All guides
165 guides across 8 topics - start with a topic hub, or browse everything below.
Coloured Pencils
The Best Coloured Pencils for Serious Artists
The best coloured (colored) pencils for serious artists: Polychromos, Luminance and Lightfast, with picks by need, what to look for and a comparison table.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Coloured Pencils for Beginners
The best beginner coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US): which sets to buy, how big a set to get, what to skip and first exercises for layering and blending.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Coloured Pencils for Portraits
The best coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) for portraits: skin tones, soft transitions and fine facial detail, plus paper choices and how to build skin.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Wax vs Oil-Based Coloured Pencils
Wax vs oil-based coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US): compare feel, layering, bloom and pairing, and see which brands are which and how to choose.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Polychromos vs Luminance vs Lightfast
Faber-Castell Polychromos, Caran d'Ache Luminance and Derwent Lightfast coloured (colored) pencils compared across ten features, with a clear verdict by subject.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Derwent Coloured Pencils Reviewed
Derwent coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) reviewed: Coloursoft, Chromaflow, Drawing, Lightfast, Inktense and Sketching, and which to buy first.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos Review
An honest review of Faber-Castell Polychromos coloured (colored) pencils: firm, oil-based, crisp detail and clean layering. Who they suit and who should skip them.
8 min read
Coloured Pencils
Caran d'Ache Luminance Review
A review of Caran d'Ache Luminance coloured (colored) pencils, plus Pablo and Museum Aquarelle: creamy, opaque and prized for portraits. Are they worth the cost?
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Pencil Sharpeners for Coloured Pencils
Soft coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) snap in the wrong sharpener. Here are the best options for long, clean points, plus technique and maintenance.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Erasers for Coloured Pencils
Which eraser works on coloured pencil (colored pencil in the US)? Compare eraser pencils, battery erasers, kneaded putty and tape lifting, and what erasing can do.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Professional vs Student Coloured Pencils
What separates professional from student coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US), when student grade is enough, and how to upgrade without wasting money.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Coloured Pencil Lightfastness Explained
What lightfastness means for coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US), why it matters if you sell, how ratings work, how to test colours and protect drawings.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Prismacolor vs Polychromos
Prismacolor Premier (soft, wax-based) against Faber-Castell Polychromos (firm, oil-based): coloured (colored) pencils compared by blending, detail, breakage and subject.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Derwent Coloursoft vs Prismacolor Premier
Two soft, blendable coloured (colored) pencils compared: feel, blending, layering, range, handling and which subjects suit Derwent Coloursoft or Prismacolor Premier.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos vs Goldfaber
Faber-Castell Polychromos against Goldfaber coloured (colored) pencils: feel, detail, layering, who each suits and when the upgrade is worth it.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Derwent Coloursoft vs Chromaflow
Derwent Coloursoft or Chromaflow? Coloured (colored) pencils compared for beginners, portraits and bold colour, with a clear verdict for each.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Coloured Pencil Sets
The best coloured (colored) pencil sets by need: beginner, hobbyist, portrait, wildlife, still life, water-soluble and professional, with advice on set size.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
How Many Coloured Pencils Do You Need?
How many coloured (colored) pencils you really need, from 12 to 120. Build a core palette, learn to mix instead of own, and upgrade sensibly.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Watercolour Pencils
The best watercolour (watercolor) pencils, how water-soluble pencils differ from wax and oil pencils, plus techniques, paper needs and lightfastness cautions.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best White Pencils for Drawing on Grey Paper
How to choose a white coloured (colored) pencil for grey and toned paper: opacity, creaminess, wax versus oil, cream versus white, and how to use it.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Coloured Pencils for Adult Colouring
How to choose coloured (colored) pencils for adult colouring books: soft versus firm, set size, paper and bleed-through, sharpening and small-space tips.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Drawing Supplies for Beginners
The complete beginner drawing starter kit: graphite grades, erasers, sharpener, paper, blending tools and a coloured (colored) pencil set, by budget tier.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils Reviewed
Prismacolor Premier coloured (colored) pencils reviewed: soft, waxy and creamy, easy to blend, with the breakage and wax bloom trade-offs, best subjects and papers.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Derwent Coloursoft Coloured Pencils Reviewed
Derwent Coloursoft coloured (colored) pencils reviewed: velvety, rich and painterly, with soft blending, best subjects, paper pairings and how they compare.
6 min read
Coloured Pencils
Derwent Chromaflow Coloured Pencils Reviewed
Derwent Chromaflow coloured (colored) pencils reviewed: vibrant, soft and easy to blend, ideal for learning layering and transitions, plus who it suits and its limits.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Derwent Lightfast Coloured Pencils Reviewed
Derwent Lightfast coloured (colored) pencils reviewed: premium, creamy and highly lightfast, a wax-based hybrid between Polychromos and Luminance for realism.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Derwent Inktense Pencils Reviewed
Derwent Inktense water-activated pencils reviewed: intense ink-like colour for mixed media, dry and wet techniques, paper needs and who they suit.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Faber-Castell Goldfaber Coloured Pencils Reviewed
Faber-Castell Goldfaber coloured (colored) pencils reviewed: firm enough for detail, soft enough for shading, and an introduction to the feel of Polychromos.
7 min read
Coloured Pencils
Best Gifts for Pencil Artists
Gift ideas for coloured (colored) pencil and graphite artists at low, medium and high budgets: sets, single pencils, paper, sharpeners, erasers, books and more.
6 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Realistic Eyes
Draw realistic eyes step by step in graphite, then add colour with coloured (colored) pencils. Anatomy, construction, value structure and common mistakes.
9 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Face: Proportions Step by Step
Learn how to draw a face with reliable proportion guides: head shape, midline, feature placement, three-quarter view, and how age and variation change the rules.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Nose: Planes, Shadows and Shading
Learn how to draw a realistic nose in pencil: the planes, shadow shapes, nostrils and bridge, plus front, side and three-quarter views and a shading progression.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Lips: Shape, Shading and Colour
Learn how to draw realistic lips in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: shape, upper and lower lip structure, corners, value, highlights and common mistakes.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Hair: Masses, Flow and Highlights
Learn how to draw realistic hair in pencil: masses first, flow, highlights and value, for straight, curly and grey hair in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Hands
Learn how to draw hands by building them from simple forms: a palm block, finger segments and a thumb. Proportions, common mistakes and practice exercises.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Portrait from a Photo
A complete workflow for drawing a portrait from a photo: choose a reference, crop, measure or grid, plan values, block in, refine and finish in graphite or color.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Rose
Draw a rose step by step: the spiral centre, layered petals, shading, leaves and a coloured (colored) pencil version with deep, warm and cool reds.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Tree
Draw convincing trees in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: trunk and branch structure, foliage as masses, bark texture, values and how to avoid lollipop trees.
6 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Clouds and Skies
Learn how to draw clouds and skies in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: cloud forms, soft edges, value planning, layered blues, warm light and perspective.
6 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Dog
Draw a realistic dog step by step: proportions and structure, head, eyes and nose, fur direction, shading, and a coloured (colored) pencil fur method.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Horse: Proportions, Head and Coat
Draw a horse with convincing proportions: block in the body, place the legs and joints, build the head, then add coat colour and shine in graphite or colored pencil.
8 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Bird: Shapes, Feathers and Colour
Draw a bird from simple shapes to feathers: wing structure, beak and eye, feather direction, and how to build iridescent colour in coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Food Realistically in Coloured Pencil
Draw realistic food in coloured (colored) pencil: glossy glazes, icing, sauces, pastry texture, crumbs and cast shadows, built in four clear stages on grey paper.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Basic Forms and Shading: Sphere, Cube, Cylinder, Cone
Learn to draw and shade the sphere, cube, cylinder and cone with light, core shadow, reflected light and cast shadow, in graphite, then colored pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw in Perspective: One-Point and Two-Point
Learn perspective drawing step by step: horizon line, vanishing points, one-point and two-point perspective, boxes into buildings and rooms, and common mistakes.
8 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Shadows and Light: Form, Cast and Colour
Learn to draw shadows and light: direction, form and cast shadow, core shadow, reflected light, edges, contact shadow and shadow colour in coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
Drawing Ideas for Beginners: 60 Things to Draw
Stuck on what to draw? Sixty beginner-friendly drawing ideas grouped by subject, each with what it teaches and how hard it is, plus how to choose one.
8 min read
How to Draw
30-Day Drawing Challenge for Beginners
A day-by-day 30-day drawing challenge that builds from lines and shapes to shading, proportion, features, a still life and a finished piece. 15 to 60 minutes a day.
8 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Cat: Proportions, Face and Fur
Draw a cat with believable proportions: block in the body, build the head, place eyes, nose and ears, then add whiskers and fur in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil.
9 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Lion: Mane, Face and Fur Masses
Draw a lion in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: block in the head and body, structure the mane, place the eyes and muzzle, then build fur masses and tone.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw an Elephant: Form, Trunk and Skin
Draw an elephant in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: block in the huge forms, build the head and trunk, add ears, legs, wrinkles and skin texture, then shade.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw an Owl: Face, Feathers and Branch
Draw an owl in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: build the head and facial disc, place eyes and beak, layer feathers, add pattern and a branch, then set values.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Butterfly: Wings, Symmetry and Colour
Draw a butterfly in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: set up symmetry, shape the wings, add veins and patterns, layer colour, then finish antennae and shading.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Flower: Petals, Stem and Colour
Draw a flower in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: learn simple flower anatomy, petal shapes and perspective, then add leaves, a stem, shading and layered colour.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Sunflower: Petals, Centre and Colour
Learn how to draw a sunflower in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: the seed disc pattern, overlapping petals, leaves, and layered yellows, ochres and browns.
9 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Ears: Structure, Placement and Shading
Learn how to draw ears in pencil: the helix, antihelix, lobe and tragus, where to place them on the head, how they change with angle, and how to shade them.
9 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a Face from the Side: Profile Guide
Learn how to draw a face in profile: the ball-and-jaw head, the forehead, nose, lips and chin line, ear placement, the eye in profile, hair mass and shading.
9 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Teeth and Smiles Without Making Them Look Fake
Learn how to draw teeth and smiles in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: treat teeth as a mass, control edges and values, and avoid the white-blocks look.
8 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Wrinkles and Older Faces in Pencil
Learn how to draw wrinkles and older faces in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: skin structure, wrinkle directions, light and shadow, soft edges, hair and eyes.
9 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw the Human Body: Proportions for Beginners
Learn human body proportions for drawing: head-count guides, landmarks, torso, arms and legs, differences by build and age, and how to simplify the figure into blocks.
9 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Gesture and Poses: Quick Figure Drawing
Learn gesture drawing and poses: line of action, 30 to 60 second sketches, simple shapes, balance and thumbnails, in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil.
8 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Fabric and Folds: Drapery in Pencil
Learn to draw fabric and folds: pipe, zigzag, drop, spiral and half-lock folds, tension points, light on cloth, texture and patterns in coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Water and Reflections in Pencil
Learn to draw water and reflections: still versus moving water, inverted reflections, ripples, highlights, transparency and colour in coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Mountains and Landscapes in Pencil
Learn to draw mountains and landscapes: planes of distance, atmospheric perspective, values, edges, foreground detail and skies, in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw a House and Buildings in Pencil
Learn to draw a house and buildings: boxes, one and two-point perspective, windows and doors, materials, light and shadow, in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil.
8 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Glass and Transparent Objects in Pencil
Learn to draw glass and transparent objects: edges, highlights, refraction, reflected light, cast shadows and caustics, in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Draw Fruit: Apples and Citrus in Pencil
Learn how to draw an apple and a citrus fruit in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil: basic forms, light and shadow, skin texture, colour layering and highlights.
9 min read
How to Draw
Drawing Exercises for Beginners: 20 to Try
Twenty concrete drawing exercises for beginners, grouped by skill, each with what it trains and how long it takes. Works in graphite or coloured (colored) pencil.
7 min read
How to Draw
How to Hold a Pencil for Drawing
How to hold a pencil for drawing: the tripod grip, overhand and underhand holds, arm movement, pressure control, posture and how to avoid smudging and hand fatigue.
8 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Best Paper for Coloured Pencils: Four Papers Worth Buying
The best paper for coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US): Canson Mixed Media grey, Arches Hot Press, Stonehenge White and Clairefontaine Paint'On Gris.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Canson vs Arches vs Stonehenge vs Clairefontaine
Four papers compared point by point for coloured pencil: tooth, weight, archival quality, lifting, layering and burnishing, with a clear verdict.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Best Paper for Realistic Drawing in Coloured Pencil and Graphite
Realism needs paper that survives dozens of layers. Stonehenge, Arches Hot Press and Canson grey compared for coloured (colored) pencil and graphite realism.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Why Use Grey Paper for Coloured Pencil?
Grey paper gives coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) a mid-tone to work from, so highlights glow and shadows deepen. When grey beats white.
8 min read
Paper & Surfaces
When to Use Cartridge Paper for Coloured Pencil and Graphite
White cartridge paper suits animals, figures and soft work in coloured pencil (colored pencil in the US) and graphite. Learn when it beats grey.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Paper Weight (GSM) Explained for Pencil Artists
What gsm means, how it compares with lb, and which paper weights suit coloured pencil, graphite and sketching, so you buy the right sheet first time.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Paper Tooth: Smooth vs Textured Paper for Pencil Drawing
Tooth decides how pencil grips, layers, blends and lifts. Compare smooth and textured papers, from Canson to Arches, and match the surface to your subject.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Hot Press vs Cold Press Paper for Pencil Drawing
Hot press is smooth, cold press has a light texture. See how each behaves under coloured pencil and graphite, and which Arches surface to buy.
6 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Best Paper for Graphite Drawing
The best paper for graphite pencil: Arches Cold Press for rich shadows, Winsor & Newton cartridge for everyday work, and how tooth and weight change the result.
6 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Best Sketchbooks for Coloured Pencil
How to choose a sketchbook for coloured pencil (colored pencil in the US): weight, binding, tone and surface, plus why Michael likes grey Art Gecko.
6 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Archival Paper for Selling Your Drawings
What archival, acid-free and museum-grade paper really mean, which papers qualify, and how to pair them with lightfast pencils, glass and storage.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Drawing on Black Paper with Coloured Pencils
How to draw on black paper with coloured (colored) pencils: which pencils work, building light colours first, highlights, paper types and common mistakes.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Best Drawing Paper for Beginners
How to choose drawing paper as a beginner: weight, tooth, pads versus blocks, cartridge versus mixed media, and practice paper versus finished-work paper.
6 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Best Sketchbooks for Drawing
How to choose a drawing sketchbook for graphite and dry media: binding, size, paper weight, toned versus white, hardback versus spiral, and how to use it.
6 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Arches Hot Press Review for Coloured Pencil
An honest Arches Hot Press review for coloured pencil (colored pencil): smooth tooth, subtle portrait blends, burnishing, lifting limits and who should skip it.
6 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Stonehenge Paper Review for Coloured Pencil
A Stonehenge paper review for coloured pencil (colored pencil): soft tooth, deep velvety layering, gentle lifting and the best subjects, plus who should skip it.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Canson Mixed Media Grey Paper Review for Coloured Pencil
A Canson Mixed Media grey paper review for coloured pencil (colored pencil): strong tooth, layering, lifting, glossy subjects, weight and archival limits.
7 min read
Paper & Surfaces
Clairefontaine Paint'On Gris Review for Coloured Pencil
A Clairefontaine Paint'On Gris review for coloured pencil (colored pencil): darker tone, slight drag like paint, lifting and staining, and moody still life.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Layer Coloured Pencils
Layering is the foundation of coloured pencil (colored pencil) realism. Learn the light-pressure method, stroke direction, colour order and how many layers to use.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Blend Coloured Pencils
Five ways to blend coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) - lighter pencils, colourless blenders, burnishing, solvents and layers - and when each works best.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Burnish Coloured Pencils
Burnishing is the final polish for coloured pencils (colored pencils): heavy pressure with a light pencil for a glossy finish. Learn when to burnish and when not to.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Match and Mix Colours with Coloured Pencils
Colour matching (color matching in the US) is the art of seeing undertones. Swatch, layer and compare to build accurate colours from several coloured pencils.
6 min read
Drawing Techniques
Underpainting in Coloured Pencil
An underpainting sets shadows and temperature first. Learn grisaille and complementary methods for coloured pencil (colored pencil) portraits and still life.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
Using Solvents with Coloured Pencils
Solvents melt coloured pencil (colored pencil) pigment into a paint-like wash. Learn the types, how to apply and test them, and how to protect your paper and health.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
Lifting and Erasing Coloured Pencil
Lifting removes pigment from coloured pencil (colored pencil) for crisp highlights and clean corrections. Learn which tools work and how each paper behaves.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Draw Glossy Surfaces: Icing, Glaze and Shine
A convincing shine comes from a few sharp highlights on smooth mid-tones. A coloured pencil (colored pencil) method for icing, glaze, sauce and glazed ceramics.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Draw Shiny Metal and Reflections in Coloured Pencil
Metal is all about contrast: hard edges, borrowed colour and gradients on curves. A coloured pencil (colored pencil) method for silver, chrome and trophies.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Draw Portraits in Coloured Pencil
Portraits demand soft transitions and natural skin tones. A coloured pencil (colored pencil) method covering proportion, value, underpainting and skin.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Draw Animal Fur in Coloured Pencil
Realistic fur comes from direction, layers and sharp points. Build a base tone, add fine strokes and shadow beneath the hair with coloured pencil (colored pencil).
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How a Realistic Coloured Pencil Drawing Comes Together
Realism is built in stages: layout, base colours across the whole coloured pencil (colored pencil) image, then final detail. See the process in progress figures.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
Coloured Pencil Drawing for Beginners
A complete starter guide to coloured (colored) pencil drawing: what to buy, first exercises, layering, blending, burnishing, a first project and common mistakes.
6 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Sharpen Coloured Pencils Without Breaking Them
Stop snapped cores and ragged points. How to sharpen coloured (colored) pencils with a sharpener, knife or sandpaper, how long to make the point and when to resharpen.
6 min read
Drawing Techniques
Best Blending Tools for Coloured Pencil
The best blending tools for coloured (colored) pencil compared: colourless blenders, lighter pencils, stumps, cotton buds, solvents and paper, and how to choose.
6 min read
Drawing Techniques
Coloured Pencil Drawing Ideas: 40 Subjects to Try
Forty coloured (colored) pencil drawing ideas, from glossy objects and desserts to animals and portraits, each with what it teaches and the paper that suits it.
6 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Prevent and Remove Wax Bloom in Coloured Pencil
Wax bloom is the waxy haze that can appear on coloured pencil (colored pencil) drawings. Learn what causes it, how to prevent it and how to treat it gently.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
How to Plan a Coloured Pencil Drawing
Plan a coloured pencil (colored pencil) drawing before you start: choose a reference, sketch thumbnails, map values and colour, pick paper and sequence your layers.
7 min read
Drawing Techniques
Common Coloured Pencil Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Fifteen common coloured pencil (colored pencil) mistakes and fixes: pressing too hard, wrong paper, dull points, muddy colour, overusing black and burnishing too early.
7 min read
Colour Theory
The Colour Wheel Explained for Pencil Artists
Primary, secondary and tertiary colours, warm and cool halves, complements, and how to make a colour wheel with just three pencils. RYB versus RGB explained.
7 min read
Colour Theory
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colours in Coloured Pencil
How primary, secondary and tertiary colours work in coloured pencil (colored pencil in the US), why pencil primaries are never pure, and a good mixing set.
7 min read
Colour Theory
Complementary Colours in Drawing
How complementary colours create contrast, neutralise shadows and brighten a drawing, with pencil methods, swatch card examples and common mistakes.
7 min read
Colour Theory
Colour Harmony Schemes for Drawing
Complementary, split-complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic and monochromatic schemes explained with drawing examples, and how to choose one.
6 min read
Colour Theory
Value in Drawing: Why It Matters More Than Colour
Value, how light or dark a colour is, does more work than hue. Learn value scales, the squint test, greyscale checks and thumbnail plans for pencil drawing.
7 min read
Colour Theory
Colour Temperature: Warm and Cool Colours in Drawing
Warm colours advance, cool colours recede. Learn temperature shifts within a colour, warm light and cool shadow, and how to read pencil undertones.
6 min read
Colour Theory
Saturation and Muted Colours in Coloured Pencil
Control saturation in coloured (colored) pencil with layers, pressure, greys and complements. When to use bold colour, how to mute it without mud, and mood.
6 min read
Colour Theory
Colour Theory on Grey Paper
How grey paper changes the way pencil colours look, and how to use layered pairings, opaque underlayers and white pencil to make colours brighter on grey.
7 min read
Colour Theory
Limited Palette Drawing With Coloured Pencils
Draw with three to six coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US). Benefits, example palettes described by colour, how to mix greys, and an exercise.
6 min read
Colour Theory
How to Mix Skin Tones With Coloured Pencils
Skin is layers of ochre, rose, grey and brown, not one peach pencil. Mix skin tones with coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) for every skin tone.
7 min read
Colour Theory
What Colours Make Brown? Mixing Brown with Coloured Pencils
What colours make brown with coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US): layer complements or the three primaries, then steer warm, cool, light or dark.
7 min read
Colour Theory
How to Mix Grey and Neutral Colours with Coloured Pencils
Mix lively greys and neutrals with coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) from complements, then steer them warm or cool and use them in shadows.
7 min read
Colour Theory
How to Make Black with Coloured Pencils
Make rich, deep blacks with coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) by layering deep reds, blues, greens and browns, and know when a black pencil helps.
7 min read
Colour Theory
Colour Mixing Chart for Coloured Pencils: Make Your Own
Build your own colour mixing chart for coloured pencils (colored pencils in the US) with a two- and three-layer grid, pressure notes and a printable-style layout.
7 min read
Colour Theory
How to Choose a Colour Palette for a Drawing
Choose a colour palette for a coloured pencil (colored pencil) drawing from your reference, the mood or a harmony scheme, then test swatches on your paper.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Graphite Pencil Grades Explained: 9H to 9B
What H, B, F and HB mean, how 9H to 9B differ, the US number equivalents, and which grades to actually buy for shading, detail and dark tone.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Best Graphite Pencils for Drawing
How to choose graphite drawing pencils: wooden, mechanical, woodless and sticks compared, what makes a good core, and recommended kits by subject.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
How to Shade with Pencil: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn pencil shading with pressure control, grip, value scales, gradients and simple forms, plus a seven-day practice sequence to build smooth, even tone.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Hatching and Cross-Hatching: Pencil Techniques
How to use hatching, cross-hatching, contour hatching, stippling and scribble tone in graphite, with spacing, density, curved forms and practice exercises.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
How to Blend Graphite: Tools and Techniques
How to blend graphite smoothly with stumps, tortillons, tissue, chamois, brushes and fingers, when to layer instead, and how to keep your darks clean.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Graphite vs Charcoal: Which Should You Draw With?
Graphite or charcoal? Compare darkness, smudging, erasing, paper, detail versus atmosphere and cost, and learn when to use each or combine them.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Best Charcoal for Drawing: Types and How to Choose
Vine, compressed, charcoal pencils, powder and white charcoal explained, with advice on softness, paper, fixative, erasers and dust safety.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
How to Draw Realistic Textures in Graphite
A practical method for drawing skin, fur, wrinkled hide, scales, fabric, metal and wood in graphite: observe, simplify, follow direction and control contrast.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Best Erasers for Graphite Drawing
Kneaded, vinyl, gum, pencil-style and battery erasers compared for graphite, with advice on lifting versus erasing, creating highlights and protecting paper.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
How to Avoid Smudging Pencil Drawings
Why graphite smudges and how to stop it: slip sheets, hand position, working order for left and right-handers, fixative basics, storage and framing.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Best Drawing Pencils for Beginners
The graphite pencils a beginner really needs: 2H, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B, wooden versus mechanical, Derwent Sketching, erasers, sharpeners and what to skip.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Pencil Drawing for Beginners
Everything you need to start pencil drawing: which pencils and paper to buy, how to hold the pencil, basic marks, shading, first exercises and a first project.
9 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Pencil Drawing Techniques: Core Methods and When to Use Them
Hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, scumbling, blending, smudging, lifting, layering and contour: what each pencil technique does and when to use it.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Charcoal Drawing for Beginners
Learn charcoal drawing from scratch: vine, compressed and pencil charcoal, paper, basic marks, tone, erasing, blending, fixative and dust safety, plus first exercises.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
How to Use Blending Stumps and Tortillons
Stumps versus tortillons, how to blend with them, how to clean and sharpen them, which directions to work in and how to avoid muddy greys in graphite.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
How to Make a Value Scale for Drawing
Make a 5, 7 or 9 step value scale in graphite, choose the right pencil grades, control pressure, check your drawings with it and adapt it for coloured pencil.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Best Fixative for Pencil Drawings: Types, Use and Safety
What fixative does for graphite and charcoal, the main types, when to use or skip it, how to spray safely, how it changes tone and what to use instead.
8 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Best Mechanical Pencils for Drawing: What to Look For
Lead sizes, grades, weight and balance, mechanical pencils versus lead holders, and what to check when choosing one for detail and technical drawing.
7 min read
Graphite & Charcoal
Best Drawing Pencils for Artists: What Serious Work Needs
How to choose graphite drawing pencils for serious work: consistency, point retention, range, categories, and kits for portrait, wildlife and botanical drawing.
7 min read
Books & Courses
Best Books to Improve Your Drawing
The ten drawing books worth owning, from Betty Edwards to Loomis, with who each suits, why it matters and quick picks for beginners, realism and portraits.
7 min read
Books & Courses
Best Books for Animal Drawing
Ten respected animal drawing books, from Goldfinger's anatomy to Amberlyn's wildlife realism, with quick picks for beginners, birds, gesture and colored pencil.
6 min read
Books & Courses
Best Books for Figure Drawing
Ten figure drawing books compared, from Loomis and Nicolaides to Goldfinger and Winslow, with who each suits and quick picks for gesture, anatomy and imagination.
7 min read
Books & Courses
Best Books for Botanical Drawing
Ten respected botanical drawing books, from Wendy Hollender's Botanical Drawing in Color to the Kew Book, with who each suits and picks for colored pencil.
7 min read
Books & Courses
Best Books for Coloured Pencil Artists
The best coloured (colored) pencil books by goal: layering, glossy objects, botanical, wildlife and texture, plus how to study a book properly.
6 min read
Books & Courses
Best Drawing Courses to Improve Your Technique
Ten college-level drawing course types, from foundation to experimental, with institutions known for them, who each suits and how to choose one.
6 min read
Books & Courses
Master Draughtsmen to Study
Ten great draughtsmen whose drawings teach the most, from Leonardo and Rembrandt to Sargent and Bargue, plus how to study a master drawing properly.
7 min read
Books & Courses
How to Practise Drawing Daily
A realistic daily and weekly drawing routine: warm-ups, gesture, contour, value studies, timed studies and sketchbooks, plus tracking progress and beating plateaus.
7 min read
Books & Courses
Drawing for Beginners: Where to Start
A practical starting point for new artists: materials to buy, first exercises, beginner mistakes, a 30-day plan and when to move to colored pencil (coloured pencil).
6 min read
Books & Courses
How to Draw What You See
Learn to draw accurately by seeing shapes, negative space and values, with measuring, sight-size, plumb lines, squinting, upside-down drawing and grids.
7 min read
Books & Courses
How Long Does It Take to Learn to Draw?
An honest answer to how long it takes to learn to draw: milestones from first recognisable drawings to realism, what speeds progress and what slows it down.
7 min read
Books & Courses
How to Find Your Drawing Style
How to find your drawing style through subjects, marks, materials and values, with practical exercises: master copies, limits, series and reviewing your favourite work.
6 min read
Books & Courses
How to Overcome Artist's Block
Practical ways to overcome artist's block: find the cause, start small, use constraints and timed studies, change materials, use prompts and build a routine.
7 min read
Books & Courses
How to Set Up a Home Drawing Studio
How to set up a home drawing studio, even in a small space: good light, a desk or drawing board, posture, storage, organising pencils and paper, and keeping work flat.
8 min read
The Art World
Best Drawing Competitions to Enter
Ten respected drawing competitions and open exhibitions that suit graphite and colored pencil artists, and how to choose by medium, career stage and goal.
9 min read
The Art World
Best Museums and Galleries to See Drawings
Ten museums and galleries with world-class drawing collections, what each is best for, and how to use a print room, study room or exhibition well.
8 min read
The Art World
How to Enter an Art Competition
Choose the right competition, read the rules, prepare images, statements and framing, handle rejection and avoid pay-to-play schemes.
8 min read
The Art World
How to Photograph Your Drawings
Photograph graphite and coloured pencil drawings with even light, no glare and accurate colour, then prepare the files for competitions, web and print.
9 min read
The Art World
How to Frame and Mount a Drawing
Mount board, aperture, hinges, glazing and spacers explained, so your graphite or coloured pencil drawing is protected, flattering and ready to hang.
9 min read
The Art World
How to Price Your Drawings
Three pricing methods for drawings, plus consistency, editions versus originals, commissions and when to raise prices, without underselling your work.
8 min read
The Art World
How to Build an Art Portfolio
Curate a cohesive drawing portfolio: choose work, build series, write your statement and bio, set up a website and submit to galleries and competitions.
9 min read
The Art World
How to Sell Your Drawings Online
Where to sell pencil drawings online, what to sell, how to photograph, price and ship work, and how to build trust and an email list that lasts.
9 min read
The Art World
How to Make Prints of Your Drawings
Turn pencil drawings into quality prints: scanning or photographing, resolution, colour management, giclee paper, editions, numbering, storing and shipping.
9 min read
The Art World
Can You Sell Fan Art? What Artists Should Know
A general guide to selling fan art: copyright, derivative works, trademarks, platform takedowns, and safer alternatives for pencil artists. Not legal advice.
8 min read
The Art World
How to Write an Artist Statement
Write a clear artist statement for drawings: what to include, length, first or third person, examples as templates, bio versus CV, and an editing checklist.
8 min read