12 WAYS to Blend Colored Pencils (Solvents, Blending Pencils, Gamsol + more)

What’s the BEST way to blend colored pencils?
I’m trying every possible blending method I can find to see which is the best to blend colored pencils on different papers for both wax-based Prismacolor Premier pencils and oil-based Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils.
Today, we’re testing the professional blending tools like blending pencils, solvents, alcohol markers, and a few extra products I came across in my search. And in my next video, I’ll be putting some household items to the test!

00:00 Pencils and Paper
04:25 Burnishing
05:58 White Pencil
07:13 Blending Stump
08:04 Blender Pencils
10:05 Odorless Solvent
13:42 Gamsol
15:29 Zest Pencil Blend
17:06 Powder Blender
18:44 Alcohol Marker
19:43 Blender Pen

#sarahrenaeclark #coloredpencils
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[humanpotato]

one thing about using a white pencil to blend: make sure it's a cheap one! they tend to have less pigment than a white prismacolor (for example) so there's not much of a white cast after blending. I usually use a white crayola pencil and that works well

[roslyngoddard]

Wow, Sarah! This is one of the most comprehensive and easy to understand guide to testing blending. You went over and above with the wax v oil based pencils, as well as the paper comparison!! So impressed - thank you for all your hard work and long hours putting this together!

[bleuvertetforetdepin]

By dissolving the pencils binder with solvent you "make space" for more layers than your paper would have been able to take. Wich is amazing if you want to achieve a higher saturation of pigment, or more complex texture. Amazing work you've achieve there.

[ladyflimflam]

I use solvents for blending. Repetitive strain injury is a real issue and the heavy pressure necessary for non-solvent blending promotes that injury.

[leesanchez]

It is important to note that odorless mineral spirits are toxic. You need to have decent ventilation in your workspace to use it safely. By the way, the Strathmore Bristol Vellum you are using is the 300 series, which is made from wood pulp. I use the 500 series Strathmore Bristol Vellum which is 100% cotton and archival quality. There is a performance difference.

[charmsm]

I have art studio envy...your work space is beautiful.

[jennasink]

Thanks for doing this; this was really helpful! I'm going to have to check into burnishing and blending pencils.
Just a thought, but the people recommending the white pencil may have been talking more about cheap pencil sets than the nice pencils. In the cheaper sets, the white pencils don't really do much, so they can work more like a burnishing pencil. I use that for my highlight areas where I don't want to lay down any more pigment when I burnish. It adds only a little white, which doesn't hurt the highlights anyway.

[ishajac]

Hey! I just wanted to say thanks for giving us a shot in REAL TIME. Oh my goodness you have no idea how helpful that is for an unschooled new colorer. (See how I made up my own words) 😆
Anyway, when we (I) only see the speeded up version it still leaves me guessing as to pressure, form, direction and so on. So thank you for including that bit. I'd be very happy to see more REAL TIME examples.
Be well, from PA, USA

[_juli_sdk]

You can also use the blending stump to dip it in the odorless mineral spirit and then use it in small circular motions on your painting. Thank you for your hard work! 🫶

[SarahRenaeClark]

*Yes, I pushed the button!* Watch the next video (coming Friday) to see what survived.

[hermajestyqueenmarcia]

My method was white pencil and or Prismacolor colourless blender pencil. I stopped using the white pencil because it changed my colors. I have Derwent blending pencils but don't find them as good as Prisma though it could be I just feel better with the tried and true. I do background blending almost entirely with just light layering of pencils, but sometimes the blending pencil for a smooth look and it always looks good. I mostly do coloring book pages but some drawing and sketch book stuff. I'm not s burn artist, but my coloring impresses even me, especially when I use a good tutorial. I really appreciate watching you show us these blending tools. I've been doing pencil work about 15 months and improving because of people like you.
None of my friends or family care much about art even when I did watercolors that were vetted and hung at the local gallery. You're like an actual friend. Love Marcia in modesto

[ColourwithClaire]

Sarah you are a QUEEN! All those swatches to prepare... it would overwhelm me massively. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to be so comprehensive, and as always the production quality & editing of your videos is second to none. As a video creator myself, I can totally appreciate how much work goes into your videos - in front of the camera but mostly behind the scenes. Thank goodness you have Shane to help! #dreamteam Genuinely think you’re on the way to being the best colouring channel on YouTube. Thank you for being someone to aspire to!

[brigitteitg]

That was a great video, thanks!! And under such personal sacrifices! 🍊😅 I do hope no pencils were hurt in the final blending process... 😂

[Carade]

there is a reason for the orange smell, orange oil is naturally a great solvent for those things already.. I used that "knowledge" to make my own.. I used a few drops of pure orange oil in 95% cosmetic alcohol... to be used in a container for dipping with a brush or also into a watercolor water tank brush (I think it's just a bit harder to control the amount in those).. anyway, I still prefer burnishing as well but those are really good for backgrounds or light areas

[renlish]

Art Spectrum (listed in this video as Artist's solvent) and Gamsol are both the same thing, just FYI to anyone wondering. Art Spectrum have the advantage of being an Aussie owned and made brand and they make some good stuff in case you are local and want to support an Australian business. :)

[SarahRenaeClark]

Who can count how many times I complained about oranges? 🍊🤷‍♀️😬

[rae]

My main medium has been acrylics and watercolors, but I’ve always wanted to improve with colored pencils. They’ve always intimated me for some reason, but your videos have not only encouraged me, but helped me jump in and finally try it. Can’t thank you enough! :)

[simoresims]

😍 The effect of that blending powder! Awesome. 😎

[anniecarroll]

I am new to colored pencils, my go to medium is acrylics. My daughter gave a set of Parisimatic pencils for Christmas and I love them. However I am as yet not really good at blending so I tried coconut oil, it worked. I used it on a picture I created for my granddaughter, it seemed to work well, but I am glad I found this video. Thank you for all the work you do for us.

[getjiggywithsam]

I use rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud so it makes sense that the alcohol blenders work well, too! What a great video :)