5 Tips for Blending Colored Pencils

Learning how to blend your colored pencil strokes can add a wonderful richness t
o your colored pencil art projects. Each of these blending techniques are easy t
o learn, and will create wonderful effects.
Blender Pencil
Blender pencils are inexpensive and easy to use. They are a wonderful first cho
ice for the beginning colored pencil artist. This colorless pencil will blend yo
ur colors without adding any color of it's own. This tool is great for small are
as, but not a good choice for large areas.
Blender Marker
Blender markers are even more effective than blender pencils in blending your c
olors. They work to dissolve your colors and mix them right on the paper, allowi
ng you to achieve a smooth, paint-like appearance.
If you try a blender marker, test it before using it on your masterpiece. It's a
lso a good idea to work on your project in a large well-ventilated room, or take
your art outside, as these blenders might make you dizzy.
Erasers
Inexpensive plastic school erasers, or crayon erasers, are fantastic tools to p
ush around or blend colors.
Nail Polish Remover
Yep, it's true! Mom's nail polish remover is a colored pencil blender too. It's
actually one of the very best. To use this blender, pour a little nail polish r
emover in the cap of the bottle and dip your paint brush into the cap. Next, "pa
int" your artwork. You will see your colored pencil marks dissolve, and allow yo
u to move the color around on the paper.
If you try nail polish remover, test it before using it on your masterpiece. It'
s also a good idea to work on your project in a large well-ventilated room, or t
o take your artwork outside, as the paint thinner in nail polish remover might m
ake you dizzy.
Water
If you are drawing or coloring with watercolor pencils, water is a wonderful bl
ender. When your artwork is finished, grab your paint brush, wet it with water,
and paint your artwork as if you had watercolor paint in your paint brush.
That's it! Time to start blending.