Prismacolor Pencil Tutorial

At the request of my new coloring friend Janet, ormond on SCS, here is a tutorial on how to color using Prismacolor pencils.

Here's everything you need to get started:


A stamped image (High Hopes - Huggable Hank) in permanent ink (Archival Jet Black used here), Prismacolor pencils, pencil sharpener, blending stumps, sandpaper block, baby oil and a container with a piece of felt in it to add the baby oil to.

Step 1

I colored the main part of Hank with Apple Green. Make sure to color him completely as the color does not spread like it does when you use watercolor pencils.

Step 2

Using your blending stump, dab it into the container to pick up a little bit of baby oil. In a circular motion, go over the entire colored image. Go back to the container to get more baby oil as needed to help you blend better.

Notice the blended look above Hank's belly, that is where I have blended. You can still see the pencil lines in the places that I have not. Here is Hank after his whole body has been blended:

Step 3

Using Dark Green, add color to the areas that you want shaded. On Hank, I have outlined his head, nose, lip, body, belly and feet.

Step 4

Using your blending stumps, go over the Dark Green lines, pulling the darker color towards the inside lighter color. If it is not dark enough after you have blended it, use your pencil to add more color and re-blend to achieve the desired look.

Step 5

Using Canary Yellow, color in the wings. When using lighter colors, it is hard to tell if you colored in all the area as well as if you blended all of it.

Step 6

Using Orange, color in the top part of the wings and color over the lines on the wings to add color and depth to them.

Blend until you like the look of the wings.

Step 7

Color in the finger and toe nails using Cream and color in the horns using Beige. I personally do not shade these areas since they are too small.

Step 8

Using Cool Gray 50%, outline along the bottom of Hank to form a shadow where he is standing. Blend the color away from the image, spreading the color outwards.

Step 9

Here is your finished image.

I hope you will know try this technique. It is so much fun! It makes you feel like a kid again to enjoy coloring.

If you are looking for a place to purchase these supplies, check out Dick Blick. You can get your Prismacolor pencils, blending stumps, sandpaper blocks and pencil sharpener directly from them at reasonable prices and with quick delivery.