Step-by-Step Tutorial: Drawing a Glass Jar in Pencils with only 5 Colours

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Capturing the delicate transparency of glass starts with understanding form, light placement, and initial value mapping. This free guide covers the foundational steps to begin drawing a realistic glass jar using a simple 5-pencil palette.

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​​Materials Used for This Tutorial

Paper: White – Strathmore 500 Bristol Vellum or similar hot-pressed surface.
Pencils: Lyra Polycolor 01 White, 95 Light Grey, 96 Silver Grey, 97 Medium Grey, 98 Dark Grey (or similar colours from a range you own)
Tools: Soft brush, clean eraser, HB pencil.

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Stage 1 - Initial Sketch

Draw the outline with Silver Grey rather than graphite so the lines stay compatible with the later light layers. If you transfer the outline, do it gently and erase it lightly before adding colour. A soft outline is easier to adjust or remove as you work.​

Stage 2 - Introducing Deeper Values

Switch to Medium Grey and fill the rim, mid-section and base, applying stronger values along the outer edges and adding a few irregular dots at the base. Then use Dark Grey to define the threads on the rim and neck, easing the pressure as the lines taper so the edges stay soft for blending.

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Stage 3 - Defining the Base

​Still with Medium Grey, place light marks just below the dots you added earlier. These strokes help define the curved underside of the jar. Keep the pressure light so the marks remain easy to blend in the following stages.

Stage 4 - Layering Lighter Tones

​Use Silver Grey to strengthen the overall shape of the jar. Vary the pressure to create both light and darker passages of the same colour, and carefully taper the edges where they meet the white paper so the transitions stay soft.

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Stage 5 - Conclude base layers

​Apply a soft, even layer of Light Grey over the entire glass body and base, following the natural curves of the form. For overexposed areas,  the white pencil will help to mimic a subtle, glossy layer, effectively representing the sheen of the glass.

Stage 6 - Shading

​With Light Grey, lay a loose layer of shading beneath the jar using the side of the pencil and light pressure. Strengthen the darker contrasts at the neck and base with Silver Grey. Keep the shadow shape consistent with the reference so it reads as cast shadow.

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Stage 7 - Blending Techniques

​Blend primarily with the White pencil, working in small circular motions to push pigment into the tooth of the paper. The white will lighten the greys, so apply it carefully where you want to preserve intensity. A colourless blender can be used instead if you prefer not to lighten the tones.

Stage 8 - Blending for Form

​On the main body of the jar, blend along the natural curves rather than in pure circles so the form stays three-dimensional. Continue blending all remaining pigment, including the apparently empty areas, to build the characteristic shine and transparency of the glass.

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Updated: September 2026