8 Top Tips to Help You Pick the Right Colours For Your Drawing | Beginner Tips

Here are some quick tips for helping you find the right colours when you’re new to coloured pencil.

Match Colours to Your Reference: If you're new to colour picking, start by matching your colours directly to a reference photo. Hold your pencil next to the photo and see which colour matches best. This helps you get a feel for the colours you need.

Use Light Pressure: When applying colours, use light pressure. This allows you to build up layers gradually and make adjustments as needed.

Start with Basic Colours: Begin with the basic colours you see in your reference. For example, if you see blue areas, find a blue pencil that matches. As you get more comfortable, you can start experimenting with layering different colours.

Layering and Shadows: Learn to layer colours to create depth and shadows. For instance, you can use a darker colour like dark indigo or dark sepia over a base colour to create shadows while still letting the base colour show through.

Use a Colour Wheel: A colour wheel can be a helpful tool. It shows you which colours are complementary (opposite each other on the wheel) and which colours work well together. For example, orange and blue are complementary colours and can be used together effectively.

Experiment with Colour Theory: As you get more confident, start experimenting with colour theory. Understand how colours mix and how they affect each other. For example, mixing orange and blue can create green, which might be useful depending on your artwork.

Practice and Patience: Colour picking is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t worry if you don’t get it perfect right away. Keep experimenting and learning from each piece you create.

Use Translucent Colours: Some coloured pencils, like Polychromos, are more translucent and allow the underlying colours to show through. This can add richness and depth to your artwork.

Remember, the key is to start simple and gradually build your skills. Happy colouring!

If you'd like more coloured pencil tips and techniques, make sure to join me in my free live draw along on Sunday 25th August at 2PM (UK Time). Sign up for free here!