How Do You Blend Colored Crayons?
Blending colored crayons creates smooth color transitions and depth in your artwork. Several techniques achieve this, depending on the desired effect and crayon type.
1. Layering and Pressure:
This is the most basic method. Start with light pressure, layering colors on top of each other. The first layer should be the lightest color. Increase pressure gradually as you add more layers to build intensity and blend the colors. The reference video demonstrates this technique: "How to Blend with Crayon - YouTube". Some colors blend better than others. According to Alisa Burke's blog, "crayons: tips and tricks", reds, blues, purples, and pinks blend well, while yellows, oranges, and greens can be more challenging.
- Example: Lay down a light blue layer, then add a darker blue on top, blending them together by slightly overlapping and varying the pressure.
2. Scumbling:
This technique involves layering colors using a back-and-forth scribbling motion. It's effective for creating a textured, blended effect, not a completely smooth transition. This method is useful for representing certain textures or surface details.
3. Blending with a Tool:
Using tools can help achieve smoother blends.
- Cotton Swab/Q-tip: Lightly dab a cotton swab on the crayon layer to blend colors together, as described on the ColorSwell blog. You may need a solvent like baby oil to help the crayons blend.
- Paper Stumps: These are rolled paper tools that effectively blend crayon colors by picking up and redistributing wax.
- Fingers: Be cautious as this can smudge your work, but it can be useful for delicate blending.
4. Heat Blending (Advanced):
This technique involves using heat to melt the crayon wax, allowing for a seamless blend. This can be done carefully with a hair dryer (on a low setting) or a warming tray, as explored on Colored Pencil Enthusiast. This method requires practice and caution to avoid damaging the paper.
Tips for Successful Crayon Blending
- Start Light: Always begin with light pressure to avoid over-saturating the paper.
- Experiment: Different crayon brands and colors will behave differently. Experiment to find which techniques and colors work best for you.
- Sharp Crayons: Sharply pointed crayons offer more control and precision for blending.
