Mastering the Art of Burnishing with Colored Pencils

The aspen trees and the background of this piece were done by layering and burnishing. Parts of the wolf were burnished as well. Note how you cannot see the grain of the paper in this piece. This piece was created with Prismacolor Premier colored pencils on Strathmore Colored Pencil paper, series 400.

Let’s dive into the art of burnishing with colored pencils, revealing the tips, tricks, and techniques that will take your artwork to the next level. Whether you are a seasoned artist looking to enhance your skills or a beginner eager to learn a new method, this blog will help you out.

Once you understand how to burnish, you will learn how to achieve vibrant colors, smooth gradients, and a stunning level of detail in your artwork.

Advantages of Burnishing in Colored Pencil Art

Burnishing is one of my favorite colored pencil techniques. It is probably what drew me to colored pencils when I was in high school. At the time, I was unaware that what I was doing was called burnishing. All I knew is I liked how the colors looked when I pressed down really hard with my pencils. The result was a high intensity of pure color that covers the grain of the paper.

Another advantage of burnishing is the ability to create smooth gradients and transitions between colors. The blending process softens the edges between different hues, resulting in a more lifelike representation of the subject.

This technique is particularly useful when working on subjects such as skies, water, or skin tones, where smooth transitions are essential for creating a realistic appearance.

Burnishing also helps to enhance the level of detail in colored pencil artwork. By blending the colors together, the fine lines and strokes of the pencil are smoothed out, resulting in a more refined finish. It allows for greater precision and control, which will enable you to capture tiny details and textures in your artwork.

Understanding the Concept of Burnishing

Now that you know the positives of using burnishing, let’s break down simply how you can do it. In general, there are two steps involved in this technique: layering and burnishing.

Step 1: Layering- First you need to apply many layers of colored pencil to the surface with sharp pencils. If you use more than one hue, it tends to create more depth of color in your piece. More hues and layers will make a colored pencil piece more interesting and visually appealing.

Add your layers with a light touch. You don’t want to apply much pressure at this stage. That way you can continue to build up your colors. You will be able to see the grain in the paper at this stage, and that is completely normal.

You can tell if you have enough layers to move on to step 2 when you start to see pigment building up on the top of the paper tooth. This will be something that you will figure out with trial and error. Aim for at least 8 layers to start. I think you will find that the more layers you add, the better your result will be.

Step 2: Burnishing- When you feel you have enough layers, begin applying more pressure over the same area using a sharpened colorless blender, a white pencil, or another colored pencil of your choice.

Keep in mind that if you use a colored pencil instead of a colorless blender, you might alter the hue of your layers. I choose which pencil I use for burnishing based on what effect I am going for and the final color I’m trying to achieve.

I like to use white or a light sky blue, for example, over layers in the sky. I think it adds to the haze of the atmosphere. But I wouldn’t want to use white to burnish a dog’s black fur. For that, I’d use a colorless blender.

When you first start to burnish you will gradually add more pressure on top of your layers. Don’t use too much pressure or you will not be able to add any layers on top.

You should see the colors begin to blend while you are burnishing. You may find it lightens your hue, depending on if you are using a lighter color to burnish. You might want to go in and add a few more layers on top of where you burnished. As long as you don’t fill the tooth of the paper or smush the tooth by using too much pressure, you should be able to add layers and burnish again.

Keep repeating this process until you are happy with the result. As you approach the end of the process, you can add more pressure.

This skin of the little girls was done by burnishing mostly Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils on Clairefontaine Pastelmat. I find that Luminance has the best hues for skin tones. I rendered the portrait on Pastelmat because I wanted to do the background in pastels. Typically, I burnish on medium tooth paper, whereas Pastelmat has a deeper tooth to it.

Choosing the Right Paper for Burnishing

Selecting the right paper is crucial when it comes to achieving successful burnishing results. The texture and weight of the paper can greatly affect how the colored pencils interact with the surface and how well the colors blend together.

When choosing paper for burnishing, it's important to opt for a medium-tooth surface, like the Strathmore Colored Pencil Paper, series 400. A medium textured surface will hold many layers which can then be blended together by burnishing.

Papers with a rough or heavily textured surface can make it difficult to achieve a smooth look, because it can be hard to get pigment down into the large grooves of the paper. The result could be a grainy-looking piece.

In addition to the surface texture, the weight of the paper also plays a role in burnishing. Heavier-weight papers, such as those with a weight of 90lb or higher, are recommended for burnishing because they can better withstand the pressure applied during the blending process. Lighter-weight papers may not be able to handle the layering and blending techniques, which could lead to paper damage or a less desirable finish.

Selecting the Best Colored Pencils for Burnishing

The type of colored pencils you choose for burnishing can greatly impact the final result of your artwork. Different brands and types of colored pencils have varying levels of pigmentation, wax content, and blending properties. Here are some factors to consider when selecting colored pencils for burnishing:

Pigmentation- Look for colored pencils with high pigmentation levels. These pencils have a higher concentration of color and will produce more vibrant and intense results when layered and blended together.
Wax Content- Colored pencils with a higher wax content tend to blend more easily, making them ideal for burnishing. They also have a smoother texture, allowing for a seamless application of color.
Lightfastness- Consider the lightfastness rating of the colored pencils. Lightfastness refers to the ability of the pigments to resist fading when exposed to light. Choosing pencils with a high lightfastness rating ensures that your artwork will retain its colors over time, which is especially important if you plan on selling your pieces.
Brand Reputation- Opt for reputable brands that are known for their quality and performance. These brands often invest in research and development to create high-quality pencils that deliver consistent and reliable results.

The two types of pencils I recommend for the burnishing technique are Prismacolor Premier and Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils. They both satisfy all of the considerations above.

The Caran d’Ache Luminance are quite a bit more pricey ($310 for 100 pencils versus $110 for 150), but they are of the highest quality. I started with Prismacolor pencils, and I still use them. They are a great pencil for the price.

The Palomino was rendered by layering Prismacolor Premier pencils and burnishing on Strathmore Mixed Media tan paper, series 400. Burnishing helped me to blend my colors and get a smooth appearance. I used solvent on the background due to its large size. Burnishing can be a lot of work!

Tips For Effectively Burnishing

Achieving saturated colors through burnishing requires proper layering and blending techniques. Here are some tips which will help you to effectively burnish:

Layering strategy- Start by layering multiple colors on the paper to build up a solid base. Begin with lighter colors and gradually work your way toward darker shades. It’s easier to erase or fix mistakes when you are using light pressure and lighter colors. It’s very hard to apply light colors on dark colors when using medium tooth paper.
Pressure- Vary the pressure applied to the colored pencils to achieve different intensity levels. For areas with more of a solid hue, you might want to apply more pressure to the pencils fairly early on in your drawing process.
For areas where you need to add many layers, use light pressure at the onset, but increase pressure as you become satisfied with the color.
Stroke Direction- Experiment with different stroke directions such as circular, diagonal, or crosshatch to create texture and interest in the artwork. Your stroke directions might still show after burnishing, so you can use that to your advantage when you want to show an object’s texture.
Burnishing time- Take your time during the blending process to ensure a seamless and polished finish. It’s not the speediest of techniques, but it can be relaxing to go over the layers you have put down. Try and enjoy the meditative qualities of the technique as you burnish.
Gradual Transitions- When layering and blending, aim for gradual transitions between colors. Avoid abrupt changes in hue or value, as they can result in a less realistic appearance. Instead, build up the colors gradually, blending them together to create smooth and natural-looking transitions.
Highlighting- To further enhance the realistic look of your artwork, add highlights using a white pencil. These highlights can be applied to areas that catch the light, adding an extra dimension and sparkle to your piece. You can add highlights on top of burnished layers, but it may not be completely white so keep that in mind.
Clean Your Burnishing Pencil- Clean your blending tools regularly to prevent color contamination. Wipe the colorless blender or white pencil on a scrap piece of paper after each use to remove any residual color.
Practice- Practice on scrap paper before working on your final artwork. This allows you to experiment with different techniques and color combinations without the fear of making mistakes in your artwork.

Ross Castle was created by layering Prismacolor Premier pencils on Strathmore Colored Pencil paper, series 400.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Burnishing

While burnishing can produce stunning results, there are several common mistakes that artists should be aware of to achieve the best outcome:

Applying too much pressure- If you apply too much pressure too soon you can fill the tooth of the paper. That will mean you can’t put in any additional layers on top.
Rushing the blending process- This mistake is easy to make because colored pencils are a slow medium. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have an unlimited supply of patience. You really have to take your time while layering. Blending and burnishing will not work unless you have a sufficient number of layers down first. Be slow and remember it takes as long as it takes.
Overworking the paper- Overworking the paper can lead to a loss of tooth, making it difficult to continue to add layers. If you add too many colors you can also make the hue look muddied which is no bueno. Know when to stop layering and blending to avoid damaging the paper.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of burnishing opens up a world of possibilities for creating vibrant and breathtaking colored pencil artwork. By understanding the concept of burnishing, selecting the right materials, and mastering layering and blending techniques, you can achieve stunning results that leave a lasting impression.

Remember to experiment with different techniques and color combinations to find your unique artistic style. Practice patience and take your time during the burnishing process to ensure a seamless and polished finish. With dedication and practice, you can unlock your artistic potential and create masterpieces that capture the eye and imagination.

Utilize burnishing to enable your colored pencil artwork to shine with stunning colors, smooth gradients, and a stunning level of detail.

Love to hear your thoughts.