How to Draw with Markers and Colored Pencils

Learn how to draw with markers and colored pencils to create your own illustration!

Hello friends! I’m drawing a cute bird with flowers today and along the way showing you how to draw with markers and colored pencils! It’s a super easy technique that will help you create rich layered colors that look beautiful!

bird-with-flowers-illustration
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Supplies I’ve used:

How to draw with markers and colored pencils

1. Pencil it out:

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When you have an idea, grab a pencil and sketch it out. I enjoy my pencil sketch process! It’s always a good idea to lightly draw out what you are planning to color beforehand. Use a 4H grade pencil or mechanical pencil that will be easily erasable.

2. Add soft marker tones:

using tombow markers for illustrations 1

I like to start by adding a marker color to the paper. But indirectly. I apply the marker color to a Blending Palette and then pick up just a tiny bit of color with the Colorless Blender Pen N00. This allows me to apply a light color onto the paper and have more control over the marker color. Add a base layer of color with soft strokes that mimic the direction of the feathers

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bird illustration 1

3. Color it all in

using tombow markers with blending palette 1
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Once you start layering the color you can go ahead and fill in your entire sketch with the marker color. I like to start with the marker instead of a pencil- it’s quicker to color in larger areas evenly.

4. Add pencil details on top:

bird with flowers illustration

To enhance the coloring, I go in with colored pencils and add tiny feather strokes quickly all over to add details and feather texture. You can do add as many details as you have time- have fun here and enjoy the process.

5. Finish off with a pen outline:

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bullet-journal-spread-with-bird-illustration

how to draw with markers and colored pencils Video:

Enjoy the video of this drawing: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B9HgXmAnlcS/

more examples:

In this floral example below, I’ve used Tombow’s ABT Pro alcohol markers with colored pencil details.

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