Introduction
Do you use every colored pencil the same way?
Actually, every colored pencil has its own "personality."
Not only do color and lead hardness differ between brands, but even within the same brand, individual colors excel at different roles — some are suited to base layers, some to layering, and some to finishing touches.
Today we'll introduce how to choose the right pencil based on its characteristics.
Understanding each pencil's personality will greatly expand your range of expression.
There Are Broadly 2 Types of Colored Pencils
As mentioned in an earlier tool-introduction video, colored pencils can be broadly divided into 2 types.
- Colored pencils as stationery
- Colored pencils as art materials
Today we'll also talk about the differences between these 2 types, as well as how characteristics vary by color even within the same brand.
The Same Color Name Can Look Totally Different by Brand
For example, even a color with the same name, "cobalt blue," can look very different depending on the brand.
This time, we compared:
- Mitsubishi Uni Color
- Holbein Artist Colored Pencils
cobalt blue.
Uni Color's cobalt blue has a slightly purplish tint.
Holbein's cobalt blue, on the other hand, is a more vivid, strongly saturated blue.
It's fascinating how much color tones can differ between brands even with the same name.
"I love this brand's blue"
"This color just feels right from this brand"
Discovering your own preferences like this is part of the fun of colored pencils.
"Black" Actually Shows a Lot of Personality
One color where differences are surprisingly easy to spot is "black."
This time, we compared:
- Tombow Colored Pencil
- Mitsubishi Uni Color
- Holbein Artist Colored Pencils
3 types.
Drawing with each, there turned out to be quite a difference.
Tombow Colored Pencil Black
Easy to draw thin lines with — suited to delicate expression.
Mitsubishi Uni Color Black
Slightly grayish, a soft black.
Holbein Black
The deepest, boldest, and most powerful black.
Black Alone Can Create Rich Expression
I once drew a Halloween piece using almost nothing but black.
At the time, I used:
- Base → Mitsubishi Uni Color
- Fine details and hair texture → Tombow Colored Pencil
- Background and darkest areas → Holbein
choosing each based on its strengths.
Even with the same "black," using each one's characteristics wisely lets you bring more depth and dimension to your work.
Choosing Colored Pencils by "Base," "Layering," and "Finishing"
When choosing which colored pencil to use, it helps to keep in mind these
- Base layer
- Layering
- Finishing
3 roles.
Which step a color is suited to depends on the color itself.
The Difference Between Soft and Hard Colors
Holbein's Artist Colored Pencils are known overall for their good color payoff and soft lead.
That said, even within the same series, individual colors have quite distinct personalities.
For example,
- Cobalt Blue
- Prussian Blue
the difference is easy to see when comparing these two.
Cobalt Blue
Soft lead that glides on smoothly.
Good color payoff and easy to color with even on its own.
Prussian Blue
Slightly harder, with a bit of resistance when coloring.
Because of this, it's easier to use for "layering" over a base color than for coloring solo from the start.
Layering it over a base creates a beautiful, deep blue.
"Aqua" Is a Color Suited to Finishing
Bright, soft colors like Aqua have really good color payoff, but if applied strongly at the start, subsequent layers of color can have trouble taking on top.
For that reason, it's recommended to
- Use it on its own
- Use it as a final touch
.
Layering Aqua over a built-up blue lets the colors blend smoothly into a beautiful gradient.
Wisteria Is Also Handy as a "Blending" Color
A light purple called Wisteria can be used in a similar way to Aqua.
It's a soft color that spreads well, so layering it over purple tones helps blend the colors together beautifully.
However, if you color too strongly with it first, the surface can become a bit slick and make it harder for subsequent colors to take.
Color payoff and mood change depending on the order you layer colors, so please try experimenting.
"Shell Pink," Recommended for Skin Coloring
A favorite color that shows up again and again in my videos is "Shell Pink."
It really shines especially when coloring skin.
After building up the skin color, lightly layering Shell Pink on top gives the skin a soft, seamless, and naturally smooth tone.
Adding a hint of pink beautifully enhances the look of women's and children's skin.
And since the color itself is light, it's also appealing in that it doesn't interfere much with other colors.
White Isn't Just for Highlights
White is another color I use very often.
- Highlights
- Blending colors together
- Adding brightness
and other roles — it serves many purposes.
I especially love Holbein's white, since it's beautifully white and pays off well.
That said, light colors like white and shell pink can get repelled by underlying layers if applied strongly first.
So they're not well suited to base layers.
They're best used as a finishing touch.
A "Blender" Is Handy When You Want to Mix Colors
Blending with white can end up making things look a bit whitish.
That's when a "blender" comes in handy.
A blender is a colorless colored pencil that, when layered on top, naturally blends colors together.
Unlike white, it doesn't lighten the color — it just smooths the blend as is.
However, because it's high in oil content, the surface tends to become slick after use, which can make it harder to layer more color on top.
So this too is an item best suited to finishing.
Summary | Enjoy the "Personality" of Colored Pencils
Even colors with the same name look different from brand to brand.
And even within the same brand,
- Soft colors
- Hard colors
- Base-layer suited
- Layering suited
- Finishing suited
each color has its own personality.
"This color layers beautifully"
"This color really shines when used for finishing"
Keeping characteristics like these in mind as you color can make a huge difference in the finished quality of your work.
The methods introduced here aren't necessarily the only right answer.
Please feel free to find your own way of using them and your own favorite combinations.
Rather than just coloring, we hope you'll enjoy discovering the personality of each colored pencil.