Learning objectives
- Practise rubbing, indenting and lifting out
- Choose appropriate techniques for your subject
- How to use directional strokes to create the effect of texture
Sometimes you want to go beyond regular shading to create unique textures in your coloured-pencil drawings. Four techniques to consider are rubbing, paper indenting, lifting out and the application of varied directional strokes, which are all shown in the following demonstration. Before you begin working in earnest, think about which techniques would work best in your drawing, based on your reference picture.
Rubbing
This technique works best on larger areas. You can place textured objects underneath the drawing paper and shade over them with medium pencil pressure. This technique works well on thin paper.
Indenting
Paper indenting is good for working on smaller details. This is a great technique to make white whiskers and thin leaf veins, and to make other super fine lines where leaving a thin line would not be possible otherwise. Plan to indent your paper before you begin shading the area.
