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Learn Coloured Pencil Drawing

A simple step-by-step path for beginners, improvers, and guided projects.

Getting Started Supplies • pressure • first layers Fundamentals Values • form • proportion Core Techniques Layering • blending • texture

Each hub starts with the best next lesson—no guessing, no scrolling.

Start in 10 minutes

Pick a hub, then begin with the first quick win:


On my fiftieth birthday I sat at my kitchen table with tins of coloured pencils and a sinking feeling: I’d bought the “right” brands, followed the books, and my drawings still looked like childhood attempts.

The breakthrough came when I stopped treating a layer like a heavy block of colour and switched to whisper-light circular strokes - building colour in gentle passes until blends smoothed out and textures appeared.

Pencil Topics shares those practical lightbulb moments so you can skip years of guesswork and get to the joy of making drawings you’re proud of.

Portrait photo of the Pencil Topics author

About the teacher

I’m the artist behind Pencil Topics. I’ve spent the last 15 years refining coloured pencil technique through wildlife studies and commissioned pet portraits.

  • I specialise in: layering, smooth blending, texture (fur/feathers), and clean finishes.
  • This site is for: beginners who want a calm starting point, and improvers who want reliable techniques.
  • How you’ll learn: step-by-step tutorials with images and practical “do this next” exercises.
Read more
Coloured pencil drawing of foxglove flowers with a small snail
From my first attempt at drawing from my own photo…
Coloured pencil drawing of a barn owl portrait
…to my first UK Coloured Pencil Society prize winning entry (2020)


What You’ll Find Inside Pencil Topics

Coloured pencils ready for drawing

Getting Started Hub

If you’re brand new, don’t feel pressured to buy the biggest tin on the shelf.

I’ll show you how to choose a sensible set of supplies and set up a workspace that actually makes you want to sit down and draw.

We’ll start with simple exercises to make your marks feel clean and controlled.

Let’s Get Started
Mini colour wheel

Foundation Skills Hub

That "I'm missing something" feeling usually comes down to the basics. I’ll walk you through light, shadow, and simple composition.

My goal is to help you get the "bones" of the drawing right so everything looks structurally sound before you even think about colour.

Build Your Foundations
Yellow coloured pencil layering over a blue base to demonstrate creating a green colour through optical mixing.

Core Techniques Hub

This is where we make your pencils really sing.

I’ll share my methods for layering without clogging the paper grain, blending for those silky-smooth transitions, and burnishing for a deep, polished finish.

We’ll also focus on avoiding those dreaded muddy colours.

Master The Techniques
Coloured pencil drawing of a bowl filled with various types of fruit.

Simple Tutorials Hub

It’s time to turn those practice strokes into finished art. These beginner-friendly projects use everything we’ve talked about to create display-worthy pieces.

I’ll show you exactly how I translate a reference photo into a finished drawing, step-by-step.

Try a Tutorial
Detailed close-up of realistic fur texture in a wild cat coloured pencil drawing from an advanced tutorial

Advanced Tutorials

When you’re ready to push further, we’ll play with textures: such as lifelike fur, delicate feathers, and rugged bark.

We’ll also explore atmospheric landscapes and how to mix watercolour or pastel pencils for a truly professional result.

Explore Advanced Tutorials

Practical Tips & Troubleshooting

Need a quick fix for a specific problem?

I’ve written articles on everything from drawing on black paper to fixing "I’ve ruined it" moments. Whether it's patchy colour or waxy build-up, there's usually a way to save your work.

Browse more articles

Resources and Materials Guidance

I’ve spent a lot of money on supplies over the years so you don’t have to.

I’ll tell you what’s worth the investment, what can wait, and what you can skip entirely. I’ve even tested the papers and pencils myself to see how they perform in the real world.

Explore the Resources
tavy-rocks-layer-6-final.jpg

Common questions

Do I need expensive supplies?

No. I started with a modest kit, and I’ll show you how to get great results without “must-have” guilt.

Will I learn how to fix mistakes?

Yes. Coloured pencil can be unforgiving, but you’ll learn the tidy clean-up methods I use to rescue patchy colour, waxy build-up, and overworked areas.

Can I really go from a photo to a finished piece?

Yes—that’s the goal. I’ll teach the full workflow: choosing a reference, planning, layering, and finishing, so you always know what to do next.

Why do you spell colour with a “u”?

I’m based in the UK, so you’ll see British spellings (colour, favourite). The techniques work the same wherever you are.

Pick a hub that fits you: Beginner · Beyond basics · Step-by-step