Step 1: Getting to Know your colours

First, we need to create a colour chart that shows us the true hue of each Pencil. To do this, cut a sheet of Black Paper so it fits into the lid of your Pastel Pencil Tin. Now shade a swatch of each pencil along the sheet. Do the swatches in two rows and keep the position of each swatch relevant to where each pencil is in the box. Under each colour swatch, number them from 1 to 60 starting with White.

Step 2: Transferring the Image

1. Take your colour guide printout, tape it down and place a sheet of tracing paper over it. Trace all of the detail on the Tiger using a Black Fine Tip Marker.
2. Once that’s traced, turn the sheet of tracing paper over and retrace over the black lines with a White Pastel.
3. Place the pastel traced side onto the Black Paper and rub this with a pencil. This transfers the White Pastel line onto the Black Paper. Painting with Pastels is similar to painting with Oils. Always apply “thick over thin” coats so that you avoid over-saturating the paper with pigment. If you find your paper is no longer accepting Pastel, you can use fixative to 'fix' Pastel. Just remember, fixative darkens pastels so use lighter tones than you want in the finished work and use your fixative sparingly.

Step 3: Adding Colour to Our Tiger

Now we can add colour to our Tiger. If you refer to the line drawing of the printout, there are numbers over the Tiger that will correspond with your colour chart. Use this in conjunction with your colour guide and you will have a beautiful Tiger in no time. To help you on your way I have set down some rules to follow on this project and when using pastel pencils.

Step 5: Handy Pastel Hints

1. Place a sheet of Tracing Paper under your hand to avoid smudging your drawing.
2. Start your artwork at the top left-hand corner and work down the page to ensure you don’t smudge your work.
3. Always replace your Pencil in the correct spot in the tray so you can keep track of your colours.
4. Sharpen the Pencils with a Hobby Knife and keep a point with some sandpaper.
5. The direction of your strokes must run in the same direction that the fur would lay on the subject.
6. Take your time and don’t rush, every step of creating art should be enjoyed.
7. Finish one area then move on to the next.
8. Highlight last.
9. Don’t over-saturate the paper with pigment as the paper will clog and won’t accept top layers.
10. Try not to use a fixative.
11. Listen to Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger for inspiration.