If you’ve ever sat down with your coloured pencils, squinted at your paper, and whispered, “I have no idea what I’m doing”—you’re not alone. And actually? You might be on the right track.

Because when it comes to shading with coloured pencils, building beautiful textures, and getting that soft, realistic look… one of the most powerful techniques you can learn is this:

– Start gently. Go round and round. Be a little bit sketchy.

Sounds too simple to be true, right? But here’s why it works;

Soft Shading with Coloured Pencils: The Magic of “Not Sharp”

First off—ditch the razor-sharp pencils (just for now). When you begin with a slightly blunt tip, it’s easier to create those lovely, soft layers that build texture without carving harsh lines into your paper.

Start with a colour like Warm Grey II (Polychromos 271), and gently sweep the pencil in circular motions. Not tight, tense spirals—just loose, relaxed, round-and-round motions. Like you’re doodling clouds on a foggy morning.

This technique gives you a soft, even base without making it look flat. And here’s the best bit- if some of the paper’s texture shows through then brilliant. That’s what makes it feel real.

Drawing Texture with Coloured Pencils: Start with Form, Not Detail

One of the biggest beginner mistakes in realistic coloured pencil art is jumping into the details too soon—before the form has been built. But texture is what gives your drawing depth, life, and that lovely believable feel.

Instead of drawing a hard edge, suggest it. Instead of outlining a shadow, build it in with gentle pencil pressure. Light in some places, a bit darker in others. It’s like soft storytelling—letting the pencil hint at what’s there.

Use colours like Dark Sepia (175), Walnut Brown, or Earth Green (172). Then layer a warm yellow tone like Light Yellow Ochre over the top. It gives the illusion of light playing across bark or fur without flattening out that texture.

Coloured Pencil Blending Tip: Loosen Up and Trust Your Eye

Now here’s something that’ll make perfectionists squirm (in the best way): you don’t have to match your reference photo perfectly!

In fact, some of the most “realistic” drawings come from letting go of that urge to control everything. See a lovely little mark you’ve made? Do more of it. Notice something not quite working? Smudge it out, adjust, or even leave it be.

Drawing is about capturing the feeling of what you’re seeing—not copying it pixel by pixel. Especially when you’re working with nature—wood, feathers, fur, bark. None of it is perfect…

Layering and Blending Coloured Pencils: Experiment Like a Scientist, Play Like a Kid

Try overlapping colours. Go light over dark or dark over light. Mix greens with browns or yellows. Smudge a little ochre into your shadows and see what happens.

Don’t worry about the “wrong” choices. That’s how you learn. That’s how you grow!

So the next time you sit down to draw, remember: ✨

 Round and round.
Light and loose.
Let your hand dance a little. Let the texture lead.

And if you’re smiling by the end—even better.

So if you’re excited for more tips on bringing your drawings to life, come join me for Coloured Pencil Week!

We’ll be drawing three gorgeous wildlife portraits together—learning how to master the textures of fur, feathers, and those beautifully expressive eyes that make your artwork feel like it could blink right back at you.

It’s all about building confidence, having fun, and seeing just how magical coloured pencils can be. Click the banner below to be a part of this wonderful week!