I have a lot of apologies stacked up for this one. First - it took me a long time to get around to doing this, so I hope it is still helpful. HOWEVER- I realized part way through that I hadn't used pencil crayons in over 6 months, and that I had kind of forgotten how to use them XD So, I was learning and re-learning throughout this too. Also - Attempting to put my drawing process into followable steps was something of a challenge, because I often jump back and forward; therefore, it may be hard to follow. And I occasionally change my mind half-way through a process. Furthermore - !WARNING!!!!IT IS HUUUUGE!!!!!WARNING! So I'd go make yourself a cup of coffee while you wait for it to download. It is also filled with lots of boring talking, (and writing you can't read) which I'm pretty sure isn't very helpful. And the pictures are most likely too small and bleached by my scanner, so you'll have to use a little bit of your imagination.
If you have ANY suggestions, they are welcome. Also- if there is enough interest, and you aren't completely horrified by my horrific teaching skills, I may do a marker tutorial as well. Later.
A NOTE ON PENCIL CRAYONS/ COLORED PENCILS/THOSE BRIGHT STICKS I use prismacolor pencil crayons. I have a pack of 132, or something ridiculous like that- but I also have additionally berol prismacolors, and some special release prismacolors. For this picture I used approx 40 colors - but this does not mean you can't still create beautiful art with less. Nor do your pencil crayons have to be prismacolors or derwents or stuff like that. I started off with crayolas - and they were fine for me to start off with. They are waxier, and all waxy pencil crayons (even derwents) are harder to layer, so you have to press really really softly for your base color. For further info on pencil crayons, there are some great tutorials here on DA.
VOCAB- I like making words up, like "scratchies" which are those little white spots you get if you take a black (or dark pencil crayon) and color on a piece on paper. If you want to get a pure smooth black with no scratchies, your inclination is to press harder and beat those scratchies into submission. This works, but creates a uninteresting black which is hard to shade with. Instead, charm your scratchies by keeping them for as long as possible by layering. Layering is very important - and will eventually rid you of them. My little oval pencil stroke diagram at the top is lame, but attempt for quick oval strokes like that- but which cover the surface area of your page very slowly. (So your hand is moving fairly fast with the tiny oval rhythm, but you are not moving across the page quickly - this means you will evenly cover an area.) Going SLOWLY is important. Coloring EVENLY is important. LAYERING is important. And having CONFIDENCE, patience and a excitement for progress is very important.
I hope my essays covered most questions - but if you have any more, please ask
Thank you thank you thank you thank you! I have been searching the intertubes all damn day looking for something like this! This is an instant difference maker for my blending.
Yeah, it's hard to get them to cover, esp if you are using very waxy pencil crayons like crayolas. Using a ballpoint to cover is easier- but ballpoints had a kind of purplish blue ink. Otherwise use an ink pen (like micron or staedler) but yes, try to press lightly, and clean off the wax on a separate sheet of paper occasionally (you will lightly wreck this pen a lot quicker when you use it often over pencil crayons, just so you know)