What’s the secret behind those smooth, soft color transitions with colored pencils?
I get asked this all the time, so today, I will show you four of the best and easiest ways to blend colored pencils. These are techniques that I use often, and they’ve worked well for me over the years.
Let’s get into it and make your colored pencil drawings even better.
Contents
Blending Colored Pencils with Solvent (My Favorite Method)
I want to start with my favorite method—blending with solvent. It’s the one I always go back to because of how smooth and rich the colors turn out.
Why Solvent Blending Works So Well
Solvent blending dissolves the binders and oils in colored pencils. This helps the pigment soak deep into the paper.
It means I can get a smooth, even blend into the tiny spaces of textured paper. I also find it easier to add more layers of colored pencils after using solvent.
With solvent, I can create:
- Rich, soft color transitions
- Smooth blends with less effort than burnishing
- Deeper colors, even on textured paper
Common Misconceptions About Solvent Blending
I’ve heard many artists say you need a lot of layers before blending with solvent. Honestly, that’s not true. I often blend even light layers of colored pencil without a problem.
I prefer to blend light layers when I want a soft gradient effect. I don’t get the same soft look if I stack too many colors first.
Still, it’s true that heavier layers can give you darker tones and fuller paper coverage. But that doesn’t mean heavy layers are always needed for good blending.
How to Blend Colored Pencils with Solvent (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how I do it every time:
- Lay down a couple of light or medium layers of colored pencil.
- Dip a paintbrush into the solvent.
- Wipe the extra solvent off on the rim of the jar.
- Pinch the brush between a paper towel a couple of times to remove more excess.
- Gently move the brush on your drawing in circles or back and forth.
The brush lifts the pigment and blends it into the paper. Don’t press too hard—you want an even blend.
After blending, I always let the area dry for at least 15 minutes. I risk damaging the paper if I rush and add more layers too soon. Once dry, I can layer more pencils and blend again.
But I’m careful. After about three medium or medium-heavy layers blended with solvent, I have to go easy. If I keep blending hard, I might lift the layers underneath.
At that point, I blend softly or switch to burnish blending instead.
Choosing the Right Brush for Solvent Blending
Your brush can change the way your blend looks. Let me show you how I choose mine.
- Harder brushes push pigment around more and give an uneven blend. I use this for certain textures. I like round gold Taklon paintbrushes for general use.
- For small areas, I use smaller gold Taklon brushes to avoid smoothing areas I don’t want to blend.
- Softer brushes make smooth, soft gradients. These are great for backgrounds. I use a synthetic squirrel hair watercolor brush for this.
Solvent Usage Tips for Clean Blending
I never dip my brush straight into the big solvent container. Each time I dip a used brush, I might add little bits of colored pencil pigment. I pour a small amount into a little jar to keep my primary solvent clean.
That small jar is easier to clean. Over time, colored pencil residue builds up around the edges, and it’s simple to wipe it out.
Blending Colored Pencils with a Q-tip
Let’s move on to the second method. If you don’t like using solvents, a Q-tip can work surprisingly well in some cases.
When and Why to Use a Q-tip
I like using a Q-tip when working with light layers of colored pencil, especially on smoother paper. Smooth paper doesn’t have much texture, so it works better for this technique.
If I skip solvent blending, this is a good way to get a soft blend without all the effort that burnishing takes.
How to Blend with a Q-tip (Step-by-Step)
Here’s precisely how I do it:
- Apply a couple of light layers of colored pencil.
- Drag the Q-tip over the area in small circles or back and forth.
- Press a bit harder to get a better blend.
Keep in mind that it doesn’t work well with heavy layers. And it does lift quite a bit of pigment onto the Q-tip. So, I change to a fresh Q-tip when needed.
Blending Colored Pencils with a Blender Pencil
Now, let’s talk about the third way—using a blender pencil. This is handy and easy for blending very light layers.
How Blender Pencils Work
A blender pencil is excellent for blending very light layers. I use the Derwent Pencil Blender, but there are other good brands. It lays down a smooth film over the blended area when I use it.
One thing to know is that this smooth layer makes it harder to add more colored pencils on top afterward. So I use it carefully.
How to Use a Blender Pencil (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how I use it:
- Add a light layer or a few layers of colored pencil
- Apply the blender pencil over the area
- Press lightly but firmly to smooth everything out
It does need some pressure to work well, but not as much as burnishing.
Blending Colored Pencils with Burnish Blending
The last method is probably the most common—the classic burnish blending technique.
Why Burnish Blending is Popular
I see artists use this method often, and I’ve used it for many of my drawings. It creates smooth color transitions if you put in the time and effort.
How to Burnish Blend (Step-by-Step)
Here’s precisely how I do it:
- Apply all the layers of color you want.
- Choose a slightly lighter color pencil.
- Apply a final layer over everything with a lot of pressure.
- The pressure blends all the layers.
You can use a darker color on top instead of a lighter one. Just be careful to avoid visible pencil strokes in places where you don’t want them.
Things to Keep in Mind with Burnish Blending
Burnish blending takes work. I’ve noticed it can make my hands tired if I do it for a long time. But when done right, it gives a rich, beautiful blend that stands out.
Final Thoughts
I just shared four of my favorite ways to blend colored pencils. Each has its strengths, and I’ve used them in different drawings.
Which method do you feel like trying first? Give them a go, and let me know how it turns out—I’d love to hear your results!