How and When to use Colour Shapers in Pastel Artwork

Christine has asked me this great question:"How can you tell when is the right or the wrong time to use them when I do my own pictures or your old workshop packs I never know if I am using the right blender?" Although I do explain the uses of the colour shaper on the videos I do feel that it will be a good idea to clarify the techniques I use.

Number 2 Grey Chisel End

This colour shaper is used when I need a stronger blend usually when blending the darker tones. I use the flat side for larger areas and the edge or corner of the tip for tighter blends and effects. If you only wanted to buy one colour shaper this is the one I would choose.Buy a number 2 grey chisel end colour shaper here.

Number 2 Grey Pointed (Tapered) End

This shaper is slightly softer than the chisel ended one and ideal for getting into tighter details, for instance blending darker colours in between two light features. It could be argued that the edge of the grey chisel would do the same job; this is true however I find that the pointed one is better.Buy a number 2 grey tapered end colour shaper here.

Number 2 Ivory Chisel End

Being softer than the grey shaper this is ideal for blending to a finer finish, areas such as skin, hair, soft fur, sky’s etc. As with the grey chisel this can be used either flat or on its edge or corner of the tip for those hard to reach areas. I also find this one useful to push the blended background colours up to the edge of a subject where my finger can’t reach.Buy a number 2 ivory chisel end colour shaper here.

Number 2 Ivory Pointed (Tapered) End

Apart from being ideal for use as a tool for the finer detail the ivory chisel can’t reach this is great for creating an ultra-smooth look for many techniques such as water, distance subjects, sky’s etc. The reason this works better than the number 2 ivory chisel for these techniques is simply that it is softer.Buy a number 2 grey tapered end colour shaper here.

Number 10 Grey Chisel End

This is a great tool for covering larger areas such as backgrounds, sky’s, water etc. I am still experimenting with this one and I am sure that I will find many other uses as time goes on.Here's the difference in size between the number 2 and the number 10.Buy a number 10 grey chisel end colour shaper here.We hope this clarifies why and how I uses these amazing tools. If you have any questions please do hesitate to get in touch via the comments below or the contact us box in the bottom right of the screen. You can also email us.