Kraft Pencil Coloring

Learn tips for using colored pencils on kraft paper.

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Stamp or print an image to color on kraft paper or cardstock.
   
   NOTE:
   Kraft is a kind of paper rather than a color. It is strong, fibrous and toothy, which makes it an excellent surface for colored pencils.
   

   

2. Step 2

   For monochrome coloring, begin with the highlights. Use very light pressure and a sharp pencil. This will allow you to add more layers, blend colors, and build intensity. Adding too much pigment too soon will fill the tooth of the paper and result in blocky coloring with less ability to blend.
   
   Use a light color – white, cream, 10% grey, beige... Ginger Root (Prismacolor Premier) was used here, a pale beige.
   

   

3. Highlight:
   Areas that appear to be closer to you
   Areas that are higher
   Areas that appear to be curving or rounded toward you
   

   

4. Step 3

   Repeat step 2, layering again with light pressure over areas that need more intensity. These will typically be in the section of highlights where light would be most direct.

   

5. Step 4

   Use a dark brown pencil with light pressure to begin adding shading to the image.
   
   Shade:
   Areas that are hidden behind or under something that would cast a shadow
   Areas that are lower
   Areas that are farther away or curving away
   

   

6. Step 5

   Repeat step 4, layering again with light pressure over areas that need more intensity. These will typically be along the edges of the shadows where light would be least direct.

   

7. Step 6

   Add light layers and textures with your light and dark pencils as needed to create contrast.

   

8. Step 7

   For colored areas, again begin with the highlights as in Step 2. Be sure to use light pressure and keep your pencil sharp. Focus on one colored section at a time.

   

9. Step 8

   Use a dark pencil with light pressure to begin adding shading to the section.

   

10. Step 9

    Use a color between the light and dark to fill in the midtone. Lightly blend into the edges of the highlight and shadowed areas.

    

11. Step 10

    Repeat Steps 7-9, layering lightly again to build the intensity of the highlight and shadow, then blend with the midtone.

    

12. Step 11

    Repeat this process in each color area of the image.

    

13. Step 12

    Use a tighter circular motion and increase pressure slightly to saturate color where needed. A colorless blender pencil can also be used to burnish color or blend dark to light.

    

14. Add texture with small strokes of dark and/or light color.

    

15. Step 13

    Use gel or acrylic paint pens to add brighter highlights or refresh black areas (here: eyes, nose and hooves).

    

16. Step 14

    A dark pencil used with very light pressure around the outside of the image can create a little contrast to help the image ‘pop’.

    

17. Step 15

    Use the image to complete a card or other project.

    

Video!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Kraft Pencil Coloring. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

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