesting texture and detail

This class is perfect for artists, illustrators or anyone who wants to learn how to use their colored pencils to their fullest potential. No prior experience necessary. After completing this course, you’ll be familiar with the foundational principles for using colored pencils, and will be able to confidently translate those to create your own beautiful paintings.

• Introduction
• Types of Colored Pencils
• Paper for Colored Pencils
• Other Materials: Sharpeners, blenders and brushes
• Mark Making: Your Colored Pencil Handwriting
• Building a Palette With Colored Pencils
• Making an Underpainting with Watercolor Pencils
• Working in Layers
• Starting with Midtones
• Adding Darkest Darks and Lightest Lights
• Blend with Odorless Mineral Spirits
• Layer, blend, repeat
• Burnishing: Another Way to Blend Once You’re Done Adding Layers
• Adding Highlights
• Final Thoughts
• Bonus: Full Process Demo