When it comes to creating stunning mountain scenes in your coloring book, having the right tools can make all the difference. While there are many options available, finding the best coloring pencils specifically suited for mountain scenes can take your artwork to new heights. In this article, we will explore the top coloring pencils that will help you capture the beauty and grandeur of mountain landscapes.
Note: If you’re looking for beautiful scenes to practice your coloring, don’t miss our previous article on Printable Mountain Landscapes for Coloring: Explore the Beauty of Nature.
1. The Best Coloring Pencil
When it comes to choosing the best coloring pencil for mountain scenes, one name that stands out is Prismacolor Premier. These high-quality colored pencils are renowned for their smooth application and vibrant pigments. The soft, wax-based cores allow for effortless blending and layering, giving your mountains a realistic depth and texture. With a wide range of colors to choose from, Prismacolor Premier pencils offer endless possibilities for creating breathtaking mountain scenes.
2. Best Colored Pencils
In addition to Prismacolor Premier, there are a few other colored pencil brands that excel in capturing the essence of mountain scenes. Faber-Castell Polychromos is another popular choice among artists for their rich, intense colors and excellent lightfastness. These oil-based colored pencils are known for their durability and ability to create smooth, even layers, making them ideal for intricate mountain details.
Derwent Coloursoft is another brand that deserves recognition. These pencils have a velvety texture that allows for easy blending, perfect for achieving realistic mountain shadows and highlights. The high pigment concentration ensures vibrant colors that truly bring your mountain scenes to life.
3. How can you tell the quality of colored pencils?
Determining the quality of colored pencils can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. Here are a few factors to consider when evaluating the quality of colored pencils:
- Pigment Quality: The higher the pigment quality, the more vibrant and true-to-life the colors will appear on paper.
- Lightfastness: Check if the pencils have good lightfastness ratings, indicating that the colors will resist fading over time.
- Core Strength: A strong core is essential for smooth and precise coloring. Avoid pencils with cores that break easily.
- Blendability: Look for pencils that blend easily, allowing you to create seamless transitions and gradients.
- Usability: Consider factors such as comfort, grip, and ease of sharpening when choosing colored pencils.
4. Something to Keep in Mind as You Shop For Colored Pencils
When shopping for colored pencils, it’s important to remember that the price doesn’t always reflect quality. While high-end brands often deliver superior results, there are affordable options available that can still produce impressive mountain scenes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and find the ones that work best for you.
5. How to Make the Most of Your Favorite Colored Pencils
Now that you have your favorite coloring pencils for mountain scenes, it’s time to make the most of them. Here are a few tips to enhance your artwork:
- Layering: Apply multiple layers of colors to create depth and richness in your mountain landscapes. Blend and blend some more to achieve smooth transitions.
- Use Different Techniques: Explore various techniques such as hatching, stippling, and burnishing to add texture and dimension to your mountains.
- Reference Photos: Use reference photos of mountains to study light and shadows, as well as the natural color variations present in different landscapes.
- Experiment with Blending Tools: Consider using blending tools like blending stumps or cotton swabs to achieve even smoother results and soft gradients.
6. Bold Horizons for Dramatic Effect
To create a dramatic effect in your mountain scenes, consider using bold and contrasting colors for the horizon. This will add depth and make your mountains stand out. Experiment with warm and cool color combinations to evoke different moods in your artwork.
7. Conducting Light and Color
Understanding how light interacts with color is crucial for realistic mountain scenes. Focus on highlighting the areas where light hits the mountains, creating realistic shadows and highlights. Play with different intensities of color to capture the ever-changing hues of mountain landscapes.
8. Swift & Sure: Capturing the Scene Quickly
Sometimes, the breathtaking beauty of mountain scenes may inspire you to capture them quickly. To do this, sketch the outline of the mountains lightly and then fill in the basic colors. Use quick and confident strokes to bring your mountains to life. Remember, the goal is to capture the essence and energy of the scene rather than focusing on intricate details.
9. An Immersive Subject: Abi Whitlock’s Underwater World
While this article primarily focuses on mountain scenes, it’s worth mentioning the incredible artwork of Abi Whitlock, who specializes in underwater scenes. Through her meticulous use of colored pencils, she creates immersive underwater worlds that transport viewers to a mesmerizing realm. Her attention to detail and mastery of shading make her artwork a true inspiration for coloring enthusiasts.
10. Exploring Color, Edges, and Movement: Painting Fireworks
In addition to mountain scenes, exploring other subjects can further enhance your coloring skills. Painting fireworks with colored pencils allows you to experiment with vibrant colors, soft edges, and dynamic movement. By mastering the art of fireworks, you’ll expand your creative abilities and bring an extra sparkle to your coloring repertoire.
How to Draw a Landscape Using Coloured Pencil
When drawing a landscape using coloured pencils, the choice of paper is crucial. Clairefontaine Pastelmat is recommended as it allows for multiple layers and easy blending with solvent. This paper also produces bright and vibrant colors. However, other options like hot pressed watercolor papers, such as Arches or Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper, can also be used.
To create a pleasing composition, it is advised not to place the horizon line in the middle. To follow the rule of thirds, position the horizon line towards the top or bottom third, depending on whether the focus is on the sky or foreground. In the example shown, the bottom third represents the foreground, while the top two-thirds feature the mountains and the sky.
For the base layer, block in the main colors observed throughout the landscape. Derwent Drawing pencils are recommended for their brightness and opacity on pastelmat paper. If these pencils do not offer the desired colors, other brands can be used as well.
When blending with solvent, the colors become more saturated and vibrant. It is important to dab off excess solvent before applying it to the artwork. Allow the drawing to dry for about 30 minutes before adding another layer of pencil to avoid damaging the paper’s tooth.
To determine which colors to use, refer to the reference photo and select the most obvious colors. Apply these colors to the corresponding areas and continue to do so with the following colors. This helps create coherence in the artwork.
For grass, use multiple shades of green, as well as other colors like yellow, blue, brown, and red. Adding these varied colors adds visual interest and avoids a flat appearance.
Keep in mind that not every detail needs to be visible, especially in distant mountains. The amount of detail should be proportional to the distance. Focus on creating abstract shapes and colors for trees and mountains rather than detailed branches and textures.
To achieve a realistic look, pay attention to values rather than excessive detail. Comparing your artwork to a black and white version of the reference photo can help determine if the values are accurate. Adjust as necessary.
The two key elements for a realistic drawing are correct proportions and values. Colors and excessive detail are not as important. By standing back and viewing the artwork from a normal distance, the overall effect of detail can be achieved.
Landscapes are an ideal subject for beginners as mistakes in proportions or shapes are not easily noticeable. Similarly, flowers and plants are also recommended subjects that are similar to landscapes.
Drawing landscapes using coloured pencils is an enjoyable and beginner-friendly way to explore the medium of art.
Conclusion
When it comes to coloring pencils for mountain scenes, Prismacolor Premier, Faber-Castell Polychromos, and Derwent Coloursoft are among the best options available. By paying attention to factors such as pigment quality, lightfastness, and blendability, you can ensure impressive results in your artwork. Remember to experiment, practice different techniques, and explore various subjects to keep your coloring journey exciting and fulfilling.
