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I am going to share with you my step-by-step method for creating a pencil drawing on dark paper by under layering the white pencil to create a lightness and vibrancy of colour. It’s a slow and relaxing method to use that you could apply to a wide variety of subjects such as skies and portraits. I shall also introduce you to laying down colour and tone by using the pencil in a gentle circular motion, avoiding linear marks and creating a pleasing softness to the shading.

This reference photograph inspired me to draw; I just love the colours and light. I intend to change elements of the structure and enhance the colour a little to make it more my own. The basic structure is simple, the difficulty will lie in the grades of tone, the detail of the form and the fall of light...

COLOURED PENCIL DEMONSTRATION DARK HORSE: FROM LIGHT TO DARK By Jane Lazenby  

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Materials

• Derwent studio pencils • Colourless blending or

burnishing pencil • Navy blue Windsor Universal

paper • Fine pencil eraser with brush

tip • White carbon trace down

paper: this is so I can transfer my drawing to the paper surface (you may also use a white pencil to sketch with, but be aware of not pressing too hard and creating indentations in the paper surface, or by leaving eraser marks on the surface if needing to correct your structure).

I am also going to use the Derwent range of Coloursoft pencils: a black to build softer depth, and a white to create more tonal contrast. The Coloursoft range are softer than the Artist range, these will allow you to add subtle details as final touches.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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The Initial Sketch

I have completed a brief sketch showing the basic structure and also where the main tonal/colour changes are. I have tried to use minimum pressure so not to leave an indentation on the paper as this could be hard to cover later in the drawing. The base sketch measures 22 x 30 cm approx.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Step 1: Under Layer of White and Light Colours

Initially, I am working into the highlight areas over the whole drawing and creating a layer of white pencil. I then move onto lightly tinting the white with my selected colours: light blue, ochre, yellow, terracotta and cream, working very gently at this stage. I am using my pencil in a gentle, circular motion to enable me to build soft-edged colour without line; the layers of colour are quite thin but worth the time for the velvety finish in the end...

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Step 2: Building Layer of Colour I now slowly build yet more and more layers of colour over the light pencil and begin to lay down colour in the mid tones. Again, I am using the soft, circular pencil technique as outlined earlier.

Take your time at this point and don't rush or shortcut by using too much pencil pressure: the softness will be quickly lost. You can see that I am also starting to add longer pencil strokes in the direction of the hair growth; these will work as fine detail when multiple colours are layered together.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Step 3: Reworking the Lights

All the initial white base layer of pencil has been covered by a veil of colour; I am now over layering again with white to increase the depth and tonal contrasts. Longer strokes of white are built in over the cheek and detail is added into the muzzle and eye areas.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Step 4: Adding Dark Tones for Depth Now I start to add some of the darker blues, brown and purples. Be sparing with the black, as this will be needed more in the later stages of the tonal building process.

You can see that I have begun to add black into the background under the horse's chin area.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Step 5: Starting to Build Detail

I am now creating linear marks into the mane starting with the lighter shades then working darker negative spaces between the locks of hair. Add a few stronger lines within the facial structure to describe the veins and bone edges; the white Coloursoft pencil starts to come into it's own now, it will happily sit on top of the surface of the Artist Pencils due to the softer consistency.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Step 6: Blending the Surface After adding more darker strokes with the black Coloursoft pencil, I start to blend the pencil surface in the direction of the hair growth. The blending pencil is colourless and has a waxy consistency, allowing me to fill in the gaps created by the tooth (surface texture) of the paper.

The photograph (right) shows the unblended left hand side in contrast with the right hand side where I have used the blending pencil to push the colour smoothly into the paper surface; it gives a more unified appearance to the layers of pencil.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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Step 7: Adjusting the Tonal Depth

Finally I add further depth to the drawing with the black Coloursoft. It sits comfortably over the blended surface allowing me to create even more tonal contrast, depth and fine detail.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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The Finished Outcome

Here we have the final piece showing the softness of the colour and tone. By using the dark blue paper, we have created subdued colour with a pleasing harmony. The highlights should gleam with the base layer of white allowing a pureness of colour; the light colours in the pencils simply do not have enough strength and coverage to achieve this effect without the helpful white under layer. Try the technique, but be patient: don't short cut the tones by rushing along or working too heavily! I have titled this piece 'Morning Meditation'; the horse is at sleepy peace, and the absorbing layering method has seemed very meditative in its fruition.

Dark Horse by Jane Lazenby

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About Jane Lazenby I am an established UK equestrian and animal artist based in Yorkshire. My work is concerned with the capture of light over form be it human, equine, canine or feline. I am primarily an acrylic artist, but I am increasing using coloured pencil as I enjoy the ability to subtly build colour coupled with the precision of the pencil point. Thank you for joining me, I hope you find these techniques worthwhile. See Jane Lazenby’s full profile at: www.ArtTutor.com/artists/Jane-Lazenby

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