WHAT IS IT?

A lovely citrus smelling liquid that allows you to blend coloured pencils.

WHY USE IT?

Like how Tortillions allow for a nice smooth graphite pencil blend, so Zest It does the same for coloured pencils. Zest it blends the colours together, creating a smooth, almost paint like feel to your pencil work.

EXAMPLES

Here’s some before and after photos. The drawings on the left are with only coloured pencils, the drawings on the right are after Zest it has been applied. It’s only subtle, but it creates a lovely blend.

CONCLUSION

I started using Zest It by mistake, well, I had done a segment drawing of some lips, but it just wasn’t working out, so I said “Sod this.” lol, and threw some Zest It on top of it. The blend is only subtle, but I love this, as it means you have the control and detail of pencil, whilst being able to create a more free and creamy feel to your drawing.

I apply a small amount to a plastic lid, than dip a paintbrush in and paint over the top of my drawing. You don’t need that much at all. It dries pretty quickly, but you can apply colour pencil on top of it. Colouring on top while it’s wet produces a different effect to when it’s dry, and you can also do multiple Zest It coats for more blending. It’s all about experimenting.

I wouldn’t do a coloured pencil drawing without this stuff now. If you want to try it out, make sure you get the Zest It Pencil Blend, as Zest It also make other products too.

“A plastic lid, paintbrush and eye dropper are essential when using Zest It, to minimise wastage.“

– Sophie’s Top Tip

“Hands are the Tool of the Painter, The Artist.”

Agnes Varda