How To Use White Colored Pencil On White Paper?

“Creativity takes courage.”

Are you tired of being limited by the color of your paper when creating art? Do you want to add highlights, texture, or depth to your work, but feel restricted by the lack of contrast?

Don't worry! With the right techniques, you can learn how to use white colored pencils on white paper to add a whole new dimension to your artwork. Let's explore together the various tips and tricks to help you master this challenging but rewarding technique, and take your artwork to the next level.

So, grab your white pencils, and let's get started!

Step 1 - Choose Your Materials.

The most essential item for your art kit is a white-colored pen.

These pens come in different forms, such as wax-based, oil-based, and water-soluble pencils from brands like Prismacolor, Derwent, and Faber-Castell.

To achieve greater accuracy in drawing lines and details, it's best to use clean paper with a smooth surface. Smooth sketching paper, vellum, and Bristol board are some excellent options. Additionally, you'll need a pencil sharpener specifically designed for colored pencils to keep them sharp. Regular pencil sharpeners can damage the soft lead, so it's important to use the appropriate sharpener, whether electric or manual.

Step 2 - Select A White Paper With A Smooth Texture.

The texture of the paper should be taken into account when you are selecting it for pencil drawings.

To achieve a consistent tone with your pencil, it is recommended to use white paper with a smooth texture.

It is important as a smooth surface allows for more controlled strokes and smoother application of the pencil, resulting in a uniform effect. This is because rough surfaces tend to catch the pencil lead, making it difficult to achieve a consistent tone. Therefore, to achieve the best results in your next pencil drawing, you have to consider choosing white paper with a smooth texture.

Step 3 - Sketch Your Design Or Outline With A Regular Graphite Pencil.

When starting a drawing, you can begin with an outline or sketch of your design before starting to shade.

For this purpose, a typical graphite pencil is the best choice, as it provides a surface for your white pencil to adhere to and helps guide your shading. By sketching your design or outline in graphite first, you can plan your drawing and ensure the accuracy of your subject's proportions and positioning. Once you have your outline in place, you can start adding depth and dimension with your white pencil. The graphite serves as a foundation for your white pencil, allowing for an even and consistent tone.

Step 4 - Building Up The Tone Gradually.

When using a white pencil to add highlights or a light tone to your drawing, remember to use it sparingly and build up the tone gradually.

This approach can help you avoid creating an uneven texture in your drawing and achieve a more even and consistent tone. To prevent the pencil from leaving a rough and uneven texture on the paper, it is advisable to start with light pressure and gradually increase it as necessary. By using a light hand when applying the white pencil, you can more easily manage the amount of tone you add to the drawing and produce subtle variations in the highlights.

Step 5 - Use A Blending Tool To Create A More Subtle Transition Between Shades.

To create a more realistic and appealing drawing, you can blend with a tool such as a finger or blending stump. These tools allow you to soften any angular or jagged edges in your drawing and produce a more seamless transition between colors. Blending stumps, made of compressed paper and sharpened to a fine point, is particularly useful for blending small areas with precision.

Alternatively, you can blend larger areas of your drawing using your finger, which is convenient because it's always at hand. However, it's important to be careful when blending with your finger, as oils from your skin can smudge the drawing and affect the paper's surface.

Step 6 - Continue Layering And Blending Until You Achieve The Desired Effect.

To create a more complex and intriguing look in your drawing, you may consider layering different colors over the white pencil. This approach allows you to add subtle variations to the highlights and shadows, and create a dynamic and textured appearance. You can experiment with various color combinations and layering techniques to achieve the desired effect, whether you want a soft and subtle shading or a bold and vibrant contrast.

Let's say, you can layer warm colors like red and orange over the white pencil to create a glowing effect or layer cool colors like blue and green to create a serene effect. By layering different colors on top of the white pencil, you can create a range of effects and enhance the level of depth and dimensionality in your drawing. Just remember to blend the colors smoothly and gradually to avoid harsh transitions or uneven textures.

Utilizing a white pencil on white paper may seem daunting, but it can create stunning results when done correctly. With the right paper texture, a light touch, and blending techniques, you can achieve subtle variations and dynamic highlights in your drawings.

Happy drawing guys!