Here are a few pieces of art you can download and play with. Rather than the typical outlines in ink, I've done a variety of black and white versions of existing art. Simply download, print, and color over them. Many have textures or grey scale shading, like an underpainting. You simply add color.
Prismacolor pencils are the best color pencils ever. I've used them for decades, and have the opinion of other artists that they're awesome. Rich, juicy color that goes on smooth and blends beautifully, so you only need that set of a dozen, not a gazillion colors.
Some people enjoy watercolor pencils: you can use a damp brush to blend the colors. I would just rather do watercolor, it's faster.
Waterbased markers, even the cheapo ones, can be used the same way: blend and shade the color with a damp brush.
Digital media: don't forget the power of Photoshop or other photo editing programs. Often works best to work in a layer over the original picture. Try different modes like "color", "overlay" or "multiply".
Translucent vs opaque color:
Translucent color tools will allow the base drawing to show through.
Opaque color tools will cover everything up.
Translucent: markers, watercolor, acrylic artists paints, crayons, food coloring, inks.
Opaque: craft acrylics (those ones in the small bottles), pastels, poster paint, tempera, gouache, house paint, chalk.
Color pencils can be opaque or somewhat translucent.
Tape your paper to a drawing board (or cookie sheet) so it doesn't wrinkle if using wet media. Make sure the masking tape covers 100% of all four edges. Use a hair dryer to speed up drying.
If you can print on heavier paper, like card stock, it will be easier to work on and wrinkle less.
You can follow the textures on these base drawings with your pencil or brush to practice color pencil or painting techniques. Don't just color inside the lines!
Prismacolor pencils are the best color pencils ever. I've used them for decades, and have the opinion of other artists that they're awesome. Rich, juicy color that goes on smooth and blends beautifully, so you only need that set of a dozen, not a gazillion colors.
Some people enjoy watercolor pencils: you can use a damp brush to blend the colors. I would just rather do watercolor, it's faster.
Waterbased markers, even the cheapo ones, can be used the same way: blend and shade the color with a damp brush.
Digital media: don't forget the power of Photoshop or other photo editing programs. Often works best to work in a layer over the original picture. Try different modes like "color", "overlay" or "multiply".
Translucent vs opaque color:
Translucent color tools will allow the base drawing to show through.
Opaque color tools will cover everything up.
Translucent: markers, watercolor, acrylic artists paints, crayons, food coloring, inks.
Opaque: craft acrylics (those ones in the small bottles), pastels, poster paint, tempera, gouache, house paint, chalk.
Color pencils can be opaque or somewhat translucent.
Tape your paper to a drawing board (or cookie sheet) so it doesn't wrinkle if using wet media. Make sure the masking tape covers 100% of all four edges. Use a hair dryer to speed up drying.
If you can print on heavier paper, like card stock, it will be easier to work on and wrinkle less.
You can follow the textures on these base drawings with your pencil or brush to practice color pencil or painting techniques. Don't just color inside the lines!
ideas for coloring
Model Horses Gone Wild
Breyer, Schleich and Safari models photographed in the wild. Modified to color. Reference photos in slideshow below.
