Coloring Techniques Like a Professional
Welcome to Coloring Together's coloring techniques like a professional! If you already have the basics down and want your drawings to take a leap in quality, this section is for you.
If you landed here it's because you're looking for that touch of realism and volume that sets a carefully made work apart from a simple fill. And the key lies in the handling of light, shadow and the layering of colors.
Do you feel like your drawings are lacking depth? Do you want to achieve smooth transitions and polished finishes like those of an expert? All of that is learned with the right technique and a little patience.
Choose the technique you want to master, study its tutorial carefully and apply it to your next work. The professional finish is much closer than you think!
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Burnishing with Colored Pencils
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Chiaroscuro or Shading
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Color Realistic Skin with Colored Pencils
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Color in Layers
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Gradient
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Whitening
Frequently asked questions
What makes a drawing look professional?
The handling of light and shadow. Techniques like chiaroscuro and burnishing build volume and give that polished finish that sets a carefully made work apart from a flat fill.
Do I need professional pencils for these techniques?
They help, but they're not essential. More important is using paper with some weight that can handle several layers, and mastering pressure and color layering.
How do I achieve smooth color transitions?
With gradients and blending, building up the color in light layers instead of a single heavy pass. Going slowly is what gives the professional result.
Can you color realistic skin with colored pencils?
Yes, and it's one of the biggest challenges. It's achieved by layering warm and cool tones until you build the depth and warmth of skin.