Easy Trick to SELECT Colors Like a PRO!

In this tutorial, you’ll learn two effective methods for selecting the right colored pencils before you start any drawing — using Faber-Castell Polychromos as the example set, though the same approach works with Classic colours, Pitt Pastels, and even graphite pencils if you adapt the charts. We’ll begin with the quicker on-the-spot color selection technique: choose your reference image in printed form or on a tablet or phone, hand-pick shades from each color family you think might match different areas of the subject, and build a simple folded color palette with pencil codes written on each swatch. I’ll show you how to slide that palette over the reference to compare hues side by side, rule out pencils that don’t match, and keep only the colors you actually need for the lighter fur, darker tones, and each distinct area — so you’re not guessing from the box mid-drawing. When the shortlist is done, you’ll see how to put unused pencils back in the box to avoid confusion and work with a clean, focused set for the current artwork. Then we’ll move to the second method: creating durable reusable color charts on 300–350 GSM card stock. You’ll see how to arrange pencils by color family or gradient, fill large rectangular swatches, label each with a dark gel or ballpoint pen, cut them into separate scales, and optionally punch holes so you can keep them on a key ring for every future project. Along the way I share practical tips for taking your time on the first chart build, comparing swatches directly against the reference, and noting matching codes on a separate sheet before you draw. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a repeatable workflow for matching reference colors accurately and saving time on every coloured-pencil piece you tackle. And as usual, the references of this tutorial are included in the Materials section.