>>2278681
>2015
>using inferior wax based colored pencils

I started using color pencil 2 weeks ago, so I'm pretty much a specialist on the subject.

Use a blending stump to get a even surface of color without needing to color with a lot of pressure, the softer the pencil the better it is for this.

Tips and tutorials for regular color pencils are surprisingly hard to find, most people like to use watercolor pencils instead, I think I'm the only person in the world who like the regular ones better.

>>2278681
Use them over top of ink or gouache. Colored pencils by themselves suck.

>>2279464
>Colored pencils by themselves suck

They are hard to learn how to use, and you work will look incredibly childish before you develop the proper technique, but saying they suck by themselves is just plain ignorance.

>>2279775
As far as media go, they are near the bottom. Like seriously how many GOOD artists can you name do work in coloured pencils? I'd be surprised if you could get to 5. And the good ones pretty much just use them like a regular pencil to do linework stuff in a moleskine or something, they don't do fully rendered pieces cause it is a lot of work and looks worse than other media.

>>2279775
It is POSSIBLE to make great looking art with nothing but a turd stuck on the end of a stick. That is not the point.

>>2278681
Use color Canson paper. Practice on both sides (two different textures.) I use them often, and it's about the layering and a bit of translucency so that the paper's temperature aids you and doesn't work against you. Be patient, work carefully, and practice practice practice. It's also great over gesso, with gouache highlights, or over a watercolor wash.

>>2278723
>>2279464
>>2279775
>>2280529


Colored pencils fuckin blow but you can make cool shit with them. As the first anon said you can use a blending stump to get smoother blends. Or look up Burnishing which is to put a lot of pressure on your pencil to flatten the tooth of the paper and the wax. Alternatively as another anon said lay down a wash of ink or watercolor and go over top of it.

However, my personal favorite method of working with colored pencils is to use alcohol based markers to help melt the wax. You can use gray markers as a base and color with pencils while going back and forth to melt the color. Or you could just use a colorless blender marker to melt wax of colored pencils.

Get fine tooth paper.

Is it possible to go lighter with colored pencils?

I have the bad habit of adding color to the whole drawing instead of planing the highlights from the beginning, I was wondering if leaving the highlights colorless is the only way or you can add it latter on somehow.

>>2283656
Whiteout pen is used by many artists who use ink and markers. I currently use Liquitex Paint Marker "titanium white" in addition with my usual Copics. You can also buy tube of white acrylic paint and use that on plain copy paper or any artists paper of choice - I have done a lot of that too.

There are also white charcoal pens made by derwent - I have no experience on those.

Still it sounds that you have troubles in fundamental basics that you should focus on - even if it does sound like pain, you should really try to understand lights and color and plan your shadows and highlights as such. You will make very impressive drawings and paintings just by having nice lighting mood that captures the eye of the viewer - you will get instant compliments if the values and lighting is enjoyable for the eye.

Try to draw cloths and materials from still life, not only from images - and really focus on where the lights hit and where the color transitions to dark shadows. It's not rocket science, it's all there for you to observe!

Have best of luck and fun drawing!

Anyone got links to info on pastel techniques, or do I just need to keep trying?