The correct spelling of the term for a pencil used for drawing or coloring is "coloured pencil" in British English or "colored pencil" in American English. The word "coloured/color" is pronounced as /ˈkʌləd/ and refers to the pencil's ability to create a range of hues. The word "pencil" is pronounced as /ˈpɛnsəl/ and comes from the Latin word "penicillus," meaning "little tail," as the tool once had a small brush at one end. This popular art supply is a staple for artists and students alike.
A colored pencil refers to a cylindrical drawing tool made of wood or other materials and filled with a core of colored pigment. It is usually encased in a thin layer of wax or oil to make it easier to lay down color on a surface. Colored pencils are predominantly used for artistic purposes and can be considered a versatile medium for creating highly detailed and vivid illustrations, drawings, and sketches.
The core of a colored pencil is composed of a blend of pigments that produce various hues when applied to a surface. The pigments are mixed with binders such as clay, wax, or oil, which allow the color to be spread smoothly and evenly onto a drawing or painting surface. The core of a colored pencil can come in a range of hardnesses, providing artists with different levels of pigment intensity and color saturation.
Compared to other mediums like paints or markers, colored pencils offer a unique ability to create intricate details, shades, and texture. The narrow diameter of the pencil tip allows for precise application, enabling artists to achieve varying effects from delicate lines to broad strokes. It is commonly used in combination with other drawing materials such as graphite pencils or ink pens to add color to black and white compositions. Colored pencils are also widely employed in coloring books, illustrations, graphic design, and other artistic endeavors, making them a popular tool among artists of various skill levels.
The word "coloured pencil" is a compound noun formed by combining the adjective "coloured" and the noun "pencil".
The adjective "coloured" comes from the Middle English word "coloured", which stemmed from the Old French word "colore" and ultimately from the Latin word "color". In English, "coloured" originally referred to anything having a particular color. Over time, "coloured" specifically came to be associated with things that were not plain or white.
Meanwhile, the noun "pencil" originated from the Old French word "pincel" or "pencil", which meant a small, fine paintbrush or a fine pen. "Pincel" itself derived from the Latin word "penicillus", meaning a little tail or a brush. The association with a small, fine pen led to the meaning of a thin cylindrical instrument used for writing or drawing.