3 Easy Steps to Create Stunning Gold Colors with Colored Pencils

Gold colored pencils

Unleash your inner alchemist and transform a palette of ordinary colored pencils into a shimmery golden wonderland. Embark on a creative journey to craft a radiant hue that will illuminate your artwork with ethereal beauty. Whether you’re capturing the allure of a regal crown or the warm glow of a sunset, mastering the art of creating gold with colored pencils will elevate your artistic endeavors to new heights.

To begin your golden quest, select a palette of pencils that boasts a range of yellow, orange, and brown hues. These warm tones will form the foundation of your metallic masterpiece. Start by sketching the desired shape or form with light strokes, layering the colors as you progress. Begin with a base of yellow, gradually adding touches of orange and brown to deepen the shade and create a more realistic gold effect. Experiment with different pressure levels to achieve varying degrees of intensity, allowing the colors to blend and harmonize.

As you refine your technique, introduce highlights and shadows to add depth and dimension to your golden creation. Use a lighter shade of yellow or white to create subtle highlights that catch the light, enhancing the illusion of a metallic surface. Conversely, darken the recesses and edges with deeper shades of brown or orange, creating shadows that define the form and lend it a sense of realism. By carefully balancing highlights and shadows, you can bring your golden creation to life, capturing the shimmering brilliance of the precious metal with the humble touch of colored pencils.

Choosing the Right Pencils

Selecting the ideal colored pencils is crucial for achieving a convincing gold hue. The following considerations will guide your choice:

Establishing a Base Layer

Begin by establishing a base layer for your gold coloration. This layer should be comprised of a warm yellow pencil with hints of orange or brown. To create depth and dimension, apply the pencil lightly in gentle strokes. Gradually build up the color intensity by layering additional strokes on top of the first. Vary the pressure applied to your pencil to create subtle variations in tone.

Once the base layer is established, you can begin adding depth and richness to the color. Start by introducing a slightly darker yellow pencil, and use it to create shadows and indentations in the gold. Apply this pencil with a heavier hand, ensuring that the strokes are firm and distinct. Pay careful attention to the direction of the strokes, as these will help to define the shape and form of the gold object you are creating.

For added warmth and depth, introduce a touch of orange or brown pencil. These colors will help to create a more realistic and metallic appearance. Use a light touch when applying these colors, blending them seamlessly with the yellow and gold pencils. Experiment with different combinations of these colors to achieve the desired shade of gold.

Characteristic	Effect
Lead Hardness:	Soft leads (e.g., 2B-6B) create a smooth, blendable layer, ideal for creating a soft, luminous gold.
Opacity:	Opaque pencils provide a solid, opaque layer that can highlight areas or create a more vibrant gold.
Lightfastness:	Lightfastness refers to the pencil’s resistance to fading over time. Choose pencils with high lightfastness to ensure the gold color remains vibrant.
Pigment Content:	A high pigment content yields a more intense and saturated gold color.
Brand:	Different brands may offer variations in quality and color properties. Experiment with different brands to find those that best suit your needs.

Pencil Color	Purpose
Warm yellow	Base layer
Darker yellow	Shadows and indentations
Orange	Warmth and depth
Brown	Metallic appearance

Adding Depth and Dimension

To give your gold color more depth and dimension, you can use a layering technique. This involves applying multiple layers of different shades of gold, starting with a light base color and gradually adding darker shades. Here’s a step-by-step guide to layering gold colored pencils:

Step 1: Start with a light base color. Choose a light gold pencil, such as a yellow ochre or pale gold, and apply it to the entire area that you want to color gold. This will create a base layer that will help to build depth and dimension.

Step 2: Add a mid-tone color. Once the base layer is dry, choose a mid-tone gold pencil, such as a medium gold or burnished gold, and apply it to the areas that you want to be slightly darker. Blend the mid-tone color into the base layer using a blending pencil or your finger.

Step 3: Add a dark accent color (optional). If you want to add even more depth and dimension, you can choose a dark gold pencil, such as a dark gold or copper, and apply it to the areas that you want to be the darkest. This will create a contrast that will help to highlight the gold color.

Step 4: Blend the layers. Once you have applied all of the layers, use a blending pencil or your finger to blend them together. This will help to create a smooth transition between the different shades of gold and give your gold color a more realistic look.

Blending for Smooth Transitions

To create smooth transitions between different shades of gold, you need to blend the colors carefully. Here’s how to do it:

Sharpen your colored pencils to a fine point.
Overlap the different shades of gold slightly as you apply them.
Use a colorless blender pencil or tortillon to blend the colors together.
Start with light pressure and gradually increase it as you blend.
Be patient and take your time. The more you blend, the smoother the transition will be.

Experimenting with Different Layering Techniques

1. Start with a Base Layer
Begin by selecting a light yellow pencil as your base layer. This will provide a foundation for the gold color. Apply the pencil in light, even strokes, covering the entire surface area.

2. Add a Mid-Tone Layer
Once the base layer has been established, introduce a mid-tone yellow pencil. This shade should be slightly darker than the base color. Apply this pencil in a cross-hatching pattern over the base layer. By layering the colors, you’ll create depth and texture.

3. Introduce Orange Hues
To add depth and warmth, incorporate an orange pencil. This can be done in small, strategic areas to simulate the natural highlights of gold. Use a light hand and blend the orange seamlessly into the yellow layers.

4. Enhance with Red Highlights
For a more intense gold effect, carefully layer in a red pencil. Focus on the areas where you want to create the most dramatic highlights. Blend the red gently with the other colors to avoid harsh transitions.

5. Refine with Brown Accents
To add subtle depth, sparingly introduce a dark brown pencil. Apply this color in very thin strokes or dots to create the impression of shadows or crevices in the gold surface.

6. Layer for Translucency and Sheen
To achieve a realistic gold look with translucency and sheen, use multiple layers of a white pencil. Apply these layers in light, circular motions, allowing the underlying colors to subtly show through. This technique helps capture the reflective and iridescent qualities of gold.

Enhancing Highlights with White

To create a more realistic and vibrant gold effect, consider adding white highlights. This technique enhances the illusion of light reflecting off the gold surface, adding depth and dimension to your drawing.

Step 1: Identify Highlight Areas

Observe your reference image or object and determine which areas would reflect the brightest light. These areas are typically found on the raised surfaces and edges of the gold object.

Step 2: Select a White Pencil

Choose a white colored pencil with a soft lead grade, such as B or 2B. This allows for a smooth and even application.

Step 3: Apply Light Strokes

Gently apply the white pencil to the highlight areas, using light and delicate strokes. Avoid pressing too hard, as this can damage the paper or create undesired marks.

Step 4: Layer and Blend

Apply multiple layers of white pencil strokes, gradually building up the intensity of the highlights. Use a blending stump or tortillon to gently smooth out the transitions between the gold and white areas.

Step 5: Accentuate Edges

Focus on the edges and contours of the object to add definition and realism. Use the white pencil to create thin, sharp highlights along the raised edges, emphasizing the transition from light to shadow.

Step 6: Experiment with Pressure

Vary the pressure you apply with the white pencil to create subtle variations in the brightness and texture of the highlights. Lighter strokes create a more subtle effect, while heavier strokes create a more pronounced highlight.

Step 7: Enhance Detail

For a more refined look, consider adding tiny white dots or dashes to represent specular highlights. These small details can enhance the illusion of light reflecting off the gold surface, creating a sense of depth and realism.

Step	Description
1	Identify highlight areas.
2	Select a soft white pencil.
3	Apply light strokes to highlight areas.
4	Layer and blend the strokes.
5	Accentuate edges with white highlights.
6	Vary the pressure to create subtle variations.
7	Enhance detail with small white dots or dashes.

Using Erasers for Details

Erasers are an essential tool for creating realistic gold with colored pencils. They can be used to:

Remove excess pigment to create highlights and shine.
Create fine lines and textures to add depth.
Blend colors together smoothly for a more polished look.

When using erasers for gold, choose a soft eraser that will not damage the paper or remove too much pigment. Kneaded erasers are a good choice for this, as they can be molded into different shapes for precise erasing.

Start by gently erasing the lightest areas of the gold, such as the highlights and edges. Use a light touch and gradually increase the pressure as needed to remove the desired amount of pigment. Be careful not to erase too much, as you can always add more color later.

To create fine lines and textures, use a sharp eraser. Sharpen the eraser regularly to ensure a clean, sharp point. Use a light touch and draw the eraser along the surface of the paper in short, delicate strokes.

To blend colors together, use a blending stump or tortillon. These tools are made of paper or chamois and can be used to gently rub and blend colors together. Start by lightly rubbing the blending tool over the areas you want to blend. Gradually increase the pressure and speed of your strokes until the colors are smoothly blended.

By using erasers and blending tools, you can create intricate details and a realistic gold color with colored pencils.

Eraser Type	Use
Kneaded eraser	Precise erasing, blending colors
Sharp eraser	Fine lines, textures
Blending stump/tortillon	Blending colors together

Achieving a Metallic Shimmer

To create a realistic gold color with colored pencils, achieving a metallic shimmer is crucial. Follow these steps:

1. Select the Right Pencils:

Choose metallic gold pencils with a high pigment concentration to ensure a vibrant and reflective finish.

2. Apply Base Layers:

Start with a light base layer of yellow or cream-colored pencils to provide a foundation for the gold.

3. Add Mid-Tones:

Layer darker shades of yellow and orange over the base layer, gradually blending them together to create a warm and golden tone.

4. Introduce Gold Pencils:

Begin incorporating the metallic gold pencils. Use light strokes and gentle circular motions to create a subtle sheen.

5. Add Highlights:

Use a white or silver pencil to add highlights to the gold areas, accentuating their metallic properties.

6. Define Shadows:

Introduce darker shades to create shadows and depth. This will enhance the three-dimensionality of the gold.

7. Blend and Burnish:

Use a colorless blender pencil or a paper stump to blend and smooth the colored pencil layers. This helps create a seamless and polished finish.

8. Use a Light Touch:

When applying the metallic gold pencils, use a light touch to avoid overworking the colors and dulling their shine.

9. Experiment with Pressure and Direction:

Vary the pressure you apply with the pencils and the direction of your strokes to create variations in the metallic sheen. Experiment with different techniques to achieve the desired effect.

Creating a High-Shine Metallic Finish

To enhance the metallic shimmer, consider using gold acrylic paint or a metallic marker as a final touch. Apply these mediums over the colored pencil base to create a highly reflective and luminous finish.


Metallic Gold Pencils	Choose high-pigment pencils for a vibrant finish.
Base Layer Pencils	Yellow or cream pencils provide a warm foundation.
Highlight Pencils	White or silver pencils accentuate the metallic sheen.

Polishing and Sealing the Final Drawing

1. Allow the Drawing to Dry

After completing your gold-colored pencil drawing, let it rest and dry for a few hours or even overnight. This allows ample time for the pigments to set properly, ensuring that they won’t smudge or blend when you polish them.

2. Use a Blending Stump or Tortillon

Once the drawing is dry, gently rub a blending stump or tortillon over the gold-colored areas. This will help smooth out any rough edges and create a more uniform, polished finish.

3. Polish with a Soft Cloth

Next, take a soft, clean cloth and gently rub it in circular motions over the drawing. This will create a light sheen and enhance the metallic look of the gold.

4. Finishing with a Fixative

To preserve your drawing and protect it from smudging or fading over time, consider applying a fixative spray. Choose a spray specifically designed for colored pencils, and apply it lightly and evenly over the drawing.

5. Storage and Display

Store your finished gold-colored pencil drawing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Frame it using acid-free materials to prevent discoloration and damage.

How To Make A Gold Color With Colored Pencils

Gold is a beautiful and versatile color that can be used to add a touch of luxury to any project. But if you don’t have any gold colored pencils, don’t worry! You can easily make your own gold color by mixing two or three different colors together.

Here are the steps on how to make a gold color with colored pencils:

Start with a light yellow colored pencil.
Add a small amount of orange colored pencil.
If you want a darker gold, add a touch of brown colored pencil.
Blend the colors together using a blending pencil or tortillon.

Once you have created your gold color, you can use it to draw or color anything you want! Here are a few ideas:

Draw a golden crown or tiara.
Color a picture of a golden sunset.
Create a gold abstract painting.