Skip to content
Trusted by Artists : ★★★★★ 4.9 Google Reviews
★★★★★ 4.9 Google Reviews

Coloured Pencils For Beginners

Table of Contents

1. Starting Your Artistic Journey with Beginner-Friendly Coloured Pencils

Starting your artistic journey can be an exciting endeavour, and choosing the right tools is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience. One of the most versatile and beginner-friendly mediums are coloured pencils. With their rich colours and user-friendly nature, they make the learning process more engaging and less intimidating. At The Sydney Art Store, we offer a carefully curated selection of coloured pencils designed specifically for beginners. These pencils are crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and vibrant colour payoff. They allow for easy blending and layering, making them ideal for exploring various shading techniques. Whether you're working on a simple sketch or a detailed illustration, these pencils can help you achieve your desired results with ease. The Sydney Art Store aims to support budding artists in their creative journey by providing them with premium-quality, long-lasting, and easy-to-use art supplies.
An artist organizing a collection of pens, markers, and brushes in a roll-up case, with colorful ink bottles

2. The Role of Coloured Pencils in Enhancing Your Artwork

An artist selecting brushes from a jar, with an easel, paint palette, and sketches on the floor nearby.
Coloured pencils have the unique ability to enhance artwork by adding depth, texture, and vibrancy. Their fine tips allow for precise detail, making them perfect for intricate linework or small-scale illustrations. Through layering and blending techniques, coloured pencils can achieve gradients and rich tones that rival other mediums. They are particularly effective in mixed media projects, complementing watercolours, inks, or pastels with their dynamic colour range. Additionally, coloured pencils provide control and flexibility, enabling artists to fine-tune their work without the mess of wet media. For hobbyists and professionals alike, using coloured pencils transforms simple sketches into vibrant, polished compositions that stand out.

3. Understanding the Types of Coloured Pencils

Caran D’Ache Museum Aquarelle Colour Pencils

$6.97

Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils Set

$39.96

Conte Pastel Pencils

$7.48

Coloured pencils come in various types, each suited to specific techniques and artistic goals. Wax-based pencils are popular for their smooth application and ability to layer and blend easily, making them ideal for creating soft gradients and textures. Oil-based pencils, on the other hand, offer greater control and precision, perfect for fine detailing and vibrant colour saturation. Water-soluble pencils provide additional versatility, allowing artists to achieve a watercolour effect when activated with a damp brush. Some pencils are designed specifically for durability and lightfastness, ensuring long-lasting results. By understanding the strengths of each type, artists can select the pencils that best match their preferred techniques and project requirements.
A colorful assortment of art supplies, including paints, brushes, palettes, and display boxes, arranged neatly with decorative elements.

4. The Sydney Art Store: High-Quality Coloured Pencils

An organized workspace featuring brushes, pens, inks, and tools neatly arranged in a bright and creative setting.
The Sydney Art Store offers a premium range of coloured pencils designed to unlock your creative potential. Our pencils are available in a variety of styles, from wax-based options for layering to oil-based pencils for fine detailing. For added versatility, we also stock water-soluble pencils that allow for seamless transitions between drawing and painting techniques. Each pencil features rich, fade-resistant pigments, ensuring your artwork remains vibrant and enduring. Whether you’re a professional artist or a hobbyist, our coloured pencils provide the performance and reliability needed for every project. With our high-quality selection, you can take your artistic expression to new heights and achieve stunning results in every piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Best Coloured Pencils for Artists?

The best coloured pencils for artists are professional-grade options like wax-based, oil-based, or water-soluble varieties. Wax-based pencils, such as Prismacolor, provide vibrant colors and smooth blending, while oil-based pencils, like Faber-Castell Polychromos, offer durability and precision. Water-soluble pencils can double as watercolor tools for added versatility. High-quality coloured pencils have soft yet resilient cores, ensuring consistent pigmentation, layering, and blending, making them ideal for both detailed work and bold illustrations.

How to Blend Colours with Coloured Pencils?

Blending colours with coloured pencils involves layering and using techniques to create smooth transitions. Begin with light pressure, layering one color over another to gradually build the blend. A blending pencil or a colorless blender can smooth out strokes for a polished look. You can also use household tools like a soft tissue or blending stump. For advanced effects, gently burnish the surface by applying firm pressure with lighter shades.

How to Choose Coloured Pencils for Beginners?

For beginners, it's important to start with coloured pencils that are affordable yet high-quality, such as student-grade sets from brands like Derwent or Crayola. These pencils offer smooth application and decent pigment quality, making them suitable for practicing techniques like shading and blending. Opt for sets with a wide range of colors to explore different combinations. Look for pencils with medium-soft cores, as they are easier to control and require less pressure.

Are Coloured Pencils Waterproof?

Most traditional coloured pencils are not waterproof, as their pigments are wax- or oil-based, which can smudge when exposed to water. However, water-soluble coloured pencils, also known as watercolor pencils, are designed to react with water, allowing you to blend and create watercolor effects. If you need waterproof results, consider sealing your work with a fixative spray, which preserves the vibrancy and prevents smudging in finished pieces.

Can You Use Coloured Pencils on Canvas?

Yes, you can use coloured pencils on canvas, but it requires some preparation. Canvas is less smooth than paper, so a primed surface, such as gesso, helps create a suitable texture for the pencils to adhere to. Wax- or oil-based coloured pencils work best, as their pigment can grip the canvas fibers effectively. Layering and blending may require more pressure due to the canvas's rough texture, but unique artistic effects can be achieved.

Compare products

{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

Select first item to compare

Select second item to compare

Select third item to compare

Compare
Refund Policy

Permission to Return and to Receive Credit/REFUND
We will NOT accept return of merchandise with a change of mind.

'No refund for incorrect choice' or 'No refund if you change your mind'

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website for information on your rights when things go wrong with products or services.