You don’t need every color: Let’s Draw with a Tin of 12 Colored Pencils

Hi friends! High-quality art supplies can be expensive. It’s hard to justify paying $40 for a tin of 12 Derwent Lightfast pencils when you can get a tin of 120 budget pencils for that price. You may find that you have some projects that are really important to you. You want to give or sell your work, or hang it up and not worry that the colors will fade on you over time. Since colored pencil art takes so long to create compared to other mediums you want it to last. In today’s video, I will give you tips on using a limited number of colored pencils for maximum effect. You might even decide that you prefer to use a smaller number of pencils in your art.

I have a free drawing class for this project on March 15th at Michaels online. The class is free and open to USA and Canadian residents. A replay will be available on March 18th on the Michaels YouTube channel for all to enjoy. Please sign up if you are interested in the class, even if you can’t make it live. The pattern is available on the class page.

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Derwent Lightfast pencils tin of 12

• Canson XL Mixed Media paper (white) *The green paper is a mate board scrap coated with Liquitex clear gesso to give it a sandy surface.

• Kneaded Eraser

• Colorless blending alcohol-based marker

• The pencil sharpener I use

I want you to create with whatever you have and can afford. I do not want this post to be seen as gatekeeping supplies. Many budget supplies are very good. Feel free to try this project or the free class using whatever you have. If you are considering purchasing compare the budget supply to a smaller amount of a nicer quality. You may be able to spend the same for a product that will last longer and be easier to use. Happy crafting!