This page gives you helpful information to improve your drawing technique. If you publish your work to Artsonia, please note that there are several drawing project categories.

We draw with dry 'media': pencil, colored pencil, crayon, marker & oil pastel 

Tips, Techniques, Ideas:

Pencil:

• Drawing begins with 'line'. Line can be many shapes, sizes and thicknesses.
  - A dot is also a line. Think about looking at the bottom or top of a log.
• Keep pencil points sharp. Dull pencil points will not give you the results you want
• When sharpening pencils, insert and push (gently). Take the pencil out when the blue light goes on and the motor stops.
• Color with pencil on its side to create 'value' or 'tone'.
• Colored pencil can be blended: you can layer colors on top of each other
• Metallic colored pencil works great on dark paper
• Pencil can be used with any drawing or painting medium

Crayon:

• Treat crayons the way you treat pencils: try to keep points sharp
• Like colored pencils, crayon can be blended by layering colors on top of each other
• They are also great for using with rubbing plates
• Draw with the point to create line; use the side to create value
• Throw away any pieces that are smaller than the first joint of your thumb (about 1")
• Layer several colors on a piece of paper, pressing hard to get really solid color. Then color over everything with black crayon, pressing hard. Finally scratch a drawing into it using a scratching tool.
• Construction paper crayons can be used on any paper, but the colors really pop on colored paper
• Use crayon with:
  - pencil
  - marker (use marker first, then crayon)
  - watercolor paint (use crayon first, then paint over it for a 'resist' effect)

Water Based Marker (Mr. Sketch, Crayola):

• IF IT'S DRIED OUT, THROW IT OUT! Marker color should be rich and juicy.
• Markers are best used for flat areas of solid color. They cannot be blended. 
• If you use black or other dark colors first and put a lighter color next to it, you risk smearing that dark color into the light color, so...
  
• USE BLACK LAST!
• Use marker with:
  - pencil
  - crayon (use marker first, then crayon)
  - water: since they are water based, the colors will run. you can get some cool effects.

Sharpie (Permanent) Marker:

• IF IT'S DRIED OUT, THROW IT OUT! Marker color should be rich and juicy.
• Permanent markers will permanently stain your clothes, so be careful
• Markers are best used for flat areas of solid color. They cannot be blended. 
• If you use black or other dark colors first and put a lighter color next to it, you risk smearing that dark color into the light color, so...
  
• USE BLACK LAST!
• Use marker with:
  - pencil
  - crayon (use marker first, then crayon)
  - watercolor paint (can use either medium first)
  - tempera paint (use paint first, then draw on top w/marker)

Oil Pastel:

• Oil pastels are a drawing medium but they have the effect of a painting
• Throw out any pieces that are smaller than the first joint of your thumb (about 1")
• Do not blend with your fingers! Use the pastels like paint brushes, blending as you go.
• Different oil pastels produce different results:
  - regular and metallic pastels will work on any type of paper
  - fluorescent pastels work best on white paper
• Experiment with blending white into your pastels to produce different tints
• USE BLACK LAST!! It will cover every color, but you can't layer other colors on top of it.
• Use oil pastels with:
  - pencil
  - watercolor (if you use pastel first, you will get a similar effect as a crayon resist; if you use paint first, you can draw over it)