Artist Charles Urbach graciously shared his colored pencil drawing techniques with a full class of students in the Dragon Con art show, Hyatt Grand Hall, Sun 11:30AM. He used some of his own amazing colored pencil art to demonstrate various techniques he developed for the media he has made his standard.

Urbach said that there are advantages to every medium. For colored pencils, the big advantage is creating fine detail. Referring to them as “pigments,” he recommended the Prismacolor Premier brand and also praised Prismacolor Art Stix. He also prefers Strathmore Bristol smooth 100-lb paper for colored pencil work.

Urbach explained the application of color principles to the media as well as underdrawing to enhance desired effects. He said to use a lot of pressure when applying pigments and discussed other quirks of the media.

Students left the class inspired, armed with a full written introduction, and Urbach’s favorite advice, “Press hard!”

Urbach was a Dragon Con 2022 Art Show participant. For more about Charles Urbach and his art, visit his Facebook page.