I’m doing the coloured pencil course portrait. And like always I have trouble blending smooth shadows.
What I did was put down the shadow colour lightly then add skin colour to the light parts and over the shadow. I then lighten the lighter parts with white or cream and then burnish the shadow with skin colour or colorless . Still they seem very harsh especially on the throat. What am I doing wrong? Should I start with skin first or is my application too heavy
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I am struggling with the same thing. I know paper and pressure contribute to getting a smooth blend…Hope someone who knows what they are doing chimes in! 
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Good to know I’m not alone.
I used Bristol vellum as recommended so the paper can’t be it.
Hi @Jennilein
I have found that once you put down a dark color, it’s pretty hard to go lighter. So I suggest you start with the skin color and gradually add light layers of the darker tones on top of it. You might need a couple of colors for the shadows. Try it on some scrap paper and see how that works for you.
Terri Robichon
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I will try that. I thought that in the course the dark layers are added on a first layer of skin colour that’s why I started with a light application of those but I will try it the other way round next time/on a scrap paper
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I had the same issue with the exact same tutorial. You can use your electric eraser and knock down some excess then gently build up?
I hope it helps.
Sonia
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Here’s mine.
I remember I really struggled with the same issue. Prismacolor builds up thick. Have you tried solvent also, I might’ve used some solvent.
Also, wiping the drawing gently with a tissue, gets rid of the waxy glow and helps see the actual drawing and appreciate the actual color.
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Your drawing looks amazing. The eyes are so sparkly, wow!
Unfortunately I have neither solvent nor an electric eraser. I used my normal eraser at the bottom of the shadow. Didn’t help much I guess. It feels weird to erase the wax. Like carving away the upper layer.
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I used an eraser with my pear drawing before using solvent. While it’s true that erasing it “carves” into the built up layers, it truly allows the “carved” edges to be smoothed into the erased area and create a smoother transition.
Trust the process.
Also, the eyes, nose ring, and teeth highlights were done with a gelly roll pen
Sonia
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This is from another online artist who focuses on ‘coloring’, including using colored pencils. (I hope it is ok to post this here). This is the way she recommends blending, and she specifically includes prismacolors.
If this link disappears, look on YouTube for ‘Jennifer‘s rule of blending thirds’
And yes, she does apply light over dark
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