Quick Tip ~ new colored pencils and what to do when you get them

So… you got a new set of colored pencils. Maybe you bought the set of 150. (Every color you’ll ever need for the rest of your life.) Or maybe you’ve decided you only need 24. Or maybe you were given some colored pencils as a gift.

Whatever the case is, you’ll have a new box of colored pencils, you’ll open them up and they’ll either be completely out of order, or they will be in order, but not the order you would sort them in. (Or maybe, unlike me, me you’ll be completely happy with the way they come sorted.)

So here’s my tip. As soon as you’re done sorting them (if you do sort them) make a color reference chart.

“What is a color reference chart?” you say.

But here’s what you do to make one:

Take one of your colored pencils and fill out a little square (about 1/2″ by 1/2″) with heavy pressure on one side and lighter pressure on the other side, then label the square with a pen or pencil. It doesn’t have to look exactly the same as mine, but it should look something like this:

Continue doing this with all your pencils until your drawing paper looks something like this:

(^My pencil lines are separating the different trays here.)

Now whenever you use your colored pencils, put this piece of paper somewhere where you can see it and refer to it for which colored pencil you need to use. No more testing several colored pencils on a scrap of paper before you find the right one (because you know the pigment doesn’t look exactly like it does on the outside). They’re all right there, already tested.

Also, if you make this chart in the same order that you sorted your pencils in, it will save you some stress if you ever spill your colored pencils or get them out of order. Just refer to your chart to put them back in the correct order. This is especially helpful if you have a larger set.

And, this chart will save you some color searching time. Looking for Pale Vermilion?

My chart says it’s in between Terra Cotta and Carmine Red. Problem solved.

So that’s my quick tip for today. I hope this saves you some time and stress. Happy drawing!

Until next time,

~ Chalice