BEGINNER Colored Pencil Advice & Tips

[@KimberlyCrick]

It's really hard to work past the ugly stage lol. I have given up a fair share of projects that looked like disasters about halfway through. There have been times though, where working past it, I have been rewarded with some of my best work. It's great advice :)

[@Amiehowardart]

It's so hard, but so worth it! A lot of people get hung up when a drawing reaches that stage but just a little more work can go a long way :)

[@fnfrazix143]

Yes

[@fnfrazix143]

Yes

[@fnfrazix143]

Yes

[@EifosArt]

One shouldn't really underestimate the power of the ugly stage - I've seen so many beginners give up and say they can't create because of it. However you learn so much, from pushing through it 😃 And I agree, buying better pencils to begin with is a great idea!

[@sandidoty1142]

I've been in the ugly stage for 5 years. Of course that includes going long stretches where I didn't color at all. But there are some wonderfully talented people on these sites and I really enjoy seeing those.

[@francescavmpagni]

How long is the ugly stage typically?

[@loati94]

I bought the 12 color set of polychromos and then I asked for the 60 set on Christmas (as a joke, along the ps4 lol) but my family really bought it so I'm really fortunate to have them

[@user-wickedflower]

I think a great piece of advice for starting CP is to decide on what subject matter you are aiming for., i do wildlife, i then bought open stock pencils in natural colours & the best grey tones which i chose Polychromos. The best paper you can afford as you need to practice your skills by getting the best results. I would buy the best but then cut it up to small sizes & used both sides so none was wasted. Great artists can draw on anything with anything but only after many years of practice so you need to respect your art & up your skill levels everybody gets better, nobody gets worse! I also kept pieces i wasnt quite happy with & took them out months later to finish them with details as i was a better artist by then & ive actually framed some pieces as i like them now

[@bienesa2133]

hey, that's a wonderful drawing. I would love to see more videos for beginners - drawing animals and plants. Thank you for the tips!!!

[@wolfcry8968]

I use Strathmore Toned Tan and Toned Grey with coloured pencils. They make the colors pop more than white paper. Just a personal preference.

[@VitasArtworks]

I use that for my colored pencil sketches and like it for that. But that paper don't take so many layers,

[@jennypockets]

For practicing drawing I bought a ream of laid printing paper, best idea I've had in years. One side is rough, the other not quite so much so you get a different result from either side. Added to that it acts as posh writing paper too :)

[@arcticx1692]

you're right! it's easier to match the light colors with the darker colors than the opposite...

[@sarahvoigt6989]

Love those tips! It's also good not to use too much pressure when doing all the layers. I've seen many artists using lots of pressure when doing the first layer and then they struggle putting more layers

[@melaniedunham2444]

Wonderful information and your work is beautiful

[@Amiehowardart]

Thanks so much :)

[@mjpete27]

Really wonderful tips to follow, for the "lefties" you may need to work right to left and use that under-paper! I have so many watercolor color pencils and I got the Goldfarber when I decided to get some wax based pencils. I liked that they "topped" out at 48! I have used Koh-i-noor for years but have the Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils as well. I really like that you stress to your viewers that they need to push through the "Ugly" stage! Most Artwork needs to go through this stage I have seen a lot of videos that omit this and gloss over the ugly stages because they are NOT photogenic! Editing can cause misconceptions about creating Art! Thanks Amie you have done a great job! I think we can never have enough videos on basic principles and I think you present in a very professional manner! Keep them coming!

[@piawartsback395]

beginners can use Faber Castell Classic colored pencils around a set of 24 and select the skin tones from the set and start developing your skills first, practice is key, and i am a work in progress

[@alicemoreno3991]

I am 12 years old and I draw really good

[@chepeolvera8057]

Alice Moreno Could you post a video showcasing your art? I’m really curious!

[@sukiart0097]

Alice Moreno yeah! Show us!!

[@keiraazzopardi6298]

I’m 13 years old and I suck at drawing lol that’s why I’m here

[@squeeged]

@@keiraazzopardi6298 same but I'm 14 a week from now

[@dancelessonph2550]

Yazz confidence

[@sandidoty1142]

It's fascinating watching you create. Thank you for sharing your talents. I don't see myself ever being as good as you but it's fun to watch. Stay safe!!!

[@graciemckay3607]

Crayola is very good for starting! I got started with colored pencil realism art about 2 years ago and have been using Crayola since. Using a marker base helps blend with Crayola.

[@Tommiegrand]

It's relaxing to listen to your videos in the background while drawing myself. :)

[@deannareti7205]

Luv ur work❤️😇😇

[@clairepenny247]

Love the beginner tips, going to check out the colour swatch vid. Beautiful highland cow - don’t think your drawing ever got to an ugly stage! 🐮 :)

[@alicemoreno3991]

I love your art

[@Amiehowardart]

Thanks so much!! :)

[@benfineart9301]

Awesome tips!! The highland cow looks beautiful!!😍

[@Amiehowardart]

Ben Fine Art thanks Ben! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@kirti.chhabra]

This video is really really great. Thank you!

[@taylorcassidy5181]

Love your work! Do you ever use a solvent to blend your colors? Also, what tier level is best for real time how to videos, and not just the time lapsed ones? Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

[@artawhirler]

Excellent video! Thanks!

[@wolfcry8968]

Thank you for your tips and advice!

[@AnkisCreation]

Thank You Amie🥰👩🏻‍🎨

[@alicemoreno3991]

Thanks for the advices

[@eijveijviejneie]

That's awesome!

[@jenniferharrison4222]

Loved this, Thankyou. I am new to this!

[@Amiehowardart]

You're so welcome!

[@whiskeygaming7142]

Awww this is so cute! I love Highland Cattle! I wish I could draw one :(

[@noragutierrez3096]

Ik i draw "cartoony" and i tried to draw realistic but i can't do the eyes! 😤😢

[@mikparker2572]

Hi Amie, I have a question for you if you don’t mind. Have you used Castleart coloured pencils? If so what is your opinion? My wife bought me a set for my birthday as I said I wanted to have a go at coloured pencil drawings.(I usually draw in graphite). I’m presently doing the lion drawing and the colours blend quite nicely although I have to substitute some you use but I just wanted to know if you had an opinion as I haven’t heard you mention them.Love these tip tutorials very very helpful.If I’m not drawing I’m watching your videos.Keep up the fantastic work.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@mlk1965]

Thanks for this! Very helpful 👍

[@mdzuracka]

Hi Amie, thanks for this video. Useful tips! Would you please link the paper sample packs as mentioned please?

[@ml09baker8]

Amazing, thank you so much!!

[@janetwillman2629]

Hi Aimee, wonderful to watch you work.could you explain how you use the ceramic cutter to lift off? I’ve tried with a metal mutter, and it just seems to smear the colour.

[@Amiehowardart]

I have another video on my channel that explains just that :)

[@felicianerone2213]

Hi , I’m having a very hard time for blending and layering the colors....I followed a few tutorials ......what can you suggest to help me? Thanks

[@rajesrajes6628]

Hi, i just bought prismacolor premier coloured pencils. Can i use turpentine for blending? Tq

[@sebastianca6494]

Beautiful colour work in colour pencils.Which colour pencils you are suggested?.

[@Amiehowardart]

Thank you :) I always use Faber-Castell Polychromos coloured pencils

[@sebastianca6494]

Thank you so much for your earliest response and inspiration.

[@SuperXrunner]

Beautiful as usual

[@Amiehowardart]

SuperXrunner thanks so much 😊😊

[@MacArthurPiper]

Hi, what is that pencil or is it a very fine rubber you use to put the fine detailed strands? And where can I get them? Great tutorial. I've always wondered how as I see how others have so much detail in their pictures. Off to watch more of your videos 🙂

[@Amiehowardart]

It's a craft knife :)

[@justacatwhocantype]

Hi! Your work is amazin, first of all. When you talk about the ugly stage I totally know what you mean, I have not seen your works go through it though. lol. I would love to see the piece that you mentioned, the one that you used just three pencils for, but I cannot find a link to it. Could you please post it? I am very curious, thank you.

[@gangadharsawarkar136]

Can we blend colored pencils using blending brush

[@diondremathis261]

Have you tried drawing fur on grey toned paper? What techniques would you use for that?

[@Amiehowardart]

Yes I have! 😁 you’d use the same techniques :)

[@pamelarodriguez8041]

where can I watch your tutorials?

[@rohanpulikkal5614]

Amie did you use a pencil to do the sketching or the outlines

[@Amiehowardart]

yes, just a standard HB pencil

[@susanbrown1179]

Love the cow Amie. can you do a video on colour mixing ?? thank you

[@Amiehowardart]

Susan Brown yes! I’ve got one planned 😁😁

[@lynnrushton7458]

Loved watching your Coo come to life 😍👍🐂 it’s fab‼️ xx

[@Amiehowardart]

Lynn Rushton thanks Lynn!! Wanted to share the process here and finally found an opportunity 😁😁

[@alzeriathewanderer]

i use fingerless gloves that are knitted to keep my hands from smudging paper.

[@lindamclean8809]

Nice

[@Deb_BG]

I would love tips for drawing animals. Thank you!

[@Amiehowardart]

Deb BG thanks for watching 😁 I’m working on the animals one 😄

[@julioroberto5669]

Hello Amie. Do you also draw w colored pencils on a canvas and not on paper?

[@Amiehowardart]

Julio Roberto no, never a canvas, always paper :)

[@julioroberto5669]

@@Amiehowardart thank you

[@crochet_by_sydney7815]

My art teacher made a really hard hyper-realistic project due on Jan 8 and made us buy prismacolors( 150!) And I’ve never used colored pencils.. I need help ;-;

[@doreenlorenzo2501]

How is pastel mat for colored pencils?

[@VitasArtworks]

I works ☺️👍 but it "eat" the pencils and they get short very fast 😅

[@srkofficial]

Excellent video, my dear friend

[@Amiehowardart]

Thanks so much! :)

[@srkofficial]

@@Amiehowardart ~~~most welcome my dear friend

[@sarriedoherty4577]

I really struggle getting passed the ugly stage. In the past, my friends threatened to slap me into next week if I don't continue

[@williamforster6093]

I’m new to coloring with colored pencils and a set of 160 by color more. Have you ever heard of them?

[@Amiehowardart]

I have not! Are they any good?

[@williamforster6093]

@@Amiehowardart no they are not but again what do you expect for under $30

[@lenacraib1549]

❤❤❤

[@sergedreamlove]

👍👍👍

[@flarpi1802]

What happened to the first time drawing human livestream

[@Amiehowardart]

+Nick A. Art KZbin went down just as I was about to livestream and I couldn’t access anything to start it 😢 I’m streaming again this evening 😊

[@flarpi1802]

Ok I look forward too it

[@SarahNewburyArt]

Oh my goodness- the ugly phase- exactly what my video is about this evening.. and I’m painting a cow.. great minds think alike eh?!! 😂😊💙

[@Amiehowardart]

Are we the same person?! 😂😂💖

[@SarahNewburyArt]

😂 hehe!

[@alooparathaqueen5075]

We ate a goat for Thanksgiving

[@jasmine4347]

Wonderful drawing but this is NOT for beginners seriously you fast forwarded it and using techniques it takes a long time to learn

[@Amiehowardart]

The video is actually giving beginner tips, not how to draw the highland cow 👌 that is there for something to watch

[@MrMuhamad1994]

Amazing tips thank you!!!