To color with colored pencils without white spots, I build several light layers instead of pressing hard immediately, change the direction of my strokes between layers, keep my pencil reasonably sharp, and burnish only after enough pigment is on the paper.
Those little white specks usually come from the texture, or tooth, of the paper showing between pencil marks. Completely eliminating that texture isn’t always necessary, but when I want smoother, more solid color, there are several ways to reduce it without flattening the paper too early.
Why Do Colored Pencils Leave White Spots?
Paper isn’t perfectly flat. Even a relatively smooth drawing surface contains tiny raised and recessed areas.
When a colored pencil moves across that texture, pigment catches more strongly on some parts of the surface than others. The untouched recesses can remain visible as tiny white spots.
The rougher the paper, the more obvious this texture can become. Pencil hardness, point sharpness, pressure, and the number of layers also affect how much paper remains visible.
The Quickest Fix: Use More Layers, Not More Pressure
My first response to white spots is not to press harder.
I begin with relatively light pressure and gradually build several layers. The first pass may leave a lot of paper showing. The next layers begin filling more of the surface.
This gives me much more control than trying to force complete coverage with one heavy application.
Pressing hard too early can compress the tooth of the paper, making it more difficult to add additional color later.
Change Your Pencil Direction Between Layers
One of the simplest things I’ve found useful is changing the direction of my strokes as I build color.
If the first layer moves mostly horizontally, I might apply the next diagonally or vertically.
Each direction reaches the paper texture slightly differently, which helps cover gaps that the previous layer missed.
I think of the process almost like weaving color across the surface rather than repeatedly tracing the exact same path.
Keep the Pencil Sharp Enough to Reach the Paper Texture
A very dull pencil can skip across the upper surface of textured paper and leave more small gaps between marks.
A sharper point lets me place pigment more precisely and reach smaller areas of the paper texture.
I don’t need a needle-sharp point for every part of a drawing, but when I’m trying to even out coverage, sharpening can make a noticeable difference.
If you’re having problems keeping soft pencils pointed without breaking them, see my guide to the best pencil sharpeners for colored pencils.
Choose Paper Based on How Smooth You Want the Drawing
Paper has a major effect on how visible white spots will be.
A heavily textured surface gives pigment plenty to grip, but the deeper texture can require more layers before the white paper disappears.
A smoother surface generally makes it easier for me to create more continuous coverage, although very smooth paper may accept fewer layers before the surface begins to feel filled.
I tend to prefer a relatively smooth Bristol or a moderate drawing-paper texture when I want both layering ability and smoother coverage.
I compare surfaces more extensively in my guide to the best paper for colored pencils.
Burnish After You Have Enough Color Down
Burnishing is another way I reduce stubborn white specks, but I save it until later in the drawing.
After building several layers, I can apply firmer pressure with a suitable colored pencil, light-colored pencil, or colorless blender. This compresses and blends the existing layers into the paper surface, creating a smoother and more solid appearance.
I don’t automatically burnish every area. Sometimes I prefer leaving visible pencil texture in less important parts of the drawing and using smoother coverage around the focal area.
If you want to explore the process separately, see my guide to burnishing with colored pencils.
How I Build Smooth Colored Pencil Coverage
- Start with light pressure. I tint the area rather than trying to finish it immediately.
- Add another layer. I gradually strengthen the color while preserving enough paper texture for additional pigment.
- Change the stroke direction. I work across the previous marks instead of repeatedly following exactly the same path.
- Introduce related colors. I use layering to develop the color instead of relying entirely on one pencil.
- Sharpen when coverage becomes uneven. A useful point can reach areas a dull pencil skips over.
- Increase pressure selectively. Once the color relationships are established, I strengthen areas that need more saturation.
- Burnish near the end if necessary. I smooth only the places where I actually want a more solid finish.
Don’t Try to Cover Every White Spot in the First Layer
This is one of the mistakes that can make colored pencil frustrating.
The first layer doesn’t need to look finished.
If I expect complete coverage immediately, I’m much more likely to press harder than necessary. That limits what I can do with subsequent layers.
I let the early application stay grainy and incomplete. The smoother appearance develops gradually as additional layers cross and overlap.
Why Your Colored Pencil May Still Look Grainy
If you’ve added several layers and the drawing still looks more speckled than you want, I would check these things:
- The paper may be very textured. Deep tooth naturally leaves more visible gaps.
- Your pencil may be too dull. A broad worn tip can skip over smaller recesses.
- You may be repeating the same stroke direction. Crossing layers from different directions can improve coverage.
- You may simply need more layers. Colored pencil often develops gradually.
- The particular pencil and paper may not work well together. Different cores behave differently across different surfaces.
How to Make Colored Pencils Look Smoother
For smoother colored pencil, I combine several techniques rather than relying on one trick:
- Use a paper surface appropriate for the finish you want.
- Begin with lighter pressure.
- Build several layers.
- Change stroke direction.
- Keep the pencil sharp enough for the paper texture.
- Increase pressure gradually.
- Burnish selected areas at the end.
My broader colored pencil techniques guide covers layering, pressure control, color mixing, mark-making, and burnishing in more detail.
Should Colored Pencil Completely Cover the Paper?
Not necessarily.
I don’t think every colored-pencil drawing needs a perfectly polished surface with every bit of paper hidden.
Sometimes visible paper texture and individual pencil strokes make the drawing feel more alive. Other areas may benefit from smoother, denser coverage.
I decide based on the drawing rather than treating visible paper as something that always needs to be eliminated.
Does Pressing Harder Remove White Spots?
It can cover more paper, but I don’t recommend using heavy pressure as the first solution.
Once the tooth is compressed, adding more layers becomes harder. I get more control by building color gradually and increasing pressure only after the earlier layers are working.
Can a Colorless Blender Remove White Spots?
A colorless blender can help smooth existing layers and reduce the appearance of small white gaps.
I treat it as a finishing tool rather than a substitute for good layering. If there isn’t enough pigment on the page yet, I would rather add color first.
Do Softer Colored Pencils Give Smoother Coverage?
Different colored pencils behave differently, and core softness can influence how readily pigment covers the paper.
But paper texture, pressure, layering, and the way I apply the pencil matter too. I wouldn’t choose a pencil based on softness alone.
If you’re comparing pencils for more developed artwork, see my guide to the best colored pencils for artists.
A Little Paper Showing Isn’t Always a Problem
When I’m drawing from observation, I don’t necessarily want every section to have the same polished finish.
I may leave more visible texture in loose passages and gradually increase coverage where I want the viewer’s attention.
The goal isn’t automatically to remove every white speck. It’s to understand why the texture is showing so I can control it when I want to.
If you’re still learning the fundamentals of the medium, continue to my guide on how to use colored pencils. You can also browse the main colored pencils resource for techniques, supplies, papers, and other tutorials.