On step #1 I layer on the cool zone process red, pink and white colored pencils over light blue artist crayon (see more on "layering" on previous post). I use the side of the pencil, not the point.

After moving the paper to the warm zone I start blending with a paper stump. Here, again, I'm using the side, not the point, and make small circles as I blend. Step #2 shows you the blending in progress.

On step #3 you can see the end result: a very smooth and flawless color gradation. This technique will allow you to blend a large area in a very short time.

As you can see on step #1, it's impossible to layer a hard medium over a softer one. The pink colored pencil can only make indentations and scratches over the light blue artist crayon. Here is where the Icarus Drawing Board can help you.

On step #2 the thick layer of crayon is thinned out on the warm zone with a color shaper or a gray paper stump. I use the side, not the point of the paper stump and make small circles until I'm left with a thin, saturated layer of color.

After moving the paper to the cool zone, I'm now able to easily layer colored pencil over artist crayon (see step #3).

A new step-by-step of "Round-n-Round" is ready for viewing on Icarus Art website.

Here is a step-by-step of "Rose Petal". You can view it in its entirety on Icarus Art website.

Check out the new step-by-step of "Snake River Pebbles" on Icarus Art website.

Read my step-by-step article "Melt your CP!" in From My Perspective, an online colored pencil ezine by Ann Kullberg. You can also view the step-by-steps on Icarus Art website.