My Favorite Colors

This posting is to answer one of the most asked questions I get as an instructor– what colors do you use the most or in other words, what are your favorite colors? I am going to list my favorite Prismacolor colored pencil colors as this is the brand I use the most. They are not in any particular order but the bolded ones I consider “uber” favorites. You will probably be surprised by some of these choices since I am known mainly for my animal art but without these superstars my work would be flat and lifeless.

 

Limepeel – Great for cat eyes, fur, and bright blades of grass.

AQUAMARINE – Most favorite color! Adds life to fur, eyes, everything. A little goes a long way so be careful.

GINGER ROOT – Perfect for light colored animal fur like on Golden Labs.

Deco Blue – discontinued color so if you see it anywhere get it. Nice for shadows on white or light colored areas.

PARMA VIOLET – Just a pretty color, perfect for adding to objects that are predominately red/brown or sienna like a Golden Retriever’s coat. (Complimenatry,eh!)

Pale Vermillion – Another bright, lively color that works well when added near green (grass or cat eyes), think Wayne Thiebeau style.

Poppy Red – Use much like Pale Vermillion.

Mineral Orange – A nice, subtle orange that brightens brown eyes, and the coats of light brown to red animals.

Henna – The base color for many animal noses, mouths, tongues, and other mucosa.

Eggshell – A little darker version of Cream in the Lightfast line of colors. Nice when paired with Ginger Root.

Dark Umber – A good, dark brown with some red in it so it isn’t flat.

Indigo – Perfect substitute for Black as long as you don’t add any light color over it. White over Indigo creates a pale blue color that isn’t always desirable.

IMPERIAL VIOLET – This color and Violet are always added to the shadows in my drawings to add life to the image and create depth.

Violet – See above.

Peacock Blue – This is an interesting greenish-blue that works well in the shadows of greenery and makes a nice addition to the cool shadows of animals and other subjects.

Pumpkin Orange – A stronger version of Mineral Orange and used in much the same way only more sparingly.

French Grays – All the percentages of these grays are very useful for establishing values. I like them best because they are cast toward the brown tones and therefore warm.

Peach Beige – This is a good neutral when working on light subjects, especially white animals.

Green Ochre – Finally, a good, natural green to use for grass, trees, ect.

SPANISH ORANGE – This color can brighten up just about anything with just a light layer or make a big statement with just a little line.

There you have it. These are by no means the only pencils I use (I pretty much use them all) but these are certainly standouts that I seek out more often than not.

Happy Coloring!