Have you ever stared at a coloured pencil drawing and thought, How on earth do they make it look so real? The secret is layering.

Unlike paint, where you mix colours on a palette, coloured pencils require you to build up those wonderful tones directly on the paper. It’s a slow burn, but trust me—it’s worth every minute. So, let’s dive into the magic of layering and how you can use it to bring your artwork to life!

Why Layering is the Game-Changer

Layering isn’t just about adding more colour, it’s about blending, building depth, and achieving that lovely realism that makes people do a double take.

For example, when I was working on this horse drawing, I didn’t just grab a ‘horse brown’ pencil and go to town—because no single pencil does all the work. Instead, I used a mix of Luminance Apricot, Polychromos Burnt Sienna, and Caput Mortuum Violet to create a rich, glowing bay coat. Sounds fancy, but it’s really just layering in action.

Top Tips for Layering Like a Pro ✨

Build up colour gradually – Your first few layers might look a little, well… Flat. Lifeless. But don’t panic! Depth comes with time, so trust the process.

Let colours blend naturally – Swatching is great, but real magic happens when you let colours interact organically on the page. Don’t be afraid to adjust as you go.

Follow the fur (or hair) direction – This is a game-changer for realism. A few light strokes in the right direction can instantly add texture and believability.

Patience

If you’re new to coloured pencils, here’s the truth: layering takes time. It’s not a one-and-done situation. But if you keep your pressure light, let the layers do the work, and enjoy the process, you’ll start seeing results before you know it.

And, if you’d like to see my layering process in action, make sure to check out the video above!