Sketching Before Stitching

Daily sketchbook drawing is something I enjoy, it’s very much part of my creative process. Using a 2H or HB pencil is often my first and only step, it’s very forgiving, easy to adjust and alter. I sometimes add colour notes, or a hint of key colours. Quite often the colour is in my minds eye, waiting to be expressed in thread. 

Recently I started drawing with just colour pencils, sketching in the same way but in full colour. This simple shift added more life and valuable information to my drawing plus the bonus of focusing on colour really does bring me joy. 

I realised that working with colour pencils is very like working with coloured thread. In both, you have individual set colours to choose from. In trying to reflect what you see and want to capture, its necessary to experiment mixing what you have. How densely each thread or line is applied, mixed, and layered, has a big impact on how it appears.
The combination of colours become interesting explorations, seeing how the colours work together, how they are affected by each other, how they appear up close and at a distance. 

I recommend exploring the ever-changing wonders of colour by mixing coloured pencils before venturing into thread. This exploration method can bring more clarity and confidence into your process. 

Which pencils am I using? Until recently, my art school set of Rexel Cumberland by Derwent Studio were all I had, which are great but now dwindling fast. I have expanded into other brands that are easier to find, and I really love these because they’re so creamy smooth on paper. They can be bought individually which is helpful too. 

 -Pablo by Caran d’Ache,  

-Polycromo by Faber Castell,  

-Premier by Prismacolour. 

Couple of tips, I’ve also made up a little colour chart of all the colours I have, with name and type, so that I don’t repeat or buy too much of any colour. Also, test them out in store when possible.

 I hope you found this helpful, please do share with anyone you think might like this post. 

 Happy colour sketching!