Often people shy away from working in colored pencils because it’s more difficult to remove color from paper than graphite pencil marks. True, colored pencils are less forgiving than graphite pencils, but color can be lifted out, although it’s hard to remove it entirely. Besides correcting mistakes, artists remove color to create certain effects such as lightening an area.
Frisk Film for Removing Color
Frisk film, a transparent masking film, is compatible for working on almost all surfaces. It’s easy to peel, leaving no residue. To use frisk film to remove color apply the film by rubbing an object such as a ball point pen to the spot color that needs to be lifted off.
Tapes for Lifting Color
Although tape can lift out some color, it cannot remove all the color. Besides correcting mistakes, using tape to lift out color is an ideal way to soften a color such as creating distant faded green hills.
- Scotch tape or artist’s tape - First tear off a piece of tape and then press down gently on the tape into the area where you need to remove color. Using a finger, apply circular motions for rubbing the area. Finally, carefully remove the tape, being cautious not to tear the paper. This technique works best on stronger weight, higher quality drawing paper such as Bristol board or illustration board.
- Masking tape - Ordinary masking tape can be used to remove colored pencil that’s been applied densely.
Erasers
- White vinyl eraser – Besides lifting color, white vinyl erasers are good for blending colors. Use eraser shields for working with small areas.
- Kneaded eraser – The beauty of a kneaded eraser is that it can be squeezed to any shape desired.
- Ticky-tacky – Ticky-tacky is a putty-like substance that works similar to a kneaded eraser or tape and is reusable.
- Reusable adhesive - Reusable adhesive is another putty-like substance that’s used to stick, seal or hold various items. Artists use it as an eraser. To remove colors softly lift a small area of the pigment. Then dab color with reusable adhesive.
- Electric eraser - Although color can be removed using a rubber eraser, an electric eraser is best for removing tiny specs of color. Electric erasers are capable of taking out most colored pencils to the white of the paper. By applying a small amount of solvent before erasing, an electric eraser will take out almost any color. Color pencil artists often use electric erasers in rending everything from tiny spots on animal fur to drops of water on flowers. Erasable parts, which are sold separately, are easily replaceable.
Adhesive Remover
Adhesive removers such as Un-du can lift off color. Typically, Un-du is used in removing tapes, stickers and labels. Lightly apply the adhesive remover and using a q-tip lift off the color.
Scraping Out Color
Often color pencil artists purposely scrape out color for effects rather than for correcting mistakes of too much color. This technique is called sgraffito, which means inscribing lines using a sharp tool. Basically, there are two variations of sgraffito. One way is by scratching away pencil material and the other method involves removing pencil material to modify a tonal area. Effects can be made using the broad edge of a razor blade for scraping away areas of colored pencil material. An X-acto-knife is excellent for scraping out color and is typically used in depicting grass or fine strands of hair.
Before using a method for removing color always first experiment on scrap paper. Work with various tools and techniques until the most suitable method is found for removing color.
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