3 Quick Steps to Heat Colored Pencils


Do you ever look at a piece of art and wonder how the artist managed to get the colors so vibrant? If they are using colored pencils there is a good chance that they heated them, and the process is easy enough for you to do too.

You can repeat this process as often as you need. Read on to learn the different ways you can heat colored pencils to increase saturation and how these steps apply to different techniques, along with some specialized tips and tricks to make the process as simple as possible.

Heating Colored Pencils with Items at Home

If you want to play around with heating colored pencils without buying a fancy heating apparatus then there are a few household items that can get you started, such as:

  • Sunlight
  • Warm water
  • A hairdryer

These are simple but effective ways to achieve the benefits of heating colored pencils without running out to buy a special heating surface.

Sunlight

While you should not store your colored pencils in direct sunlight for prolonged periods, shorter periods are useful in melting the binding enough to get a smoother application. For best results put them in a reflective container and let them sit there for about a half hour. You can use the tin that comes with most colored pencil sets, or you can line whatever you are using with foil. 

Warm Water

As long as the colored pencils you are working with are not water soluble then letting them soak in warm water can help soften their tips promptly. Fill a cup with enough warm water to cover the tips of the pencils and let them sit for about 15 minutes. You can add a teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol for more drastic results.

Hair Dryer

You can use a hair dryer in a few different ways. First, hair dryers can be used to heat the surface so that when colored pencils touch down they melt just a bit. This effect is subtle, but it is enough to help the pencil glide across the paper. You can also use the hair dryer on the pencils themselves, pointing at the tips and letting hot air blow for a few seconds.

Heating Colored Pencils with a Heated Surface Working with colored pencils on a warmed surface is a quick and easy way to heat them. You can get started with a food-grade warming plate that has a smooth surface and adjustable temperature.

If you are looking for a more professional tool dedicated to artwork then the Icarus Board may be for you. On top of providing a warm surface to work on, the board is designed to attach securely to easels, secure your paper or canvas, and provide adjustable heat to work with. To use it for mixing pigment, blending, or burnishing you turn on the warm zone and color as needed. If you need to add more details, layers, or lines you can turn the warm zone off or turn the temperature down.

Tips for Working With Heated Colored Pencils

Regardless of the heated surface you intend to use, there are a few tips and tricks to make your job easier. While keeping your workstation clean is important for general use, failing to do so with a heated surface is a spell for disaster. Any debris from your colored pencils can melt on your paper, dotting it with pigment that will not be easy to remove.

You should also test out colors and blends on the surface before using them on a finished piece. Blends work differently with heated colored pencils. For example, opposite colors do not blend nearly as nicely. You may be better off using a premade color instead of blending two different colors. Planning is also incredibly important. When you heat colored pencils you are committing to what you put on the page. Anything that goes on the page or canvas is probably staying right where it lands, and there is not much you can do about it. Using something like a thin flour sack towel or wax paper can help keep oils from your skin from getting onto the page, and you can limit any pigment transfer.

Learn more about colored pencils HERE!

Heating Colored Pencils to Prevent Breakage

If you face the issue of colored pencils breaking on you often then you can try heating them in an oven to rework the binding and prevent breakage. The oven works better because you have more control over the temperature. You can try this out with a few pencils to start and make sure it works for your brand. Most pencils with a softer core, like Prismacolor Premier, come out working better than ever. Start by laying the colored pencils in a pan and putting the pan in the oven without preheating it. Set the temperature to 250°F.

Depending on your pencils you can leave them in there for 2.5 to 7 minutes (Prismacolor Premiers seem to do well in 5 minutes). Turn the oven off, and let the pencils cool before you start to use them. When you use any pencils you have heated, take note of how they perform. Most people who like to do this notice less breakage in their colored pencils, and you may have increased vibrancy. It may not work as well for every brand of colored pencils, so start small before committing.

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Shawn C

Hi! I’m Shawn and I Love Coloring and Art and the people in it! I created this website as a resource to help those who are considering getting into adult coloring. My website is your one-stop destination for all the inspired instruction and resources you need to start and grow your adult coloring hobby. From geometric to floral to zen doodles and from time to time even mandala’s when I am in the mood. I have researched and gathered the information to help you in your goal of starting your adult coloring hobby.

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