# Apple in colored pencils and graphite **URL:** \ **Category:** Share Your Art\ **Created:** [January 9, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659 "2023-01-09T23:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/1 "2023-01-09T23:07:35Z")
Some time back I posted a graphite drawing of an apple. The challenge was to use only one pencil. Time for another challenge. I thought I’d try to do the same scene in colored pencils. Even though I’m very new to the medium, I was generally pleased with the result. What do you think? ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/0/01c7437e46de3328f5b048e01849f5e8d72e0d47.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ThatOtherGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@ThatOtherGuy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/ThatOtherGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/2 "2023-01-10T00:21:58Z")
Looks great! Did you limit the number of colored pencils at all? Seems realistic though I can’t pick out a primary light source. The only other thing is white balance, your paper appears alsmost light blue (very cold) to me, could be my display or yours. In Irfanview or Photoshop there’s a white balance function where you eye dropper the brightest white in the scene (the paper in this case) and it tunes the image to have that as white to fix any display/camera white balance settings. If I’m the only one seeing the paper as a blueish tint, then it’s probably just me but I have seen all the others with a neutral to slightly warm white on their paper today. Here’s one I just ran through an online white balance corrector making it 10% warmer ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/4/4b9b4629de7dc3d97d7b294fc253efadfa3bb9d7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/3 "2023-01-10T01:16:34Z")
Thanks for the feedback. I adjusted the photo and reloaded it. ---
**Author:** ![Buddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Buddy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Buddy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 1:45am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/4 "2023-01-10T01:45:57Z")
Looks great and no more bluish paper. To me, there are two lighsources coming roughly from the same direction (a bit higher than the middle of the apples, left side). The apples look very yummy. In both drawings, I a Would expect more middletones for a full range, though it’s always a challenge with yellows (always light) and both reds and greens, wich tent to be dark an are quite similar in their gray scales. I really like how the leaves are curving along with their shadows on the apples. Great!!! ---
**Author:** ![Maki](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/maki/32/77_2.png) [@Maki](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Maki)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/5 "2023-01-10T01:46:47Z")
Hello Tom, thank you so much for sharing your lovely apple drawings. The drawing per se is excellent, very elegant and makes the viewers feel comfortable with the gentleness. To me, though, maybe it is due to the photo reference you use, the apple seems a bit wizened. I myself am pretty picky when selecting reference photos for my own drawings and in this case, I would have looked for a photo of an apple which looks fresher. I once did an apple drawing with a ballpoint pen before, and maybe you can see from the reflections of the apple that it is a very fresh apple. > [@Step-by-step guide to drawing apple with ballpoint pen](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/step-by-step-guide-to-drawing-apple-with-ballpoint-pen/956): > > This is how I drew the apples included in my recent artwork “[camouflage failure](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/camouflage-failure/949)”. For those who are interested in ballpoint pen drawings cat And this is the cover image of the manual I produced. I used the png file of the apple drawing and added shadow using photoshop. Looks pretty stylish, doesn’t it? wink 【update 25 Jul】 Now a video with a funny song is available cat[[extremely easy apple drawing with a ballpoin…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q9oP8-8oLk) It is really up to what you want to express by drawing apples…I myself prefer shiny, freshly-looking apples because they appear to be more yummy, which makes me think I want to draw such apples, which choice makes me select a reference photo which meets my expectation. If you want to make a wizened apple speak something about, e.g. maturing, then a reference photo of a less-shiny apple is the right choice. Hope this is of any use for your future creative activities. 🐈 👍 😃 ---
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/6 "2023-01-10T18:34:07Z")
I used three shades of green, three shades of red, cream, chartruese, neon yellow, white, dark brown (lightly used) and indigo blue with a couple of shades of gray for the cast shadow. ---
**Author:** ![Denise](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/denise/32/40_2.png) [@Denise](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Denise)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/7 "2023-01-11T00:07:45Z")
Very nicely one. Love it. ---
**Author:** ![Meme5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/meme5/32/6555_2.png) [@Meme5](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Meme5)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 12:28am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/8 "2023-06-23T00:28:07Z")
Beautiful and realistic drawings! ---
**Author:** ![Meme5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/meme5/32/6555_2.png) [@Meme5](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Meme5)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/9 "2023-06-23T00:34:49Z")
I recently made and posted my very first graphite portrait of my dog. The paper in the picture I posted looks bluish because I took the picture outdoors. All the other pictures of my drawings that I take indoors under my kitchen lights are a warmer white, closer to the tone they naturally have when viewing in person. ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 1:16pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/10 "2023-06-23T13:16:11Z")
Hi Tom - What a great job with those textures, both in B&W and color. If you want another colored pencil challenge, check out Matt’s older live lesson of a peony. I’m doing that one right now myself. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![junenez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/junenez/32/4004_2.png) [@junenez](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/junenez)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/11 "2023-06-24T15:12:51Z")
Wow - those are both fabulous. Love the textures ---
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/12 "2023-06-24T19:14:00Z")
I appreciate that. As to “another…challenge” I’m working on paint with watercolors. I’ve painted this same image. Perhaps I’ll post it and add it to the collection. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/13 "2023-06-24T19:14:33Z")
Thanks, Junenez. Creating texture is always a challenge, isn’t it. ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/14 "2023-06-24T19:51:38Z")
That would be fun to see. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![Meme5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/meme5/32/6555_2.png) [@Meme5](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Meme5)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/15 "2023-06-30T02:04:22Z")
I made this apple following a tutorial from another artist (Gemma Chambers) who specializes on colored pencils, graphite, and pastel pencils before I found TVI. I was very pleased with how it turned out. It was made on half sheet of smooth bristol paper with Prismacolor premier. Also did the tulip with her tutorial on 9x12 bristol vellum with polychromos colored pencils. Finished the tulip about two weeks ago (whatever the date says) ![IMG_1823](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/4/467bbeaa11f0c2ffbf491a8765a05b888800e001.jpeg) after I had the sketch done for a long while. ![IMG_2730](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/e/e520727b9f93b1798647d07118c9cbaa721d8ebc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/16 "2023-06-30T20:02:29Z")
Meme5, I’m very impressed with what you’ve done. The apple looks good enough to eat, and the tulip looks like it just came out of a garden. ---
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/17 "2023-06-30T20:06:48Z")
I’ll have to take a picture and share it with you. I thought I had one, but I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![drtomb](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/drtomb/32/1116_2.png) [@drtomb](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/drtomb)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/18 "2023-06-30T20:16:39Z")
OK, Terri. Here you go. I never intended to share this. It was a sketch, kind of like “Getting Sketchy.” Just something I did quickly to get an idea of what colors, etc. to use. But I will eventually do a finished painting. Thanks for your interest. ![IMG_3353](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/0/06c89ffbce42d8573f365992fa2da99dca3e4ad5.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/19 "2023-06-30T22:19:58Z")
Great series. A well done quick watercolor. I can never manage to do anything that is quick. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![Meme5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/meme5/32/6555_2.png) [@Meme5](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Meme5)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659/20 "2023-06-30T22:22:01Z")
Thank you for your nice comment. I love YOUR amazing work on both your apples, very impressive. Although I’m happy with my drawings I am not quite there yet as far as doing a colored pencil drawing without a tutorial. I’m sure I’ll get there eventually, in the meantime I’ll practice, practice, practice! ☺ [Next page](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/apple-in-colored-pencils-and-graphite/2659.md?page=2)