Snow Leopard eye Step by Step Coloured pencil Tutorial
Artist level: Beginners & Intermediate
Updated: November 2021
This tutorial covers the process of how to create a detailed drawing of a Snow Leopard eye. It has been split into two parts; the first for those new to coloured pencils or who may be a little apprehensive and wish to try the basic applications and the second for those who are looking for a challenge. The first tutorial allows you to select colours from your own pencil range and we provide a 'basic' colour rather than a pencil brand colour name. The second tutorial was completed using the Caran Dache Luminance pencil range. We provide colour charts for both tutorials to allow you to select the right colours from your own pencil range if you do not have the Luminance pencils. It is not important to match colours precisely.
The paper used for this tutorial is the Art Spectrum Colourfix in Black. You can use a different textured paper in another colour or smooth black paper, it is more important to learn the techniques.
Each stage is offered as a series of images and written explanations so you can see how each section is created. Using a selection of colours from the same colour palette will offer more depth and realism than using 2 or 3 colours. This is explained in the processes we discuss below.
The reference image is found below, which you can screen grab and print out or view on a tablet whilst reading the instructions on a smartphone or computer.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and if you would like to request a subject for inclusion of a future mini tutorial, please get in touch!
The paper used for this tutorial is the Art Spectrum Colourfix in Black. You can use a different textured paper in another colour or smooth black paper, it is more important to learn the techniques.
Each stage is offered as a series of images and written explanations so you can see how each section is created. Using a selection of colours from the same colour palette will offer more depth and realism than using 2 or 3 colours. This is explained in the processes we discuss below.
The reference image is found below, which you can screen grab and print out or view on a tablet whilst reading the instructions on a smartphone or computer.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and if you would like to request a subject for inclusion of a future mini tutorial, please get in touch!
The products you will need
Smooth white Art paper - Coloured pencils
Spare sheet of clean paper - Clean Eraser - Soft brush
Paper Used: Colourfix Black Pencil range Used: WH Smith & Caran d'Ache Luminance
Spare sheet of clean paper - Clean Eraser - Soft brush
Paper Used: Colourfix Black Pencil range Used: WH Smith & Caran d'Ache Luminance
The reference image
IMPORTANT TIPS:
* Ensure your pencils have a long lead before starting, the side of the lead will be used as opposed to the point of the lead.
* When applying your undertones at the beginning, use a blunt pencil to avoid harsh lines so you can soften them easily when blending.
* To avoid transferring natural oils onto your drawing from your hands, have a clean sheet of paper to lean on whilst applying colour. Natural Oils from your skin and saliva can damage your Artwork which you may not be able to repair.
* Ensure your pencils have a long lead before starting, the side of the lead will be used as opposed to the point of the lead.
* When applying your undertones at the beginning, use a blunt pencil to avoid harsh lines so you can soften them easily when blending.
* To avoid transferring natural oils onto your drawing from your hands, have a clean sheet of paper to lean on whilst applying colour. Natural Oils from your skin and saliva can damage your Artwork which you may not be able to repair.
REDO THE TUTORIAL, ADD PHOTOS AND DO WRITE UPS - THIS SHOULD MIRROR THE SECOND TUTORIAL
This is a second drawing I completed for one of my art workshops. This is a little less complex than the one explained in the tutorial as I used different pencils (View the brand here) and I was limited with the colour palette.
These two images prove that you can still achieve realism in your work with a limited amount of pencils, but having a larger palette means that your art will be more realistic. That is not to say that applying as many shades of green or brown that you have will improve your work, it means that you need to study your subject well and pick out all the colours you see.
The base layers are just as important as the fine detail that covers these layers, so it is important to make sure each application is applied correctly in preparation for the next stage.
As you progress on your pencil journey, why not give this tutorial a second try and see how far you have travelled since your first attempt. You just might be surprised!
These two images prove that you can still achieve realism in your work with a limited amount of pencils, but having a larger palette means that your art will be more realistic. That is not to say that applying as many shades of green or brown that you have will improve your work, it means that you need to study your subject well and pick out all the colours you see.
The base layers are just as important as the fine detail that covers these layers, so it is important to make sure each application is applied correctly in preparation for the next stage.
As you progress on your pencil journey, why not give this tutorial a second try and see how far you have travelled since your first attempt. You just might be surprised!
Colours used:
GREENS: Lime Green (G1), Mint Green (G2), Khaki green (G5), Forest Green (G6), Phthalo Green (blue tint) (G7)
BROWNS: PEACH (PCH), Brown Ochre (B1), Terracotta (B4), Burnt Ochre (B3), Warm Brown (B5)
WHITE, BLACK, COOL GREY (GR1), WARM GREY (GR2)
BLUES: Sky blue (BL1), Indigo Blue (BL4)
Lemon Yellow (Y1)
UPLOAD THE COLOUR CHART
There are only 8 colours needed for this tutorial, although the Derwent Lightfast pencils were used here, you can use any brand of pencil. It is not important that your colours precisely match, but the 2 paler colours used for the blending stages will help you achieve an over all softer colour tone You could use a pale green and then overlay with white to create the same effect if you do not have this colour in your own pencil collection.
BROWNS: PEACH (PCH), Brown Ochre (B1), Terracotta (B4), Burnt Ochre (B3), Warm Brown (B5)
WHITE, BLACK, COOL GREY (GR1), WARM GREY (GR2)
BLUES: Sky blue (BL1), Indigo Blue (BL4)
Lemon Yellow (Y1)
UPLOAD THE COLOUR CHART
There are only 8 colours needed for this tutorial, although the Derwent Lightfast pencils were used here, you can use any brand of pencil. It is not important that your colours precisely match, but the 2 paler colours used for the blending stages will help you achieve an over all softer colour tone You could use a pale green and then overlay with white to create the same effect if you do not have this colour in your own pencil collection.
SIMPLE TUTORIAL
Stage 1 - Outline, shading & first base tone
GREEN EARTHBegin by laying down the darker green markings that will create the shape of the waves later. These pencils grab the pigment well and so you do not need to apply very much pressure. Try and avoid applying heavy lines that you may struggle to blend later on.
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DARK TURQUOISE & TURQUOISE GREENOnce you have applied the green markings, use the Pacific Blue tone to create the blue tones seen to the right. Apply this the same way as before and press lightly. Add a light layer of Turquoise green over the whole area using the side of the pencil
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WHITE & ARCTICUsing the white pencil, create the splashes and dots of the seafoam by pressing the tip of your pencil into the paper, this will indent the paper if you press hard enough and should help to keep these splashes clean even when applying further layers.
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LIGHT AQUAApply a pale green layer around the edges of the left side of the wave. Use the length of the pencil to apply as opposed to using the tip, to ensure it skims over the top of the seafoam indents previously applied, keeping them clean.
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