How do you burnish colored pencils?

How to burnish colored pencils effectively

Burnishing requires a deliberate approach to layering. You should begin by applying your base colors lightly, gradually building up pigment without filling the paper’s texture entirely. Once you have established your desired depth, use a heavy, firm pressure with a light-colored or colorless pencil to force the wax binder into the paper fibers. This action flattens the peaks and valleys of the paper, creating a uniform, reflective surface.

To achieve the best results, follow these steps:

1. Apply your initial colors using light, circular strokes to ensure even coverage.
2. Gradually increase pressure as you layer, leaving some tooth for the final burnishing stage.
3. Select a colorless blender or a very light pencil, such as cream or white, to finalize the surface.
4. Apply firm, consistent pressure in small, overlapping circles to fuse the layers together into a solid mass.

Best tools for burnishing colored pencils

The choice of pencil is critical because burnishing relies on the binder within the core. Wax-based pencils, such as Prismacolor Premier, are ideal for this technique because they are soft and spread easily under pressure. Oil-based pencils, like Faber-Castell Polychromos, are harder and require more effort but offer a different, more subtle finish. Many artists also utilize dedicated colorless blenders, which are essentially pencils consisting only of the binder without pigment.

Beyond the pencils themselves, your choice of paper significantly influences the outcome. A paper with a medium tooth, such as Bristol board or high-quality drawing paper, provides enough texture to hold multiple layers of pigment before they are compressed. If your paper is too smooth, it will not hold enough wax to create a rich, burnished effect. If it is too rough, you will struggle to fill the deep indentations, resulting in a grainy, uneven appearance.

Why burnishing changes the appearance of art

Burnishing fundamentally alters the visual properties of a drawing by changing how light interacts with the surface. When you compress the wax and pigment, you reduce the amount of light scattered by the paper fibers, which increases the saturation and depth of the colors. This process often makes the colors appear darker and more vibrant, as the density of the pigment is significantly increased in a concentrated area.

The technique also creates a distinct sheen that is characteristic of high-end colored pencil work. Because the wax is forced into a smooth plane, it reflects light more uniformly than a raw, textured pencil layer. This provides a professional, finished look that is highly sought after for realistic portraits and detailed botanical illustrations. However, because burnishing seals the paper, it becomes nearly impossible to add further layers of detail or color once the surface has been fully polished.

Common mistakes when burnishing drawings

One of the most frequent errors is attempting to burnish too early in the drawing process. If you apply heavy pressure before enough pigment is layered, you will simply flatten the paper’s tooth without achieving a rich, saturated look. This can result in a muddy appearance or a surface that is too slick to accept any additional pencil marks. Always ensure you have built up sufficient color density before committing to the final burnishing pass.

Another common mistake is using an inconsistent hand pressure, which leads to streaks or uneven patches of shine. Maintaining a steady, firm grip is essential to ensure the entire area looks uniform. Additionally, beginners often use a dark color to burnish, which can inadvertently change the hue of the entire area. Stick to a colorless blender or a light-colored pencil to avoid shifting your color palette in unintended ways during the final stage of your work.

How to fix burnished pencil mistakes

If you find that you have over-burnished or made an error, your options for correction are limited due to the sealed nature of the paper. You can sometimes lift excess wax by gently dabbing the area with a kneaded eraser, though this rarely removes all the pigment. If the surface is completely saturated, you may be able to scrape away a tiny amount of the top layer using a sharp craft knife, but this risks damaging the paper fibers.

For future projects, consider working on a slightly larger scale or practicing on scrap paper to test your pressure. If you are worried about making a mistake, burnish in small sections rather than the entire drawing at once. This allows you to maintain control over the final look and ensures that you do not lose the ability to refine details in other parts of your composition. By keeping these limitations in mind, you can effectively use burnishing to elevate your artwork to a professional standard.