With the adult coloring obsession showing no signs of slowing down, many coloring enthusiasts are looking to increase their skill level. Creatives all over the world are pushing the envelope when it comes to this fulfilling hobby. While we have all experienced the elementary rite of passage of coloring with those waxy wonders, there are some techniques that you may want to try to take your crayon artwork to the next level.
Blending crayons when adult coloring is a great way to add detail and depth to your crayon creations. Using techniques as simple as strategically adding layers of color to blend different shades, or trying new ideas such as blending with baby oil, rubbing alcohol, or even heat, you can achieve satisfying blended effects to elevate your crayon creations.
Coloring is such a fun hobby for all ages, from little ones just learning the basics to adults who desire to create more sophisticated pieces. As with any activity, as time progresses, curious pioneers test the boundaries of the standard ways and often develop useful out-of-the-box techniques to improve the normalized methods.
And so it is with crayons. Those desiring to mesh and meld colors together as is commonly done with paint might be surprised to find there are creative ways to blend crayon colors to achieve a desired blended palette. We have included some of the most popular ways below.
Layering
A great way to blend crayons when coloring is by the process of layering. By starting with the lightest color first and then adding subsequent darker layers to specific areas, it is possible to create a blending and fading effect. As you add subsequent layers, feathering the edges will help you get more natural blended edges. This can be done with either shade of the same color, such as shades of grays and blacks, or you can also use this technique with complementing or contrasting colors, again feathering the edges for the best results.
Another way to layer colors to achieve a blended look is to leave gaps with the first color you lay down, and as you color your second color, fill in some of the gaps left with the first color, but leave different gaps with the second color, and so one with subsequent colors. Continuing in this manner will give your artwork a more overall blended effect.
If you want to take the layering-blending process a step further, repeat one of the above processes while varying the pressure you place on the crayons, leaving darker impressions in some areas and lighter impressions in others. This will lead to a very satisfying blended result.
Baby Oil
Common household baby oil can be used to help blend crayons and give a wonderful finished effect. Start by dabbing a cotton swab in baby oil. Once the cotton swab has absorbed the baby oil, be sure to lightly rub the swab onto a cloth or paper towel to remove the excess so that it is not oversaturated and dripping.
With moderate pressure, use gentle circular motions to cover the colors you want to blend. The baby oil will not only blend the colors but also smooth out the surface of the crayon marks and bring out the vibrance of your colors. The baby oil also leaves a nice sheen over the surface of your artwork.
Another variation to this technique is that you can also try applying a light layer of baby oil first onto your uncolored paper before applying the crayons. The baby oil will allow the crayons to glide across the surface of the paper and the color to go down smoothly. As you add other colors, the oil reacts with the wax in the crayons to help the colors blend more easily. Continue adding your desired colors blending as you go until you have the effect you are looking for.
Because of the nature of the baby oil, it is a good idea to test the behavior of the baby oil on a similar spare piece of paper to ensure that the paper will not give an undesirable reaction.
Learn more about blending HERE!
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another material that can be used to blend crayons. Similar to using baby oil as described above, rubbing alcohol can be helpful in the blending process as it reacts with the wax in the crayons.
To experiment with this process, begin by coloring your artwork with your desired colors. Saturate your cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and dab it on a cloth or paper towel so that it is not dripping wet. Then using a circular motion, go over the crayon colors you wish to blend until you have the desired effect. Repeat the coloring and alcohol sequence as needed until you achieve satisfactory results.
Heat
Using heat is a great way to blend crayons in adult coloring. There are a couple of different techniques you can use. One way is to heat your paper with a hairdryer after you have added the colors you want to blend, and once the paper is warm use your finger to smudge and blend the colors.
If you don’t have access to a hairdryer, you can rub your finger lightly but quickly over the area you want to blend. The friction caused by this action will heat the wax from the crayons enough so that you can then go back with your finger and with moderate pressure smudge and blend the crayon colors. If your colored artwork loses heat before you are done blending the colors, repeat the friction process to heat the wax and then continue blending until you are satisfied with your results.
Another option is to heat your paper with a hairdryer before you begin coloring. If your hairdryer has different heat settings, experiment to find which one works best for your project. Once the paper is heated, color your design with the colors you desire, blending as you go. Once the paper becomes cool, heat it with your hairdryer again before you continue coloring for a consistent end product.
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- Tip: Try placing your paper on a metal tray such as a baking sheet before you heat it. The metal will absorb the heat from the dryer and keep your paper warmer longer.
Combining Techniques
With a little bit of trial and error, each of the above techniques for blending crayons can be effective. Consider experimenting and combining two or more of the techniques to create even better results. Perhaps start with layering, and then use the baby oil method to further blend the colors. Or you can use a hairdryer and heat your colored picture before using the baby oil technique for blending to see what kind of effect you can create. Be creative and think outside of the box employing any of the above-mentioned techniques in combination. These methods of blending have the potential to complement each other because they use mediums to create similar effects.
Paper Selection
Different types of paper will produce slightly different results with each of these techniques. Thicker paper such as cardstock or watercolor paper is less absorbent and will be less likely to have the baby oil or rubbing alcohol soak through, whereas copy paper or any type of thinner paper might not be the best choice for those methods. Whatever paper you decide to use, you may want to test your method on a scrap piece to practice your technique before attempting your final piece of art.
Final Thoughts
Using the above techniques for blending crayons is a great way to elevate your adult coloring experience. The more you work with each of the methods, the better you will figure out your preference and style. The only limits you will encounter are the ones you impose on yourself. Since you are already expressing your creativity through the art of coloring, how about looking for other ways to blend crayons that we haven’t mentioned? You might create the next best way to blend crayons that will give others even more ways to express their creativity and individualism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see these techniques demonstrated?
Blogs and websites devoted to coloring may have videos available to help you understand these techniques better. Some of them are very enjoyable to watch. Youtube.com is also a great source of videos for all types of art creation. The search feature makes it easy to find exactly the types of videos you are desiring.
What other coloring products can I blend as well?
Colored pencils can be blended using many of the same techniques as crayons. Other techniques will work for colored pencils including using tissue paper to blend colors. Markers can also be used when wanting to create a blended effect. Other types of crayons such as pastels are easily blended as well.
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