Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists

Brand Analysis

Making a Mark Reviews: The Favourite Coloured Pencil Awards! (2011 Brand Poll Results)

577 people voted during 2011 in the 2011 POLL: Which is the best brand of artist grade coloured pencil? to determine which is the best brand of artist grade coloured pencil on Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artist. The results are as follows....

Making a Mark reviews......: The Favourite Coloured Pencil Awards! (2010 Brand Poll Results)

760 people voted during 2010 in the 2010 POLL: Which is the best brand of artist grade coloured pencil? on Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artist. The poll is now closed and below you can find the results

Drawing a Fine Line: Colored pencil swatches

I went on a swatching bender and (finally) made color swatches of almost all my colored pencils. ....*This isn't meant to be an 'official review' of any of these brands, by any means. More like just an impression by ONE user.

Caran d'Ache

descriptions are manufacturers

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND: MAISON DE HAUTE ECRITURE

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND: MAISON DE HAUTE ECRITURE,

CARAN d'ACHE: Artistes et Professionnels > Crayons > Luminance 6901

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND:
LUMINANCE 6901:
Smooth and permanent lead for artists and creative professionals.
Lightfastness in compliance with the highest international standard: ASTM D-6901
Wide range of colours developed with a large variety of highly concentrated pigments.

CARAN d'ACHE: Artistes et Professionnels > Crayons > Museum

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND: MUSEUM
Set of watercolour leads instantly water-soluble
Very high pigment concentration with 6 monopigmentary tints
Exceptional lightfastness

CARAN d'ACHE: Artistes et Professionnels > Crayons > Pablo

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND: PABLO®
Dry and permanent lead resistant to any powder formation
Excellent luminance / opaqueness ratio
Wide range of colours

CARAN d'ACHE: Artistes et Professionnels > Crayons > Supracolor

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND: SUPRACOLOR® Soft Aquarelle
Soft and water-soluble lead
Excellent luminance / opaqueness ratio
Wide range of colours

CARAN d'ACHE: Artistes et Professionnels > Crayons > Prismalo

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND: PRISMALO® Aquarelle
The first water-soluble colour pencil since 1931
Thin lead allowing a clear and precise trace
High pigment concentration

Making a Mark reviews......: A new colour tip for Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901

Caran d'Ache has made a change to their Luminance 6901 range of coloured pencils which means it's very likely that I'm going to start investing in more colours.

Caran d'Ache Pencils: News and Reviews

Making a Mark reviews......: A new colour tip for Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901

Caran d'Ache has made a change to their Luminance 6901 range of coloured pencils which means it's very likely that I'm going to start investing in more colours.

Nicole Caulfield Art Journal: New Colored Pencils

Nicole Caulfield was one of the original testers of the new range of Luminance Coloured Pencils. In this post she gives her perspectibe on the pencils

"The Luminance pencils are wax based and are softer than their Pablo pencils making them very blendable. They are also rated as highly lightfast. The lowdown as I see them:
* high lightfast ratings
* soft and blendable, but not too soft as some pencils are
* NO WAX BLOOM
* works on a variety of surfaces (my favorite sanded paper, but also traditional white paper, wood, drafting film and more)
* Great selection of colors
* great saturation
* they mix well with other pencils/media

Derwent - the Cumberland Pencil Company

descriptions are manufacturers

Derwent

Formed in 1832, Derwent are a major UK pencil company based in Cumberland. They produce a range of pencils for artistic and graphic purposes.
You are recommended to check colour charts - available on each page - for details about lightfastness ratings as assessed by the Company

Derwent - Artists Pencils

The first colour pencil Derwent ever developed, and still one of the most popular on the market. Artists has a traditional, round wooden barrel and a large diameter, break-resistant colour strip. Perfect for broad strokes and free, expressive drawing, Artists' slightly waxy texture is ideal for multiple layering and blending to produce an infinite spectrum of subtly different hues and tints. Available in a fantastic range of 120 colours, Artists has stood the test of time

Derwent - Coloursoft pencils

The softest of pencils but in an amazingly strong and vibrant range of colours. The velvety softness of the strip releases rich, dense colour at a stroke and is perfect for mixing and blending. Despite its soft texture, Coloursoft sharpens to a fine point and works equally well for detailed illustrations or bold, contemporary still-life drawings and portraiture. Available in a range of 72 dazzling colours, all with that gorgeous, consistently soft texture.

Derwent - Watercolour pencils

Derwent Watercolour can be used wet or dry, on wet or dry paper, to achieve a wide variety of effects. It comes in 72 classic colours, which retain their full intensity however you use them.

Derwent - Drawing Pencils

Drawing has an extra wide, creamy textured strip which produces a beautifully soft, velvety finish. It is the perfect medium for wildlife and nature studies, natural portraiture and dreamy, evocative landscapes. Drawing is available in 24 subtle shades, including a wide selection of traditional sepia tones together with soft neutral greys, greens, blues and creams.

Derwent - Studio Pencils

If you like the texture and blendability of Artists colour pencils, but prefer a crisper, more precise drawing style, this pencil is for you.
Studio shares the same colour strip as Artists, but it is slimmer and the woodcase is hexagonally shaped rather than round. The result? A colour pencil that is easy to grip and particularly suited to detailed illustration work, such as botanical studies, architectural drawing and graphic design. All tend to be studio-based - hence the name.

Derwent Pencils: News and Reviews

Making a Mark: Ashness Bridge - my drawing for the new Derwent Catalogue

This is the first drawing I've done using only Derwent Artists' Pencils. However, I am now convinced of the benefits of working with one brand throughout and very much enjoyed the range of colours available in the Derwent Range. I found they not only provided me with all I needed to do this landscape but that I was also spoilt for choice at times in relation to the autumnal colours. I was also particularly pleased with how well the pencils worked with my layering and lifting approach to landscapes.

UKCPS News: News from Derwent

Take a good look at this lovely box of Derwent Signatures - after December 31st 2007, they will no longer be available. I have just received word from Derwent that their Signature range will be discontinued. I will particularly miss the Signature water-solubles, not just because of their lightfastness, but also because they were lovely pencils.

Making a Mark: Derwent Coloursoft Pencils

There were lots of e-mails whizzing around the coloured pencil world yesterday as we got the first announcement that Derwent are launching a new range of coloured pencils - Derwent Coloursoft Pencils - in May 2006.

Making a Mark: Derwent Coloursoft Pencils - Update

Further to my post last week about Derwent introducing a new range of coloured pencils, Derwent have now updated their website for their new coloured pencil product - called "Coloursoft".

Pencil Pushers - THE BLOG: My review of Derwent Coloursoft Pencils

I just love these pencils so far. They blend really well without getting that darn waxy build up and combine well with Prismacolors. The colors of the coloursoft are amazingly vibrant and, so far, I haven't had any trouble with them darkening with fixative or even the spray varnish I use after fixing.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Derwent Coloursoft colored pencils

They are fantastic. They are the most opaque and the softest of my colored pencils by a hair, very slightly softer than Prismacolors. Waxy, smooth and creamy, they go on fast and blend well, almost like paint once I get going in a multi-layered creation. They still aren't totally opaque, being wax pencils they're translucent. Earlier layers do shine through them. But they have the most opacity -- and that is a joy when working on tinted grounds or layering or changing the hue of an area.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Derwent Artist's Colored Pencils

Derwent Artist's coloured pencils have the largest range of Derwent's pencil lines. 120 colors range from traditional bright spectrum hues to soft muted colors, light tints and a good variety of earth tones, muted greens, blues and grays.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Derwent Drawing Pencils

They're good for all colored pencils techniques. The earth reds and browns are great sketching pencils for sanguine life sketching. All the darks are good sketching colors, each with a different character. Using the range together on white in a "pencil drawing" style whether loose or meticulous produces wonderful tonal variations and textures. Yet these pencils also shine for layer-and-burnish realism techniques.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Derwent Metallic Pencils on Black Book

A review of Derwent Metallic Pencils in Derwent's Black Book

Dick Blick

descriptions are manufacturers

Blick Studio Artists' Colored Pencils - BLICK art materials

Blick Artists' Colored Pencils were specially developed utilizing feedback from Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) artist members and teachers. The result is a professional-quality colored pencil at an affordable price that has been manufactured to Blick's exacting standards. Ideal for drawing, illustrating, and coloring, these richly colored pencils feature brilliantly balanced shades for superior blending. Long lasting, thick 3.8 mm leads are encased in round, lacquered California cedar casings. For easy identification, the exterior of each pencil is colored to match the core and the color name is printed on both ends.

These pre-sharpened pencils feature:
* Smooth color lay-down
* Highly pigmented, fade-resistant leads
* 72 artist-quality colors sold separately
* Sets of 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 pencils in convenient tins

Faber Castell

descriptions are manufacturers

Faber-Castell :: Art & Graphic

Faber-Castell is the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of wood-cased pencils, and its "Art & Graphic" range enjoys the respect of artists, both professional and amateur.

Faber-Castell :: Art & Graphic product line - Polychromos artists' colour pencils,

Polychromos artists' colour pencils are valued for their matchless quality by professional artists around the world. Their high standard ensures that Polychromos artists' colour pencils are ideal for use in the graphic arts, for free artistic expression, and for the precise colouring of plans. Faber-Castell's quality standards are applied consistently throughout the manufacturing process. Top-quality materials, combined with our long experience, ensure that Polychromos artists' colour pencils have extremely break-resistant leads, maximum light-fastness, the most vivid colours and optimal paintability, along with many other advantages valued by professional artists.

Faber-Castell :: Art & Graphic product line - Albrecht Duerer artists' watercolour pencils,

Albrecht Duerer artists' watercolour pencils provide artists with great versatility of expression when drawing, shading and painting in watercolours. High-quality materials combined with Faber-Castell's experience have resulted in pencils that produce unsurpassed watercolour effects. The coloured surface can be transformed with only a few fine or broad brushstrokes to reveal the full and unique power of the colours. Depending on the paper being used, the pigments can be completely dissolved, and will then behave in the same way as classic watercolour paints: The paint becomes permanent when dry, enabling other layers of colour to be superimposed without causing it to dissolve again. For this reason, many watercolour artists choose to use the pencils for the fine details in their watercolour paintings, as well as for watercolour sketches while travelling.

Faber-Castell :: Dealer Locator

Insert country and post code to find local dealers

Art & Graphic - Videos / Demos

Faber-Castell's classic Art & Graphic products are of the highest quality for professional artists to use in artwork and technical drawing.
Video Gallery includes videos of artists working with coloured pencils
(unfortunately wmv files only)

Art & Graphic > products > product ratings

Faber Castell has a website form which allows you to rate a product and provide comments as feedback on the product

Faber Castell pencils: News and Reviews

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils

Polychromos colored pencils are medium-soft, nowhere near as smudgy and easily blended as Prismacolor or Coloursoft, but much softer than student grade colored pencils. They're pigment-rich and have a slight slippery feel on the paper, blending well with firm pressure. Unlike wax-based colored pencils, they aren't subject to wax bloom.

Koh-I-Noor Progresso Colored Pencils

Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth - Products - coloured pebcils

KOH-I-NOOR Coloured pencils

Lyra Rembrandt

descriptions are manufacturers

Lyra Rembrandt - corporate home page

Click the flag to get correct details for your country

Lyra Katalog- LYRA REMBRANDT Professional Polycolor

The top quality artist's pencil in 78 shades. For artists, graphic artists, designers, and architects.
This outstanding selection offers an excellent colour range, from strong, full tones to the most delicate nuances. Lightfast, water-resistant oil pencils with a high level of brilliance. For fine, precise contours and brilliantly coloured areas. The colours can be applied to paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, and textiles.

LYRA REMBRANDT Aquarell

Premium artist's watercolour pencils in 72 harmonious shades. Exceptionally high colour pigmentation. Easily soluble. Lead Ø 4 mm. Depending on the artist's intention, lines and areas of colour can be dissolved using a brush soaked in water and can be subtly blended together. The brilliance and lightfast properties of the colours meet all professional requirements.

Lyra Rembrandt Pencils: News and Reviews

Making a Mark: Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils

I've tried a lot of different brands of coloured pencils - but keep coming back to my Lyra Rembrandt pencils. They have some great shades which achieve saturated colour very easily, never ever break and don't get temperamental. They seem happy to work with any other brand and particularly like Faber Castell Polychromos.

Colored Pencil Studio - Lyra Rembrant Polycolor

Discussion of Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils

Prismacolor

descriptions are manufacturers

Prismacolor - Premier Soft Core

Thick cores of color last long to bring bold statements to life, while soft leads make them the best tool to blend in or shade away. They're vivid and intense in one stroke and subtle and soft in the next, making them perfect for any project, big or small. Smooth coverage and a wide array of colors to choose from make it easy to find a soft spot for these premium pencils.

Prismacolor - Premier Verithin®

From the burgeoning artist to the seasoned pro, these hard, thin leads make an impact on the more intricate details of your vision. These high quality pencils make edges cleaner, outlines bolder and lettering pristine with extremely fine points that define a unique point of view.

Premier Art Stix®

The same rich, creamy leads of The Premier Colored Pencils but without wood casing to hold you back. No need to sharpen, so you can put your vision to paper ASAP. The soft core is fully exposed so you can lay it on even thicker in a single stroke. To the expert, it's an essential and to the novice it's a good place to start. The high quality pigments can be sharpened to a point or used blunt, perfect for small projects and larger areas of coverage.

Prismacolor - Premier Watercolor

These high-quality, water-soluble colored pencils can be used with a brush to achieve a watercolor effect that's so unique.

Prismacolor - Scholar®

Advanced art students and crafters will appreciate the smooth texture and creamy leads of these rich pigments. Harder cores minimize breakage for developing artists and crafters but still offer blendability.

Prismacolor - Col-Erase®

For works in progress that may need some reworking along the way, these leads erase with ease and have a strong medium point. Perfect for illustrating, animating and all your other unfinished business.

Prismacolor - Prismacolor Digital Color Coordinator

Choose or enter a color value to view the closest-matching Prismacolor products.

Sanford Prismacolor Pencils: News and Reviews

Making a Mark: Prismacolor Premier Lightfast Colored Pencils

it would be really great to see a colour chart (preferably as a colour wheel) for the full set of 48 colours in the new Prismacolor Premier Lightfast Pencils - named below with their lightfast prefix of LF and color number.

Making a Mark: Prismacolor - new colours for 2006 but no change on breakages

At the CPSA conferences in Albuquerque, delegates were given a free pack of pencils in the new 2006 shades....I've now produced a colour swatch of these new shades - with names and numbers - which you can see on the left. (The paper used is a pale cream). They're all fairly muted shades.... Interestingly - none of them carry the new lighfast Prismacolor logo and I don't know how well each responds to exposure to light.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Skilled colored pencil artists can do a lot with any level of hardness or softness, but the creamy, soft, easily blended Prismacolor texture gave me a new passion for the medium...........Prismacolor colored pencils are also the worst offenders for internal breakage.

Gary Green video demonstrating Prismacolor products

If you've ever wondered how Verithin, Art Stix, Premier Colored Pencils, Watercolor Coloured Pencils or the colorless Blender worked try watching this Prismacolor video Gary Greene using them all to complete a drawing

Colored Pencil Studio - Prismacolor

Discussion of different Prismacolor brands of pencils

Royal Talens Van Gogh

Royal Talens

Royal Talens is a leading manufacturer in the world of colour materials. Talens products include artists', hobby/craft, school and graphic products.

Choose which language/country site you want

Talens - English

Talens - English

Royal Talens - Van Gogh Pencils (Artists and watercolour)

Under the Van Gogh brand a series of pencils are available, namely colour pencils, water colour pencils, pastel pencils and sketch pencils (graphic and special). These pencils are unique due to their guaranteed lightfastness. Royal Talens has combined its expertise in the use of pigments in artists' paints with the specific properties of pencils. The result is a wide range of fine art pencils in various metal sets and assortment boxes with the following properties:
* Excellent colour release and colouring power
* Colours remain unchanged thanks to guaranteed lightfast pigments
* Easy workability
* Manufactured with the greatest of care from wood that has been acquired in a responsible manner

Reviews of Talens Van Gogh Pencils

Making a Mark: Royal Talens Van Gogh Coloured Pencils

If you ever get a chance to try Van Gogh Coloured Pencils, you'll be very pleasantly surprised. I'm very happy to recommend them.

Making a Mark reviews......: Product Review: Talens Van Gogh Coloured Pencils

A reworking of my 2007 review after some comments from an American artist who actually managed to find some!

Coloured Pencils - Comparative Reviews of Brands

Which is the best brand of coloured pencils?

MAKING A MARK Coloured Pencils - Brands and Manufacturers

A table providing a comparative overview of and links to reputable brands of coloured pencils PLUS product reviews

Making a Mark: Which is your favourite make of artist grade coloured pencil?

This is an update on the progress of my poll on Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists as at the end of July 2008.

Making a Mark reviews......: Which is your favourite make of artist grade coloured pencil?

Time for an update (APRIL 2009) and feedback on the poll about Which is your favourite make of artist grade coloured pencil? which has been running on my Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists website for quite some time. This is especially relevant to those people who haven't seen it before. However it also seemed a good idea to pause and take stock as the poll recently topped 500 responses. The poll now comprises 509 votes.

Making a Mark reviews......: Opinion Poll: Which is your favourite make of artist grade coloured pencil?

This is an update (NOVEMBER 2009) on one of the polls on Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists - my coloured pencils information site - as at November 2009. 718 responses in total have been received to date. That's a very big increase since July 2008 when I first reviewed this poll when only 177 responses have been received. Back in April of this year it had attracted some 509 responses.

So far as I am aware that makes this the largest online poll about brands of coloured pencils that has ever been conducted.

Making a Mark reviews......: Two new coloured pencil opinion polls for 2010

The main reason for starting a new poll (JANUARY 2010) is because there have been a lot of advances since the original poll was started:
* CPSA has now published more data about the resusts of its lightfast testing of different brands of pencils
* there are now more lightfast pencils, more people are aware of the lightfastness issues and people's preferences may well have shifted
* new brands have been created eg Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils
* people will have experimented with more brands and new brands and may well have changed their preferences!

How To Choose A Brand of Coloured Pencils | Coloured Pencil Society of Canada

Coloured pencil has grown tremendously in popularity over the past few years,and there are many brands available to choose from. However,be aware:NOT all coloured pencils are created alike. Some are excellent,artist grade quality while others are not meant for the creation of long-lasting art. Which should you choose,and why?

Product reviews of coloured pencils

Product reviews of the different brands of coloured pencils on the Wet Canvas site. Only WC members can add reviews.

eBay Guides - Robs Art guide to Colored Pencils

Not all colored pencils are equal Depending on budget, personal style, how heavy your hand is and what sort of art you create, you may have to experiment before you find your favorites.

Making a Mark reviews......: Updating Coloured Pencils

Notes the information missing from manufacturers websites such as:
* a separate page for each brand of coloured pencil
* colour charts
* information about lightfastness

Coloured Pencil Topics by Peter Weatherill

Differences between Brands

Making a Mark: Laurelines compares the performance of coloured pencils

Laurelines compares the performance of
* Cretacolor Aquamonoliths
* Derwent Inktense
* Faber Castell water colouble coloured pencils
* Faber Castell Polychromos (a non WC pencil)

Making a Mark: How green is my coloured pencil collection?

a blog post from "Making a Mark" providing colour charts for a multitude of greens from various brands

Coloured Pencils - Colours and colour charts

Making a Mark: Coloured Pencils - Colour Comparison Charts

Bob Ebdon (founder/webmaster UKCPS)has produced some new colour comparison charts. The main advantage of these new Colour Comparison Charts over others I have seen is that these charts compare (side by side) seven different brands from six different manufacturers in a number of colour groups. All colours are keyed to the range of colours in the discontinued Karisma range.

(Note: The original colour charts compiled by Bob Ebdon for the UKCPS have been largely superceded as they were designed to provide a straight comparison between Prismacolor and the nearest available colour in other brands. They were not updated for new makes of pencils coming on the market and do not provide a comprehensive review of all the competing colours which are now available - but it does show you what you can do if you want to develop a colour comparison chart)

Faber Castell Polychromos - colour chart

A pdf file of the colour chart for the Faber Castell polychromos range. This colour chart lists all colours plus numbers against a block of colour which is - at least on my screen - very accurate as to the colour in reality

Making a Mark: How green is my coloured pencil collection?

How green is my pencil collection? Well, given I particularly like drawing gardens and landscapes it's pretty green!

I did a couple of sample pages of my greens a little while ago when it was announced that the Karisma pencils were definitely being discontinued in the UK. I wanted to see what my choice was in terms of what I was left with. Here are all my green pencils - as they were then - laid out in a very rough colour sample chart by brand on two pages of my sketchbook (the pages of which are a pale creamy colour).

Making a Mark: Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils

A detailed review of Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils plus colour chart

Making a Mark: Derwent Drawing Pencils and 'Drawing a Head'

Review of Derwent Drawing Pencils - in relation to portraiture. Colour chart and lightfastness information

Making a Mark: Prismacolor - new colours for 2006 but no change on breakages

At the CPSA conferences in Albuquerque, delegates were given a free pack of pencils in the new 2006 shades....
Here's my review of the colours - plus chart - and commentary on how they behave.

Making a Mark: Derwent Coloursoft Pencils - Update

Details about Derwent Colourfast pencils:
* shades
* lighfast ratings
* pricing

Making a Mark: Janet Couture's Prismacolor Colour Wheel

Janet Couture has created a colour wheel for her Prismacolor pencils and describes how she did this in her blog "Janet Colored Pencil".

Colour Comparison Charts 2010 - by Peter Weatherill

The Charts published below (in 2010) have been prepared from the actual pencils and worked on a standard chart format on the same paper. They have then been scanned on the same scanner settings and colour balanced in an identical way.

Drawing a Fine Line: Making Black with pencils

I did a 1 inch x 2 inch swatch of all the blacks from all the different brands of colored pencils I have. This is by no means a complete list - I don't have any Luminance, or Verithins, or several others. What I DO have (and swatched) are Polychromo, Prismacolor, Coloursoft, Blick Studio, Lyra Polycolor, Graphitint, Inktense and Derwent Drawing. I also did some graphite - Cretacolor Monolith, Prismacolor Turquoise, and Staedtler Mars Lumograph 100. Then I played with making some combinations of colors to try to get a sort of black without using any actual black.

Triple the Scraps: Organizational {Friday} Colored Pencils

How to create an index sheet of different pencil colours and brands

Drawing a Fine Line: Colored pencil swatches

I went on a swatching bender and (finally) made color swatches of almost all my colored pencils. (Everything but the Polychromos, which I know really really well and didn't feel the need to swatch...)

Coloured Pencils - Lighfastness (Standards and Tests)

A resource about the lightfastness of coloured pencils

ASTM D6901-06 Standard Specification for Artists COLORED PENCILS

ACTIVE STANDARD: Pages: 5, Price: $ 35.00
This specification establishes requirements for composition, performance, and labeling of artists' COLORED PENCILS. It covers vehicles and additives. Requirements are included for identification, lightfastness, and consistency. COLORED pencil specimens are exposed to both natural daylight through window glass and simulated window glass-filtered daylight radiation to determine the lightfastness rating for each pencil.

Lightfastness Testing

LIGHTFASTNESS RATING - HOW IT'S DONE: A statment by CPSA about the work they have been doing with the ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), colored pencil manufacturers and art conservators towards the development of a standard of lightfastness for colored pencils.

ASTM D5383-02(2003) Standard Practice for Visual Determination of the Lightfastness of Art Materials by Art Technologists

This practice covers a method for exposing specimens of colored art materials indoors to sunlight coming through a closed window. A card containing eight Blue Wool References is exposed simultaneously. Blue Wool References 3, 6, and 7, are used as controls in determining when to remove test specimens from exposure and rate them. Test specimens are rated by assigning each specimen the number of the Blue Wool Reference that shows the same amount of color change.

This practice may be used to indicate art materials that will change color within a few months or years in normal indoor exposure and those that will remain unchanged for a period of years. It is not rigorous enough to verify that materials will remain unchanged for more than fifty years in a home or office environment. A major consideration in developing this method was to keep it simple and short enough to be preformed without instrumentation in a comparatively short length of time.

ASTM D4303-06 Standard Test Methods for Lightfastness of Colorants Used in Artists Materials

This is the test standard applicable to manufacturers (as opposed to art technologists)

Four test methods are used to approximate the color change that can be expected over time in colorants used in artists' materials exposed indoors to daylight through window glass.

The color changes that result from accelerated exposure may not duplicate the results of normal indoor exposure in a home, art gallery, or museum. The relative resistance to change, however, can be established so colored materials can be assigned to categories of relative lightfastness.

D6901 - The Standard Specifications for Artists' Colored Pencils | Colored Pencil Society of America

CPSA worked diligently in conjunction with the ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing Materials), colored pencil manufacturers, and art conservators to create D6901, the Standard Specification for Artists' Colored Pencils.

CPSA: Lighfastness standard achieved

This CPSA press release (7.11.03) announces the achievement of a standard for testing the lightfastness of coloured pencils.

Lightfastness Testing by CPSA | Colored Pencil Society of America

CPSA conducts ongoing lightfastness testing of its own using a sunlight exposure test in accordance with another ASTM standard - D5383. This testing was previously done by Rhonda Farfan, our Vice President of Consumer Standards Emeritus, and now carried on by our Product Research Director.

Lightfastness Test Results - PDF file | Colored Pencil Society of America

CPSA members (regular and corporate) may request the results of our lightfastness testing in PDF format by email or regular mail.

Making a Mark: How lightfast are your artist grade coloured pencils?

I tested my coloured pencils recently against the ratings for lightfastness in the CPSA Lightfastness Workbook Version 4 - and got a VERY BIG SURPRISE. You can see it in the picture in this post which include all my coloured pencils which did NOT make the cut because they are NOT listed in the CPSA Lightfastness Workbook as having an acceptable level of lightfastness. These are the ones which were in use and the picture excludes those that were in reserve and those which I've left in their boxes. Overall, we're talking a LOT of pencils - and a lot of money which has been spent on them.

Review of Prismacolor Premiere Lightfast Colored Pencils

An independent unsponsored review of Prismacolor Premier Lightfast Colored Pencils by Bet Borgeson, artist, author.

Bet Borgeson: Checking Colored Pencils for Lightfastness

All art media, including oil and watercolor, have colors that fade or change with exposure to ultraviolet and visible light. This easy five-step test procedure can provide a better understanding of which of your own colors are resistant to light, without needing expensive test equipment or kits. It also discloses which pencils are fast faders, as well as those that fade very slowly.

Sarah Longrigg's lightfastness experiments on black paper

This is an example of what one artist has done and records her results for Caran d'Ache, Derwent, Faber Castell and Schwann Stabilo. The colours have been used on Canford black paper, framed, and exposed in a window for a minimum of 2.5 years

Making a Mark: Colourfastness in coloured pencils

Results of a lighfastness test conducted in Brazil by Lucio Rubira

How to Do a Simple Lightfastness Test for a Paint Color

An explanation of how to do a simple or basic lightfastness test to see how stable a paint color is. (The basic approach is also applicable to coloured pencils)

handprint : doing your own lightfastness tests

The technical specifications, testing equipment and coding schemes that make industry lightfastness tests look difficult shouldn't scare you from doing tests of your own. Testing paints requires no more skill than making a small painting and framing it

The Identification of Organic Pigments in Colored Pencils

A National Center for Preservation Technology and Training Grant to the American Society for Testing and Materials' Subcommittee on Artists' Paints and Related Materials (ASTM D01.57), with shared support from the Kress Foundation, has resulted in a large file of new information about organic pigments used in artists' coloring materials.

Coloured Pencils - Lightfastness (Brands)

Making a Mark: Prismacolor Premier Lightfast Colored Pencils

List of new lightfast pencils and links to which pencils are in which set

Caran d'Ache > Products > News - Luminance 6901 (lightfastness certified to ASTM standard)

Luminance 6901 -
- Every shade has been formulated using finely-ground pigments chosen for their purity, intensity and resistance to UV.
- a chromatic range which comes in sets of 16, 38 or 76 colour pencils.
- Certified lightfastness and use of FSC wood.
- 61 colours classified in the best category (Lightfastness I) under standard ASTM D-6901.
- Cut from California cedar, the Luminance 6901 colour pencils carry the FSC label, a guarantee of logging that is environmentally-friendly and socially and economically endurable.

Roz Wound Up: Derwent Graphitints Fading!

I love drawing with colored pencils. Several years ago when Derwent came out with an new line, Graphitints, I tried them as soon as I could get my hands on some. I loved that each pencil's color was muted by...

Coloured Pencil Topics - Lightfastness

LINKS TO MANUFACTURERS WEB PAGES GIVING LIGHTFASTNESS SETTINGS FOR THEIR PRODUCTS

Watercolour / Aquarell Pencils - Brands and Manufacturers

CARAN d'ACHE > La Couleur > Artistes et Professionnels > Crayons > Supracolor

SUPRACOLOR® Soft Aquarelle; Soft and water-soluble lead; Excellent luminance / opaqueness ratio; Wide range of colours

Caran d'Ache NEOCOLOR® II Watersoluble

CARAN d'ACHE OF SWITZERLAND: Assortments 7500. 310 Metal box of 10 colours 315 Metal box of 15 colours 330 Metal box of 30 colours 340 Metal box of 40 colours 384 Metal box of 84 colours 426 Metal box of 126 colours + accessories,

Note - these are designed and designated as for children - but are often used by artists

CRETACOLOR ART MATERIAL - Aquarell and Aqua Monolith

Aquarellith - classic Aquarell Colored Pencils in 72 colors can be mixed with one another, both dry and wet, presenting unlimited color creation possibilities. When water is applied to the color with a brush. Clearly defined lines dissolve into rich and smooth contours and color transitions.

AquaMonolith-Set Aqua Monolith - the woodless Aqua Monolith is 7-mm diameter of pure color pigment protected by a thin film of lacquer that matches the pencil's color. Bold and large applications of color can be applied when the pencil point is used on its side, or fine lines can be drawn normally with its point. Available in 72 brilliant and luminous colors that are easily sharpened with a regular pencil sharpener.

Derwent Watercolour Pencils

Pencils that you can paint with. Derwent Watercolour can be used wet or dry, on wet or dry paper, to achieve a wide variety of effects. It comes in 72 classic colours, which retain their full intensity however you use them.

Derwent Aquatone

Pure, solid sticks of watersoluble colour. Aquatone offers you four times more useable material than a woodcased version.
This solid stick of pure, watersoluble colour can be used wet or dry, and you can apply broad sweeps of colour in seconds. For even faster colour lay down, simply peel off the protective wrapper and apply Aquatone on its side. In a range of 24 vibrant colours with absolutely no wastage, Aquatone offers great value for money

Derwent Inktense

Pencil to ink in just one wash. Inktense has a firm, blendable texture and comes in a range of 71 brilliant colours, plus a non-soluble outliner which allows you to draw outlines that are permanent. The colours can be blended together with a slightly wetted paintbrush while applying an overall light wash creates a vivid, ink-like translucency.

Derwent Graphitint

Graphite pencils with a hint of colour. Graphitint provides just a hint of colour but adding water literally transforms the tint into rich, vibrant colour. It's available in a range of 24 subtle shades, from soft greys, blues and greens to glowing russets, plums and browns.
(Note: no claims are made as to lightfastness and artists' documented experience to date is that some shades can fade quickly)

Faber Castell - ALBRECHT DÜRER Künstleraquarellstifte

ALBRECHT DÜRER artists' watercolour pencils are high-quality artists' colour pencils for drawing and colouring and producing watercolour effects using a few strokes with a wet paintbrush. The 120 colours can be blended to form an unlimited number of new hues, either in sharp contrast to each other or merging imperceptibly. Can be used as pencils for adding detail, or as a convenient form of watercolour paints

Lyra Rembrandt Aquarell

REMBRANDT AQUARELL colour pencils offer 72 distinctive shades using the finest pigments in the coloured leads (4mm diameter). These can be dissolved almost completely with water. Blending allows lines and shaded areas to be created easily with a brush dipped in water. Maker claims the brilliance and light fastness of colour is of the highest possible standard.

P R I S M A C O L O R Watercolor Pencil

Watercolor pencils

Reviews of Watercolour Pencils

Faber-Castell watercolor pencils

Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils - these are my all-time favorite watercolor pencils. Read this review to find out why I rate Faber Castell's Albrech Durer watercolor pencils so highly.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Derwent Fortnight #2: Watercolour Pencils

Derwent's brilliant colourmen have turned a frustrating product into a must-have range of soft, pigment-rich watercolor pencils.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Derwent Aquatone

Derwent has created a soft woodless watersoluble colored pencil. The colors are very strong and bright. Pencils are unusually long compared to the Cretacolor AquaMonolith and used dry, they have a soft creamy blendable texture in a category with Coloursoft and Prismacolor.

Rob's Art Supply Reviews: Derwent Inktense ink wash pencils

Derwent Inktense are my favorite underpainting pencils, whether I'm using pastels, colored pencils or anything else that I want a strong, vibrant underpainting for. It took some time to get used to the strong color. Less is more, and if it dries quickly you can't always correct blossoms or overpaint to get a smooth effect. This makes using Derwent Inktense wet an exciting, risky endeavor compared to using the AquaTone or Watercolour Pencils.

Coloured Pencils: On-Line Suppliers - UK and Europe

Online supplies for your coloured pencil needs

Art supplies in the UK from the Heaton Cooper Studio

Heaton Cooper Studio, a fine art gallery in Cumbria which also has a well regarded (I shop there!) art materials shop with online purchasing. Provides a currency calculator to aid those shopping from other countries.
Stocks (unless stated otherwise) sets and individual pencils for the following ranges: Faber Castell Polychromos; Caran d'Ache Museum leads; Derwent Artists' Drawing, Coloursoft, Inktense, Watercolour, Metallic and Signature; Lyra 'Splender' Pencil and Grey set only plus some useful pencil aids

Artifolk - artists' coloured pencils

Top quality artists' pencils from Caran D'Ache, Derwent and Faber-Castell. Choose between individual pencils, small tins and large wooden boxes of pencils, all at great prices. Individual pencils available in the following ranges: Faber-Castell Art Grip, Polychromos, Derwent Artists' and Coloursoft,

Artifolk - watercolour pencils

Watercolour pencils provide great flexibility - use them on their own or with water to create a range of effects. These watercolour pencils from Faber-Castell (Albrecht Durer), Derwent (Watercolour) and Caran D'Ache (Supracolor) come in a range of sets as well as individual pencils.

T N Lawrence & Son Ltd Pencils and Crayons

Based in Hove - supplies Caran d'Ache (Supracolour, Pablo, Neocolour and Graphite) as individual pencils

Jackson's and Art Express - the best art suppliers in London

Stocks individual pencils for the Derwent and Faber Castell ranges. Also stocks Creta Aqua Monolith

London Graphic Centre Pencil Sets

This used to be the main place I got my stock from - but not any more! They now only have a very limited range focusing on Derwent sets.

Ken Bromley Art Supplies - Coloured Pencils & Crayons

Stocks sets only of: Derwent Graphitint pencils (only) and Caran d'Ache ache Pablo, Supracolour Pencils and Necolour Crayons

Great Art - Caran d'Ache Pablo - single pencils

Complete range of colours on display - all available as single colours

Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils

complete range of colours on display - all available to order as single pencils

1Buy1 Pencils

1Buy1 Pencils was set up to provide artists, graphic designers and crafters alike with the opportunity to purchase the colours they need individually, or as a box set. 1Buy1 Pencils holds the largest range of Prismacolor pencils in the UK and is happy to ship anywhere in the world.

Paintworks.biz

Paintworks Ltd - art materials and picture framing, kingsland road, London. Stock and supply Talens Van Gogh coloured pencils and watercolour pencils (and pastel pencils) via their mail order catalogue. You can also download the catalogue from their website and order by phone

farbstifte.net - Shop für Farbstifte, Buntstifte, Prismacolor, Karismacolor, Künstlerbedarf, Künstlermaterialien, Zeichenmaterialien

A German art supplier who stocks various brands of coloured pencils including Prismacolor and Stonehenge paper.

Colored Pencils: On-Line Suppliers - based in the USA

Online supplies for your coloured pencils needs

Colored Pencils - Blick Art Materials

Dedicated section within website

annkullberg.com - for all things Colored Pencil!

Stock sets of Prismacolors only plus some aids for using coloured pencils. Two half yearly sales with big discounts

Colored pencils from Chartpak, Derwent, Prismacolor, and more from Utrecht.com.

Browse Colored Pencils from Utrecht, your source for Colored Pencils and art supplies. Add vibrant color to all your works of art with our selection of colored pencils. Choose from individual pencils, water soluble, woodless colored pencils, china markers, colored pencil sets, and woodless colored pencil sets.

Colored Pencils - Open Stock

* Chartpak
* Col-Erase
* Derwent
* Prismacolor
* Prismacolor Verithin
* Staedtler

How to Buy and Store Colored Pencils | eHow.com

How to Buy and Store Colored Pencils. What are the advantages of buying artist grade colored pencils? How can I store these expensive art supplies in a way that prevents internal breakage?

Coloured Pencils - On-Line Suppliers in Australia

Australian Coloured Pencils Resources

This squidoo lens was created to develop a local resource for Australian coloured pencil artists and in doing so to also provide a way to highlight and find one another. It lists suppliers in Australia.

Coloured Pencil Supports - paper, boards and the rest

Want to know more about what you can use coloured pencils on?

CPSA: information about Paper

This link provides a summary of detailed but basic information about the characteristics and production of paper.

Daniel Smith: Deterioration of Paper: Causes and Prevention

Daniel Smith (art supplies) identifies the reasons why paper can deteriorate and how best to prevent artwork from suffering any harm

Canson USA - Arches Printmaking Sheets

Arches Cover: This famous heavyweight, mould-made sheet is 100% cotton, acid free and buffered. It has a visible, slightly flattened grain, deckle edges and a registered watermark. An excellent choice for lithography, intaglio, silkscreen, collotype and drawing, it is also suitable for embossing

Making a Mark: Legion Paper acquires Rising and Stonehenge Brands

Legion Paper announces its new ownership of and commitment to the Stonehenge and Rising Brands - much loved by some coloured pencil artists - following the closure of the mill they used to be made in. There are no concerns about future supplies.

Canson USA - Artist Papers - Mi-Teintes paper

Mi-Teintes Sheets: the manufacturer states "The most famous lightfast pastel paper in the world. In heavy weight with rough texture, these 60% cotton papers come in fifty breathtaking pulp-dyed colors that go all the way through. Acid free and archival, they are also excellent for pencil, scrapbooking and papercraft."

Making a Mark: Abrasive Supports for Pastels & Coloured Pencils #1

The first part of an overview of different abrasive surfaces which can be used with coloured pencils.

Making a Mark: Abrasive Supports for Pastels & Coloured Pencils #2

The second part of an overview of abrasive surfaces suitable for use with coloured pencils. Contains links to suppliers.

Art Spectrum Pastel Primer & Colourfix Paper

Art Spectrum Colourfix Paper and Art Spectrum Pastel Primer can help you explore your full creative potential and create new dimensions to your coloured pencil work and work in mixed media. Try using coloured pencils and Zest-It on this surface for spectacular results.

Ampersand Art Supply - Pastelbord

Pastelbord is a clay and gesso coated hardboard panel with a granular marble dust finish comparable to a sanded pastel paper except more durable and more versatile. It can be used with wet or dry traditional pastel techniques or with acrylics, and more! (I've used it with coloured pencils and fell in love with it!) The coating is pH neutral and non-yellowing, making it a truly permanent museum quality surface.Available in Gray, Green, Sand and White.

FUR IN THE PAINT: Art Materials - Part 1

Gayle Mason writes:
Although I have tried out many supports over the past few years I return to the same favourites:-
Arches Hot Press Watercolour paper or Mellotex for graphite
Polydraw Drafting Film for coloured pencil, or mixed media including acrylic
Ampersand Pastelbord for coloured pencil including Neocolor ll

In this she writes about the Polydraw Drafting Film

Nicole Caulfield prepares her own colourfix board

Nicole Caulfield has abandoned paper for abrasive boards. See how you can make you own boards and avoid having to mat all your coloured pencil work.

Nicole Caulfield Art Journal: Portrait on Fisher 400 Paper

I was given some sheets of Fisher 400 sanded pastel paper a long while ago to try and finally just got around to it. I am always amazed at how a different paper will completely change the colored pencil experience. Much more than different pencil brands, using good paper can completely make a piece. I always use sanded surfaces for my drawings and every one works differently.

FUR IN THE PAINT: Art Materials (Part 2) - Gayle Mason comments on Pastelbord

The other new surface I have been using this year is Pastelbord. I use Ampersand Pastelbord which is described as "a clay and gesso hardboard panel with a granular marble dust finish"

Making a Mark reviews......: Product Review: Ampersand Pastelbord for coloured pencil artwork

This is a high quality rigid support with a grain which makes it very suitable for use with dry media. It can also take an underpainting using other media. Its one drawback is the lack of a UK or European distributor making it an expensive option for all UK and European residents

Making a Mark: Saunders Waterford Hot Press - pros and cons for coloured pencils

Not all professional watercolour Hot Press papers behave in the same way.

I've been using what I think is Saunders Waterford Hot Press for coloured pencil drawings in my Drawing a Head class at the Princes Drawing School this term. It's a completely different experience from drawing on any other sort of paper and I thought I'd provide some feedback about what it's like.

Making a Mark reviews......: Product Review : Clairefontaine Pastelmat

Suitable for soft or hard pastels, pastel pencils and coloured pencils.

FUR IN THE PAINT: Comparison of Pastelmat, Pastelbord and Fisher 400 paper

A review of each type of support

Greywaren Art: Maggie on Art Materials, Part I

What Maggie Stiefvater uses in her day to day coloured pencil work.

Coloured Pencil Topics by Peter Weatherill - Surfaces

The principal is 'the rougher the surface, the denser the line' and the converse also applies 'The smoother the surface the finer the line'. As CP (Coloured Pencil) work is often carried out to produce the most accurate rendering of the image (often called 'photo realism'), the choice is one of balancing fine line (with low colour density) and the need for denser colour (which loses accuracy of line).

Coloured Pencil Topics by Peter Weatherill - Other (non-Paper) Supports

Apart from paper, card and board. CP artists have the opportunity of working on a variety of other surfaces. Broadly speaking, anything you can work pastels on, you can use for CP. I can only speak from personal experience here, and the surfaces available in the UK.

How To Choose A Support | Coloured Pencil Society of Canada

The word "support" simply refers to the kind of surface you will choose to work on. There are many options available;we will look at some of the most popular here.

Coloured Pencils - helpful products

useful tools for coloured pencil artists

My electric eraser

An electric eraser can be used to erase efficiently and effectively - or as a drawing tool. Here's the one I use - a Jakar eraser pen

Eco-House Inc - Xtra Mild Citrus Thinner

A Canadian product equivalent to Zest-It. A Solvent must be capable of dissolving resins, oils, waxes and fats. This means that vital human organs are at risk when volatile solvents enter the body by inhalation. Eco-House Extra Mild Citrus Thinner combines the solving action of natural orange peel oil in food quality with highly purified mineral oils, which are 100% volatile and free of aggressive aromatics.

Panasonic Desktop Accessories Traditional Electric Pencil Sharpener KP4A

A compact battery powered pencil sharpener - produces needle points on coloured pencils. A very good back-up for an electric sharpener

Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener

(Artifolk) This electric pencil sharpener from Jakar is mains powered with an automatic stop to prevent over-sharpening and pencil waste. It is suitable for graphite and all good quality coloured pencils up to a maximum thickness of 8mm.

Zest-it

The safe, environmentaly friendly, non-toxic, non-flammable alternative to white spirit and turpentine. This product can be used safely to dissolve coloured pencils in underpaintings or to help with blending and removal of pencil marks.

Zest-It: Product Safety Data Sheet

Pdf file - Identifies composition, nature of any hazards and handling requirements

Ester Roi - Fine Art - Introducing the Icarus Drawing Board

The Icarus Drawing Board is a portable drawing with two temperature zones - a warm zone and a cool zone

Art Equipment - Coloured Pencil Holder

Making a Mark reviews......: How to create a Lazy Susan Coloured Pencil Holder

This post describes instructions and images for how to make a Lazy Susan Coloured Pencil Holder - courtesy of coloured pencil artist Lesley Crawford UKCPS

Framing guides and tips

Includes information and advice on why and how to frame without glass

FAQ.Exh.html

Includes guidance on matting and framing to academic standards and how to frame for a CPSA exhibition. "Academic framing" consists of off-white, white or neutral (gray, beige or black) mats. The mat should never pick up a nonneutral color in the work.

Glassless Framing | Ester Roi

Many artists have asked me how I frame my artwork on paper without glass so I decided to write a post about the process I follow.

I just love that my art can be exhibited along with the best oil and acrylic paintings and still generates the most curiosity. "I can't believe it's colored pencil" has become the standard reaction followed by numerous questions on my technique and presentation.

Nicole Caulfield Fine Art: Framing Colored Pencil Without Glass

Nicole Caulfield frames her still-lifes without glass for a couple of reasons:
1. to make pictures seem more approachable/intimate.
2. to bypass the perils of framing with mats & glass.
This post explains the process of varnishing after she has finished her artwork

Bet Borgeson Answers Questions about Professional Aspects of Colored Pencil Art

Find reliable answers to your questions about breaking into art market with colored pencil art, pricing art, publishing art and more by professional artist-author Bet Borgeson - includes advice abour professional mounting, matting and framing

Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA)

founded in 1990 by Vera Curnow

Colored Pencil Society of America - CPSA

This is the official CPSA website

Colored Pencil Society of America News

The CPSA Blog - Keep up to date with the CPSA events and news

To The Point - CPSA Magazine - Back Issues

To The Point - CPSA Magazine. Back Issues available - for CPSA Members Only

CPSA on Twitter

Colored Pencil Society of America has 2000 members worldwide promoting the use of colored pencil as a fine art medium

CPSA Membership - How to join or renew

Benefits and membership dues

CPSA - Frequently Asked Questions - Membership

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Membership

Signature Members of CPSA

Signature is awarded to active members who have been accepted into the International show 3 times within 10 years. This entitles them to use the initials "CPSA" after their name. Artists must maintain their dues each year in order to qualify. Any lapse in dues will result in ineligibility. Any member who fails to maintain their dues once Signature is earned will forfeit that honor. CPSA also has a Merit Award Program recognizing outstanding artists juried into a specified number of shows with no time limit.

CPSA Artists' Websites/Blogs

A list of CPSA MEMBERS' WEBSITES

CPSA Product Research

Information about product research, lightfastness and paper-making

Cafe Press - CPSA Artists Online Store

The Colored Pencil Society of America store providing products which promote the use of the colored pencil medium for fine art.

Signature Showcase

If you loved the "Best of Colored Pencil" books, you will want this new volume of 100% colored pencil paintings.

Orders are now being accepted for this full color, high quality soft cover book (size 8"h x 10"w) which contains artwork by 177 CPSA Signature Members. Statements accompany the artwork to give insight into the creative processes used by these artists.

CPSA International Exhibitions

pure coloured pencil art

CPSA International Exhibition History

History of CPSA International Exhibitions

CPSA: Frequently Asked Questions regarding CPSA Exhibitions

Frequently Asked Questions regarding CPSA Exhibitions

Award Winners - 2010 18th Annual Exhibition - Los Gatos, CA

AWARD WINNERS CPSA 18th Annual International Exhibition Los Gatos, CA
Hosted by San Francisco DC210

Award Winners - 2009 - 17th Annual Exhibition - Atlanta, GA

AWARD WINNERS: CPSA 17th Annual International Exhibition Atlanta, GA
Hosted by Atlanta DC107

Award Winners - 2008Awards - 15th Annual Exhibition - Seattle, WA

AWARD WINNERS CPSA 16th Annual International Exhibition Seattle, WA
Hosted by Seattle DC207

Award Winners - 2007 Awards - 15th Annual Exhibition - Bethesda, MD

AWARD WINNERS CPSA 15th Annual International Exhibition Bethesda, MD
Hosted by Metro Washington DC DC109

Award Winners - 2006 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Albuquerque, NM

AWARD WINNERS CPSA 14th Annual International Exhibition Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hosted by Albuquerque DC 219

Award Winners - 2005 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Chicago, Illinois

AWARD WINNERS CPSA 13th Annual International Exhibition Chicago, Illinois
Hosted by Chicago DC 103

Award Winners - 2004 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Memphis, Tennessee

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Twelfth Annual International Exhibition Memphis, Tennessee
Hosted by Memphis DC 108

Award Winners - 2003 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Brea/Los Angeles, California

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Eleventh Annual International Exhibition Brea, California
Hosted by Los Angeles DC 214

Award Winners - 2002 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Ft. Worth, Texas

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Tenth Annual International Exhibition Ft. Worth, Texas
Hosted by Dallas/Ft. Worth DC 215

Award Winners - 2001 Colored Pencil Exhibition - San Francisco, CA

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Ninth Annual International Exhibition San Francisco, CA
Hosted by San Francisco DC210

Award Winners - 2000 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Birmingham, MI

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Eighth Annual International Exhibition Birmingham, MI
Hosted by Detroit DC104

Award Winners - 1999 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Seattle, WA

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Seventh Annual International Exhibition Seattle, WA
Hosted by Seattle DC 207

Award Winners - 1998 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Arlington, VA

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Sixth Annual International Exhibition Arlington, VA
Hosted by Metro.Washington DC DC 109

Award Winners - 1997 Colored Pencil Exhibition - Chicago, IL

AWARD WINNERS from the CPSA Fifth Annual International Exhibition Chicago, IL
Hosted by Chicago DC 103

CPSA Explore This! - the Online Exhibition

coloured pencil art as mixed media

CPSA Explore This! 6 on line 2010 - On Line February 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011

This show for 2010 garnered 11 awards totaling $8435.

CPSA Explore This! 5 2009 - On Line February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010

Award Winners %u2022  Exhibition %u2022  List of Artists %u2022 About This Exhibition %u2022 About the Juror %u2022 CPSA Home Page Slide Show
This show garnered 9 awards totaling $6700.

CPSA Explore This! 4 2007 - Brea, CA March 24 - May 4, 2007

Explore This! 4 | The City of Brea Gallery, Brea, CA Brea Civic & Cultural Center 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821
hosted by the Los Angeles District Chapter 214

CPSA Explore This 3! Awards Gallery - La Jolla CA - March 8 - April 3, 2005

"EXPLORE THIS!" 3 Colored Pencil Exhibition La Jolla Art Association Gallery, La Jolla, CA

CPSA Explore This 2! Awards Gallery - Florida - February 1 - March 15, 2003

"EXPLORE THIS!" 2 Colored Pencil Exhibition | Court House Cultural Center, Stuart, Florida

CPSA District Chapters - websites and blogs

CPSA District Chapters

The Colored Pencil Society of America began with the National Organization and has an established network of active District Chapters throughout the United States. Locally, District Chapters provide additional networking, local and regional exhibitions, workshops, educational, and marketing opportunities

Detroit CPSA - Chapter 104 :: Colored Pencil Society of America

CPSA Detroit is always looking for new members to add to our ever-growing community!

CPSA: Chapter 107 ATLANTA, GA

District Chapter 107 Home

DC 108 CPSA of Memphis - Colored Pencil Hues

'Colored Pencil Hues' is the blog of DC 108 CPSA of Memphis!
This blog is to promote our members and the medium of colored pencil. Our chapter represents colored pencil artists from Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Colored Pencil Hues will also include updates and deadline information for our members.

CPSA: District Chapter 109 METRO. WASHINGTON, D.C.

Dedicated to Art Lovers

CPSA Chapter 112 New England Colored Pencil Society of America - NH MA VT ME RI CT NY

New England Colored Pencil Society of America

Pencil Pushers - THE BLOG

The CPSA Chapter 112 Blog! If you are not a member of CPSA Chapter 112, feel free to read and comment on our group's posts. If you are a chapter 112 member, please email the webmaster to get enrolled as a contributor to this blog.

CPSA Chapter 113: Gainsville Florida

We are the Gainesville, Florida chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America, a non-profit artist's organization dedicated to artists working with colored pencil. We're dedicated to sharing ideas, techniques and promoting our work. Check us out by contacting any of our officers listed on the Contact Us page or by attending our next quarterly meeting (see Events & Highlights Page).

CPSA Chapter 114: 114 RALEIGH/DURHAM, NC

We are District Chapter 114 of the Colored Pencil Society of America and we are located in the Raleigh Durham area of North Carolina.

CPSA Chapter 115: 115 WILKES BARRE, PA - Pennsylpoints Home Page

Based in Wilkes-Barre, CPSA's only district chapter in Pennsylvania is an active group of artists enthusiastic about informing the public of interesting happenings in the colored pencil medium. Our chapter promotes colored pencil art by the education of its members and the general community. We conduct art exhibitions featuring colored pencil art and encourage the public's awareness of it through community projects.

Each year, we host a multi-day workshop taught by a prominent colored pencil artist. Artists from Pennsylvania and areas outside the state are invited to attend. We also conduct mini-workshops and seminars with local artists, other colored pencil artists, product representatives, and all others who support the fine arts.

Colored Pencil Society of America DC 201 | Home

The Colored Pencil Society of America District 201 Portland Oregon Chapter is dedicated to artists working with colored pencil, and to promoting their art.

(This is one of the most well developed websites)

CPSA DC 02 SAN DIEGO, CA

CPSA District Chapter 202, San Diego

CPSA DC 207 SEATTLE, WA -

CPSA District Chapter 207 is an authorized chapter within the Colored Pencil Society of America. The chapter meets the second Saturday of January, March, May, July, September and November unless otherwise noted.

CPSA DC 210 SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Welcome to the San Francisco District Chapter 210 Web Site, Member of the Colored Pencil Society of America

CPSA Phoenix/Arizona District Chapter #212

Online Art Community of the CPSA Phoenix/Arizona District Chapter #212 , based in Phoenix, Arizona is a chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America. We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization formed in 1992 to serve artists in Arizona working with colored pencil. Currently with more than 50 members, we host an annual exhibition of local colored pencil works, as well as ongoing workshops & seminars, a newsletter, and many networking opportunities for colored pencil artists to learn and grow as a community.

Colored Pencil Society of America, District Chapter 214 Los Angeles

Los Angeles DC 214 is a District Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America
We meet five times per year, on the first Saturday of February, April, June, October and December, for demonstrations, exchange of information and sharing our work. We are always seeking new ways to foster the artistic growth of our membership. Our newsletter is published six times per year, keeping members informed of upcoming workshops, chapter activities, and member news. We sponsor an annual "Colored Pencil Paintings" Show featuring award winning and regional colored pencil artists, usually held in March at the Community Gallery in Cypress, CA.

CPSA DC 215 DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX

Welcome to the Dallas/Ft.Worth Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America. The CPSA Dallas District Chapter is a vibrant group of people excited about bringing that dedication to coloured pencils to the greater Texas region. We meet the second Saturday of every other month, beginning in January, at 2pm in Schimelpfenig Library, 5024 Custer Road in Plano, Tx (unless otherwise posted).

Welcome to CPSA District Chapter 220

colored pencil art information and galleries website for members of the Colored Pencil Society of America District Chapter 220 in Denver, Colorado

United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society

founded by Bob Ebdon in 2001

UKCPS - UK Coloured Pencil Society

In this site you will find examples of what can be done with coloured pencils, links to artists who use them, and details of upcoming events and exhibitions which promote this medium. You will also find a lot of patient, sympathetic, artists willing to help you over that lonely feeling you get in your Art group when everyone else is dashing off watercolours in 20 minutes!

UKCPS News

This blog contains news and information about the UK Coloured Pencil Society and its members

UKCPS - UK Coloured Pencil Society

UKCPS Membership and How to Join

UKCPS - Members' Galleries

Members' Galleries - Click on a name in the list and you will be taken to a separate page for this artist. Many of our artists offer their work as prints/cards and also provide CP workshops and drawing classes. Others are absolute beginners.

UKCPS - Calendar and Events

Calendar of UKCPS Events / Check with our blog for all the up to date news for the Society and coloured pencils

UKCPS - Newsletter: Talking Point

July 2001 saw the birth of the Society's very first newsletter, expertly put together by Lesley Crawford and our Founder Bob Ebdon. "Talking Point" contains valuable information for the cp artist, showcases gorgeous work executed in cp, tips, tricks, workshops and other news and articles, and is a newsletter you will wish to pick up again and again... Our current editor and the person who puts it altogether is Ann Holden.

Yahoo - UKCPS Coloured Pencil Forum (UKCPS members only)

This group is for members of the UK Coloured Pencil Society to share ideas, techniques - and probably gossip! The UKCPS is a subscription based Society, and you need to be a paid-up member of UKCPS to join this discussion group.

UKCPS - Workshops

Workshops and Courses: If you are a UKCPS member and wish to add your colored pencil course/workshop to this page, contact the webmaster with details.

UKCPS - Coloured Pencils

Coloured Pencil Information - This section of the website is where we try to give you some information to help you in your use of coloured pencils. From here you can access some step-by-step lessons and articles on techniques and tips.

UKCPS Annual International Exhibitions

UKCPS - Exhibitions

This page is the gateway to the online shows of our Annual exhibitions. The UKCPS has two exhibitions most years. The major one of these is a juried exhibition. The aim of these exhibitions is to prove what can be accomplished using just coloured pencils. If an artist is successful in getting into The International Exhibition three times within a five year span, they are entitled to put the letters UKCPS after their name.

UKCPS - Calendar and Events (Exhibition Listings)

Calendar of UKCPS Events - includes listing re all exhibitions
Check with our blog for all the up to date news for the Society and coloured pencils

UKCPS News: Artists selected for the 9th Annual UKCPS International Open Exhibition

106 entries from 66 artists from the UK and 6 overseas countries have been selected for the UKCPS 9th Annual UKCPS International Open Exhibition.

UKCPS - 9th Annual Open International Exhibition 2010

9th UKCPS Open International Exhibition 2010 Caran d'Ache - Our principal sponsor for 2010 Venue: Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St. Marys Street, Stamford, PE9 2DL

UKCPS - 8th Annual Open International Exhibition 2009 21st September - 3rd October 2009

The online version of our 8th Annual Open International Exhibition, 2009, sponsored by Derwent which took place at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists 4 Brook Street, Birmingham B3 1SA

UKCPS - 7th Annual Open International Exhibition 2008

The online version of our 7th Annual Open International Exhibition, 2008, sponsored by Faber Castell Ltd., which took place in the Royal West of England Gallery, Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol.

UKCPS 6th Annual Open International Exhibition 2007

The online version of our 6th Annual Open International Exhibition, 2007, sponsored by Staedtler (UK) Ltd., which took place in the Barn Gallery at the Patchings Farm Arts Centre, Calverton, Nottingham, from September 15th to October 14th 2007.

UKCPS - 5th Annual International Open Exhibition, 2006

The online version of our 5th Annual International Open Exhibition, 2006, which took place at the Darryl Nantais Gallery, Linton, Cambridgeshire from 2nd to 30th September.

UKCPS - 4th Annual International UKCPS Exhibition 2005

The online version of our 4th Annual International UKCPS Exhibition 2005, which took place at the Stable Gallery, Ronald Swanwick's Stable Art Centre, Kington, Herefordshire, August 6th - September 4th 2005.

UKCPS - 3rd Annual UKCPS Exhibition 2004

The online version of the 3rd Annual UKCPS Exhibition 2004, which took place at the Barn Gallery, Patchings Farm Art Centre, Calverton, Notts. July 23th - August 17th 2004.

UKCPS - 2nd Annual UKCPS Exhibition 2003

The online version of the 2nd Annual UKCPS Exhibition 2003, which took place at the Barn Gallery, Patchings Farm Art Centre, Calverton, Notts. July 23th - August 17th 2003

UKCPS - the very first UKCPS Annual Exhibition 2002

The online version of the very first UKCPS Annual Exhibition 2002, which took place at Farmhouse Gallery, Patchings Farm Art Centre, Calverton, Notts. June 26th - July 21st 2002.

UKCPS World of Coloured Pencils Exhibitions

at the Cumberland Pencil Museum, Greta Bridge, Keswick, England

UKCPS - 8th Annual "World of Coloured Pencil" Exhibition June 2010

Winner of the Derwent Award for "Best in Show": Waterfall at Nant Gwernol' by Judith Heilbronn-Crown UKCPS

UKCPS - 7th Annual "World of Coloured Pencil" Exhibition June 2009

Winner of the Derwent Award for "Best in Show": Sue Clinker, "Windswept"

UKCPS - 7th Annual "World of Coloured Pencil" Exhibition June 2009

Winner of the Derwent Award for "Best in Show": Karen Coulson,"Friend or Foe"

UKCPS - 5th Annual "World of Coloured Pencil" Exhibition 2007

Derwent Award and Best in Show: Eric Armstrong, "Watching and Waiting"

UKCPS - 4th Annual "World of Coloured Pencil" Exhibition 2006

UKCPS Award Winner: Robin Borrett, "Girl at the Window"

Cumberland Pencil Museum

Enter the museum through a replica of the Seathwaite mine where graphite was first discovered 350 years ago.

Other Coloured Pencil Societies

Coloured Pencil Societies

A post on my blog providing an overview of the two main coloured pencil societies - I'm a member of both.

Coloured Pencil Society of Canada

The aim of the Coloured Pencil Society of Canada is to promote the use and recognition of Coloured Pencil as a fine art medium, not only to artists but to the art buying public and the art establishment. The Coloured Pencil Society of Canada intends to work closely with other coloured pencil societies and like-minded organizations to promote issues affecting coloured pencil artists worldwide. The CPSC will sponsor an annual exhibit to promote awareness of coloured pencil art and to give artists working in coloured pencil a national venue for exhibiting their work. The inaugural CPSC Juried Exhibition will be announced shortly. . .

Japan Colored Pencil Society

Japan Colored Pencil Society - very limited translation on the site

UKCPS News: The Japan Colored Pencil Society

In September 2008, Takako founded the Japan Colored Pencil Society. It has 22 members. The society now has a website - the address is http://j-cps.org.

Japan Colored Pencil Society - Events

Events (in Japanese)

Australian Coloured Pencils

This is where Australian coloured pencil artists to share their news and showcase their work with a view to raising the profile of and creating interest in CP art in Australia.

Colored Pencil Society of Denmark (CPSD) - Forside

Dansk hjemmeside for farveblyantsentusiasterForeningen er åben for enhver med interesse i farveblyantskunst - begyndere såvel som erfarne. Foreningens formål er at sprede kendskabet til og styrke interessen for farveblyantstegning og maleri. At give tegnere og kunstnere, der bruger

Coloured Pencil Society of Canada - Juried Exhibit

a new open exhibition in 2012

CPSC Juried Exhibit | Coloured Pencil Society of Canada

Being the first National exhibit of the Coloured Pencil Society of Canada, this exhibit will only be open to Canadian artists who are at least 18 years of age or older.

This link gives the details of the conditions of entry and other relevant information

Coloured Pencil Exhibitions and Copyright

Is your artwork original? Is it eligible for exhibition?

Making a Mark: Art competitions and copyright - the AWS Gold Medal debate

This is a lengthy post highlighting issues relating to the use of reference photographs for artwork and is of relevance to:
* art societies which have to deal with disputes about copyright
* artists selling work or entering competitions with artwork based on a reference photo taken by somebody else, and
* artists who work in a hyperrealistic/photorealistic way.

Making a Mark: The difference between "copyright free" and "royalty free"

Given that at least part of the controversy surrounding the painting which was awarded the American Watercolour Society Gold Medal this year concerns copyright I thought it might be helpful to outline the difference between "copyright free" and "royalty free" - as this seems to be something people get confused about.

Making a Mark: The rules for the 2008 exhibitions of coloured pencil art

A lenthy article about rules of competitions and recent changes. Concerns focus on originality of the artwork and intellectual property issues. These have included, for example:
* the extent of original work by the artist alone
* the use and display of trademarked logos in artwork
* the use of copyright images without seeking or gaining all proper permissions
* the extent to which an artist has 'copied' an image generated from a photograph taken by somebody else.

Making a Mark: CPSA and UKCPS: originality in concept, design and execution

The building blocks of original work by an artist are concept, design and execution. The emphasis of the new rules for CPSA and UKCPS (see yesterday's post) is on work submitted for competition being solely the work of the artist ie original work. But what does this all mean? I noticed quite a few questions coming up yesterday about what is and is it not OK.

So today I'm going to try and do an overview - from my own perspective. Irrespective of whether or not you are involved in or following the current debate about the changes in the CPSA/UKCPS rules, this topic is likely to interest a lot of people and you may also have a view. So - here goes - feel free to jump in with a comment about your own perspective on this.

Articles :: Detroit CPSA - Chapter 104 :: Colored Pencil Society of America

Original... Or Not? Diane Radtke ©2007
Recently there has been some questioning of source material and accusations of copying at both the national and chapter levels. To help clear the air, I will address this issue and attempt to clarify exactly what is considered "original" work. In addition, the advent of the "free sites" on the Internet makes this a pressing problem for art organizations at all levels.

Colored Pencil Society of America News - Another Thought Provoking Published Article

"Working from Reference Materials" by Vera Curnow, CPSA
The Artist's Magazine, March 2009, p. 23

Blogging about Coloured Pencil Exhibitions

UKCPS News: Artists selected for the 9th Annual UKCPS International Open Exhibition

106 entries from 66 artists from the UK and 6 overseas countries have been selected for the UKCPS 9th Annual UKCPS International Open Exhibition.

Making a Mark: CPSA 18th Annual Exhibition: selected artists and work

The Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) has published the list of artists and work selected for its 18th Annual International Exhibition at Los Gatos in California (22nd July 2010 - 20th August 2010)

UKCPS News: UKCPS Annual exhibition 2009 - Award Winners

The artists and works winning Awards were formally announced at the Private View for UKCPS's 8th Annual Open International Exhibition 2009 in Birmingham yesterday. You can find images and details of the work below.

Making a Mark: CPSA 18th Annual Exhibition: selected artists and work

The Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) has published the list of artists and work selected for its 18th Annual International Exhibition at Los Gatos in California (22nd July 2010 - 20th August 2010).

Making a Mark: CPSA - 17th Annual CPSA International Exhibition - 2009

It's not often that people manage to win Best in Show twice never mind two years running and yet that's what Jeff George did this year with Life and Death following his win last year with Empty Nest. This is what I had to say about this piece earlier this year.

Includes links to the websites of award-winning artists

Making a Mark: 17th Annual CPSA International Exhibition 2009 - successful entries

Artists and Artwork Selected for the 17th Annual CPSA International Exhibition - 2009 have been announced by the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA).

UKCPS News: 8th UKCPS Open International Exhibition - Call for Entries

Anyone, anywhere in the world, who likes to produce art using coloured pencils is invited to enter the 8th Open International Exhibition 2009 of the United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society (UKCPS) sponsored by Derwent.

UKCPS News: UKCPS Annual Exhibition 2008 - Award Winners

The artists and works winning Awards were formally announced at the Private View for UKCPS's 7th Annual Open International Exhibition 2008 in Bristol yesterday

Making a Mark: CPSA 16th Annual International Exhibition 2008 - Award winners

The Colored Pencil Society of America announced the award winners for the 16th Annual International Exhibition in Seattle at the Awards banquet on 1st August. The CIPPY Best of Show and the Staedtler Award ($3,000) - Empty Nest by Jeff George, CPSA

Making a Mark: The rules for the 2008 exhibitions of coloured pencil art

An overview of proposals for changes in rules and conditions for CPSA and UKCPS (prior to a further revision)

Making a Mark: UKCPS have changed the exhibition rules....again

The announcement of the revision in proposals for rules changes re 2008 and 2009. The new rules for UKCPS are now to be introduced from 2009

Making a Mark: CPSA - call for entries for 2008 annual international exhibition in Seattle

I'm a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and this week received the written call for entries for its 16th annual international exhibition at the Convention and Trade Centre in Seattle, July-September 2008. All entries will be juried. I've highlighted extracts from the entry requirements below (with MY COMMENTS in italics) plus some tips about entering competitions and links to blog posts about this exhibition in 2006 and 2007.

Why I believe in photo restrictions for competitions: | Nicole Caulfield Fine Art

I want to write about a couple of my own personal experiences to do with being an artist and working from photographs. Hopefully, by writing about this it might give people a different perspective on their submissions to exhibitions and the way competitions need to be organised.

Online Art Instruction

Bet Borgeson Studio -- We're All About Colored Pencils

An independent reliable resource offering key concepts for handling colored pencils--techniques, tips, drawing exercises, colored pencil art, student galleries, professional tips and an innovative and popular series of online drawing courses.

annkullberg.com - for all things Colored Pencil!

Ann Kullberg is one of the most well known coloured pencil artists on the Web. teaches several workshops each year, and has created a line of coloured pencil instruction materials, including video lessons and project kits.

This is her popular website for coloured pencil artists where you can shop online for colored pencils, kits, cd-roms, video lessons, and visit the member gallery!

Welcome to BrushAndPencil.com!

The Online Colored Pencil Painting School - run by Alyona Nickelsen - has a curriculum which is based on a unique method of teaching called online personal schooling. It specializes in the latest techniques developed specifically for colored pencil painting.

Coloured Pencil Topics

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill

Glossary of CP terms

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill

Coloured Pencil workshops

Tutors providing regular coloured pencil workshops - face to face

annkullberg.com - Workshops

Find Colored Pencil Workshops and Colored Pencil Portrait classes near you.

Linda Lucas Hardy - Workshops

PAINTING WITH A DRY MEDIUM
COLORED PENCIL ON UART SANDED PASTEL PAPER
THE PORTRAIT IN FRENCH GRAY
THE COLORS OF WHITE

Nicole Caulfield Art - classes kits workshops

Workshops focus on the use of sanded supports (Pastelbord and Fisher 400 paper) and include both still-lifes and portraiture. Email for for prices and dates available if interested in a 2010/2011 workshop for your art group

Ann Swan botanical art coloured pencil workshops and courses

Botanical art coloured pencil workshops by Ann Swan, one of the best contemporary botanical artists in the UK.

ASDM Art Institute Course Listings

Classes by Janie Gildow at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Jonathan Newey -- Workshops

Current Workshops

Workshops & Courses by Janie Pirie - Botantical Artist

Janie Pirie specialises in floral and botanical art using coloured pencils.
Workshops are held in Janie's garden studio and at various outside venues.

UKCPS News: UKCPS Demonstrators at Art Materials Live

Details of who is demonstrating when at Art Materials Live

UKCPS - Workshops

Workshops and Courses by Coloured Pencil Artists (Please note: the UKCPS does not currently vet the venues or artists as to their quality.)

Coloured Pencils - how to use different papers and supports

tips on working with coloured pencils

Colored Pencils on Colored Paper for Quick Results: A Step-by-Step Demonstration by Vera Curnow, CPSA

Layering the translucent pigments of colored pencils can take time, but you can speed up the process - and create dramatic results - by working on colored paper. Simply choose a surface that's the same hue as the dominant color of your subject. This establishes an underlying unity in your work and creates the optical illusion that you're seeing something that is not actually there.

Demonstration is on black paper.

FUR IN THE PAINT: Back to Black - Experiments with Claybord

Gayle Mason starts an experiment on Ampersand's black claybord - plus cat drawing

Making a Mark: Which coloured pencils to use on drafting film?

Gayle Mason has been experimenting with different brands of coloured pencil on Dura Lar drafting film

Sealing Experiments | Nicole Caulfield Fine Art

I've had loads of questions on how I seal my colored pencil drawings on Pastelbord to make them frameable without glass. I've been using first 2 coats of Lascaux fixative and then 4 light coats of the Kamar varnish spray. I have had good results except that it ALWAYS darkens the colors. Sometimes that's a good thing... sometimes its very bad.

Sanded Pastel Paper and the Icarus Board | Ester Roi

I love working with sanded pastel paper. My favorite is Colourfix Coated Pastel Paper by Art Spectrum. It's a wonderfully versatile archival surface that "withstands all manner of artistic experimentation." One of these, and not the least in order of importance, is the application of heat.

Portrait on Fisher 400 Paper | Nicole Caulfield Fine Art

I was given some sheets of Fisher 400 sanded pastel paper a long while ago to try and finally just got around to it. I am always amazed at how a different paper will completely change the colored pencil experience. Much more than different pencil brands, using good paper can completely make a piece. I always use sanded surfaces for my drawings and every one works differently.

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill - working on colored paper

Black paper offers a number of challenges but also provides some interesting alternative approaches, In this section, we will look at a few good reasons for considering a dark background.

Coloured Pencil Tools & Techniques | Coloured Pencil Society of Canada

You've got your pencils poised above your support of choice and you're ready to start. But before you do,there are a few other things you should know,things that can make your job (of creating the best art possible) a little easier.

Coloured Pencils - Dry Blending and Burnishing

Linda Lucas Hardy - Dry brush blending technique

Linda Lucas Hardy provides the answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding her technique of dry blending/burnishing

Burnishing-a favorite colored pencil technique - Mosaic Mandalas

One particular technique I use a lot in colored pencil is that of burnishing. It often gets confused with blending.

Blending & Burnishing Techniques by Carol Moore

Color Pencil Blending and Burnishing Techniques

Artists Network - Burnishing on Black: Free Colored Pencil Demo with Gary Greene

Burnishing on Black: Free Colored Pencil Demo with Gary Greene

WetCanvas - New Blending Techniques

a collective brainstorm and talk about any new techniques for blending that any of you are doing, or have experimented with.

Tutorial by Scott D Tillett

Includes a section on burnishing

Working the Surface - Blenders and Burnishers - by Peter Weatherill

The Lyra Splender and the Derwent Blender and Burnisher Pencils - this demonstrates their use as a resist

Coloured Pencils - Blending using water and other solvents

Includes how to use watercoloured pencils

Blending Coloured Pencils using Zest-it Pencil Blend, techniques with hints and tips.

Blending Coloured Pencils using Zest-it Pencil and Parchment blend, techniques with hints and tips.

Making a Mark: Coloured Pencils: Using Zest-It solvent

Various artists explain how to use zest-it solvent to dissolve coloured pencils. Solvent makes the achievement of saturated colour on paper very fast.

Brush and pencil - About Solvents © Alyona Nickelsen

About Solvents © Alyona Nickelsen

Cherries WIP - WetCanvas

Cherries WIP - using coloured pencils and Zest It as a solvent

Colourfix, solvent and scumbling - Gordon Leverton demonstrates his technique

Gordon Leverton demonstrates how he achieves a saturated yet scumbled finish to his industrial landscapes using colourfix, solvent and coloured pencils

8 Ways of Using Watercolour Pencils

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill

Coloured Pencil Tutorials: Aquarelle Pencil Techniques - Why Under paint ? by Peter Weatherill

How to produce an underpainting using aquarelle pencils

Coloured Pencil Tutorials: Backgrounds using Watercolour Pencils ( Aquarelles ) by Peter Weatherill

Generally, the background to a picture is done first and the Aquarelle pencil can be used as a washed in colour laid down with a brush in traditional watercolour fashion

Solvents and Blending Products for coloured pencils

Zest-it Art Products - Zest-it Pencil Blend for blending coloured pencil and underpainting.

Zest-it Pencil Blend available from 50ml up to 500 ml size - very popular with coloured pencil artists and parchment crafters for blending coloured pencil,wax and oil based pastels.

Zest-it Art Products: Zest-it Pencil Blend, 500 ml Zest-it Pencil Blend

500 ml Zest-it Pencil Blend - A larger size due to customer demand.
For use with coloured Pencils - for under-painting or to get great blending techniques.
Excellent for use with any oil or wax based pencils, pastels or crayons, on paper or parchment.
Leaves no stain or residue on your finished work.

Zest-it Art Products: Zest-it Pencil Blend, Zest-it Blending Sponge

Pre-filled with 15 ml of Zest-it and ready for use.
For blending coloured pencils and pastel for Parchment and other work on vellum or paper.
An easy, clean and convenient way of using Zest-it to moisten paper stumps, tortillions and shapers.

Gamblin Artists Colors: Solvents

American manufacturer of artists materials including Gamsol solvent
GAMSOL - Odorless Mineral Spirits: Excellent solvent for thinning Gamblin mediums and for general painting, including studio and brush cleanup. Flashpoint 145 degrees F.

Recommended by Alyona Nickelsen

Coloured Pencils - How to use heat with wax pencils

Step-By-Step | Icarus Art Drawing Board: Fresh new look at wax based mediums!

Four separate step by step demonstrations of the creating coloured pencil art using heat with wax pencils

Achieve a Very Smooth Gradation Using Heat | Ester Roi

On step #1 I layer on the cool zone process red, pink and white colored pencils over light blue artist crayon (see more on "layering" on previous post). I use the side of the pencil, not the point.

Using Heat with Oil-based Colored Pencils | Ester Roi

When using oil-based colored pencils with the Icarus Drawing Board, make sure to combine them with a wax-based medium. As you can see below, a thick layer of wax-based colored pencil is necessary to make the oil-based one as blendable as its wax counterpart.

Coloured Pencils - Making a mark

erasure, indenting, inscribing, scratching

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill - Ways of Working CP

There are a number of Coloured Pencil techniques which form a group of ways and means to develop an artwork which do not directly involve the application of a Coloured Pencil to paper. I term this 'Working the Surface' as most of them involve some treatment of the working surface either before or after the colour is applied. The paper surface can be indented, protected, and scratched. Colour can be added via other means than the pencil point, and once applied can be moved about, polished, burnished or erased (fully or partially).

Coloured Pencils - How to remove or erase

Using erasers (manual and battery powered), sticky tape etc

Lifting Color: Two Methods by Bet Borgeson

How to use masking tape and frisket film to lift and remove coloured pencils from the surface of paper. This is a link to details of how to get hold of tape or frisket.

How to Remove Colored Pencil Pigment: Tips for Lifting Out Excess Color

Colored pencil artists use everything from erasers to tape in removing excess color. Care should be used as it isn't as easy as removing graphite pencil marks.

Clear, tacky masking film? - WetCanvas

Does anyone know the name of the clear film, that is a bit tacky that you can cut and apply to an area to mask it off?
Plus the answers

Coloured Pencils - Wax Bloom

What is it and what can you do about it?

David Deen WebStudio : IMPrint Issue 12

David Deen's Web Studio features the fantasy artwork of David Deen.
This part of his site describes what to do about wax bloom.

Colored Pencil Tip - Wax Bloom

A colored pencil drawing tip - find out what to do about wax bloom. Wax bloom is a white haze that appears across heavily worked colored pencil drawings as a layer of the wax medium forms on the surface.

Colored Pencil: Fixative by Christine Taylor

The wax from wax-based pencils will "bloom" out of a colored pencil work over time, especially if the work has been burnished...The dusty white wax bloom may be gently wiped from the work with a soft tissue, once again revealing the colors. However, since it's best to handle artwork sparingly, there are times when prevention is the road to take.

So the question begins: When to fix? When not to fix? For me, the answer lies in the product itself.

Categories of Wax-Based Drawing Media

September 1997 Volume 19 Number 3
Categories of Wax-Based Drawing Mediaby Margaret Holben Ellis and M. Brigitte Yeh
excerpted from "Wax Based Drawing Media--History, Technology
and Identification: presented at AIC, June 1997

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill - Wax Bloom

DRY POINT PENCIL TECHNIQUES - 5 - WAX 'BLOOM'

Coloured Pencils - General Tips and Techniques

Borgeson Studio - Colored Pencil Techniques FAQ

Art questions are reliably answered here on one of the most popular pages on Bet Borgeson Studio site.

Bet Borgeson Answers Questions about PROFESSIONAL Aspects of Colored Pencil Art

Find reliable answers to your questions about breaking into art market with colored pencil art, pricing art, publishing art and more by professional artist-author Bet Borgeson

Tips, Tricks and Techniques

a long established 'sticky' thread - which continues to be updated - in the Wet canvas coloured pencil forum. It provides a range of information and advice

The Colour Pencil Recipe Book

Wet Canvas Colored Pencil Forum develops The Colour Pencil Recipe Book

Sanford & A Lifetime of Color's Art Education Resources

A demonstration of Prismacolor® Professional Quality Art Pencils by Janie Gildow

P R I S M A C O L O R some tips and techniques

Nadia Geller, accomplished interior designer, has teamed up with
Prismacolor providing monthly tips and techniques to fellow artists.

Making a Mark: Printing press choices - an interview with Belinda del Pesco

Belinda del Pesco produces monotype prints with an overlay of coloured pencils. This post is about how choices to be made when printing - and explains how Belinda produces monotypes without using a press.

Nicole Caulfield Art Journal - Colored Pencils vs. Pastel Pencils

Someone just asked me these questions in another post:

"What are the differences between the colored pencils [both the wax and oil based ones] and the pastel pencils? why getting involved with pastels?"

Artists Network - Colored Pencil: Getting Started by Gary Greene

Colored Pencils: Getting Started by Gary Greene

Colored Pencil Points - Help for the beginner

Colored Pencil help for beginners

Coloured Pencil Topics

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill

working methods

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill

Coloured Pencils - Lessons, Projects and Themes

This module focuses on specific aspects of using coloured pencils.

Borgeson Studio - Hands on Practice

One of the best places to find free and fun drawing exercises and projects related to improving composition, color mixing, value, rendering, achieving depth, 3-D effects.

MIGHTY ART DEMOS--Bet Borgeson Colored Pencil Demo

Colored pencil demonstration tutorial by Bet Borgeson author of The Colored Pencil

'Blessed Event' - Painting with Colored Pencils by Barbara Newton

Barbara Newton shares techniques of grisaille and juxtapositioning of colors as she paints with colored pencils.

Colored Pencils and Juxtaposed Color - a demo by Bet Borgeson

Daniel Smith Art Supply: Learning section - provides this lesson by Bet Borgeson

Colored Pencil and Ambient Texture

Learning Section | Daniel Smith Art Supply
Bet Borgeson Enlivens the Mood of her Art with Colored Pencil and Ambient Texture

Colored Pencils on Colored Paper for Quick Results

Learning Section | Daniel Smith Art Supply
Colored Pencils on Colored Paper for Quick Results: A Step-by-Step Demonstration by Vera Curnow, CPSA

Wax-based Colored Pencils

Learning Section | Daniel Smith Art Supply
Working bigger, bolder, faster with Wax-based Colored Pencils - A Demonstration by Vera Curnow CPSA

Coloured pencil portrait artists - websites and blogs

a selection of website galleries produced by coloured pencil artists specialising in portraits and figures

Nicole Caulfield - Portrait Commissions

Portrait artist Nicole Caulfield's work is shown regularly in New England galleries and has been shown nationally and internationally in shows such as the Catharine Lorillard Show and Salmagundi Show in NYC, the Guild of Realism Show in Scottsdale Arizona, and the UKCPS Show in Nottingham England where she won first prize in 2007. Nicole teaches her unique colored pencil techniques nationally and locally near Keene, NH. "Zen" by Nicole Caulfield recently won 3rd Place in the Portrait Society of America's 2008 Members Showcase Competition

Nicole Caulfield Art Journal (Blog)

Nicole likes experimenting with coloured pencils and the abrasive supports she uses - and explains what she does. Nicole's work is much admired, was exhibited at the CPSA International Exhibition in 2006 and won first prize at the UKCPS International Exhibition in 2007 and the people's vote for best in show in 2008.

See work in progress in the studio and completed works

John P Smolko, color pencil, color pencil drawings, John Smolko

Color pencil drawing, Realism drawings of John P Smolko. John Smolko regular wins awards at CPSA exhibitions. You can read about him in the American Artist Article: John Smolko, Grand Prize Winner of American Artist's 70th Anniversary Competition

AnnKullberg.com - colored pencil portraits

Portraits of children and young people by Ann Kullberg!

Julie Douglas

Julie Douglas exhibits her work in galleries in London, Sussex, Dublin and Galway. Her favourite subjects are people and animals, and she regularly accepts portrait commissions.

Vera Curnow - Portrait Gallery

All images %uFFFDVera Curnow. Do not use without express written permission of the artist.

Ann James Massey's Wax Pencil Gallery

Intricate drawings created through twenty to forty layers of wax pencil, achieving depth and detail not possible with charcoal or graphite.

Portraits by Maddy Swan in Fine Colour Pencil

Commissioned portraits of children

Holly Bedrosian Fine Art and Portraits

Portraits and figures by Holly Bedrosian

Holly Bedrosian Fine Art (Blog)

Insight into the fine art and portraiture of Holly Bedrosian.

elizabeth patterson - color pencil & graphite drawings - Figures portfolio

Figures portfolio - current work

Bernard Poulin Studio-Home Page

From the onset of his visual art career Bernard Poulin's sensitive yet powerful portraits have set the stage for his international reputation. The affection and respect he displays is always evident, whether his subjects are children or adults.

Lori Garner - People Part 1

The Colored Pencil Artistry of Lori Garner - P E O P L E G A L L E R Y

Portraits - Workshops and Online Tutorials

annkullberg.com - Portrait Workshops

portrait workshop - Part 1: With step-by-step exercises and guidance, Ann will give hands-on lessons in using color, light, and glazing techniques to bring richness & depth to your colored pencil portraits. Learn to create smooth skin tones, render hair and capture a likeness. Ann will also lend helpful advice on the "business side" of portraiture---contracts, commissions, finding clients and fees will be discussed.

portrait workshop - Part 2: This workshop is reserved for those who've already taken Part I, but is not just for those with lots of colored pencil experience. In this class, everyone works on their own piece, with lots of guidance from Ann about color, value, texture and composition. Ann will do at least 1 "walk-around" each day with the whole class going from student to student, discussing each person's painting...what's going well, what to do next, what needs correcting, etc.

Ann Kullberg: Colored Pencil Drawing Lesson | Skin Tone Demo

A step by step demo on skin tone in colored pencil by renowned portrait colored pencil artist Ann Kullberg

annkullberg.com - Portrait Kits

3 portrait kits from leading CP portrait tutor Ann Kullberg

Ann Kullberg: Colored Pencil Tips & Techniques - Hair Demo

A step by step demo on drawing hair in colored pencil by Ann Kullberg

Nicole Caulfield Art - classes kits workshops

Nicole does a maximum of two workshops per year. Workshops focus on the use of sanded supports (Pastelbord and Fisher 400 paper) and include both still-lifes and portraiture.

Experimental Wisdom 2 (Skin Tones) | Nicole Caulfield Fine Art

An Anonymous commenter asked what colors I used for the face so instead of typing them in, here is a photograph of them. If you are familiar with Polychromos, you should be able to make out the colors I think. If not, I didn't use anything unusual for me so you can search my blog for past skintone colors that look similar.

Update and a Trip to the MFA Boston | Nicole Caulfield Fine Art

I've been second guessing my decisions on these portraits, particularly the ones I've been doing, including this current one, in which one side of the face is in darkness. What have I been second guessing myself on? Well, mainly how dark to go on that side, the colors that show through, and how much detail and the values to attribute the eye that is cast in darkness. So I went through the collection of paintings, century by century, focusing on portraits with similar lighting and noted their choices.

Coloured pencil Botanical and Floral Artists - websites and blogs

by leading coloured pencil artists specialising in botanical and floral work

ANN SWAN contemporary botanical art

Ann Swan contemporary botanical art, one of the UK's leading botanical artists specialising in pencil and coloured pencil drawings, limited edition prints, greeting cards and workshops. RHS Gold Medalist

Susan Christopher-Coulson ( floraleyes.co.uk) - botanical artist

Susan Christopher-Coulson. British botanical artist working in coloured pencils. RHS Gold Medalist.

Janie Pirie - Botantical Artist | Originals, Limited Edition Prints

Janie Pirie specialises in floral and botanical art using coloured pencils. She is a a full member of the Society of Botanical Artists and has been awarded a Silver-Gilt medal for her work by the RHS.

Pastels and Pencils - Fine art drawings & giclee prints of flowers and plants by Katherine Tyrrell

Fine art drawings of flowers and plants by Katherine Tyrrell. A gallery of pictures of flowers drawn in coloured pencil, soft pastel or pen and ink.

Read about Two works juried into the Society of Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition 2009 on my blog

Ester Roi - Fine Art

My art is bold and unafraid, just as I was as a child. Intense curiosity brings me close to the subject and painting becomes an intimate experience of seeing, feeling and recording. I am drawn to the details of nature, the nuances of a flower, the brilliance of the edges of a petal when light shines through it

Cynthia Brunk

Award-winning New England coloured pencil artist

Colored Pencil Paintings by artist Kristy Kutch

The colored pencil paintings by artist Kristy Kutch are vibrant in color and contrast. Her floral subjects include Poppies, Morning Glories, Lilies, Parrot Tulips, Hollyhocks, and Peonies.

Teresa Mallen Studio Floral Gallery

Coloured Pencil Artist - Floral Gallery

Botanical Art: Workshops and Online Tutorials

by leading botanical and floral artists

Ann Swan botanical art coloured pencil workshops and holidays

Botanical art coloured pencil workshops by Ann Swan, one of the best contemporary botanical artists in the UK. Ann has taught people to develop botanical art in coloured pencils who gone on to win medals from the Roya Horticultural Society!

Ann teaches her own methods of working with pencil and coloured pencil to produce vibrant, detailed botanical drawings. As well as introducing colour pencil techniques the courses encourage accuracy of line and observation. Ann welcomes both the beginner and the more experienced on her courses. Ann's workshops do get booked up very quickly but even so it's worth placing your name on the waiting list as spaces often become available due to cancellations. Ann also does guest workshops in the USA

Articles and step by step demonstrations by ANN SWAN contemporary botanical art, coloured pencil artist

* Ann Swan "Yellow Hemerocallis - Day Lily' Demonstration -- The Artist - November 2007
* "Make your fruit come to life" - Top coloured pencil artist Ann Swan shows how she captures a startling reality. -- Artists & Illustrators - June 2004
* Leisure Painter May 2002 'Let's Start with Art 29' Draw a plum tomato with Ann Swan in coloured pencils

available to download as pdf files

Workshops & Courses by Janie Pirie - Botanical Artist

Janie Pirie specialises in floral and botanical art using coloured pencils. Workshops are held in Janie's garden studio and at various outside venues.

The Society of Botanical Artists - Member Courses

A list of workshops given by members of the Society of Botanical Artists - some of whom teach coloured pencil (Susan Christopher Coulson, Valerie Oxley. Ann Swan)

Alston Hall - TULIPS (FROM AMSTERDAM) IN COLOURED PENCIL - Susan Christopher Coulson

Using coloured pencils create an interesting botanically accurate image of one or more tulip types.

Colored Pencil Demo: Red Pepper-Part 1 - Roz Wound Up

The images show the steps in building a colored pencil sketch on Wallis Paper. This drawing was done as a class demo in one of my advanced colored pencil classes. The demo was completed in under an hour, with breaks for questions, paint drying time, digressions. The finished artwork is approximately 7 x 5 inches.

Colored Pencil Demo: Red Pepper-Part 2 - Roz Wound Up

This post continues the colored pencil demonstration on Wallis Paper begun in yesterday's post. A contour drawing has been made, washes of gouache (or watercolor) have been laid in and are dry. It's time to start blending and building the...

Coral Poppy - Colored Pencil Demonstration

Kristy Ann Kutch draws a poppy

Botanical Drawing Art Lesson - Ann Swan Draws a Leaf in Coloured Pencils

Online art lesson - Ann Swan shows how to draw a leaf in detail using coloured pencils.

Coloured pencil animal and wildlife artists - websites and blogs

by leading animal artists

ChumleysArt.com

The Fine Art Gallery of Richard Childs UKCPS - Wildlife Artist of the Year 2008

Gayle Mason Fine Art - Animal and Nature Art by Gayle Mason Society of Feline Artists

original fine art by Gayle Mason SOFA - juried member of the Society of Feline Artist and Wildlife Artist of the Year Finalist 2009
galleries of dogs , cats and wildlife in pastel and coloured pencil., limited edition giclee prints and fine art cards

Fur in the Paint (blog)

Gayle Mason's blog - used for demonstrating work in progress

Jonathan Newey Web Site

Wildlife artist Jonathan Newey - Wildlife Artist of the Year Finalist 2009

Colored pencils drawings of cats

Nicole Jahan : paintings and drawings of cats

Colored Pencil Portraits by Artist Melanie Phillips painting pet portraits in coloured pencil

Colored Pencils by portrait Artist Melanie Phillips. Extensive online gallery of pencil,colored,coloured pencil pet portraits

Eye Spy II - including fur tutorial - WetCanvas

Eye Spy II - including fur tutorial Colored Pencil Library
Gayle Mason (Glenspey) demonstrates how to develop fur in a profile image of a cat. The artwork produced by Gayle is now a best selling cat print.

Animal and Wildlife Art - Workshops and Online Tutorials

FUR IN THE PAINT: Demonstration of how to draw a Cat's Eye in Coloured Pencil

A demonstration on how to create a lifelike looking cats eye in coloured pencil

FUR IN THE PAINT: Step by Step of Cat's Eye (purchase)

Gayle Mason has been teaching people how to draw cat's eyes for a long time!

"Step by Step of cat's eye" is available to purchase from the column on the right of Gayle Mason's blog. This was created this for the UKCPS to sell at the Art and Craft Materials live show at the NEC in November 2009 and sold out early in the show. Since then it's been updated to include a pre drawn eye to enable more focus on using the pencils for your first try.

How to draw hair ~ Graphite pencil tips and techniques

How to draw hair tutorial - Graphite pencil tips and techniques BUT the principles work the same for coloured pencils

FUR IN THE PAINT: Obtaining Wildlife Reference Photographs for Artists: Part 1

After all the discussion that have taken place following the announcement by the UKCPS on their conditions of entry to their Annual Exhibition, I thought it might be useful to offer some advice on obtaining your own wildlife photographs.

FUR IN THE PAINT: Obtaining Wildlife Reference Photographs-Part 2

Once I'm at my chosen Zoo or Wildlife Park the first thing I will do is find out when the feeding time of my chosen animal(s) is. If I've gone to photograph one of the big cats then they are usually fed 6 days of the week and on the 7th they fast. So check that out, you can give the facility a ring, they will usually be happy to give you that sort of information.

MAKING A MARK A Making A Mark Guide: How to sketch a cat in 30 seconds

How to sketch a cat in 30 seconds - a making a mark guide by Katherine Tyrrell. 4 key points for sketching a cat in just 30 seconds

Eye Spy II - including fur tutorial

Wet Canvas Colored Pencil Library: "Eye Spy II - including fur tutorial"
Gayle Mason (Glenspey) demonstrates how to develop fur in a profile image of a cat. The artwork produced by Gayle is now a best selling cat print.

Coloured pencil still life artists - websites and blogs

a selection of website galleries produced by coloured pencil artists specialising in still life

Linda Lucas Hardy CPSA

Colored Pencil Paintings by Linda Lucas Hardy. In 2007 she won
- the CPSA Award for Exceptional Merit & CIPPY Award for "Light Crisp Tasty - Fortune Inside" at the 15th Annual International Convention and Exhibition in Bethesda MD
-The CPSA Award for Exceptional Merit & EXXPY Trophy, Explore This 4! Colored Pencil Exhibition, Brea, California
You can see more of her prize-winning work here

Linda Lucas Hardy - Workshops, News & Other Great Stuff (Blog)

Workshops, News & Other Great Stuff - with colored pencil artist Linda Lucas Hardy, CPSA

Nicole Caulfield fine art and illustration Keene NH

I am drawn to realism and the subjects I render for many reasons, but I always come back to the beauty of the ordinary, and the challenge of the rendering. The beauty of ordinary objects lit perfectly sitting on a table, the light hitting a child's eyes so that sparkle comes through, the light bouncing around the inside of a box, these ordinary, yet spectacular moments, inspire me to create a piece of artwork.

Colored Pencil and Oil Still Lifes by Cecile Baird

Bold, colorful, dramatic contemporary Still Life paintings in colored pencil and oil by realist artist Cecile Baird

Barbara Edidin - Contemporary Still Life in Colored Pencil

Abundance, richness and opulence are some of the feelings that are evoked by Barbara Edidin's colored pencil drawings. evoke. She creates remarkably realistic still lifes composed of simple objects--flowers, fruit and fabric.

Alyona Nickelsen - BrushAndPencil.com!

Award-winning artist and author Alyona Nickesen CPSA

Janie Gildow - Artist, Author, Instructor

Arizona artist specializing in colored pencil works, colored pencil instruction and nurturing new artists

Kay M. Dewar

Colored Pencil - French Grey with Selected Color Areas
(Premise: only items that are 'alive' have local color. All other areas are
values of french grey and black.)

Jeffrey Smart Baisden - Colored Pencil Artist and Instructor

all images are the copyrighted property of the artist; do not use in any way
without express permission from the artist

Naomi Aho

Naomi Aho f i n e r e n d e r i n g s in colored pencil and graphite

Ikuta Takako

Founder of the Japan Colored Pencil Society

Still Life - Workshops and Online Tutorials

Nicole Caulfield Art - classes kits workshops

Nicole does a maximum of two workshops per year. Workshops focus on the use of sanded supports (Pastelbord and Fisher 400 paper) and include both still-lifes and portraiture.

The Art of Alastair Lockwood - Lessons on drawing photorealistic glass and reflective surfaces

Alastair Lockwood is a prizewinning coloured pencil artists. Here he provides two coloured pencil lessons - previously published in "Leisure Artist" (March 2004) and "Painting with Watercolour" (Issue 37 2004)reproduced in pdf format

Creating Shiny Metal by Janie Gildow

Daniel Smith Art Supplies, Learning Section provides this step by step demonstration by Janie Gildow of how to create shiny metal with coloured pencils.

Colored Pencils, free art demo

Free art lesson in colored pencils, drawing garlic, with backlit drama

Color pencil free art lesson, cheese and tomato

Learn to draw cotswold cheese and a tomato in color pencil. A tutorial by Paula Pertile

Classy Glass Class - WetCanvas

Wet Canvas Colored Pencil Library: Classy Glass Class
A thread started by Louise Sackett which has proved to be the most popular group project of all time in the Coloured Pencil Forum. Lots of tips for drawing glass and creating reflections and shine.

Coloured Pencil Landscape Artists - Websites and Blogs

Pat Averill

Pat Averill is both a charter member and signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America. She has been juried into all but two of CPSA's international exhibitions, and has received four special awards and will earn her 15 year merit awart in 2009.

Pastels and Pencils - Places - drawings of land, sea, sky and interiors by Katherine Tyrrell

Places - original fine art drawings in pastels and coloured pencils of places - landscapes, seascapes, skies and interiors

Pastels and Pencils - Travels with a sketchbook

Travels with a Sketchbook - Katherine Tyrrell displays her sketchbooks and coloured pencil sketches from travels all over the world

Landscapes & Plein Air: Workshops and Online Tutorials

MAKING A MARK Starting to Sketch with Coloured Pencils by Katherine Tyrrell

Starting to Sketch with Coloured Pencils by Katherine Tyrrell. This article looks at some of the issues which sketching with coloured pencils can help you address and basics you need to think about when you're starting to sketch.

MAKING A MARK A Making A Mark Guide: Sketching Plein Air with Coloured Pencils

This guide is about a sketch I started at Kew Gardens and completed at home. It covers:

* how to get used to a place and find a view to sketch
* how to use your camera as a tool and to collect reference photographs
* developing my version of a thumbnail sketch;
* how to consider and select colours;
* developing a sketch - working plein air and
* finishing - working back home / in the studio.

MAKING A MARK A Making A Mark Class - Sketching for Real

Do you want to learn how to sketch? Sketching For Real is an online class for people who want to learn on how to sketch. This site provides an introduction and three assignments

MAKING A MARK A Making A Mark Guide - Plein Air: 10 tips for working in light and shade

Ideas for artists about how to with the impact of heat, light and shade when working plein air

Step by Step Colored Pencil Drawing Lake District -Leslie's Art Blog

Step by Step Colored Pencil Drawing "Lake District" by Leslie Hawes. I used Derwent Artists colored pencils for the drawing, and did it on a piece of "Dover" colored Alphamat.

Landscape Tutorials by Peter Weatherill

Coloured Pencil Tutorials by Peter Weatherill

Coloured Pencil Fantasy/Mystical Artists - Websites and Blogs

Myth, Magic & Mystery - Coloured Pencil Art by Lesley Crawford

Fine realistic, expressive and fantasy art inspired by Gaia Mother Earth. Giclee prints, original paintings and drawings and commissioned portraits available.

Gaia Art by Lesley Crawford

Gaia Art - Myth, Magic and Mystery, and the Natural World, expressed in art

The Elizabeth Barton Gallery - Imagination

Imagination - Works in this part of the gallery represent the main body of my work, or the major works. They represent in their entirety my own myth.

Sculpture using coloured pencils

there's more than one artistic use for a coloured pencil!

Jennifer Maestre Sculpture

Welcome to Jennifer Maestre Sculpture Copyright 2008 Jennifer Maestre
Jennifer Maestre is a Massachusetts-based artist, who is internationally known for her unique pencil sculptures. She holds a BFA degree from the Massachusetts College of Art.
To make the pencil sculptures, I take hundreds of pencils, cut them into 1-inch sections, drill a hole in each section (to turn them into beads), sharpen them all and sew them together. The beading technique I rely on most is peyote stitch.

Colored Pencil Sculptures at WomansDay.com - Jennifer Maestre's Extreme Art

Check out 12 creative colored pencil art sculptures and read our interview with artist Jennifer Maestre at WomansDay.com.

Impressive Pencil Art by Jennifer Maestre | Webdesigner Depot

Jennifer Maestre creates stunning sculptures out of pencils. I interviewed Jennifer and asked her about her stunning art, her sources of inspiration and her beginnings. I've also included a selection of her incredible work. A true designer with limitless imagination%u2026

Dangerously Beautiful: The Art of Jennifer Maestre %uFFFD New Britain Museum of American Art

"It all comes from one idea I had for a box with a secret compartment that would contain a pearl. The box would be shaped like a sea urchin, made of silver. In order to open the box and reveal the secret compartment, you'd have to pull on one of the urchin's spines. The idea was of something beautiful, sculptural, but that you wouldn't necessarily want to touch, and that also held a secret treasure."

Coloured Pencil Forums

With an international membership and the option of French!

Wet Canvas - Coloured Pencil Forum

A place to show your coloured pencil artwork and find help with any problems you're having.

Crayons de couleur

Forum artistique dédié à la technique des crayons de couleur.
(This is a forum in the French language for coloured pencil artists)

Scribbletalk

This is a discussion forum called ScribbleTalk for Pencil Artists hosted by Glassgems.

Australian Coloured Pencils - for Australian Coloured Pencils artists

Australian Coloured Pencils Network (on Ning) is for artists of all levels who use or are interested in coloured pencils in their art.

Websites supporting coloured pencils

Bet Borgeson Studio -- We're All About Colored Pencils

An independent reliable resource offering key concepts for handling colored pencils--techniques, tips, drawing exercises, colored pencil art, student galleries, professional tips and an innovative and popular series of online drawing courses.

annkullberg.com - for all things Colored Pencil!

Ann Kullberg is one of the most well known coloured pencil artists on the Web. teaches several workshops each year, and has created a line of coloured pencil instruction materials, including video lessons and project kits. This is her popular website for coloured pencil artists where you can shop online for colored pencils, kits, cd-roms, video lessons, and visit the member gallery!

Australian Coloured Pencils Resources

This lens was created in a hope to create a local resource for Australian Coloured pencil artists. I am always wanting to add new info so email: belinda.lindhardt@gmail.com if you have anything to add. I really hope to increase the awareness and profile of coloured pencil art and artists in Australi

Colored Pencil School

The Colored Pencil School site was made to be a concise
resource for the colored pencil artist, student and teacher.
We encourage you to submit short listings pertaining to color

Australian Coloured Pencils - The Blog

Here is a place for Australian coloured pencil artists to share news, showcase their work, find and talk to one another in the hopes of supporting one another and raising the profile and creating interest in CP art in Australia.

Coloured Pencils - an alternative perspective

Jennifer Maestre - Colored Pencil Sculptures

To make the pencil sculptures, I take hundreds of pencils, cut them into 1-inch sections, drill a hole in each section (to turn them into beads), sharpen them all and sew them together. The beading technique I rely on most is peyote stitch.

Color Pencils Reviewed (Monday, February 11, 2008 )

A very quirky and humorous tech geek review of coloured pencils

Color Pencils Reviewed
Today I acquired a set of color pencil devices. You can get them in certain specialized shops. Note the device color range greatly varies by manufacturer; mine wasn't even in the 6 bit range, producing only up to 24 colors when displayed. Invitations are not required for usage of color pencils though the service is paid only, with unfortunately no trial period.

Artists who use coloured pencils

Colored Pencil Society of America - members' wesites

This is a list of CPSA MEMBERS' WEBSITES

United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society - Members' Galleries

Click on a name in the list and you will be taken to a separate page for this artist, with three images, a biography and contact details. Many of our artists offer their work as prints/cards and also provide CP workshops and drawing classes. Others are absolute beginners.

List of coloured pencil artists

an alphabetical index of coloured pencil artists compiled by members of the CP Forum on the Wet Canvas website

Vera Curnow - Artist and Author

Founder of the Coloured Pencil Society of America

Colored Pencil Central - Artists' Colored Pencil Websites

The websites of coloured pencil artists in categories - portraits, still life, animals, florals, landscapes, fantasy/abstract

Jeff George Art

Jeff George CPSA is a signature member of the CPSA (Colored Pencil Society of America) and has won the top prize in the International Exhibition in two successive years (2008 and 2009)

Linda Lucas Hardy

Colored Pencil Paintings by Linda Lucas Hardy

Elizabeth Patterson CPSA - Fine Artist

Welcome to the online galleries of top color pencil artist Elizabeth Patterson.

Janie Gildow - Artist, Author, Instructor

Arizona artist specializing in colored pencil works, colored pencil instruction and nurturing new artists

Home | Ester Roi

I am an artist and inventor living in Southern California. On this site I post new artwork, chronicle my progress as an artist, and keep you updated on my invention, the Icarus Drawing Board®.

Maggie Toole

Using only colored pencils, Maggie Toole draws no lines at all... only varied, unending, overlapped and inter-twined circles. Building seemingly transparent layers, incorporating all color, the distant viewer's eye fuses these into realistic figurative imagery.

Allan Servoss - Artist

Allan Servoss has conducted watercolor and colored pencil workshops for over 20 years. These include workshops in California, Washington D.C., Arizona, Montana, Minnesota, Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin. His beautiful artwork is published in magazines and books and he has illustrated books as well

Artists who blog about working with coloured pencils

See examples of their blog posts about working with coloured pencils in the above modules

Fur in the Paint

Gayle Mason's art journal reflecting on the struggle to produce animal art, which is both 'up close and personal' and captures the essence of each animal portrayed

Gayle has pioneered the use of draughting film and Pastelbord in the UK

Nicole Caulfield Art Journal

Nicole is a very popular colored pencil artist and tutor who regularly provides posts about her award-winning colored pencil artwork - while still in progress.

She has also led the way in experimenting with new surfaces and formats for working in coloured pencil and shares her experiences with her readers

Linda Lucas Hardy - Workshops, News & Other Great Stuff

Prizewinning CPSA member and artist Linda Lucas Hardy's blog - including details of all her workshops

Travels with a sketchbook in.......

When I travel, I sketch. When I sketch on my travels I record it here. Plus information about the history and facilities of places I visit and lots of related links for those who want to know more........ and best viewed in Firefox

Drawing a Fine Line

Colored pencil is Paula Pertile's favorite medium, but she also likes watercolor, gouache, pen and ink, and graphite.

Australian Coloured Pencils - The Blog

This is where Australian coloured pencil artists to share their news and showcase their work with a view to raising the profile of and creating interest in CP art in Australia.

Gary Ruuska - Colored Pencil Journal

Gary provides helpful explanations of the colours he used in developing his work

Pastels and Pencils - Fine Art by Katherine Tyrrell

Pastels and Pencils

Original fine art by Katherine Tyrrell. Galleries of paintings and drawings of landscapes, still life and floral subjects in pastels and coloured pencils; drawings and sketches in pencil and pen and ink of landscapes, flowers, interiors, people and cats. Information about art materials resources and supplies

Making a Mark reviews: Book reviews - coloured pencils

art instruction books about working with coloured pencils

Making a Mark reviews......: Book Review: Colored Pencil Painting Bible

An excellent manual for those who prefer their coloured pencil to be realistic and their work to look like paintings. It provides very good guidance on basics for those starting out while at the same time providing detailed explanations about technical aspects which will provide an excellent refresher for more advanced artists. It also includes some excellent and practical summaries and tips for developing artwork

Making a Mark reviews......: Book Review: Colored Pencil Secrets for Success

A useful purchase for those looking to improve their work. It provides one place where you can find all Ann's critique techniques, hints and tips. For people unfamilar with Ann's structured critique approach, there's a lot of solid content which is useful to read and absorb. The book is let down by some design weaknesses.

Making a Mark: Book review: The Coloured Pencil Artist's drawing bible

If you give a book a title which includes the words "drawing bible" then expectations are created. For me 'a bible' suggests this is the only book you need if you want to be a coloured pencil artist. I'm afraid I disagree. While The Coloured Pencil Artist's Drawing Bible has its merits, it's disappointing to also find some serious weaknesses in the discussions of tools and materials and techniques for working in this media.

(NB NOT to be confused with Alyona Nickelsen's Colored Pencil Painting Bible - see above for a link to review of that book)