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Page name: Working with Prisma colors [Logged in view] [RSS]

2008-05-30 18:18:01

Last author: Rook
Owner: Rook

# of watchers: 8

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WARNING!
If you're looking for a place to chat and hang out, this is NOT it. Please look elsewhere.

Welcome to Working With Prismacolors!

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/gwendo1.jpg>

Hey there! I am [Rook] and this is my tutorial.
Before we get started, I'd like to mention that these
instructions are not the ONLY way to work with

s
There are many, many, many different techniques and skills people have developed over the years. This wiki illustrates how I work with them, and these tips are things I've found out while working with them. This is by no means me telling you how you should use your own colored pencils. With that said, please be respectful in my tutorial and in the comment section. Thank you.

Now then! Let's hop to it!

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/gwendo1.jpg>

Here are a few examples of my Prismacolor artwork.
Sos you knows that I knows what I is talking about :B

Hookay! So, first things first!

MAKE A COPY OF YOUR LINEART! PRONTO!
It is super important that you make a copy of your work and do not color the origional. What if you mess up? What if you get the colors wrong? What if you want to change the hair or facial expression? Leaving the origional untouched is always a good idea so you have room to change your mind. And if you're like me, that happens way to often.

After the copy is made we'll start with the basics:

* Color *

Having a wide variety of these prismas at your fingertips is key to enhancing any picture. With a variety of choices, you will be able to transform your flat pictures and give them mulitoned effects.

You'll need your basics of course! AKA:
<img:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/23754_1151379330.jpg>

<img:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/23754_1151379330.jpg>

(in this order):
crimson red
orange
yellowea orange
deco yellow
canary yellow
chartreuse
grass green
ultramarine
indigo blue
violet blue
violet

Beginning to feel antsy? Afraid you'll mess up? DO NOT WORRY FRIEND!
Stay positive! You're work will turn out better when you're not so stressed. So take it easy buddy!

not

With these you can create all kinds of effects. For now I'm going to demonstrate how to blend your colors for the multitoned effect. with this you can create shadows in clothing, make your figures 3D, and just make things look..well..COOL!

* Blending Colors *

The two colors I will be using as examples are:

<img200*0:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/23754_1151377066.jpg>

When blending any type of color, it is important to find many other colors that are close to the colors that you are using to help fill in the small gaps that Prismas often leave behind. This will give your colors a rich and full look to them. Now, with blending - you begin by pressing hard and making your color as dark as you can. Be sure not to press too hard - depending on which color it is, the tips can break easily.

Even out the pressure until it is nicely blended into the paper, like so:

<img150*0:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/23754_1151377093.jpg>

Next, gradually connect the two colors by coloring an even amount between them until they meet in the middle. Darken this area by applying more pressure until all the white of the paper has been covered:

<img150*0:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/23754_1151377124.jpg>

For skintones: In this example, I am using Peach and Light Peach - please forgive the scans! I know they're horrible but bear with me - anyhoo, this can also be used if you wish to darken or lighten the skintones. For fair skin, use White over Light Peach or White over Cream. For darker tones, use a blend of Burnt Ochre, Slenna Brown, Dark Brown, and Goldenrod. And remember! Go over, go over, go over your colors!

First, darken in the areas you wish to have the most shadow - like this:

<img200*0:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/23754_1151377157.jpg>

**Be sure to darken in with a heavy hand then feather out the color until it fades out, otherwise when you go back over with a lighter color, it won't blend right**

Then take your lighter color and color in an even dark layer over your first. The blending will happen automatically and the result will be fantastic! Lol, unlike my scans here :X

<img200*0:http://elftown.eu/img/photo/23754_1151377187.jpg>

<img200*0:http://elftown.eu/img/drawing/23754_1151549487.jpg>

<img200*0:http://elftown.eu/img/drawing/23754_1151549528.jpg>

<img200*0:http://elftown.eu/img/drawing/23754_1151549559.jpg>

REMEMBER: GO OVER, GO OVER, GO OVER YOUR COLORS!!

Now then, breathe easy!
There's more to come later, but I think I gave ya'll a great head's start.
Don't be afraid to try new things with your colors,
it's not like you can mess anything up
*cough*copyyourorigional*cough*.
I have faith in you!!

Now get out there and color!

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/gwendo1.jpg>

Questions? Comments?

Feel free to leave these in the comment section
or message me, [Rook], if you have further questions

<img:http://elftown.eu/stuff/gwendo1.jpg>

*Return to the other Elftown Tutorials

2006-06-27 [Kyrinn]: Doesnt look too bad Rook! Wish I could find my prismas..

2006-06-27 [Rook]: lolol too bad? haha oh gee, thanks! LOL!

2006-06-29 [Chalora]: I think you use prisma's really good.. I think I'll go on a hunt in my room to find them back again and try some of the things here out :)

2006-06-29 [Rook]: oooo thank you! the best piece of advice i can ever give is have fun exploring your colors. i took me a bit to finally realize that you're supposed to have fun with them, like crayons, and not work 'em to death :3

2006-06-30 [Lady of Lore]: prisma color pencils? WHat kind of pencils are those? Like colored pencils?

2006-06-30 [Rook]: yes, only a bit different. it's like a mix between a crayon and a colored pencil.

2006-07-02 [kay-chan]: Woah, never would have thought of using a lighter color over a darker one to blend, like skin... I will totally use that. :D Now I need to find 'light peach'... >.>

2006-07-07 [kay-chan]: So do you just press super-hard to blend? I always have that problem, too much texture in my coloring...

2006-07-07 [Rook]: yes ^^ but you have to make sure that the color underneath is all blended out otherwise the color will just stop when you put the lighter over it and it won't have the desired effect.

2006-07-31 [Fetish Dolly Koneko™]: So the darker color goes on first? everyhwere or just in areas that you want it darker? and then put the light over it?

2006-07-31 [Rook]: Just in the areas you wish. And yes ^__^ The light goes over it. And press down as hard as the pencil will let you. That's probably the main thing when doing layers like that.

2006-07-31 [kay-chan]: Alright... and then afterwards, I have a sneaking suspicion that you go over your inked lines once more to make them show up again. :D

2006-07-31 [Rook]: Yup XD You guessed it!

2006-08-29 [kay-chan]: I gots light peach AND regular peach! Finally! Before, I would just color everything light peach and then highlight in white. :P PS: What colors do you use for darker, brown skin?

2006-08-29 [Rook]: w00t! For darker colors you can use anywhere from Burnt Ochre to Slenna Brown to Dark Brown and Goldenrod. It all depends on the nationality you want your person to be. I suggest many layers for that one because you don't want it too dark or too light or too yellow-ish colored.

2006-08-29 [kay-chan]: Yeah, I always had a lot of problems with my people looking too yellow cuz I tried to layer it and whatever. >.< But then again, I was too scared to press hard enough to MAKE it blend s'yeah.

2006-12-12 [Nocternity S.]: awsome tutorial! i think i might try it right away ^^
Thanks rook

2006-12-13 [Rook]: anytime ;)

2009-10-19 [wol4ica]: Wow, thanks for this tutorial! Like it a lot!

2009-11-19 [Glassphyxie.]: I love the pictures of you making silly faces added in. They're cute. Haha.

2009-11-24 [Rook]: haha you are very welcome! and yea, [Glassphyxie.], i do believe the faces help with the tutorial. a lot. LOL.

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