Aside from being affordable and convenient, colored pencils are simply unique since they can offer not just a drawn look but as well as a very colorful painted appearance. By means of learning some fundamental methods on creating textures using colored pencils you will be able to achieve whatever you desire for your drawings. Make this exercise to discover your skill with colored pencil. You don't need a huge box of pens – begin with whatever you have.

Here are a few of the few techniques that will assist you in creating different textures with your colored pencils.

Paper Surface

The texture of your paper is truly the key for you to be able to create texture in your colored pencil sketches. The toothier the paper you've got, the rougher the top. Select hot pressed paper if you have a smooth texture like that of a drafting film or scratchboard. As for achieving a graded look, work with cold pressed paper since its rough texture offers "hills and valleys" that leave small flickers of whitened space.

Cross Hatching

To be able to build texture, crossing and cross-hatching which is composed of lines and marks are used. To get this done, create a layer of hatching marks, and after that go over all of them using cross hatching. Make use of both coarse and fine hatching to hatch at right angles. Use similar colors as well as complementary ones, masking multiple layers for greater depth.

Surface Distressing

Surface distressing is adjusting the surface of your paper so that you can produce impressed lines. This technique is used for obtaining fine white lines, like whiskers, details in flowers and many more. When working with this method make sure the instrument you use doesn't have sharp point, because having so will tear the paper's surface. Apply layers of light color and then create the impressed line over that layer you've made.

Layering

A technique performed by making layers of color on top of each other with the use of small circular strokes and light pressure.

Spot Layering

With this technique, the application of color for enhancing an already colored area is applied. You'll be able to save your drawing time by utilizing spot layering since you do not have to do continuous layering.

Stippling

A method wherein you dots are being applied thinly or thickly using multiple colors, based on the effect you want to accomplish.

Burnishing

This technique is simply adding and mixing colored pens on the top of each other, covering every area of the surface. Burnishing is perfect for presenting a shiny effect same as in metals. To begin with burnishing, use first lighter colors so you won't drag darker colors from neighboring areas. And then, layer lighter colors on the darker ones, repeat the process until the surface is approximately two-thirds covered with pigment. Then, apply intense pressure so that you can burnish or blend the layers of colors altogether. Go over it again until the paper is entirely soaked with pigment.

If you really want to learn and turn into a pro, practice the different techniques on making textures. Who knows, you might just be able to discover a brand technique on creating textures that will give your colored pencil drawings a genuine rendering.

To get great results, keep your pencil sharp and make use of top quality drawing paper. Also, don't forget to take note of the colors used for future reference and try to have some fun when drawing!