coloured pencils and materials
and other helpful faq
Here is a list of all the materials I use when I do animal portraits
Pencils
Faber Castell Polychromos
Caran D`Ache Luminance
Caran D`Ache Pablo`s
Derwent Lightfast
Surfaces
Graphix drafting film
Derwent lightfast paper
Pastelmat board
On Occasion I may use
Hot press papers
(Arches, Fabriano or Winston)
On occasion I may use
Holbien
Prismacolour
helpful FAQ on materials i use
01. what does "lightfast" mean?why is it important?
Lightfast pencils are specially formulated so their colours resist fading when exposed to light. This means your portrait will keep its richness and depth far longer than artwork made with student grade materials.
03. how long does a coloured pencil portrait last?
With proper care, (you can refer to my caring for your portrait page) a coloured pencil portrait can last a lifetime. Because of the materials I use and their great quality, your portrait is created to remain vibrant, detailed, and stable for generations.
02. why do you use archival paper?
Archival paper is acid free, heavyweight, and made to last. It prevents yellowing, warping, and deterioration, ensuring your portrait stays in beautiful condition for many years. It also allows me to build up many fine layers of colour for a realistic finish.
04. do coloured pencil portraits need any fixatives?
No.
Some artists do use fixatives for other mediums, however for coloured pencil I have found that fixatives can sometimes alter or darken the colours with coloured pencil. High quality pencils naturally bond to archival paper so your portrait is fully finished and stable without fixative spray.
Have any other questions?
Get in touch