The #1 Skill You Need for Realistic Colored Pencil Drawings

Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Morrison
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Published 2022-12-16
What is the one thing that makes my artwork look realistic?
Smooth Blending!
In this video, I will give you 5 Tips for creating a smooth blend while I draw this big Blue Chrysanthemum using colored pencils.

I drew this using several different brands of colored pencils including Prismacolor, Polychromos, Luminance, Derwent Lightfast, and Holbein on Legion Rising Museum Mountboard. The pencil was blended with Utrecht NOOD odorless mineral spirits.

Here is my affiliate link to Blick Art Materials where you will find the supplies I used in this drawing:
www.kqzyfj.com/click-100681294-12117697?url=https%…
I do earn a percentage from the sales generated from this link:)

You can learn from me on Patreon at www.patreon.com/jennifermorrisonart

See a listing of all of my available tutorials at www.jennifermorrisonart.com/patreontutoriallinks

Find out more about my artwork on my website at jennifermorrisonart.com/

Follow me on Instagram @jennifermorrisonart.

Reference image licensed from adobestock.com.
All Comments (21)
  • @pinkangel2393
    I think the number one skill for colored pencil art is patience 😂❤ , such beautiful work!
  • @jcepri
    I tried color pencils but they drove me insane because the process was sooooo slooooow. I switched to pastels which feels more painterly. I have to say your drawings are beautiful. I don't have that level of patience.,,
  • @leneprior9392
    Inspirational as you sure took this flower into a great piece. And said it perfectly “ take time” not only to color but enjoy the journey!
  • @JUDGExNOCTURNAL
    Thank you so much, this is very helpful. I think you are a great artist by the way.
  • @debbieannmango1492
    Your flower is amazing. Having said that . . . I have never watched anyone start from the bottom up before. Truly amazing. How do you prevent yourself from losing the shape of the blossom with having nothing to guide you? Brilliant work. Cheers!
  • @cxqcxq5176
    subscribed - very good tips - thank you! i'm glad you emphasized it is a slow process - thought it was just me not catching on. long ago when i took a botanical illustration course with colored pencil - all i really had to show after 8 weeks was a very realistic-looking pepper stem, and a small tomato, LOL! everything had to be super-analyzed. I learned that if i were to cut the pepper stem in cross-section, you'd see more of a hexagon than a circle. some little revelations like that made all the difference.
  • @maryse6244
    C'est vraiment très beau, le mélange des couleurs!! Félicitations!!!
  • @pamelasertich9850
    OMG that flower was amazing. I love using pencils but it takes so long. Maybe the solvent is the key. Some people swear by it and then some act like it is the devil. Thank you for sharing.
  • @teressacooks7928
    Thank you for sharing these important tips. It's like you were speaking directly to me!😆 I saw so many uploads of beautiful pencil drawings and was so frustrated with my own work. They never disclosed that they're using solvents to achieve those hyper realistic / smooth looks 😤. I guess they just "assumed" everyone knew😞 We newbies don't know this🥺