Layering

Coloring Tip: The Secret to Beautiful Colored Backgrounds (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil, Distress Ink)

Coloring Tip: The Secret to Beautiful Colored Backgrounds (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil, Distress Ink)

Are you a fan of simple backgrounds?

I am too. If I’ve spent hours coloring with my best Copic Marker and colored pencil skills, I want people to see the coloring.

But simple doesn’t have to be boring. Let’s look at how to create dynamic simple backgrounds.

Layering Technique: Realism Doesn’t Come from Blending (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

Layering Technique: Realism Doesn’t Come from Blending (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

What are the best colors to use on a duck?

You’ll see this kind question on all the online coloring discussion boards.

The Copic Marker groups all want the best blending combination. What’s the best combo for a fire hydrant? What’s a good G marker trio for grass?

The colored pencil groups ask the same question, but a little more subtle. I’m coloring a shiny Black Lab. Should I be looking at the warm grays plus a black pencil or the cool grays?

Everyone wants to color-by-number.

Using someone else’s color recipe is why your coloring looks fake and flat.

Want to know the artist’s secret to realism? It doesn’t matter which markers or pencils you use…