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Burnishing Colored Pencil: Achieve a Smooth and Polished Finish

Burnishing colored pencil is a technique for achieving a smooth, polished finish.

This guide covers the burnishing process, recommends the best tools, and offers tips to improve your colored pencil artwork.

If you're new to layering techniques, start with our layering colored pencil guide to build a foundation before moving on to burnishing.

What is Burnishing Colored Pencil?

Burnishing involves using a colored or blending pencil to press wax pigment layers together, creating a smooth, polished effect that eliminates individual pencil strokes and produces rich, even colors.

This technique is especially useful for drawing glossy surfaces like glass or metal.

Tools for Burnishing Colored Pencil

Your choice of tools can significantly affect the outcome of your burnishing. Here are the top tools artists use, along with a brief overview to help you decide:

White or Pale-Colored Wax Pencil

A lighter or white pencil can be used for burnishing, though it may slightly lighten the colors underneath.

Specialty Burnishers

Photo of caran d'ache full blender pencil

Brands like Derwent, Lyra, and Caran d’Ache offer dedicated blending tools with distinct properties.

Derwent Burnisher: Adds a transparent wax layer that resists further color application, perfect for finishing touches.

Lyra Splender Blender: Soft and gentle, ideal for subtle blending and smooth transitions.

Caran d’Ache Full Blender Bright: A solid wax stick for blending broad areas with soft, even coverage. Works well with Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils.

Samples illustrating the use of blender pencils

For the test above I used Hot Pressed watercolour paper, two Faber Castell Polychromos pencils, and two Derwent Artist pencils.

The green bars demonstrate the Derwent Burnisher (top) and Lyra Splender (bottom) used as a resist under a single layer of Faber Castell coloured pencils. The hard points apply transparent wax, indenting the paper surface and allowing the underlying words to show.

To the right, I tested the Faber Castell pencils again. The first block of four squares uses the Derwent Burnisher, while the second block uses the Lyra. The Derwent produced a softer, more blended result.

The second row of squares features Derwent Artist pencils, with the Derwent Burnisher on the left and the Lyra on the right.

For comparison, the two rightmost squares show the effect of using a white pencil for burnishing. The resulting colour is lighter and less intense. I applied consistent pressure throughout the tests to ensure accurate results.

How to Burnish Colored Pencil: A Step-by-Step Guide

This method uses firm pencil pressure to blend layers of color for a glossy finish. Here's how to do it:

  1. Start with Light Layers: Begin with a light base layer to create form and shading, allowing the paper's texture to show through.
  2. Build Up Color Intensity: Add more layers to increase depth, focusing on a solid color foundation for a strong burnished effect.
  3. Apply Firm Pressure: Once you have a good amount of pigment, use a burnisher, white pencil, or blender with firm pressure to blend the colors, pressing the pigment into the paper and removing visible strokes.
  4. Add Final Layers for Depth: After burnishing, add more color layers if needed to deepen shadows or enhance highlights, but be aware that heavily burnished areas may resist additional pigment.
  5. Experiment with Different Tools: Try various burnishing tools to find the one that suits your style, as each can produce a distinct look, from soft blends to intense colors.

An Illustrated Example

For this illustration, I used cartridge paper and a selection of colors from the Caran d’Ache Luminance range.

This technique works best with softer wax-based colored pencils. These also include Prismacolor Premiere and Derwent Coloursoft.

The initial layers, applied lightly, establish shape and form, with areas of shadow and highlight.The pencil strokes are so gentle that the grain of the cartridge paper is visible beneath the granular brown pigment.

The initial layers of a drawing of an orange

I've added more colour to enhance the ball's three-dimensional shape.

These initial layers, though light, provide a solid foundation of wax-based pigment to build upon, which is essential for blending with coloured pencils.

I've introduced new colours while also adding additional layers of earlier ones.

Adding a second layer to the orange drawing

Here, a stronger yellow/orange has been applied to the entire shape and then burnished with heavy pressure.

A blunt pencil is sufficient for this, as it's used to add a thin layer of colour and blend it with the existing wax and pigment.

Notice how the paper's grain has largely disappeared, and the colour has intensified, while the transparent orange layer still allows the underlying shape and shading to show through.

Burnishing colored pencil

Now, I've refined the burnished surface by defining deeper coloured areas.

As with any artwork, it's tempting to overwork the piece.

I could continue refining the image by burnishing the top right highlight with cream, but I think I've demonstrated the process sufficiently.

The completed burnished drawing of an orange

Advanced Tips and Techniques

Preventing Wax Bloom: To prevent wax bloom after burnishing, lightly wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth or spray a fixative on the finished artwork. This is especially important when using wax-heavy pencils.

For a deeper understanding of wax bloom, including its causes and additional ways to prevent it, check out our guide on managing wax bloom in colored pencil artwork.

Using Different Textures: Burnishing results vary depending on the paper's texture. Try smooth and textured papers to find the one that suits your style.

Choosing the Right Pencils: Softer wax-based pencils, such as Prismacolor Premiere and Derwent Coloursoft, are well-suited for burnishing.

Top Burnishing Tools Comparison

burnishing comparison table

Common Questions about Burnishing Colored Pencil

Here are some frequently asked questions about burnishing with colored pencils to help guide your technique:

What is burnishing in colored pencil?

Burnishing is a blending technique where firm pressure is applied to smooth and blend colored pencil layers, creating a polished finish.

Can I burnish without special tools?

Yes! You can use a white or light-colored pencil from your set, though specialty burnishers may provide a smoother result.

How do I avoid lightening colors while burnishing?

To avoid lightening, use a colorless blender or burnishing pencil, as a white pencil may reduce color intensity.

How can I fix mistakes when burnishing?

Once burnished, paper is less receptive to new layers. Try lifting pigment with a kneaded eraser or adding lighter layers around the area.

Summing Up

Burnishing can significantly enhance the finish of your colored pencil artwork, giving it a smooth, polished look. With the right tools and practice, you can achieve professional results.

Whether you're new to burnishing or refining your technique, I hope this guide has helped. 

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