The Colour Pencil Pressure Test

In my 2nd write-up about working with colour pencil I am focusing on force. Knowledge the strain you utilize when laying down pencil is a person of the most significant elements of performing with this medium. In this article I will describe how to evaluate and modify the strain you use to aid you attain improved outcomes.

Why is strain so important?

When setting up out with colour pencils a lot of newbies usually give up really early on. Generally this is only mainly because they are so unique to work with in comparison to other much more conventional mediums. Colour pencil is found as pretty a sluggish medium that needs patience and perseverance. In addition they also demand a bit of a diverse tactic to how you operate. Colours are combined and blended specifically on the surface employing many levels and glazes. Much of this is dependent not only on the amount of money of pressure that you use to implement the pigment, but also the style of help or area that you are applying them to. Also, as we have previously observed in this short article, the variety of pencil that you decide on also tends to make a enormous change.

Obtaining out your force is an complete must when commencing out. From my have knowledge of many many years of in individual instructing I have generally witnessed a person who considered they have been very light handed basically turned out to have a incredibly large stress and vice versa. Comprehending the pressure employed or desired when performing with color pencil is a very simple factor to obtain out by next a standard force examination.

How to do a force test

A tension check is where we get our pencils from a whisper to a scream on our preferred assist. Color pencils are a pretty tactile medium. It is not just about the influence that you can see with your eyes but also the come to feel and contact of the pencil going down. To make your personal stress take a look at you need to consider a handful of pencils. I suggest a couple of lights, a few of mid-tones and a couple of darks.

Whisper to Scream

Operating from just one facet to the other use a vertical back again and forth stroke. At the starting up level use the lightest probable contact to the paper. Gradually develop the tension as you get the job done throughout to the other facet right until you are urgent as hard as feasible. This is getting it from the whisper to the scream.

Make a scale

You by no means want to implement the heaviest tension in just one single layer. This is due to the fact it will crush the tooth of your aid. That indicates that you can’t lay down any of the layers or glazes needed to reach sensible blends or tones. A common pressure is a light to medium strain on the scale. Range the scale from 1-5, you want to be doing the job around force 2-3 for most of your levels.

Evaluate your stress

If your lightest tension is seeking more like a 4 to 5 on the force scale try out transforming your grip on your pencil. By keeping the pencil about halfway up the shaft it prevents you from working with as well a great deal force. It will instantaneously allow for you to be extra mild handed with your strategy.

Observe makes excellent

It is vital that you follow this as considerably as you can. If possible prior to starting off any new project and primarily if operating on a various support or employing distinct pencils. In excess of time, as your experience builds and you get to know your pencils and your supports superior then you will be in a position to fluctuate your pressures far more inside your perform. But, when starting out it will assist you to create more rapidly if you try to use a light hand as substantially as attainable.

Look at the video

You may well be fascinated in my 1st post about the variances in my most made use of Derwent pencils. Watch out for my 3rd web site write-up about employing unique pencil strokes.

Lisa Ann Watkins BA(Hons), AFC, CPCAM, UKCPS is very well recognized in the world of coloured pencils as a multi award successful artist & tutor. 

In July 2017 Lisa set up her first formal teaching channel on Patreon. Lisa creates in depth videos & published tutorials for her online students just about every month & now teaches over 300 people today all around the environment. She has also just produced her very first book with Lookup Press.  Lisa is a member of the prestigious tutoring groups of renowned art educators such as the SAA & Patchings Art Centre. She works closely with Clairefontaine and Grafix and is an formal Model Ambassador for Derwent Artwork.

You can maintain in contact with Lisa on her site Animal Art by Regulation and on her instagram or facebook webpages.