I’d be lost without my colored pencils. They have been coloring my world since 2001! They are such a wonderfully

But did you know how blendable they really are? And how important it is to be able to blend them in your art? This article will uncover 6 ways for how to blend colored pencils so that you may create stunningly beautiful pieces!
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1. Layering for Color Magic
This type of blending is for creating new colors or to enrich, tint, dull, or shade another color. In my post, Basic Colored Pencil Techniques, I discussed that you cannot mix colored pencil in the way we mix paint on a palette. Instead, we layer them in order to mix colors right on the art paper. In this way, layering is in fact blending those colors to create new colors.
2. Chill out on the Pressure
Whenever you wish to have a color fade to form a gradient type of blending or simply have a color end without forming a hard line of demarcation, my motto is, blend it where you end it. To do this, you will want to let up on your pressure gradually to form a seamless transition from one color to another or to simply fade out a color.
3. Erasers—Not Just for Boo-Boos


I really love the White Pearl Eraser by Papermate.. They are 100% free of latex and resist smudging.
4. Rub a Dub Dub

Sometimes, your subject requires a gentle look similar to a soft-focus portrait. One of those subjects are flowers, particularly close-ups of petals. I will often use a cotton q-tip or cotton ball to gently rub the application.
I do this especially on the first layers; this will virtually eliminate the look of the strokes and push the color into the valleys, gently toning the paper with the color. You will love the effect!
You can also use facial or bathroom tissue, blending stumps/tortillions; although not my first choice for this purpose as they are really more appropriate to use to blend and soften the look of graphite.
5. Burnish With a Flourish
If you desire to have a painted look to your colored pencil art, you will want to virtually eliminate the “tooth” of the paper. Your art paper should have “tooth” (remember that’s the teeny, tiny hills and valleys in the paper’s surface) in order that you may successfully layer and blend colors.
After many layers, your paper may still be showing a “grainy” look or tiny specs. In this case, you have three choices: You may leave it grainy (some people like to be able to tell it’s colored pencil), burnish the tooth away using heavy pressure, or simply use a type of solvent.
Burnishing is using very heavy pressure to completely eliminate the tooth of the paper. That is, colors are blended into the paper mechanically. The process is that the heavy pressure creates friction, thereby creating heat that will slightly soften the wax and pigment. This softened pigment will glide right into the remaining valleys of the paper.
Although burnishing can be done with color or white, I recommend using the
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil – Colorless Blender

If you see “crumbs” as you burnish, that is just the extra pigment that sloughs off from the friction from the heavy pressure action of burnishing. This is perfectly normal and won’t affect your drawing. But you should use a soft brush (not your hand) to gently sweep the crumbs off your paper.
6. Gentle Solvents —Is There Such a Thing?
Another way to blend colors for a painterly look is to use solvents. The Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Brush Tip Marker – Colorless Blender



Baby Oil is another gentle solvent (and smells a lot nicer!) that will beautifully blend your application. I will usually apply a tiny amount with a q-tip. It’s easy to overdo, so I recommend practicing on scrap first as to how much to get on the q-tip and how to apply.
Rubbing Alcohol is another solvent that works similarly to the marker. I also use this with a q-tip or tiny piece of cotton. However, just like baby oil, it can be overdone and lift off or dull your color that you worked so hard to get.
Not-So-Gentle Solvents
I did not include this section as a way for how to blend colored pencils because I do not use them. Why? Well, simply put, they’re too toxic for me.
Turpentine speaks for itself. It emits highly toxic vapors and fumes.
What about the safer alternative mineral spirits? Don’t be fooled by the term “odorless”; you can’t smell them, but they nonetheless emit toxic vapors. And some may say they are a safe alternative because they are less toxic, so it reduces your exposure. Well, they may not be as toxic but still are. Why take that risk when there is really no need to use them?
Honestly, I just don’t think the medium of colored pencils requires the use of harsh chemicals when there are so many other products and techniques to blend them.
Blending Rules!
There’s no getting around it. To create quality colored pencil artwork, learning to blend them is imperative. Blending is really part and parcel in using this medium. Do try some (or all!) of the 6 ways for how to blend colored pencils outlined in this article for very cool effects and a lot of fun. I think you will be amazed!
If you like this article, you may also like my article on backgrounds in colored pencil. Click here for the post.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will never share your email.
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Thanks for visiting!
Have an artful day!
Elaine

I really appreciate your website because I am a Graphic Designer. I love the way you go into detail to explain each color and what it’s used for.
I am a beginner found it helpful pencils is less mess than Paints this is a new hobby I need a lot practise but it passes the time l enjoy @ 79years old it’s keeps me busy
Thanks, Peggy. Glad you liked it.
I’m new to using colored pencils and really appreciate your website. Love that you present different techniques in easy to understand ways. Thank you.
Thank you Sue. So glad you are finding the info helpful. If you’re just starting out in colored pencil, be sure to check out https://yourartbox.com/basic-colored-pencil-techniques-improve-your-colored-pencil-art/
Elaine
Thankyou for sharing your expertise with us. I find it difficult to get information on using colour pensils correctly. Very much appreciated.
You are so welcome, glad to help!
Here are two other posts you may be interested in also:
https://yourartbox.com/basic-colored-pencil-techniques-improve-your-colored-pencil-art/
https://yourartbox.com/shading-with-colored-pencils-beginners-guide/
Elaine
I have started using color pencils as part of my Therapy for PTSD. I find it relaxing and feel a new sense of accomplishment. Looking forward to my journey with your instructions. Thank you Elaine.
Thanks, Tim. You have made a great choice with colored pencils. It is a truly one of the most relaxing art mediums you’ll find. If you’re just starting out, may I suggest two other posts here – Basic Colored Pencil Techniques and Shading with Colored Pencil – that you may find helpful. Here are the links:
https://yourartbox.com/basic-colored-pencil-techniques-improve-your-colored-pencil-art/
https://yourartbox.com/shading-with-colored-pencils-beginners-guide/
And I’m always here to answer questions, too.
Wishing you success in your art journey!
Elaine
Thanks Elaine for teaching us, me in particular, as beginners in color pencil art. This medium is relaxing & meditative to use. And thanks to the reply of Tim Humbert, I know now what to give my friends that could help their PTSD and depression.
You are so welcome, it’s really a pleasure to share what I know. And I can personally vouch for how relaxing it is:
I happen to have had a very trying and stressful couple of days but picked up my colored pencils to work on a commission. After a few minutes, I could feel the stress easing and joy returning. There’s just something about the motion and the sense of accomplishment.
The pencils I was working with yesterday were Koh-I-Noor and Faber Castell Polychromos, I love both. They are buttery soft and a delight to use. The Koh-I-Noor are woodless and feel wonderful in the hand as you use them. Here are links to my reviews on both:
https://yourartbox.com/5-motivators-to-try-koh-i-noor-woodless-colored-pencils/https://yourartbox.com/faber-castell-polychromos-pencils-worth-it/
If you have any questions, I’m here.
Have a colorful day!
Elaine
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP IN EXPLAINING BLENDING OF COLOR PENCILS!!!!! I learned a lot from your help!!! I’m sort of new to colored pencils. THANK YOU for your time, & your help. I appreciate it!!!!
Hi Rhonda,
Thank you for your kind comment. So glad my info helped you! Stick with colored pencil. It truly is a wonderful medium. Here are a couple more links to other related posts I’ve written on colored pencil.
A beginner’s guide to shading with colored pencil:
https://yourartbox.com/shading-with-colored-pencils-beginners-guide/
One on choosing the right paper:
https://yourartbox.com/best-paper-for-colored-pencil-its-all-in-the-tooth/
Happy Colored Penciling! 🙂
Thank you Elaine truly appreciate your sharing your beautiful colour pencil expertise I decided to stick to colour pencils less mess never knew so much to learn thank you so much Elaine
God Bless
Thank you, Benardin. I too share in your love of colored pencils. Admittedly, I also like not having the mess of painting, although I still break out the brushes and paints on occasion!
Colored pencils are my favorite. Thank you for posting this article. It was very informative for me as I just started using this medium several months ago. I started to help with recovery from an accident. Again thank you for writing the article.
You are so welcome. Glad you enjoy colored pencils so much.
I tried the alcohol and baby oil method and it worked absolutely well. Though i still have problem with using the pressure method. I think i will just stick with what works for me. Thank you so much.
Yes , by all means do what is comfortable and works for you. Just remember, with the pressure method, there has to be enough pigment on the paper for it to work well for blending. 🙂
Hi, and thank you for a very informative article.
I am just starting a new product for my store which has very tiny illos. I’m experimenting with acrylics, but one has to work pretty fast because they dry so quickly, but they are waterproof and can be thinned down so as not to look”cartoons.”
Colored pencils look like a good alternative, with your post making good sense.
Can it be sprayed with a fixative to “seal” it up? I’m working on smooth Bristol board from Strathmore. I’d have to buy a good set of pencils. — or should I just buy singles as I go to build up a palate?
Thanks again.
Hi Gary, thanks for your comment and kind words. Glad the article was helpful to you. Also happy you will start working in colored pencils (one of my favorite mediums!). Yes, you can spray fixative on the piece when you are finished. Be sure to begin and end off the paper when you spray and use 2-3 sweeping motions across the page. Let it dry (real fixative dries quickly). Then repeat.
Just fyi, my personal preference for paper is vellum. Strathmore makes Bristol Vellum which has a fine “tooth” which is conducive to layering. Here’s a link that explains about paper for colored pencil further:
https://yourartbox.com/best-paper-for-colored-pencil-its-all-in-the-tooth/
Also, my recommendation is to start with a set of at least 24 (buying individually may be less expensive in the short run but will end up being more expensive in the long run as you will wish you had certain colors), then you can build from there.
Here are articles that discusses two different brands to consider both good:
Prismacolor colored pencils: https://yourartbox.com/best-colored-pencils-for-art-prismacolor-premier-colored-pencils/
Faber-Castell Polychromos: https://yourartbox.com/faber-castell-polychromos-pencils-worth-it/
Happy colored penciling! ~Elaine
Appreciate your very nice and kind guide to color blending.
Thank you Hanami, happy to help.
Yrs ago coloring geologic maps we applied lighter fluid to burnishing sticks and rubbed to blend the colors/smooth out color pencil lines. It worked beautifully. The results were like water color without the bleed.
Fascinating, Holly. Thanks for sharing that!
I also share your joy and relaxation working with colored pencils. I hate painting. I’ve been using pencils with pyrography on wood. Pencils are so much easier to work with! Thank you for sharing your skills!
I agree. You have virtually complete control with a pencil! Thanks, Deborah.
Elaine, I read the comments of people that replied to you. I have painted for about twenty years. I started to use colored pencil about a year ago. I like the challenge. I’ve been looking for a article to explain the process. You have answered almost all my questions. All the responses have been questions that I had. Thank you so much for this article and the people that commented. Now I can’t wait to try some of the things that I read about! Thanks so much! Sandy Galanis
You are so welcome, Sandy! Glad I could be of help. Let us know how the techniques worked for you.
Elaine, I have really enjoyed your site this evening. 😊 I love working with colored pencil and just want to thank you for sharing your experience. Have you worked any with the water color pencil? I love ❤ learning from you.
Thanks, Doris. So glad you’re enjoying the site. Yes! Watercolor Pencils are among my favorite mediums. Here are a few links to my articles on them.
7-fun-and-easy-watercolor-pencil-techniques
derwent-watercolor-pencils-and-best-tips-for-using-them
how-to-use-watercolor-pencils
I enjoy colored pencils, but what is the best pencils to use for blending?
Thanks for the great question. For blending you want a softer colored pencil. My go-to is Prismacolor. Check out my review:
https://yourartbox.com/best-colored-pencils-prismacolor-pencils/
Great tutorial. Can I apply the blending tips to Derwent Intense watercolor pencils?
I am 89 year old who has painted most of my life. No longer able to use acrylics or oil, am able to use watercolor pencils from my bed. So I am trying to learn to use a new medium.
Was excited when I saw your links for watercolor pencils. Unfortunately I cannot open them.
Thank you for for all your wonderful information.
Hi Nona, thank you for your kind words. It’s great you’re learning a new medium. Watercolor pencils are a super medium. Although you can’t directly use all the methods from the article about blending dry colored pencils, there are ways to blend watercolor pencils. For example, you can layer the pencils before applying water to blend colors. You can fade out the amount of dry color you put down to blend out a color for soft transitions when you wet it. What may be helpful is to check out my article on watercolor pencils. Here is the link:
https://yourartbox.com/7-fun-and-easy-watercolor-pencil-techniques/
Elaine
Love your idea for using baby oil to blend colored pencils. I don’t have baby oil but I’m using coconut oil. It blends pencil beautifully.
That’s great Sharon! Glad you found a good alternative that works. I imagine almost any type of oil used sparingly could blend pencil well. Always a good idea to try them on scrap before using, though. 🙂
Thank you for your tips I am anxious to get started.
You’re welcome! Let us know what you think!
Awesome articles but you are not just a beginning artist I love all of your tips Thanks
So glad to help! Thanks!
Have always wanted to try pencils. Much less messy than paints…
Saw this on Pinterest and will give it a go…Thank you…!
Hi Phil, Thanks for your comment. As an artist who has painted, drawn, etc. in different mediums, I can totally agree that colored pencils offers convenience, ease of use and is way less “messy.” I’m happy my info helped you. Here’s another link to a post I wrote on blending that delves into additional ways and techniques for using colored pencil.
https://yourartbox.com/how-to-blend-colored-pencils-no-solvents-or-tools-needed/
I have been using Prismacolor pencils since I was in high school, that was over 50 years ago, I bought my first set when I was a junior in high school and I have been using them ever since. I have to admit, I have been playing with gamsol lately, but don’t like the fact that it is a solvent, so I ordered some citrus oil and will try that instead. Thanks so much for all your info, I do find a couple of things new to me, I always LOVE learning something new!
You’re welcome, Peggy, and thanks for sharing your love of colored pencils. I know about gamsol but don’t use it due to it being a chemical solvent. I have a post on blending colored pencil without the use of solvents, that you may enjoy reading. Here’s the link:
https://yourartbox.com/how-to-blend-colored-pencils-no-solvents-or-tools-needed/
Thanks and have an artful day!