For Crayon's Sake!

"When a subject feels too busy, simplify it." There are times when the subject you want to draw is wonderfully busy and complex. If you work in a smaller space, like an A5 visual diary or sketchbook, as I do, tackling these busy subjects with crayons can be challenging due to the nature of the wax medium. You might feel the pressure to render every detail, only to find the results frustrating and discouraging. Well, the good news is you don't need to feel discouraged! This time, I want to share a key tip for successfully drawing busy subjects with crayons, adapted from another medium. The Power of Squinting and Simplification One day, while wondering what to draw, I spotted a bunch of lavender in the garden. It was beautiful, but I immediately realised the challenge: drawing that detail with crayons in my A5 sketchbook. I remember the fundamental lesson from my watercolour days: "simplify it and paint shapes." I knew I could apply the same principle here. This ...

Same crayons, different paper - and suddenly, the artwork has a whole new personality. Every artist has that moment of curiosity and wonders how much paper really affects the outcome. In my “ Swatch It Happen ” blog, I mentioned what kind of surface suits crayons best. This week, I decided to put that theory to the test by comparing two popular options: Fabriano Tiziano Pastel Paper and the Stillman & Birn Alpha Sketchbook . Let's take a look at their differences. Fabriano Tiziano: Expressive Texture I used Fabriano Tiziano pastel paper for a Monstera Leaf Study . Initially, I was a little sceptical about how it would turn out, but in the end, I was pleasantly surprised by the unique result. Monstera leaf study on Fabriano Tiziano  This paper has a strong visible texture (or tooth ), which becomes even more noticeable when the crayon is applied lightly. The texture gives the drawing an expressive, painterly look, especially suitable for organic subjects like leaves. The tooth...

“White may look colourless, but it’s just as important as any other crayon, and you might find yourself using it up faster than the rest.” For this overdue post, I chose a yellow rose as my subject. I wanted to show you an example of crayon drawing where colour blending is involved, and also share the parts I consider “mistakes.” They’re nothing to stress about, but the more I look at them, the more obvious they seem. So, let’s dive in! The first step I took was a light pencil sketch using an HB pencil. It’s important to keep your pencil strokes light, because if you press too hard and later decide to erase, it will leave indentations on the paper. When you apply crayon over those marks, they often show up as faint white lines and those can be tricky to hide. Next, using yellow orange , red orange , orange , and brown , I started applying colour lightly to mark the darker areas. Some might say you should start with lighter colours. Personally, I prefer beginning with darker ones becaus...

"Every stroke I make with crayons can give me some calming effects and block out negative thoughts" A box of crayons, each one holding a world of colour and possibility. As a child, I was always happy with my own company. I wasn’t always interested in playing with other kids; I’d rather have my own activities. Since I was first introduced to crayons, my toys were almost abandoned. Thankfully, my parents supported me fully. They couldn’t be bothered buying me new toys anymore, and they bought me papers and crayons instead. I don’t remember what brand my first tin of crayons was; it definitely wasn’t Crayola , but I know it was a Japanese brand. It was given to me as a birthday present. That could easily be the best birthday present ever!  Horses have always been my favourite subject since childhood. With the proper techniques, even simple crayons can turn those childhood memories into powerful art pieces. Today, I still use crayons as my drawing tool. They always keep me happy...

Hello... 👋 Welcome to my little corner of the fun zone, where I share everything I know about crayons! I was only 5 or 6 years old when I was first introduced to crayons. I didn't even know what those colourful little sticks were at the time. All I knew was I could use them to draw and colour. I thought, "Hey, this thing is cool!" I was absolutely hooked. I remember my teacher gave me a little basket of crayons; some were broken, and some were still intact with the wrapper still on. The scent was unique but not unpleasant; it was part of its magic, a testament to a kid's limitless imagination. Over time, I discovered other art materials﹘coloured pencils, oil pastels, watercolour﹘but I never abandoned crayons. They’ve always been my favourite until today. They’re simple, nostalgic, and the one tool that can instantly take me back to childhood. At one point, my art teacher suggested I move on from crayons and use something else instead. “Crayons aren’t for you anymore,...