Using White as a Base Colour in Light Areas

When I use white in pastel pencils as a base, it's because I want something to either be bright or create shine on a project. Examples include a Gorilla's nose or a Black Labrador's hair or nose.With this Cat Portrait (featured right), the stripes were done using Ochre as a base colour. The 3 popular light base colours are white, ivory and two greys; cool and warm. If you are going to be putting darker colours on top like dark brown or black then it's important not to start off with these lighter colours, apply a mid tone colour instead. Ochre or mid grey would work as a base if you are doing a dark eye, working around the white highlight(s) that would have been added first. You can always "reconstitute" this white and bring it back, even when other lighter colours are placed on top or around it.Click here for our free art courses.