You may have noticed a shift in how i approach my drawings lately.

So I’d love to properly introduce you to it my Global Layering Method 🥰

It’s a simple approach, but it can make a huge difference when it comes to creating realistic coloured pencil drawings.

What is my Global Layering Method?

The name says it all, really. Every single layer of colour goes across the whole drawing. The whole thing. Not just the nose, not just the eye, not just that dark bit in the corner you’re itching to sort out. The whole drawing, every time. It’s a wonderfully calm and methodical way to work. Rather than bringing one area to a high level of finish before moving on, you build the whole drawing together, layer by layer, letting the colour, depth and detail emerge gradually and evenly across the entire piece.

Why my Global Layering Method Works

Coloured pencil is all about layers.

Colour doesn’t come from one heavy application – it builds through lots of light, transparent layers placed on top of each other. That’s what creates richness, depth, and realism.

My Global Layering Method for coloured pencil makes this process much easier to understand because:

• You can clearly see each layer building
• You naturally control your pressure by starting light and building up
• Your lights, mid-tones, and darks develop together across the whole drawing

These foundations – layering, pressure, and tonal values – are always happening.

But this method lets you see and understand them right from the beginning.

Why It’s So Powerful for Beginners

One of the biggest struggles when starting with coloured pencil is that everything can feel a bit disconnected.

One area looks finished… another doesn’t… and it’s hard to know why.

When you use the Global Layering Method, everything starts to fall into place.

You can:

• See your progress across the whole drawing
• Feel your control improving
• Build confidence without even realising it

Those key skills – layering, pressure, and values – stop feeling like theory and start to feel natural.

And along the way, you’re building strong artistic habits from day one:

• Working lightly and gradually
• Following the form of your subject
• Stepping back to assess the whole piece

These are the foundations of confident, realistic drawing.

See the Global Layering Method in Action

This is exactly the method I’ll be using in my free Meerkat draw-along (Sunday 26th April 5 – 7pm UK Time).

It’s the perfect way to see how Global Layering works in real time and to try it for yourself with step-by-step guidance.

If you haven’t signed up yet, you can grab your free spot below and come draw along with me 🥰

Join the Free Meerkat Draw-Along HERE