Coloured pencils are among the most versatile tools for artists and creative people like you. Whether you're an experienced artist or just looking for a new hobby, blending colours with pencils opens up a world of creative possibilities. In this blog, discover how you can create beautiful shades and colour transitions with coloured pencils and get inspired for your next project.

What is ‘colour blending with coloured pencils’?

Colour blending with coloured pencils is a creative technique for combining different colours to create new shades and beautiful colour transitions. You can do this by layering different colours on top of each other or by varying pressure. You can also use various blending techniques, such as hatching, cross-hatching, and blending. 

Why should you blend colours with coloured pencils?

There are several reasons why you might want to blend colours with coloured pencils in your drawings. Below are some of these reasons.

• Unlimited colour palette: With coloured pencils, you can create infinite colours simply by layering different hues. This gives you the freedom to achieve precisely the colour you want.
• Control: Coloured pencils offer excellent control over the amount of colour you apply and the precision with which you work. This enables you to create detailed and intricate artwork with subtle colour transitions.
• Easy to correct: Unlike paint, you can quickly correct mistakes with coloured pencils by simply erasing or layering another colour over the error. This makes colour mixing with coloured pencils ideal for beginners who are still learning.
• Portability: Coloured pencils are portable and require no special equipment or space to work with. This allows you to be creative anywhere and anytime, whether at home, in nature or on the go.
• Versatility: Coloured pencils can be used on various surfaces, including paper, cardboard, canvas, and even wood. This makes them suitable for a wide range of projects, including drawing, illustrations, colouring, and mixed media art.

Creative ideas to create with this technique

What exactly can you make by blending coloured pencils? We've picked out three exciting projects for you.

1. Realistic Portraits

Use coloured pencils to create realistic portraits with subtle skin tones and lifelike details. Start with a light base layer and gradually build up the colour and texture by blending and mixing different hues. Use small circular motions to seamlessly blend the colours together and add depth and dimension to the portrait.

2. Natural Landscapes

Bring the beauty of nature to life by using coloured pencils to create natural landscapes. Experiment with different colours and textures to depict various landscape elements, such as trees, flowers, water, and sky. Use layers and blending techniques to create depth and perspective and to depict different seasons and weather conditions.

3. Imaginative Illustrations

Let your imagination run wild, and use coloured pencils to create imaginative illustrations full of colourful characters and whimsical worlds. Experiment with different styles, patterns, and textures to create unique and expressive illustrations that reflect your own creativity and personality. Use coloured pencils to add depth, contrast, and emotion to your illustrations and to bring stories to life in a beautiful way.

For more inspiration, check out our blogs on colouring for adults and coloured pencils for adults.

How to: Blending colours with coloured pencils

Ready to get started? Follow these simple steps, and you, too, can blend colours like a pro and create the most beautiful drawings.

• Use light, overlapping strokes: Start with light strokes of one colour and gradually build the intensity by layering multiple layers. Let the colours overlap to create new shades.
• Apply pressure: Vary the pressure you apply to the coloured pencil to control the colour intensity. Lighter pressure produces a softer colour, while firmer pressure leads to a deeper colour.
• Experiment with colour combinations: Blend different colours side by side on the paper and then blend them with a colourless blending pencil, blending stumps or a soft, dry brush. This helps create smooth transitions between colours.

Tips for blending coloured pencils

Some additional tips before you begin:

• Utilize complementary colours: Complementary colours (colours opposite each other on the colour wheel) can be mixed to achieve vibrant and balanced results. For example, try mixing blue with orange, red with green, or yellow with purple.
• Practice on different types of paper: Different types react differently to coloured pencils. Experiment with various kinds of high-quality paper such as drawing paper, smooth, textured, and more. You can also practice on coloured paper to see how the colours react.
• Build up gradually: Start with light colours and progressively add darker shades to add depth and dimension to your drawing. This helps achieve a realistic and balanced colour result.
• Be patient and practice: Blending colours with coloured pencils requires some practice and patience. Take the time to try out different techniques and discover what works best for your style and preferences. You’ll see your skills grow over time, and your artwork will improve.

Blending colours with coloured pencils offers endless opportunities for creative individuals like you. Whether you're a beginner just starting to explore or an experienced artist looking for new techniques, coloured pencils are a versatile and inspiring medium that helps bring your artistic vision to life. Experiment with different colours, techniques, and styles to create unique and expressive artworks that reflect your personality and creativity. With coloured pencils, the only limit is your own imagination.