Are you interested in experimenting with getting a more vibrant, rich, deep color from your colored pencils? If you’ve picked up a box of inexpensive colored pencils in a big-box store and are just beginning your artistic journey, there are several techniques you can use to maximize your experience.
Nearly all colored pencils are made with a wax binder. The more expensive the pencil, the higher the quality of the wax. One way to magnify your pencils’ vibrant color potential is to soften the wax binder and virtually the color inside the pencil itself. These five tried, and true softening techniques can intensify color, no matter what kind of colored pencil you use:
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- Warm in Sunlight
- Warm in the Microwave
- Soak in Water
- Soak in Water and Alcohol
- Store on Damp Sponges
- Use Drawing Boards
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Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, there are always new techniques and tips to augment your creativity when illustrating or drawing a piece. When using colored pencils as your chosen medium, there are numerous techniques to learn, and so many ways you can challenge yourself and improve. There is always something to learn!
Warm in Sunlight
Don’t panic! We do not suggest that your pencils be stored in a warm place or that your pencils be kept warm for any length of time. Most artists know that for colored pencils to maintain their peak performance, they should be stored, ideally in their original container, in a cool, dry place with low humidity.
That being said, one of the simplest ways to soften a colored pencil is to warm it in the sun. Place the pencil (or pencils) that you want to use in a reflective container like an aluminum pan, or you can even wrap them in a thin sheet of aluminum foil and place them in the sunshine for half an hour or so. You’ll be surprised at how the gentle heat softens the pencil and heightens the color.
Warm in the Microwave
Some artists warm their colored pencils in the microwave. This technique will work, but there is some risk involved. Overheating with the intensity of a microwave can cause the pencil to melt completely. If you want to try this technique, we recommend warming in very short intervals, 10-15 seconds at a time. Achieving the vibrancy and intensity of the color is worth waiting for!
Soak in Water
Another way to soften colored pencils to achieve a bright, vibrant color is to soak them in water. This technique is simple, easy, and useful. All you need is a cup – paper, plastic, or glass and some water. Pour about an inch of water into the cup. Place the pencils into the water, allowing them to rest against the side of the container. Soak for about 12-15 minutes. Voila!
An effective twist on soaking colored pencils in water is to use warm/hot water to speed up the softening process. Using warm/hot water requires a soak of only about 8-10 minutes.
Soak in Water and Alcohol
Another significant twist on using water to soften colored pencils is to soak your pencils in about an inch of water plus a teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol. The isopropyl alcohol breaks down the wax in pencil chemically. So, instead of just softening the pencils in water, you get a more deliberate and deep allowing those vibrant colors to shine through. Until you are confident of the effect of each of these techniques, experiment a little and see which works best for the effect you’re trying to produce.
Store on Damp Sponges
Softening your colored pencils augments their color. If you are looking for a consistent vibrancy in color, consider changing how you store your pencils. Using a slightly damp sponge will ensure that your colors are softened and ready for that color boost anytime you’re ready to use them.
Buy or repurpose a cylindrical metal container with a secure lid. Then, the bottom of the container is a 100% cellulose sponge, only very slightly dampened. Ensure your pencils are sharpened very well, and then store the pencils with their sharpened tips lightly resting on the damp sponge.
The next time you use your pencils, you’ll likely notice that even the wooden pencil tip looks hydrated instead of brittle and coarse. This slight but consistent dampening will ensure a soft tip and buoyant color. Check on the sponge’s dampness from time to time, remoistening as necessary to prevent drying.
Quick pro-tip: You’ll notice when you remove the sponge from its packaging, it is already slightly dampened with sterile water to prevent it from shriveling before purchase. That may be enough moisture to soften your pencils adequately. Try it and see. If not, add a little water to the sponge, squeeze all excess water, and try again.
Need to pick the right pencils? Check out our article here to help you get started!
Use Drawing Boards
Drawing boards are a more expensive option for softening your colored pencils. With two available options: Warm Zone and Cool Zone, you can guess what drawing boards accomplish. When using colored pencils over the Warm Zone, the colored pencils are warmed as you use them, which allows you to manipulate, in real-time, the vibrancy of the colors as you work. Shifting your paper between the Warm and Cool Zones allows you complete control of the amount of heat applied when drawing.
Wax Bloom
When discussing vibrancy and deep, rich pencil color in your artwork, it’s crucial to mention wax bloom. You may have already noticed that a few days after you’ve completed your colored pencil piece, it looks as though the colors have faded, or there may even be a white film over your piece. This white film is called wax bloom, and it is incredibly common. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to get rid of, too.
When exposed to air, any wax-based material oxidizes. This oxidation process produces a white film called wax bloom. To get rid of wax bloom, wipe your piece with a clean, dry cloth. Then, spray your piece with a final fixative to seal the piece from oxidizing again.
Expiration
If you are not getting the color from your pencils that you once did, it may be that your pencils have expired. That may sound impossible, but it is true! If your pencil lacks vibrancy, and can’t keep a point – no matter how many times you sharpen it, seems crumbly or even chalky, they have likely expired.
Colored pencils have a Lightfast rating of 0.1 – 12. Less expensive colored pencils usually have a Lightfast rating of 0.1, and they generally last 1-2 years. Likewise, more expensive pencils have higher ratings and last much longer.
There are several techniques and tutorials on the creative uses of drawing boards. They are used for much more than just colored pencil drawings; however, it is worth noting these are an expensive way to achieve the deep, rich colors you are looking for. These tips on softening pencils may take a little maneuvering to produce the same vibrancy you are looking for. Use our recommendations as guidelines and improvise to see what kind of effect you like best.
Isn’t that one of the great things about being an artist and producing art you love? There is no right or wrong way to experiment. You get to be the judge of what you like best! In the end, you will find that when softened, your colored pencils will produce a more vibrant, deep color than you may have ever expected otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I soften the look of the pencil without softening the pencil?
Absolutely! Many recommended techniques soften the look of colored pencil drawings rather than softening the pencil itself. Artists have been known to gently blend their pencil strokes by brushing over the piece using Qtips dampened with alcohol. The alcohol breaks down the wax binding within the pencil coloring, loosening the color and smoothing the overall effect. Others use a tiny bit of baby oil on the end of a Qtip and brush over their drawings to soften the pencil lines, giving the work an almost watercolor look and feel. Either of these techniques softens the effect of the pencil drawing rather than softening the pencil itself.
Should I try these softening techniques on expensive colored pencils?
Expensive colored pencils bought from an art store are usually formulated with a higher quality wax binder than a set of pencils one might buy from a big-box store. Therefore, it is not recommended that the pencil itself be softened because the color should already be vibrant and deep. Indeed, an artist could experiment and then decide if the result is worth it.
Will softening my pencils hurt their longevity over time?
No. Colored pencils, more so than many other media, are hearty and durable. Indeed, storage and careful maintenance are essential; however, softening the pencil itself shouldn’t damage its longevity in any way.
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