Blending Colored Pencil

Blend colored pencil by overlaying faintly applied layers of each color. When a gradual change is needed, start off with a slight overlap, then progressively overlap each layer a little further. You can use a colorless blending pencil to help blend colors without adding any further pigment. Try this:Lay down a fine layer of the lightest color first, as dark colors can be difficult to blend once they stick to the paper. When you have a graduated overlap, use a colorless blender to make this under-layer.

Colorless solvent markers can be used to soften and blend colored pencil, and can create a watercolor-like effect. With watercolor pencils you can get the best of both worlds, using water to blend and overlaying with burnished color. Oil-based solvents, such as turpenoid , can be used to blend colored pencil as they dissolve the wax, but they are toxic and should be used with care. Try them on scrap paper first, and observe safety precautions.

Tortillons (blending stumps) can also be used to smudge and blend pencil, though also lift the pigment a little, giving a slightly grainier effect than pure layered pencil. Try using them in combination with layering techniques. Experiment!