Newbie

[pampe]

My medium is watercolor but I want very much to use CP .....when I try it looks like a rough, scribbled drawing.

Where can I get the VERY basic basics without buying a bunch of books or taking a workshop???


It seems like the smoothness ...almost looks "solvented" to me....how does it become so smooth???

any help would be appreciated. I have been looking at the websites from the other thread....but can't find any BEGINNER stuff.

Thanks
Pam

[kiwicockatoo]

Hi Pam,

I checked out your watercolors and they are beautiful! I used to use watercolors but found the medium is not as easy to control as I would like. Here's what works for me: I find that the sharper my pencils, the easier it is to blend. I also work in small areas at a time. I've tried using dull pencils with broad strokes but I can never get a smooth blend that way. Unfortunately, I go through a lot of pencils this way because I'm constantly sharpening. Also I think the texture of the paper makes a huge difference - but I haven't had opportunity to experiment much with that yet.

Hope this helps,
Brenda

[arlene]

Okay hope I can help...

1. Use a good paper with a slight tooth...either a hotpress watercolor paper or my personal favorite, Rising Stonehenge

2. As Brenda said, make sure to keep your pencils very sharp. That way the pencil will get into the crevices and fill it in.

3. Lightly apply pressure...better to do multiple layers and build up color slowly than to try and do it all at once.

4. After lightly applying your foundation layer of color on your drawing, use some turpenoid to smooth it out and cover up the cracks. The turpenoid acts as a wash.

5. Do short even strokes...my favorite way is to do very small "circles."

6. When you're almost at the end, take a colorless pencil or a light colored pencil and wit medium pressure, (and a sharp point) color in everything...this will even out the texture by fillng in the holes...it's called burnishing...you might need to do that 2 or more times to get it the way you want.

6. Have patience...CP is not a fast medium...most of my pieces can take me anywhere from 30-60 hours to complete.

[Ivyleaf]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Colored Pencils :)

My suggestions:

#1 Go back thru and read the pages upon pages of information contained here in the CP forum. Over 170 threads chock full of information :D You will find that most of us here are still in that "beginning" phase, and we gladly share along the way all that we learn ;)

#2 Buy the book "The Colored Pencil Solution Book". It is invaluable. And for approx. $28US, it's a great deal. It is the one book you will refer to again and again.

Have fun and hope to see some of your CP work soon! :)

[pampe]

wow

thanks for the response, you are very helpful....
I have ordered the book...and am starting today

*enthused and excited*



Pam