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Working On Colored Pencil Drawings

Updated on September 8, 2016

Working on a colored pencil drawing can be quite stimulating for creativity. Taking pictures during the drawing process is one way to document how a drawing evolves from start to finish. Sometimes an unfinished sketch can even be the inspiration for a card or even a design drawn on a t-shirt. A few months ago I used my unfinished giraffe sketch to design t-shirts and hats, so you never know what you can do with those half-way completed sketches. Taking pictures during the sketching process helps you learn new things about your drawing, and to see what effects you might want to create the next time around. All you need to document your drawing is a pencil and some paper, and of course a camera! If you are just learning how to draw, then you can always purchase or check out books from the library that will give you more confidence with your drawing technique.

Sketching out the final details on my nephew before adding the color.
Sketching out the final details on my nephew before adding the color.

I like to work on a sketch until I get it just right. Over the years I have learned to never throw away your artwork, and it is okay to keep sketching on one composition until you are satisfied with it. This sketch is my nephew by large boulders out at The Pinnacles, which are these amazing rock formations up in the San Bernardino Mountains.

In this phase of the sketch I begin adding the color to the boulders.
In this phase of the sketch I begin adding the color to the boulders.
All of the scenery surrounding the subject is first colored in.
All of the scenery surrounding the subject is first colored in.
Adding the color to the stream next to where the subject is crouching down.
Adding the color to the stream next to where the subject is crouching down.
The photograph is interesting because the subject is surrounded by coloring in the sketch, and not yet fully colored in.  It makes for a very interest picture all on its own.
The photograph is interesting because the subject is surrounded by coloring in the sketch, and not yet fully colored in. It makes for a very interest picture all on its own.
Coloring in the mittens and the hat.
Coloring in the mittens and the hat.
Coloring in the subject's shirt with an aquamarine shade of blue.
Coloring in the subject's shirt with an aquamarine shade of blue.
Almost all of the color has been added to the subject.
Almost all of the color has been added to the subject.
The completed sketch of my nephew by the boulders.
The completed sketch of my nephew by the boulders.

Sketching is another way to create artwork for your cards. Your own drawings can be used for Christmas cards, which is what I do each year. Documenting the progress of a sketch is also helpful because sometimes the unfinished sketch can be enhanced with photo editing software, and used for a card.

Here the outline sketch for the cat has been created.
Here the outline sketch for the cat has been created.
Color is added the pot and the sky.
Color is added the pot and the sky.
Now the grass is being colored in behind the cat. I carefully color in between the lines of my sketches, and think of filling in my sketches as a more complex coloring book.
Now the grass is being colored in behind the cat. I carefully color in between the lines of my sketches, and think of filling in my sketches as a more complex coloring book.
The cat now needs to be colored in.
The cat now needs to be colored in.
The cat sketch is now completely colored in.
The cat sketch is now completely colored in.
The complete cat sketched was enhanced with photo editing software to make the colors more vibrant.
The complete cat sketched was enhanced with photo editing software to make the colors more vibrant.

Pencils and colored pencils are the only supplies you truly need to get started with sketching. Let your creativity flow as you explore the world via your sketch book.

working

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