This was so helpful. I do find myself pressing too hard with my pencils, so maybe that is what is preventing me from getting the all of the blending I want. I will definitely practice using these techniques because I am addicted to coloring these days!
+jean massey Yes, it's learning to work with the tools to get the most out of them and the experience. Pressing hard will certainly fill the paper up pigment faster, but it doesn't always mean there will be room for layering.
This is so informative. Thank you for sharing these techniques. I am new to using colored pencils and this is a great introduction to developing techniques.
+Kathy King Thank you Kathy, I hope you find your sense of experimentation with colors and blending to be easier to play with and may you find some wonderful results! Happy day!
Enjoyed your videos. Very helpful. Will definitely pass along to my friends who are also beginning adult colouring. I would be interested in knowing what method you use to shade a finished picture that has very small spaces that would look prettier if shaded. How you choose the "blank space colour." The specific pattern I have in mind is the Secret Door picture on the first page of "Artist's Edition of the Secret Garden." Many thanks.
+Colouring for GrownUps Thanks for the comment and question. Yes, please share with fellow colorists! Small spaces ( I assume you mean very small spaces) might do well with a small amount of pigment and using a blending pencil or blending pen to soften the shadng using care to not over blend the area. This particular video doesn't cover shading (light direction and shadow) as there is a video coming that covers this topic, but in general shading can be done in small and large areas with amazing end results. The "blank space colour" - do you mean the background, the negative space around a shape or the base color in a design? If you mean background, you might be interested in my next video which will be on backgrounds. In general backgrounds can be used to bring out the design by being either bold or soft. If in doubt try a soft color that compliments your design first to see how it looks. If you want it darker, it's easier to layer on top of a light layer. Happy Coloring!
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I wish I could say I've got "good" news - alas - being a raw beginner to this new colouring hobby, I definitely over-shaded with my black pencil while trying to make a shadowy path below the secret door. So sad. I tried erasing and of course that just added to the messy look. I got talked into a Tombow MONO sand eraser 512A at the art supply store - and it is really too scratchy for the paper in the Artist's special edition. Oh well, it was my first completed picture - and definitely a learning experience. I over burnished on some of the leaves, which made them far too shiny for the rest of the delicate picture ... BUT my door was "amazing" ... if I do say so myself ;-)
+Colouring for GrownUps Excellent! A true artist at work will always have great examples to learn from. I keep some of my examples around of differnt techniques that DIDN'T work out specifically to use a teaching tool of "this is what xyz looks like - learn from me" kind of example. Patience when working, don't rush into a big decision or go too dark too quickly, give yourself time to layer and I'm sure you'll enjoy every bit of your learning curve, even the unexpected moments.
What did you use to sharpen the prismacolor premier dark green pencil in the beginning of your video? I want a sharpener that put that point on a pencil - not too short & stubby, not too long.
+Grace Birdsong hi Grace, the sharpener I used in the video talking about How to Sharpen Your Pencil, I used one from Target (which I don't recommend as a long term commitement - I suggest investing in a little better quality sharpener). The one that I use with two different tip suggestions is from Prismacolor. There is a sharpener out there that I'm curious about, but haven't tried yet called T'Gaal...it has a 5 level sharpen option.
+Tricia Ann Hi Trica Ann....gosh, I don't remember what the colors were exactly. They were prismacolor pencils. I *think* the base might have been an apple green or similar. Sorry, I don't recall exactly....oh if you look on the video (and it looks like I list two of them out loud, as well) the video shows the colors - apple green was the base, grass green was the dark green, violet blue, white and pale sage were the others.
I've added layers on top of blending with the blending pen. Keep in mind though that it's really the "grip" you need to continue to add layers. The tooth of the paper needs to still have some integrity. I like using the blending pen to smooth out layers without adding pressure (hint do not press hard with your blending pen) and still give availability to add more. for your other question, it depends on how much you keep going over the paper. I've had some blending pen fluid soak into the paper but it evaporates very quickly - it's an alcohol based product.
Good question! I'm sure there are special tools for fabric (like fabric ink) that can have some blending abilities, but I am not versed in what those are (at least not enough to type with certainty). Printed references that are the most complete are in my book *Mandalas and More: A Meditative Drawing and Coloring Book for Mind, Body and Spirit*. This book has information on Meditative Drawing, adding coloring embellishments, how to get started on your own creative journey in combining the two, plus some life lessons along the way. You can see a flip through of the book (actually all my books) on my you tube channel.
I have not, but I know what you are referring to. There are some great videos elsewhere with the powder blenders, but it appears that the key component is the layering of pencil before you use the powder. Good luck with it. For those who experiment with it, if you can get past the initial first layer, all consequential layers go extremely fast taking days off of larger extensive art pieces.
Very well done, Cher. Not only do I now possess the knowledge to expand my skill with coloring, but the mystery of how so many people who share their their colorings and do such a fantastic job of blending is solved, and I understand the nature of colored pencils a bit more. (how this video can have Any thumbs down is beyond me) Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can't wait to try something new!
I learned more in the first ten minutes than in all the classes I've ever taken. You are very clear and I got what you were saying, thanks for making this free. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Glad to hear this was helpful for you! Learning basics that are practical but allow for your own creativity are great jumping off points for amazing works of art! Thanks for taking a moment to comment - much appreciated!
Yes, they are the largest brand in my collection. I also have a lot of inexpensive pencils that I teach with so others can learn that it's not what you have, but what you do with them :).
After using CP for a few years, I thought I knew all the blending techniques. But you've taught me several new/variations that I wasn't aware of. Thanks Cher. Great vid. SUBSCRIBED!
I am so very glad I found your You Tube channel! I am a novice colorer. I have not attempted anything yet because I am gathering information and resources. I love the way you teach through your tutorials, so I am now a subscriber! I look forward to learning more from you. Thank you for sharing your passion.
Denise Messier Denise: I'd like to connect with you. I am the same type of learner, a gatherer of resources, to get the best techniques quickly. I'm not sure how we can contact eachother without giving personal info here. I think I will try to find you on facebook.
You are a great teacher. I agree with the other commenters. I have learned more in this video than all the others I have watched. Thank you for not assuming I had any knowledge of these techniques.
Thank you for taking a minute to comment. It's been a while since I've made any videos, but I sure am happy to see people still learning and being curious enough to explore different ways to play with coloring. Enjoy! I found that sometimes people think they know stuff, but they skipped some basics, so I liked to teach from a beginning place.
Subscribed!! What beautiful work you have done! Thank you for making this video for us beginners! Ever since I was little I have always colored in circles and would get teased for taking so long to color. As an adult it's good to know I did something right LOL.
Absolutely awesome tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to show us these amazing techniques. Love the vaseline option and I'm going to try it out right now :)
+Necronephilim Enjoy, have fun! If you use a lot of vaseline or cover your entire page with this technique, you might consider storing your coloring between between plain pages until you are certain it's dry (might take a day or two).
Thank you for taking a minute to let me know - I know this is a tad late responding (7 years!). Comments can get lost in the mix and I try to dip back in every once in a while. I hope you are still creating!
UA-cam won't let me edit my last comment so I'm just going to add that I had no idea this video was thirty minutes long. I was so absorbed by watching and listening to you time just flew by. You know, there are artists out there that never want to share their knowledge but I've noticed when it comes to adult coloring, everyone is generously helpful with sharing what they've learned. Thank you.
HI There! I read your other comments as well, I'll post to this one. Thank you, yes, time goes quickly when you are having fun and there is much to share and learn! Thank you for taking a moment to comment and I appreciate your enthusiasm for the video and learning something new! I always love when people have been inspired from a video to give a go and be excited about trying what they learned! Happy coloring!
Hi Cher! Beautiful examples and very helpful. Congrats on your 2 books out. I have a question. what about bleed through using the blending markers, gameplay and Vaseline? I like to color in my books and worry about bleed through to the other side.
+Dena Cottrell there is a direct relationship between the medium and the paper. This can be a plus or...not a plus. The plus side is if you have good quality paper, you can experiment with little bleed through. If the paper relationship with certain mediums isn't as supportive, you will get bleed through. One way to counter the bleen through is to have a separate piece of paper, chip board or cardstock between your paper and the next paper. If you have a coloring book with images on the back side, there is a risk of bleed through reducing your coloring on the back. Best way is to get books that are single sided. For books that are double sided, choose mediums that reduce the bleed through (like using pencil first and gel pen on top - see my video on gel pens for more examples). Pencils will not bleed through, but your pressure on the page can create divots in the page. Markers tend to bleed, it's their nature to absorb into the paper. I haven't had any bleed with vaseline nor gamsol. The blending pens used for colored pencils, depending on the pen and how much you use them and the amount of pressure can sometimes create a "wet" looking area on the back, but it dries.
Thank you for showing this I am new to this I just bought my first set of colored pencils. This is gonna help me so much! You are really good at explaining this
Thank you for the great tips! I'm wondering how many of these (particularly the ones on the bottom row) would bleed through if I'm coloring in a book with double sided pages?
As in a post to @dannileemeow, you might just have to create a test page from your book. It's important to test on the SAME type of paper you will be using (not copy paper) in order to really see how your paper and tool relationship have with each other. My coloring books are single sided and are pretty good thickness and I've had no bleed to the back. I wouldn't know about double-sided because different books have different thicknesses of paper. If you are a heavy-handed applicator, you might see something on the back. It is about learning your tool, how much is needed, how it responds to the paper and when to relax or go in a little more. You'll have to experiment! But that's part of the fun, anyway! Enjoy the process - give it a try! In most cases, it works beautifully.
This was so very helpful! I’m just starting with colored pencils and now feel like I know some really good techniques and won’t learn bad habits. I love your presentation style - very clear and just the right pace. Thank you so much.
Excellent, glad you took the time to take a gander! Love when people who already have a knowledge base get excited about learning something new! Happy coloring!
Least effective how? Did you have a desired outcome? It's simply a different technique. I have found it be quite effective when adding a little glitter in a blending style that enhances a leaf or flower petal for instance. I have also found it to be quite effective in coloring in the white spaces of the tooth of the paper without creating any damage to the tooth (no pressure is applied to the paper in this method). Hope the others help to enhance your coloring in the way that suits your personal style. I have two additional videos on using gel pens if you are interested in further research or study.
I love your videos! Very informative and easy to follow. My coloring has improved noticeably just from watching and applying what you have shown. Thank you so much!
Fantastic video, wonderful information, and superb delivery! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skill with us. You taught me much and I appreciate your time and effort making this great tutorial. I am sure you already know this but a much safer alternative to the petroleum products for blending is spike of lavender oil which I just heard about. A little pricier but so much better and very safe. Just my two cents worth. Anyway, thank you again, and... I'm hooked!
Thank you for bringing this topic up. As a Certified Aromatherapist, I must share with you that while there is safer uses in natural products over the chemical solvents, it is important that you are aware of certain safety concerns that accompany essential oil usage, even when they are not used as an essential oil the way most people think of them. Spike of Lavender oil or essence contains essential oils of Lavendula latifolia. Use only what you need as over-exposure can ultimately create sensitization, which is when your body responds to the oil, via inhalation or topical contact, as if it has just contacted an allergen. This can happen totally out of the blue without warning (but it is usually after extended exposure). Using a work space with ventilated air is best, do not expose yourself to long periods of time with lavender oil (15-30 min is enough time for the body to gather information from the oil to create changes physically and psychologically!). Also avoid direct contact with the skin. - Happy coloring!
Your blending tips are the best one I've seen so far. Your demonstration and explanation are simple yet spot on. I really appreciate your time and effort for sharing this wonderful tip! Thank you so much for sharing this.
the gamsol is perfect for anime drawings i might buy one of those thanks i was actually finding ways to blend my colorpencils 😊😊 (i'm also a young artist)
FC pencils can work similiarly, you might find they feel a bit "harder" as in Prismas are softer and lay down more pigment in a buttery fashion, but FC allow you to blend a bit differently because of the hardness difference. You might find you can blend longer and with more colors with FC! Experiment and see what you think!
Thanks so much for providing such great detail. I've been playing with blending and this video taught me so much. I will definitely try some of your techniques.
Cher I am so glad I found U :) I am just getting into colouring and learning so much from you can you please tell me what type of brush you used on the gel pen leafs ? thanks in advance
Do you have any issues with prismas? Like, their color cores being way off center or the wood warped so you can't hand sharpen them? Mine are all jacked up. Even the small packs I've recently bought. I don't know what the problem is. But I think I'm gonna switch to derwent or faber.
+Tommy Ohlrich yes....apparently the production of the pencils has declined over the years...if you ever come across some old Prismas - they are wonderful! I have several that are either core line off or are not straight, theirfore will not roll across the table...this can cause problems later when trying to sharpen and for some pencils, may be easily broken on the inside. The reviews I have come across are Faber Castell are the a bit harder (I have a few FC pencils), but if you have some experience working with pencils, you'll know that all pencils will have a certain "feel" to how they move and work and with any new tool, it's just getting to know their strengths. I have some Derwent pencils also, I like them both.
Thank you so much. I learned a lot, particularly about the tooth of the paper. I just color for fun, but now I might be able to make it "artsy" looking. You have a very pleasant voice......calm and clear........good for teaching. Thanks again. I subscribed too.
+Renee Lanier Hmmm.....good question. I use them all actually. It depends on what I'm coloring and the look I'm going for (for a class example, just for fun, to fine tune a technique, etc). For fast blending, I use the blending marker or gamsol...but I always layer, layer, layer.
Color pencils are not normally referred to as HB or H2, etc....that is usually how graphite pencils are listed by hardness. Color pencils are usually wax or oil based. Though, some are harder or softer than others. If you watch some of my other videos, I discuss this. ua-cam.com/video/3-JGRSKdAzk/v-deo.html
Great tips as always Cher! Enjoying my gratitude book coloring. Thanks for creating it. Blessings to you! OMGosh! Cher I got out my violet blue pencil after watching this video and wow, what a difference it made on the piece I’m currently working on. I don’t know why I wasn’t doing this before. I’ve noticed many artists videos that talked about not being afraid to put in the shadows. I guess I just didn’t “see” what they were talking about. It didn’t dawn on me what they meant, until I actually watched you do it. Thank you for making my day by showing this important technique. Bless you!
Awesome!! Thank you for letting me know something eye opening came out of the video! Always appreciate hearing about people's art journey and the new things they discover and can expand upon with just a small nudge in a new direction. Enjoy - happy coloring!
I, like another user below, am also curious about bleed-through in coloring books. I am very interested in using the mineral spirits. Would it bleed through double sided coloring pages or should I stick with single sided books? Thanks head of time.
My coloring books are single sided with some pretty awesome paper, so those are the ones I experiment the most with. It will always come down to the type of paper (thicker papers will allow for more work to be done on them in most cases). I haven't had any problems with Gamsol on my pages, but I would do a test on thin papers or create a page that becomes your "test" page for ALL new techniques you might want to try on your books. Gamsol evaporates pretty quickly, but it is possible that a strong application could potentially create a change on layers it touches on the back side. The only way to know for sure is to try it. Also you might want to try using Gamsol with a brush instead of a blending stump (blending stumps hold more long term).
Thanks for the video. Do you have a jpeg of the final leaf drawing for the blending comparison? I see you have a picture on your website, but it would be nice to have a jpeg of the drawing from the same perspective (overhead) as your video.
Hey I just found you yesterday and watched all your videos I am actually a copic girl myself but you explained so Much I just want to ask what kind if paper you recommend for stamping and coloring images
+JANINE PEREZ Hey there Copic Girl :-) (those are nice markers)...I am not an expert on stamping. I usually am creating my own designs from scratch the old fashion way - pen and paper. :) You might explore Bristol and see how that works for you, though.
Hi there....Thanks for the questions...I can't speak to what over time looks like if you are talking long-time saving (20 years with varying heat exposure saved in a garage bin would definitely be detrimental. for instance). I don't think I'd ever claim vaseline to be archival, no. But for fun, learning, experimentation, and for purposes of creating art that can be digitally saved, it's fun to use and play with.
This video was great! Your explanations are so clear, and I like that you give the reasons behind the techniques. I learned how important the tooth of the paper is, and also to pay more attention to keeping the pencil tip sharp. Thanks so much!
So this is useful for wax based colored pencils such as PrismaColor. I’d like to see a demonstration on the oil based pencils that are artist grade because they have lightfastness.
I enjoyed your lesson on blending . I was taught to use a fluid called Trapezoid, It melts the crayon and blends it really well. Have you used it and do you like it?
Thanks Jack - I appreciate when people take a moment to share their experiences. I am not familiar with Trapezoid....sounds like a solvent similar to Gamsol, though!
Best tutorial I've ever seen on blending. What type of paper is best if you are using the gamsol or the vaseline and what type of ink must you use if you use a stamped image?
Thank you Diane! I've used so many different kinds of paper, I'm not sure if I have a favorite. I suggest if you are going to do stamped work (I've never been a stamper so I'm going off of my other art experiences) that you may want to do a 110# card stock and give that a try. As far as the ink...that I have no idea - sorry! I know stampers have opinions on certain stamp inks and I'm not familiar with the world of stamp inks.
Thank you for this very very helpful demonstration. You are the first person to make me think about the tooth of the paper.
Glad to hear it! Never to old to learn something young. It's all about the relationship between tools - and the paper counts!
William Knight-Hughes its ok I am so happy for this video too.
wow! that gamsol technique blew my mind! never heard about it... and it came up really beautiful.
glad to hear you've learned something new!! Happy coloring!
Thank you for this Cher. I am new to adult coloring and your techniques will sure help me a lot to make my artwork even more on point. Kudos!
Excellent, Mark! Happy Coloring! Enjoy the process.
brilliant tutorial. thankyou :)
+Morgana Walter Thank you Morgana!
This was so helpful. I do find myself pressing too hard with my pencils, so maybe that is what is preventing me from getting the all of the blending I want. I will definitely practice using these techniques because I am addicted to coloring these days!
+jean massey Yes, it's learning to work with the tools to get the most out of them and the experience. Pressing hard will certainly fill the paper up pigment faster, but it doesn't always mean there will be room for layering.
😂p
Thank you so much. Really learned a lot ⭐️
I'm glad to hear! Happy coloring!!
Really helpful. Thank you!
+Kathy Gudnason Thanks Kathy!
Wonderful techniques. Thank you.👌🙏🙏
Thank you! I hope you are still creating and enjoying art.
This is so informative. Thank you for sharing these techniques. I am new to using colored pencils and this is a great introduction to developing techniques.
+Kathy King Thank you Kathy, I hope you find your sense of experimentation with colors and blending to be easier to play with and may you find some wonderful results! Happy day!
That was so awesome wat a wonderful lesson.
You are amazing
Thanks
Appreciate the comment. I hope you take this and continue to explore the world through coloring!
very informative. thank you.
YAY! -
This is really helpful especially for a beginner like me! Thank you! ♥
+ISSA ROLDAN Great, Issa, glad to hear it!! Happy coloring!
Enjoyed your videos. Very helpful. Will definitely pass along to my friends who are also beginning adult colouring. I would be interested in knowing what method you use to shade a finished picture that has very small spaces that would look prettier if shaded. How you choose the "blank space colour." The specific pattern I have in mind is the Secret Door picture on the first page of "Artist's Edition of the Secret Garden." Many thanks.
+Colouring for GrownUps Thanks for the comment and question. Yes, please share with fellow colorists! Small spaces ( I assume you mean very small spaces) might do well with a small amount of pigment and using a blending pencil or blending pen to soften the shadng using care to not over blend the area. This particular video doesn't cover shading (light direction and shadow) as there is a video coming that covers this topic, but in general shading can be done in small and large areas with amazing end results. The "blank space colour" - do you mean the background, the negative space around a shape or the base color in a design? If you mean background, you might be interested in my next video which will be on backgrounds. In general backgrounds can be used to bring out the design by being either bold or soft. If in doubt try a soft color that compliments your design first to see how it looks. If you want it darker, it's easier to layer on top of a light layer. Happy Coloring!
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I wish I could say I've got "good" news - alas - being a raw beginner to this new colouring hobby, I definitely over-shaded with my black pencil while trying to make a shadowy path below the secret door. So sad. I tried erasing and of course that just added to the messy look. I got talked into a Tombow MONO sand eraser 512A at the art supply store - and it is really too scratchy for the paper in the Artist's special edition. Oh well, it was my first completed picture - and definitely a learning experience. I over burnished on some of the leaves, which made them far too shiny for the rest of the delicate picture ... BUT my door was "amazing" ... if I do say so myself ;-)
+Colouring for GrownUps Excellent! A true artist at work will always have great examples to learn from. I keep some of my examples around of differnt techniques that DIDN'T work out specifically to use a teaching tool of "this is what xyz looks like - learn from me" kind of example. Patience when working, don't rush into a big decision or go too dark too quickly, give yourself time to layer and I'm sure you'll enjoy every bit of your learning curve, even the unexpected moments.
Very helpful video :)
I'm glad you found it! happy coloring!
What did you use to sharpen the prismacolor premier dark green pencil in the beginning of your video? I want a sharpener that put that point on a pencil - not too short & stubby, not too long.
+Grace Birdsong hi Grace, the sharpener I used in the video talking about How to Sharpen Your Pencil, I used one from Target (which I don't recommend as a long term commitement - I suggest investing in a little better quality sharpener). The one that I use with two different tip suggestions is from Prismacolor. There is a sharpener out there that I'm curious about, but haven't tried yet called T'Gaal...it has a 5 level sharpen option.
What colors did you use on the leaves?
+Tricia Ann Hi Trica Ann....gosh, I don't remember what the colors were exactly. They were prismacolor pencils. I *think* the base might have been an apple green or similar. Sorry, I don't recall exactly....oh if you look on the video (and it looks like I list two of them out loud, as well) the video shows the colors - apple green was the base, grass green was the dark green, violet blue, white and pale sage were the others.
thank you for sharing.. I'm just wondering if I use a blending marker can I still add layers and does it bleed thru the paper?
I've added layers on top of blending with the blending pen. Keep in mind though that it's really the "grip" you need to continue to add layers. The tooth of the paper needs to still have some integrity. I like using the blending pen to smooth out layers without adding pressure (hint do not press hard with your blending pen) and still give availability to add more. for your other question, it depends on how much you keep going over the paper. I've had some blending pen fluid soak into the paper but it evaporates very quickly - it's an alcohol based product.
Best way to know how a pen works is to experiment. Try it!
Can these techniques be used on fabric?
Do you have any printed reference information available? I want to try them all.
Good question! I'm sure there are special tools for fabric (like fabric ink) that can have some blending abilities, but I am not versed in what those are (at least not enough to type with certainty). Printed references that are the most complete are in my book *Mandalas and More: A Meditative Drawing and Coloring Book for Mind, Body and Spirit*. This book has information on Meditative Drawing, adding coloring embellishments, how to get started on your own creative journey in combining the two, plus some life lessons along the way. You can see a flip through of the book (actually all my books) on my you tube channel.
grazie molto interessante.
+Concetta Scarpato your welcome - thank you!
Have you used powder blender with Prismacolor?
I have not, but I know what you are referring to. There are some great videos elsewhere with the powder blenders, but it appears that the key component is the layering of pencil before you use the powder. Good luck with it. For those who experiment with it, if you can get past the initial first layer, all consequential layers go extremely fast taking days off of larger extensive art pieces.
Very well done, Cher. Not only do I now possess the knowledge to expand my skill with coloring, but the mystery of how so many people who share their their colorings and do such a fantastic job of blending is solved, and I understand the nature of colored pencils a bit more. (how this video can have Any thumbs down is beyond me) Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can't wait to try something new!
CuzKatieSaysSo dittos!!
It’s a little word called...jealousy
Some people just canNOT stand to see a UA-cam video with no thumbs-down. The problem is theirs, and they need counseling. ;)
I learned more in the first ten minutes than in all the classes I've ever taken. You are very clear and I got what you were saying, thanks for making this free. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Glad to hear this was helpful for you! Learning basics that are practical but allow for your own creativity are great jumping off points for amazing works of art! Thanks for taking a moment to comment - much appreciated!
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
😊😊😊😊😊😊
I see your using prismacolor pencils...i love mine,and I think there absolutly worth paying a bit more for
Yes, they are the largest brand in my collection. I also have a lot of inexpensive pencils that I teach with so others can learn that it's not what you have, but what you do with them :).
I’m so stoned, I stumbled upon this video “AWESOME”
Are you itchy....
You have no idea how helpful this was. Thanks to you, I coloured my OC the way I wanted to and I am deeply satisfied. Thank you so much!!
That's great!!! yay!
This is one of the best tutorials on blending I've viewed. I'm pretty good at it but I still learned a great deal. Thank you.
+Sheila Pechman Thank you Sheila! I appreciate that!! Happy coloring!
After using CP for a few years, I thought I knew all the blending techniques. But you've taught me several new/variations that I wasn't aware of. Thanks Cher. Great vid. SUBSCRIBED!
Awesome! Thank you for taking a moment to drop a note. Always appreciate knowing people are exciting about learning more! Happy coloring!
I am so very glad I found your You Tube channel! I am a novice colorer. I have not attempted anything yet because I am gathering information and resources. I love the way you teach through your tutorials, so I am now a subscriber! I look forward to learning more from you. Thank you for sharing your passion.
Thank you Denise - don't wait! start with what you have and practice little doodles or scribbles or whatever! Everything counts :)!
Denise Messier Denise: I'd like to connect with you. I am the same type of learner, a gatherer of resources, to get the best techniques quickly. I'm not sure how we can contact eachother without giving personal info here. I think I will try to find you on facebook.
You are a great teacher. I agree with the other commenters. I have learned more in this video than all the others I have watched. Thank you for not assuming I had any knowledge of these techniques.
Thank you for taking a minute to comment. It's been a while since I've made any videos, but I sure am happy to see people still learning and being curious enough to explore different ways to play with coloring. Enjoy! I found that sometimes people think they know stuff, but they skipped some basics, so I liked to teach from a beginning place.
Subscribed!! What beautiful work you have done! Thank you for making this video for us beginners! Ever since I was little I have always colored in circles and would get teased for taking so long to color. As an adult it's good to know I did something right LOL.
+Cheryl Malone YAY! I'm so glad you are enjoying the process! it is such an important part of the coloring satisfaction level!
This is one of the most helpful UA-cam videos I’ve seen. Thank you so much!
Thank you for letting me know! Appreciate you taking a moment to drop a line! Happy coloring!
Absolutely awesome tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to show us these amazing techniques. Love the vaseline option and I'm going to try it out right now :)
+Necronephilim Enjoy, have fun! If you use a lot of vaseline or cover your entire page with this technique, you might consider storing your coloring between between plain pages until you are certain it's dry (might take a day or two).
thank you for this helpful lesson ..... You definitely deserve more subscribers !!!!!!!
+Valentina Manukyan Thank you Valentina!
+CherTheFire you need more subscribers
Valentina Manukyan very informative !
Valentina Manukyan aeun
THANK YOU author! and THANK YOU very much the subs writer for 30 min (OMG)!!! it's so big job and thanks!
Thank you, Great information, liked seeing the different examples. next to each other.
Thank you for taking a minute to let me know - I know this is a tad late responding (7 years!). Comments can get lost in the mix and I try to dip back in every once in a while. I hope you are still creating!
Wow! I am learning to blend, and this tutorial has been very useful, I loved the blending marker effect!! Thank you :)
Thanks for taking a moment to comment Mariana! Happy coloring!
Thanks so much for sharing this. Best tutorial I've seen on blending, you make it easy to understand. :)
THanks - appreciate you taking a moment to share! Happy Coloring!
That was so informative. Now I know how to get a better effect......tiny circles - who knew. Thank you so much.
S Kunnavatana dittos
UA-cam won't let me edit my last comment so I'm just going to add that I had no idea this video was thirty minutes long. I was so absorbed by watching and listening to you time just flew by. You know, there are artists out there that never want to share their knowledge but I've noticed when it comes to adult coloring, everyone is generously helpful with sharing what they've learned. Thank you.
HI There! I read your other comments as well, I'll post to this one. Thank you, yes, time goes quickly when you are having fun and there is much to share and learn! Thank you for taking a moment to comment and I appreciate your enthusiasm for the video and learning something new! I always love when people have been inspired from a video to give a go and be excited about trying what they learned! Happy coloring!
Hi Cher! Beautiful examples and very helpful. Congrats on your 2 books out. I have a question. what about bleed through using the blending markers, gameplay and Vaseline? I like to color in my books and worry about bleed through to the other side.
+Dena Cottrell there is a direct relationship between the medium and the paper. This can be a plus or...not a plus. The plus side is if you have good quality paper, you can experiment with little bleed through. If the paper relationship with certain mediums isn't as supportive, you will get bleed through. One way to counter the bleen through is to have a separate piece of paper, chip board or cardstock between your paper and the next paper. If you have a coloring book with images on the back side, there is a risk of bleed through reducing your coloring on the back. Best way is to get books that are single sided. For books that are double sided, choose mediums that reduce the bleed through (like using pencil first and gel pen on top - see my video on gel pens for more examples). Pencils will not bleed through, but your pressure on the page can create divots in the page. Markers tend to bleed, it's their nature to absorb into the paper. I haven't had any bleed with vaseline nor gamsol. The blending pens used for colored pencils, depending on the pen and how much you use them and the amount of pressure can sometimes create a "wet" looking area on the back, but it dries.
That you -- so in depth and well done! I learned new techniques ♥
+KonaSitkaRose Great!
I love her voice.
davidrl84 THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID
Marcus Salvador you got it all wrong boi.
Thank you for showing this I am new to this I just bought my first set of colored pencils. This is gonna help me so much! You are really good at explaining this
+jenny154 thank you jenny for taking a moment to share! Have fun, enjoy! I'm sure you'll create magic!
Hey Cher we need to talk on an artist to artist level....
Thank you for the great tips! I'm wondering how many of these (particularly the ones on the bottom row) would bleed through if I'm coloring in a book with double sided pages?
As in a post to @dannileemeow, you might just have to create a test page from your book. It's important to test on the SAME type of paper you will be using (not copy paper) in order to really see how your paper and tool relationship have with each other. My coloring books are single sided and are pretty good thickness and I've had no bleed to the back. I wouldn't know about double-sided because different books have different thicknesses of paper. If you are a heavy-handed applicator, you might see something on the back. It is about learning your tool, how much is needed, how it responds to the paper and when to relax or go in a little more. You'll have to experiment! But that's part of the fun, anyway! Enjoy the process - give it a try! In most cases, it works beautifully.
This was so very helpful! I’m just starting with colored pencils and now feel like I know some really good techniques and won’t learn bad habits. I love your presentation style - very clear and just the right pace. Thank you so much.
Thank you for taking a minute to let me know~ I hope you are still doing happy coloring and have really advanced since you first commented! Happy Day!
I've read probably 300 colored pencil books and never seen some of these ideas. Great job!
Excellent, glad you took the time to take a gander! Love when people who already have a knowledge base get excited about learning something new! Happy coloring!
Elizabeth Brandon "me as we'll
Elizabeth Brandon
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Cher m n love with with your tips thank you:-)
Thank you! This is really helpful!
You're welcome, Cheryl Turtlemoon (love your name!).
Cheryl turtlemoo
I love the look of the gamsol!!
+Terri Shaver it definately has a unique look!
Thanks for so many tips! However, I must say the gel pen technique seems the least effective.
Least effective how? Did you have a desired outcome? It's simply a different technique. I have found it be quite effective when adding a little glitter in a blending style that enhances a leaf or flower petal for instance. I have also found it to be quite effective in coloring in the white spaces of the tooth of the paper without creating any damage to the tooth (no pressure is applied to the paper in this method). Hope the others help to enhance your coloring in the way that suits your personal style. I have two additional videos on using gel pens if you are interested in further research or study.
Hem Joo Yeo depends on your intended end result.
Thank you so much for this tutorial Cher!! It's a joy to me to learn more colored pencil techniques :)
+Sarah Lambert yay! I'm glad you are hving fun!
I love your videos! Very informative and easy to follow. My coloring has improved noticeably just from watching and applying what you have shown. Thank you so much!
+Lisa Brown Fantastic, Lisa!!! That's wonderful feedback! Keep up the creative coloring!!!
Fantastic video, wonderful information, and superb delivery! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skill with us. You taught me much and I appreciate your time and effort making this great tutorial. I am sure you already know this but a much safer alternative to the petroleum products for blending is spike of lavender oil which I just heard about. A little pricier but so much better and very safe. Just my two cents worth. Anyway, thank you again, and... I'm hooked!
Thank you for bringing this topic up. As a Certified Aromatherapist, I must share with you that while there is safer uses in natural products over the chemical solvents, it is important that you are aware of certain safety concerns that accompany essential oil usage, even when they are not used as an essential oil the way most people think of them. Spike of Lavender oil or essence contains essential oils of Lavendula latifolia. Use only what you need as over-exposure can ultimately create sensitization, which is when your body responds to the oil, via inhalation or topical contact, as if it has just contacted an allergen. This can happen totally out of the blue without warning (but it is usually after extended exposure). Using a work space with ventilated air is best, do not expose yourself to long periods of time with lavender oil (15-30 min is enough time for the body to gather information from the oil to create changes physically and psychologically!). Also avoid direct contact with the skin. - Happy coloring!
Your blending tips are the best one I've seen so far. Your demonstration and explanation are simple yet spot on. I really appreciate your time and effort for sharing this wonderful tip! Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you Saki_lao!
the gamsol is perfect for anime drawings i might buy one of those thanks i was actually finding ways to blend my colorpencils 😊😊 (i'm also a young artist)
Thank you. If only I purchased blender pens and stumps when I was shopping. At least I have the pencils.
something to look forward to!
using pencil along time I really like this video it helps me draw better
Glad you are continuing to learn new things!
Thank you for sharing your blending style i really enjoy coloring and blending is one of my favorite thing to do
Thank you. Very informative and helpful. I will view your other videos.
...and what about oil based pencils? I am using Faber Castell polychromos colored pencils.
Sorry for my english...
FC pencils can work similiarly, you might find they feel a bit "harder" as in Prismas are softer and lay down more pigment in a buttery fashion, but FC allow you to blend a bit differently because of the hardness difference. You might find you can blend longer and with more colors with FC! Experiment and see what you think!
What about them
Thanks so much for providing such great detail. I've been playing with blending and this video taught me so much. I will definitely try some of your techniques.
Great Elayne! Happy coloring!!
Cher I am so glad I found U :) I am just getting into colouring and learning so much from you can you please tell me what type of brush you used on the gel pen leafs ? thanks in advance
Its a brush I've had for 20-25 years. old brush I used in college. it's a 1/4 inch flat brush.
Your video is very helpful, thanks s lot :)
+Odinka Wisanindhi Thank you for taking a moment to drop a line - Happy coloring!
Thank You This is the best teaching guide. You make it very easy to understand
Thank you, appreciate the feedback - happy coloring!
Thanks, this is one of the most informative videos on colored pencil tips!
Thanks Neita! Appreciate the note! Enjoy! Happy coloring!!
well look at that, you learn something new everyday. Vaseline? whaaa? awesome. thank you
I'm glad you are learning something new every day! Happy coloring!
Thanks for the tips!! I also bought your mandala book well my teacher did and I colour it in sometimes
+MinecraftGamerGal cool!!
Do you have any issues with prismas? Like, their color cores being way off center or the wood warped so you can't hand sharpen them? Mine are all jacked up. Even the small packs I've recently bought. I don't know what the problem is. But I think I'm gonna switch to derwent or faber.
+Tommy Ohlrich yes....apparently the production of the pencils has declined over the years...if you ever come across some old Prismas - they are wonderful! I have several that are either core line off or are not straight, theirfore will not roll across the table...this can cause problems later when trying to sharpen and for some pencils, may be easily broken on the inside. The reviews I have come across are Faber Castell are the a bit harder (I have a few FC pencils), but if you have some experience working with pencils, you'll know that all pencils will have a certain "feel" to how they move and work and with any new tool, it's just getting to know their strengths. I have some Derwent pencils also, I like them both.
This tutorial was so fulfilling and very helpful, thank you.
Great - glad to hear it!
Thank you so much. I learned a lot, particularly about the tooth of the paper. I just color for fun, but now I might be able to make it "artsy" looking. You have a very pleasant voice......calm and clear........good for teaching. Thanks again. I subscribed too.
+PJ mush Thank you PJ! Wonderful feedback - may you be inspired to keep growing and coloring and may you find more color in your day!
Thank you for your teaching on the different techniques.
You're welcome!
This was so useful for beginners like me. TFS
Glad to hear it! Happy coloring!
Thank you this video really helped ! Have a great day!
+Alexandra Guzu Thank you Alexandra, I appreciate the feedback! Happy coloring!
Wow amazing video!, thank you for take your time to made it.
Very useful tips for beginner (like me :). Like and fav.
PD: Sorry for my english
+Erik Muskus Thank you Erik - I'm glad you found it helpful!
Cher, which blending medium do you prefer and use most often?
+Renee Lanier Hmmm.....good question. I use them all actually. It depends on what I'm coloring and the look I'm going for (for a class example, just for fun, to fine tune a technique, etc). For fast blending, I use the blending marker or gamsol...but I always layer, layer, layer.
Thank you!!!
welcome!
what grade of pencils should be used? Does it have HB, H1 H2,H3 etc.Please guide me.thanks-----dilip
Color pencils are not normally referred to as HB or H2, etc....that is usually how graphite pencils are listed by hardness. Color pencils are usually wax or oil based. Though, some are harder or softer than others. If you watch some of my other videos, I discuss this. ua-cam.com/video/3-JGRSKdAzk/v-deo.html
need those blender markers !!!
love the blending markers :).
Great tips as always Cher! Enjoying my gratitude book coloring. Thanks for creating it. Blessings to you!
OMGosh! Cher I got out my violet blue pencil after watching this video and wow, what a difference it made on the piece I’m currently working on. I don’t know why I wasn’t doing this before. I’ve noticed many artists videos that talked about not being afraid to put in the shadows. I guess I just didn’t “see” what they were talking about. It didn’t dawn on me what they meant, until I actually watched you do it. Thank you for making my day by showing this important technique. Bless you!
Awesome!! Thank you for letting me know something eye opening came out of the video! Always appreciate hearing about people's art journey and the new things they discover and can expand upon with just a small nudge in a new direction. Enjoy - happy coloring!
Excellent tutorial...Thank you!
Thank you Barb! Happy coloring!
I, like another user below, am also curious about bleed-through in coloring books. I am very interested in using the mineral spirits. Would it bleed through double sided coloring pages or should I stick with single sided books? Thanks head of time.
My coloring books are single sided with some pretty awesome paper, so those are the ones I experiment the most with. It will always come down to the type of paper (thicker papers will allow for more work to be done on them in most cases). I haven't had any problems with Gamsol on my pages, but I would do a test on thin papers or create a page that becomes your "test" page for ALL new techniques you might want to try on your books. Gamsol evaporates pretty quickly, but it is possible that a strong application could potentially create a change on layers it touches on the back side. The only way to know for sure is to try it. Also you might want to try using Gamsol with a brush instead of a blending stump (blending stumps hold more long term).
I love this video, it really helped me, thank you! :)
Thanks for the video. Do you have a jpeg of the final leaf drawing for the blending comparison? I see you have a picture on your website, but it would be nice to have a jpeg of the drawing from the same perspective (overhead) as your video.
Great question. I do not at the moment. I'll have to research to see if I have the image available. Thanks for asking.
Brilliant Tutorial ☆☆☆☆☆
Thank you Beverly! Happy coloring!
Beverly Frederick howto draw a dog
Thanks Cher for sharing so much information. I'm all fired up and can't wait to try out the techniques you've taught us.
YAY - love hearing that! Happy coloring!
Hey I just found you yesterday and watched all your videos I am actually a copic girl myself but you explained so Much I just want to ask what kind if paper you recommend for stamping and coloring images
+JANINE PEREZ Hey there Copic Girl :-) (those are nice markers)...I am not an expert on stamping. I usually am creating my own designs from scratch the old fashion way - pen and paper. :) You might explore Bristol and see how that works for you, though.
Extremely helpful. Thanks so much for sharing all the different ways to color with pencils. I'm anxious to try gamsol. TFS
I like Gamsol and the blender pens for a soft look. :) Happy coloring!
Extremely informative! You explanation of tooth was very helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Martha!
love your teaching style. thanks so much for taking the time for the many well explained details and the making of these videos.
+missesk val (missesk4u) Thank you Missesk val! appreciate you taking a moment to write a comment!
Hi Cher, That is so helpful, using the different mediums to colour with the pencils, TFS, Cheers Anna.
You're welcome Anna - Thanks for watching -Happy coloring!
Wow you are a great teacher, well done. Explained so much, loving the gamsol, I'm getting some of that tomorrow as well as a small vaseline. TY!!
+Susan Castagna awesome! have fun!
Will Vaseline have a detrimental effect on the pigment or substrate over time? Is it archival?
Hi there....Thanks for the questions...I can't speak to what over time looks like if you are talking long-time saving (20 years with varying heat exposure saved in a garage bin would definitely be detrimental. for instance). I don't think I'd ever claim vaseline to be archival, no. But for fun, learning, experimentation, and for purposes of creating art that can be digitally saved, it's fun to use and play with.
This video was great! Your explanations are so clear, and I like that you give the reasons behind the techniques. I learned how important the tooth of the paper is, and also to pay more attention to keeping the pencil tip sharp. Thanks so much!
Wonderful - Happy coloring, Gale! I hope you enjoy the process even more!
Very helpful and useful:
I just bought a set of colored pencils and you answered all my question; thanks
awesome! Enjoy and have fun - happy coloring!!
I am very happy for this video. Thanks a lot. Cher. Very nice. From Guadalajara Mexico
Hello!! Thank you for taking a moment to write and let me know where you are from! Happy coloring!!
So this is useful for wax based colored pencils such as PrismaColor. I’d like to see a demonstration on the oil based pencils that are artist grade because they have lightfastness.
If you have the pencils, give it a go and see what they do!
I enjoyed your lesson on blending . I was taught to use a fluid called Trapezoid, It melts the crayon and blends it really well. Have you used it and do you like it?
Thanks Jack - I appreciate when people take a moment to share their experiences. I am not familiar with Trapezoid....sounds like a solvent similar to Gamsol, though!
Thank You..great video. Now I understand what I had been doing incorrectly. 😊👌
Applying what you learn and remembering the difference just adds wisdom to your being!
I agree. Thus is helpful. However, I do not know where to focus on for lighter, and darker areas of color. Could some elaborate?
That would be a lesson on lighting. I do not have that one out yet.
Best tutorial I've ever seen on blending. What type of paper is best if you are using the gamsol or the vaseline and what type of ink must you use if you use a stamped image?
Thank you Diane! I've used so many different kinds of paper, I'm not sure if I have a favorite. I suggest if you are going to do stamped work (I've never been a stamper so I'm going off of my other art experiences) that you may want to do a 110# card stock and give that a try. As far as the ink...that I have no idea - sorry! I know stampers have opinions on certain stamp inks and I'm not familiar with the world of stamp inks.
Thank you so much, I've posted you video on my tumblr: slytherinheart.tumblr.com/
AW! Thank you! I appreciate you sharing the link. Enjoy your coloring adventures.