In this video I found clear and precise answers to how to color backgrounds. So thank you very much!!! I have seen so many videos, but they left always doubts of several types.

Great video!!! You could also color in circles. that way you wont get the pencil strokes to show. Just color lightly in small circles :) Another tip: keep your pencils sharp. they give more color with a sharp point bc they can reach the hills and vallys of the paper more.

Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial, I have been looking like mad for tutorials where only pencils are used, no water or anything else added. It looks stunning and I can't wait to try it out myself!

I just stumbled across this video and am so pleased that I stopped to watch. I have struggled with backgrounds, getting them smooth and blended and finally gave up on large spaces. This looks very doable and am heading to my desk right now to try it out. Thank you so much for sharing!

That was great!! It's really going to help me accomplish better blending on my backgrounds. Thanks so much!!!❤

This was so informative! Thank you so much! I have so many pics with no background because i was so afraid to mess them up! I will def try this!

Thank you so much. I have never tackled background nor considered to do b/ground first. Fabulous grading. Good video with no repetitive music. I am inspired to fill in my blank backgrounds. You haven Such a delicate touch and soft voice describing exactly with no waffle. All Brilliant. thank you. Rose. Perth Western Australia.

I hope that you’ll be doing more colouring tutorials, your voice is perfect for it.....Thank you....

I like to hold further back on the pencil. Almost all the way to the back of the pencil. And then I colour in small circles with light pressure working in layers. Whether it’s in the background or in the foreground. I find that to be the best way to lay down colours until I start burnishing. Then I choke back up on the pencil and use more pressure. It’s also perfect for blending.

I really enjoyed your use of Polys. I have them and will be using your technique to achieve a better background. Thanks so much!

Your tutorial is wonderful and very relaxing. You have a very soothing voice, fantastic. Thank you so much.

Hi there, Sarah! I love this video...very helpful as I seem to always struggle with my backgrounds! Thanks, as always, for taking the time to help us fellow colorists. I'm grateful for all your efforts both here and on Instagram! Sending coloring hugs from Columbus, Ohio! Carol/Coloring Columbus :-)

Hi Sarah! Wow! I absolutely LOVED your video. Coloring backgrounds has always been one of my stumbling blocks, but after watching your video, I am ready to try your technique! I never thought about turning my paper 90 degrees to get the effect that you have shown us. Absolutely fabulous! I'm going to check out more of your videos for sure! By the way, I love your soothing voice. Great job!

Thank you for this.

thanks im a begginner and find this very helpful , my fave is the second one !!

This can be asmr😊

Really beautifully done, very helpful, a great tutorial, thankyou. Very inspiring

Oo I just love how you did this thank you 😊

Hi Sarah! Thanks for the tips. In my first attempts of backgrounds with color pencils it did not go very well, so I practically gave up. I usually use eyeshadow with cotton. But after your video I will certainly try again! (:

Nice video, and thank you so much for sharing. What I enjoy about Johanna Basford's books is the quality of the thicker and smoother textured paper, which for me seems to reduce or even eliminate pencil lines. Copy paper is not as forgiving, and I would not recommend copy paper as a go-to paper choice because the tooth of copy paper is most often not consistent. Most of the time when I am doing backgrounds, I use dry pastels with an ear swab or cotton ball or even tissue paper; but when I do use colored pencils for backgrounds, I first hold my pencil farther back toward the back end of the pencil because this prevents a heavier pressure. I also hold my pencil tip quite a bit on its side (turning it often to maintain the sharp tip), and I use circular strokes instead of straight strokes. All of these techniques prevents pencil lines, and produces a very nice gradient. Additionally, I might use a blending solvent, such as isopropyl alcohol or acetone-free fingernail polish.

Thanks so much❤

Extremely helpful! I struggle with backgrounds.

Thank you so very much for making this tutorial. I can't tell you how many colouring pages I've messed up because I've ruined the background. I'm going to follow your instructions next time and BEFORE I try to colour anything else on the page :-)

What a great idea! Thanks.

Hi Sarah. THANK YOU so much for showing me that you can do a background colored pencils!! I absolutely learned so much. I subscribed and rang bell!!

Thank you so much for this terrific info/demonstration. I learn so much better by watching than listening. One question I have: How would you recommend doing backgrounds where the entire background is full of objects (e.g., stars) with no distinct pattern to the background objects and there is not a lot of blank space...but you don't want it to remain white?

I tried this with the OTHER major brand (the waxy ones) and it was a huge fail. I have a small set of pc pencils on the way and I'll see how it goes playing around with those. I cannot fathom how you go in the same direction in the tiny spaces. Thank you so much for sharing your techniques with us. I will keep working on it.

This was a great help. Thank you

Thank you that was really valuable.

Great tutorial....thanks!!😃😃😃

I like how the tutorial works with no such disturbances and straight. But just a question , can i use a liquid blender to blend more colors ?

love this

That was great, thank you!

loved this video, it was definitely informative. I would love to know if you know any techniques on coloring white things and also black (I can wing it but would love to know if there is a more exact method. I would also love to see your ideas on how to blend colors using markers, if its even possible.

The last tip hit me hard since I rush my backgrounds way too often... It just gets annoying trying to shade and color such a large portion of the piece with repetitive motion. then add another layer, mix, add layer mix. My hands get tired and usually I'm almost done with my piece since I do background last. I end up wanting to just finish it.

great video!

Gradated color! Great technique! When using the five different colors, how did you choose them and how do you decide when to use five?

Fantastic background and so well taught; thank you. What is the last color (Light color u mentioned) last row; you used; I have the large set of Faber Castell I’m practicing the background. 🤗👍🏻

Thankyou :)

This is very helpful. Thank you! :)

Great video! What sharpener do you use? Those leads look very sharp but sturdy! I tried reading the blog post on the sharpener but the link took me to a beauty parlor in Barcelona 😱

Hi Sarah! I LOVED this tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to show us your technique. I have been blending with mineral spirits and just learned how to use baby oil for blending. Could I still do this and then blend with Gamosol or baby oil? Would it make it smoother? Thank you again!

Hi Sarah! I loved the video and your tips and demo were great! I love how you use so many colors and are really passionate about colors/coloring! You inspire me! Btw POLYCHROMOS FTW! There's something so special about that brand/line. Quick question: do you color only with colored pencils? Just curious if you have ever tried Tombow dual brush markers and/or inktense pencils? They're both water soluble, but they bring vivid colors and blend really well.

WOW...love the technique! Thanks for sharing. BTW, your pencils are so nicely sharpened, what sharpener do you use?

This was such an informative video and your voice is so soothing it's almost like an ASMR video. :) Do you do your backgrounds first or wait until after you've colored your picture? Does it matter? How long have you been doing this?

Good tutorial! Thanks...new sub

hi Sarah , just now see this post in your Instgram, it's verrry nice, thank you so much for these tips, but sometimes the colors material not working for layers .. if I want to put yellow and over it orange I found them not blend !! how can I mix it smoothly ? .. thanks 🍃🌹🍃🌹🍃🌹🍃

How do you fastforward yourself when you do it i do it at normal speed

Good tips, wish the camera were closer.

I'm sorry, but I've only seen or heard of using circular or oval strokes to avoid those start and stop marks that's visible here. Your colour choices are great, and this could be even more if the pencil strokes weren't showing. I'm not saying this be rude, I'm only saying what I see, sorry if it offends😔

No more?

Can you tell me which paper you used for the photocopy? I have been wondering about this for a long time. Thank you so much for all the info.