Step 1. Make Initial Sketch

Before I begin, I always tape the edges of my paper. This creates a nice crisp border once the painting is complete. Then I use an HB pencil to sketch the landscape with the northern lights. I purposefully make them spiral upwards, ending in the silhouette of a bird. This creates some mystery. 

The HB pencil has a hard enough lead to make very light lines that won’t be seen through the paint. If I accidentally make a mark that I feel will, I simply go over it with a kneaded eraser to lift off some of the graphite to lighten it.

I prepare my palette with a container of water, brushes and a metal pencil sharpener.   

Step 2. Dry-On-Dry 

Once I’ve got my sketch, I begin using the pencils to fill in the sky. This is the classic way of using colored pencils on a dry surface, which is why it’s known as the “dry-on-dry” technique. I place my lightest shades in the center and my darker ones out toward the edges. I build up the values (the lightness or darkness of a shade) by layering one color on top of the other. This is how to combine the classic dry pencil on dry paper technique with layering. Fill in the sky and the landscape with vertical strokes using shades of pink, yellow, purple, blue and green. The green shades give additional contour to the northern lights.

TIP: By changing the pressure applied to the pencil, I can adjust the saturation of the tone. This helps me build my tones gradually so I get a smoother blend of colors and complexity. 

Step 3. Create Shadows

Now that I’ve worked on the sky, it’s time to turn my attention to the house. To make it feel more connected to the ground, I need to place some dark shadows under and around it. Usually, I would use black to do this, but in this instance, I prefer to use dark green. This makes it look more like a grassy lawn would look at night. I use green along the base of the house and across the bottom of the picture to make this shadowy lawn.

Step 4. Methods to Add Water

Now for the magical part! Using a wet brush, I apply water to the pencil lines. I do this by placing my brush strokes in the same direction as the pencil lines. 

I use a blue pencil for the “dry-to-wet” technique by applying dry pencil marks to the wet paper. With this technique, my artwork looks more vivid and clear than if I had used a wet, blended layer. 

Next, I dip the violet pencil in water and put it on wet paper for the “wet-on-wet” method. This technique makes some really interesting textures. 

Step 5. Pick Up Color

Another fun technique is picking up color from the tip of the pencil with a wet brush. I do this using a blue pencil to paint over the dark green I laid down previously over the lower part of the composition. 

Step 6. Create Trees

Because there’s still plenty of blue paint on the brush, now I add in some small trees with it. By using the tip and the sides of the brush at different angles, I can create the silhouette of the trees in differing shapes and sizes.  

Step 7. Blending

Just as with watercolor paint, I use a soft brush and water to blend the colors in the rest of the sky. If necessary, I can also use a bristle brush to blend the pencil lines and create soft transitions.

Step 8. Dip Pencil in Water

I add more blue and green to my artwork by picking up more pigment on my wet brush from the tip of a dry pencil. I alternate this with dipping the pencil in water. 

Step 9. Create Contrast

I keep working on the background, adding brown shades to the house and more details to the trees. I refine and complement my picture with more contrast in the different shades.  

Step 10. Add Details

At this stage, I alternate between blending and the other techniques to create more tones and bring a brightness to the piece. I do this by using a stiff, synthetic round brush to blend the pencil layer in the same direction of the strokes. I pay attention to adding more vivid colors and details to the northern lights.

Step 11. Pencil Shaving to Paint

Here’s another fun thing to do that will add another layer of interest. I take my craft knife and gently scrape the tip, shaving off very small particles of pigment onto the palette. Then, with a wet brush, I add a dab of water to the shavings. As I mix the two together, paint is formed. I load my brush with it and tap it over the picture to create small splatters. This adds an atmospheric quality. 

Step 12. Finishing Touches

Finally, I finish the work by adding stars and highlights with my pencil shaving paint.  It’s time to remove the tape and let the piece dry completely.