Frog with Markers and Colored Pencils
Lessons
About This Lesson Series...
This lesson series is a thorough and engaging mixed-media exploration designed to help artists create a vibrant, realistic drawing of a frog using alcohol-based markers and colored pencils. Throughout this series, you’ll learn how to combine the speed and bold color foundation of markers with the precision and layering control of colored pencils. The result is a richly detailed, dimensional artwork that captures the texture, color variation, and personality of the frog while teaching highly useful mixed-media techniques.
Observation and Planning
The series begins with a focus on observing your reference and planning your drawing before applying any pigment. You’ll learn how to break down the frog’s anatomy into simple shapes, identify major value areas, and determine where color transitions occur. This initial planning stage is essential for ensuring that proportions and placement are accurate and that you understand how light and shadow define the frog’s form. By looking carefully at the subject before beginning, you set yourself up for a smoother, more intentional application of media later in the series.
Sketch and Composition
Once you have studied the subject, the next step is creating a clean and accurate pencil sketch. This light drawing serves as the blueprint for color application. Attention is paid to capturing the frog’s proportions, posture, and unique features, such as eye placement and limb angles. A solid sketch not only helps maintain accuracy but also makes it easier to determine where marker layering and pencil work will be most effective as the piece develops.
Markers as a Base Layer
With the sketch in place, the lesson series transitions into applying alcohol-based markers to establish the base color and tone of the frog. Markers allow for smooth, saturated areas of color that quickly define major shapes and values. During this stage, you’ll learn how to blend marker tones effectively, how to identify where darker values are needed, and how to preserve areas that require later detail work. This foundational work provides a strong structure that colored pencils can enhance and refine.
Building Color with Colored Pencils
After the marker foundation is established, colored pencils are introduced to build richness, texture, and subtle transitions. You’ll explore how to layer colored pencil over marker without creating wax bloom, how to select pencil colors that deepen and refine the base tones, and how to use pressure and stroke direction to suggest texture — such as the bumpy skin of the frog or reflective highlights in the eye. This layering process greatly enhances the sense of dimension and realism in your drawing.
Developing Details and Depth
As your drawing progresses, this lesson series places emphasis on refining details and enhancing depth. You’ll learn how to use colored pencils to sharpen edges, create subtle value changes, and deepen shadows so that the frog’s form feels three-dimensional. The instructor demonstrates how to create concentrated detail around focal areas, such as the frog’s eyes, skin texture, and the subtle color variations across its body, without overwhelming the composition.
Final Refinement and Harmony
In the final stages, attention turns to unifying the drawing and polishing details. Students learn how to balance color intensity, adjust contrast, and ensure harmony between marker and colored pencil layers. Final touches enhance the frog’s presence and bring cohesion to the entire piece. By the end of the Colored Pencils and Markers: Frog series, you will have a finished mixed-media drawing that showcases both bold color and refined detail, along with a solid understanding of how to combine these two media for compelling results.
Here's what you'll need...
- Marker paper
- Graphite pencil
- Kneaded eraser
- Alcohol-based markers
- Colored pencils
Colored Pencils Used:
- Chartreuse
- Limepeel
- Dark Umber
- Indigo Blue
- White
- 90% Warm Grey
- Goldenrod
- Apple Green
- Kelp Green
- Green Ochre
- Goldenrod
- 50% Cool Grey
- 70% Cool Grey
- Colorless Blender
Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
Outstanding Matt. Your Kermit voice needs some work.
Yes I agree, not my best effort.
Some of the members watching the live lessons bring up the different markers and paper. I will use the recommended markers/pencils on the Canson marker paper – experimenting with Strathmore 400 Marker paper. It’s a heavier paper, smooth and the results ?? I will advise. Your having fun, so this venture should be fun for me.
Matt,
You mentioned that white gouache would be used towards the end of the project. Can Brush & Pencil’s Touch-up Texture Titanium White be used, instead of the gouache?
Thanks!
Hi Robin,
Yes, I think that would work as well. Any opaque medium that can adhere to the colored pencil applications should work without issue.
Matt
Will you be posting list of colors used both markers and pencils.
Thanks
Hi Peter,
Yes, I can do that. But I don’t know what pencils I’ll be using until the work is completely finished.
Matt,
I started with Indigo blue for the eyes and overpowered so much that none of colors I applied stood a chance… Is there a way to alter it or redo the eye? like applying gulch /opaque pain? I wish i can show you my frogs eyes for you to understad it better.
Hi Matt,
I tried downloading Video #9, but Vimeo is acting strange. When I click on the download arrow, the download box pops up, but it just sits there, not giving me the option to pick the resolution link of my choice. I removed my history files and cookies, etc, but still no go. Suggestions, or is it just Vimeo? I’m using the Chrome browser, that has never had an issue before today.
Thank you!
Hi Robin,
This is a current issue with Vimeo. Hopefully they’ll have it resolved shortly.
Hi Robin
I’m having the same problem – except that mine starts with Lesson 1! I can’t download any of the lessons.
Like you, I use Chrome and have never had any problems before. As Matt says, hopefully Vimeo will resolve this very soon.
Hi Matt,
What brand of Alcohol Markers are the best? I want to some off Amazon but don’t know which brand. Also, what if you don’t have this specific colors of the color pencils can you use shades that are close?
Thank you,
Athena
What is the best marker paper you’d suggest .. I have Bienfang and it bleed through three sheets.
Thanks
Ron Shepard
I have a set of Touchnew markers ( Amazon) that I purchased about three months ago. When I started doing this project, I found that several of the markers had dried out. Is there any way to moisten them up again?
Hi Matt,
How can I see the homework?
Hi Mat. Please i would like the name list of the markers that you are using.
thank you Christiane
Hello Matt,
Artscrochet here. While enjoying this lesson series I was reminded of an incident in Guatemala.
I was dressing my son, two years old and every time I tried one of his shoes, it would not go on. As it as common to find rocks stuffed everywhere I thought he had stuffed some in his shoe. To my surprise a bullfrog the size of my fist popped out of his shoe as I tapped it on the floor.
It hippity hopped right oUt of his room on time to get ready the evening bullfrog course, or nighttime lullaby.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series.. See you on Wednesday!
Teri
LOL, Teri!! What a surprise for everyone involved! I’m just starting this series and noticed your recent comment. Did you finish this series? It will be my first experience with alcohol markers.
Brenda