Blending Prisma colored pencils often involves layering colors and using techniques like burnishing to achieve smooth transitions and vibrant results. Here's a breakdown of effective methods:
Layering Colors
The foundation of blending colored pencils is layering. This involves applying multiple thin layers of different colors on top of each other.
- Start Light: Begin with light pressure and build up the color gradually. This gives you more control over the final result.
- Color Harmony: Choose colors that blend well together. Consider using a color wheel to find complementary or analogous colors.
- Vary Pressure: Experiment with different pressure levels for each layer to create depth and dimension. Lighter layers help colors mix subtly, while heavier layers can emphasize certain areas.
Burnishing
Burnishing is a technique where you use heavy pressure with your colored pencils to blend the colors together and create a smooth, almost waxy finish.
- Apply Pressure: Use a white or light-colored pencil (or even a colorless blender pencil) and apply heavy pressure over the layers of color you've already laid down.
- Smooth Surface: The pressure helps to push the pigment into the paper's tooth, creating a smooth and polished surface. This also helps to further blend the colors together.
- Caution: Burnishing can be difficult to undo, so make sure you are happy with the colors before you start burnishing. It works best for areas where you want a solid, opaque color.
Using Solvents
Solvents like odorless mineral spirits (OMS) can also be used to blend colored pencils. This technique creates a painterly effect.
- Apply Colors: Lay down your layers of colored pencil as you normally would.
- Solvent Application: Use a small brush or cotton swab to apply a small amount of solvent to the area you want to blend. The solvent will dissolve the pigment and allow it to blend together.
- Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area and use appropriate safety precautions when working with solvents.
- Paper Quality: This technique works best on thicker paper that can withstand the solvent without buckling.
Colorless Blender Pencils
Colorless blender pencils are designed to blend colored pencils without adding any additional pigment.
- Application: Use the blender pencil over your layers of colored pencil, applying medium to heavy pressure.
- Blending Action: The blender pencil helps to push the pigment into the paper and smooth out the texture.
- Less Intense Blending: Blender pencils offer a more subtle blending effect compared to solvents or burnishing.
Tips for Success
- Practice: Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.
- Paper Quality: Use high-quality paper specifically designed for colored pencils. This will help the colors blend more smoothly.
- Sharp Pencils: Keep your pencils sharp for precise layering and blending.
- Light Source: Work under a consistent light source to accurately judge the colors.
By mastering layering, burnishing, and other blending techniques, you can achieve stunning effects with your Prisma colored pencils.
