Get ready… to play with blending!

Do you drool over those fancy 3D-looking coloured pages with the mind-blowing blending? I do! It must be some kind of crazy magic, right? We couldn’t possibly EVER do that, right? Uh… WRONG!

Mind-Blowing Blending Examples:

You can learn to blend like that, too!

But first we need to start at the beginning, so roll up your sleeves and sharpen your pencils – let’s jump in.

This challenge is pencil blending with one colour. We’ll practice using just one colour in each section to create a smooth transition from dark to light. This important skill can be used to create 3D effects and the illusion of light shining on an object.

The better you get at this, the more colours you can eventually add into a blend and the more realistic it will start to look. BUT… you must get good and using a single colour, first!

Supplies You’ll Need:

- Coloured pencils or pencil crayons (any brand)
- Blank paper
- Print this practice sheet download (if you can’t print it just draw a few rectangles on blank paper)
- Colouring page of your choice

Which page should you colour?

I would LOVE for you to use one of mine so I can feature your work in my gallery!

You’re welcome to use any of my free colouring pages or you can purchase other fun goodies (books, posters, cards, printables) in my online shop.

Find Free Colouring Pages Here Shop Here

Ready? Let’s Get Started!

Watch these two videos for tips on the basic “smooth light-to-dark” blending technique.

Print this download to practice on (if you can’t print it just draw a few rectangles on blank paper).

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IMPORTANT TIP:
Use darker colours so you’ll have more of a range from dark to light. If your colours are already quite light this will be much harder to do.

Here are some lovely examples of how it can look when you get the hang of it! With just one colour in each space you can accomplish blending similar to this – AMAZING, right?!

Don’t be intimidated – for now we’re learning the basics! This takes practice so just enjoy yourself and play around with it for this challenge. In another challenge we’ll get braver and really dive in to how to shade to make certain 3D effects.

Now GO… COLOUR!

Have fun! Feel free to comment below with questions or jump into our Facebook group – we’re a friendly bunch.

Submit Your Pages

Don’t forget to send me photos when you’re done! I’d love to add them to the gallery so we can inspire each other. Email crystal@artwithcrystal.com or post in our Facebook Group.

Be sure to subscribe to my emails so you don’t miss the next challenge.