Prismacolor Layers

If you haven't tried coloring with Prismacolor pencils yet, you should. Now I know what you're thinking. A pencils a pencil. Nope. They are not all the same. I have been using Prismacolor pencils and other pencils for years. And I definitely prefer the quality of Prismacolor pencils when I am doing an illustration. The colors are always vivid. And the layers blend so well together. Some people will say that they don't care for them because the lead is so soft. Actually, IMO, this is one of their strong points. Sure the lead can break off when you sharpen it.  But if you use a good quality hand sharpener you tend to not have that problem (Prismacolor actually makes their very own sharpener, and it rocks!)

Cost. Another stumbling block for people. I know it's hard to spend that much money on pencils. But honest they last a long time. And there are lots of wonderful deals out there. Try here http://www.dickblick.com/zz205/08/ Or use your Michaels coupons.

Check out their site for more information and ideas. PRISMACOLOR

Layering with Prismacolor pencils.

Now you are not using Gamsol to spread the lead over the surface of the paper. Instead you are building up layers of color. Always start with your lightlest color. In example A I chose to use yellow as my background color. Since the fish has a rather large area I used SU! Summer Sun pastel and a sponge tip applicator to spread the color on.

You can also use PC916 Canary Yellow pencil. (Apply the color with a soft hand, not too much pressure.)

Once you have your background colored in you can start on the first layer. I chose PC909 Grass Green pencil.

Now when you are coloring I want you to think of the direction of the light on your image. Where is the light going to hit the fish? Which areas will be in the shadows and which areas will be highlighted? Think of the light coming from one angle and you should be okay.

In Example B I've drawn a closeup of the scales. You can see how I applied more pressure to the pencil at the bottom of the scale and feathered the color up to the top, into the yellow.

Example C I've introduced a third color, PC 933 Violet Blue pencil. I want the scale to pop out even more. So now I've added a darker color to the bottom edge.

Experiment with different colors. Don't just stick with grays and blacks for shadows. Use a contrasting color. Have fun!

Example D shows how just adding one more layer creates even more depth in the fish.

Remember to use a soft hand when layering the pencil.

(I did this example very quickly. To blend more and see less pencil lines just go lighter on your marks. You can go back over top of the blue in the face with a yellow pencil to blend more.)

Example E introduces the last color, PC929 Pink  pencil. The pink pencil is in the warm color family and the blue and greens are in the cool family. What I nice contrast on the fish! How boring he would be if he were only a "cool" fish!

I added some pink to the larger scale example so you can see that you can layer different colors on top of each other. Colors you wouldn't normally think would go together. The pink will take on a purple shade layered over the blue, orangey shade over the yellow. So fun!

Example F closeup of the finished image. You can see the greens, yellows, blues and pinks all working together to make the fish pop off the page.

Take your time layering. Go lightly. Building up as you color.

In areas where you want more intense color you can push harder on your pencil. However, once that area is colored in deeply it is much harder to layer more colors on top of it.

Have fun experimenting with your Prismacolor pencils and layers.

 

Comments

[Allison]

This is super Asela...lots of detail and great pictures...TFS!

[Lynn in St. Louis]

Wow...your shading is a work of art. Thanks for sharing your techniques...it inspires us all to be better colorists!

[scoopy]

Great tutorial Asela!

[Amy Ellingson]

I feel like I just went to a mini art class! Thanks for sharing. I have been wondering about it because you say all the time that you use these pencils. Okay, so maybe I'll have to invest!

[Jessica (jessrose21)]

This is incredible! I love the colors you used. I'm still working on the light direction thing with my coloring as it's not something that comes naturally to me. Your tutorial has inspired me to get practicing again!

[Cambria]

OH DANG..... YOU ARE SUCH A BOMB!!! Thanks so much for this cool tutorial! Someday... I want to color like you! LOVE that pink in the fish. Pink rules ya know. :) Thank you, thank you!

[Smileycollector]

OMG! Asela, Your tutorial with photos is OUTSTANDING!!! Now, I can't wait to practice what I learned. I've been experimenting with my prismas and posted a card on my blog tonight. Could I persuade you to take a peek and give me some professional advice? Pretty Pleeeze?!
Love your blog and check it often! Smiles, Pam :)

[A. Sanborn]

Asela... oh, the things you do while I'm away! *wink* This techniques or tutorial on using the PRISMA pencils is phenomenal! Glad you used the fishy for your tutorial. Just AMAZES me that you made it SEEM so SIMPLE! Can't wait to try it out... the light thingy seems a little tricky to me too. Your the bestest! *wink*

[Viv (VivLyn)]

Wow! What a great tutorial on using the Prismacolor pencils. I definitely am doing it wrong! Your method really makes sense! TFS!!!!

[Juanita (Toni173)]

Thanks for such a detailed, step by step tutorial with graphics! TFS.

[Taylor]

Asela, you are amazing! Thanks so much for the visual! I really can't wait to try this! The "thinking about where the light is coming from" part is the hardest for me, but as you've told me before with watercoloring... practice makes perfect! Looks like you've got it perfected!! TFS!

[Beate]

Gorgeous coloring! You are amazing!

[Beth]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[Diane]

I am so glad you posted this. I've had Prismacolors for years but obviously I haven't been using them correctly. Thanks!

[GinaK]

Fabulous tutorial!! WOW! Beautiful examples and great photgraphs!
Gina K.

[Linda C]

Wonderful tutorial! You make it look so easy.

[Sharon Harnist]

Great layering technique, Asela, thanks so much for sharing it with us. And the finished card is just gorgeous -- what talent you have!

[Cindy Lyles]

YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Best tutorial on this subject I have seen!!! This is awesome material for new or seasoned stamper/artist alike ~ ! Thank U so much for taking treasured time to share your amazing knowledge on this.

[Valerie]

thats OUTSTANDING! I love it thanks for the tips!

[Jessica]

Thank you so much for your detailed tutorial with the wonderful pictures to go along with each step! You've made it seem almost easy... a good sign of a great teacher!! Thanks for sharing.
jessjean on SCS

[Lenita]

Incredible! Thanks for the tutorial, I'm sure I'll never quite be an Asela, your work is just fantastic!

[Kim]

Very nice tutorial! Would you be okay with me including this and any other of your tutorials on my Great Tutorials page? I'm always on the lookout for high quality tutorials to share. Thanks!

[rachel]

I have never used prismacolors, but your tutorial has me wanting to add another thing to my Gotta Have list. THanks for explaining it so well, even a newbie like me understood it. Gonna give it a try.

[stephanie]

Wow indeed...I am so sold!!! Thank you...what a sweetie for taking pics step by step for us!!! Thanks!! By the way I am having a give away so come check it out!!!

[Monika/buzsy]

Great tutorial. Love the colors on the fishy. TFS!

[Samantha]

WONDERFUL tutorial. Thank you!!!! I have yet to try this with my prisma's thanks for the inspiration!!!

[iralamija]

yes prismacolor are good color pencils we use them in the interior design school.

BETY

[Kendra - SCS: apigonfire]

HOLY MOSES!!! Thank you so much for posting this! I've been debating getting the prisma's for awhile now. Maybe I'll ask for them for my birthday! I would love to take a class, but I honestly have to say that your tutorial was better than a class!
Thanks girl! You are an amazing artista!
~Kendra

[rae]

I will be coming back here often. Glad to have found your blog. I have the large Prismacolor tin from M's and haven't really used them yet. You may inspire me to do so. Your coloring techniques are incredible.

[Lisa H]

I am so glad you did this tutorial. I was so amazed when I saw your fish. That is one gorgeous fish!

[Debbie Olson]

Asela, this is probably the *best* Prismacolor tutorial that I've ever seen--excellent work--you ROCK!

[Noelle]

You are really talented! Thanks for the tutorial, it is so clear and step by step I feel inspired to give it a try!

[Mary C. Anderson]

Thank you for the wonderful turorial about layering my colors with the Prisma pencils.

Mary

[Ginna]

Terrific tutorial.... Thanks for sharing! I wouldn't have thought to start with Chalk.. I'll have to try that!

-Ginna

[Erin Kellogg]

Good Gravy! That's the best tutorial ever! :) I might have to get up right now and go color something.

[Erika Martin - Stampin' Mama]

Wow! What a great set of instructions and photos to go with them! This was fantastic to read! Thank you for sharing it!

[Kerry]

I have come back to this tutorial about 6 times now and love it. You inspired me to buy the Prismacolored pencils... I foolishly did not realize they came unsharpened. Now I need to figure out the gamsol stuff to blend them... In case you're looking for ideas of what to show us next???
Thanks for sharing all your work!!

[Linda Hardesty]

Thanks so much for taking the time to put this tutorial together, it's great and extremely informative. I love the touch of the pink, it makes all the difference.

[Cheryl Scrivens]

Thanks so much for a wonderful tutorial on Prismacolor coloring. Your work is amazing, and I'm inspired to keep trying!