25 Years of Creating with Colour
UK Colour Pencil Society – Silver Exhibition
The UK Colour Pencil Society (UKCPS) was founded in 2001 when founder members sought to create a place for like-minded colour pencil artists. Pat Heffer (Past President) wrote a frustrated letter to an art magazine about the need for a Colour Pencil Society in the UK, which prompted founder Bob Ebdon to gather together all the colour pencil artists he knew. And from this, the society was formed!
The founding aims of the UKCPS were to promote colour pencil art and support colour pencil artists. Over the years the aims have stayed relatively similar and they are now stated as:
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To promote colour pencils as a fine art medium
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To support artists who use colour pencils
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To educate artists and the public in general about colour pencils
In 2018 the society was awarded charitable status, reflecting these aims. There are now over 800 members worldwide and the UKCPS hold three exhibitions every year.
Colour pencil is unique in that it is a completely 'dry' medium. Unlike painting, the work is done mostly with dry pencils. The UKCPS aim to change the view that colour pencils are 'crayons' or something that is used at school. The many talented artists in the society have devised techniques and ways of drawing that showcase some spectacular art.
The society supports colour pencil artists in several ways. The quarterly magazine, 'Talking Point', is a professional, high quality printed art magazine, which contains step by step tutorials as well as other information for colour pencil enthusiasts. Their website is a great starting point to find out about the society and it also has galleries showing member artworks.
Community and collaboration are vital to the society. There is a lovely colour pencil community and member feedback is always positive. The UKCPS has a Facebook members group, encouraging lively discussion on colour pencil topics, and a public Facebook page with around 6,500 followers.
“We encourage people to set up local groups in their area to meet and work together on colour pencil projects. We offer a small grant to local art groups to get in a colour pencil specialist to do a demo or workshop. There is also a bi-monthly online group, which any member can join and chat about all things colour pencil.” (UKCPS)
The Society believes that their Silver Exhibition at Mall Galleries will surprise people, so come along and be amazed at the amazing art that can be achieved with colour pencils. Pencils are not the simple instruments they used to be - they are made by leading art manufacturers to be used as professional tools. A piece of art in colour pencil can stand with pride alongside any painting in any other medium.
“We hope that visitors will really enjoy the variation in styles, techniques and subjects that our members create with colour pencils. And that they will leave with a sense of wonder at what colour pencil art is all about.”
Over the next 25 years, the society hopes to continue to support colour pencil artists, particularly by encouraging younger artists to take colour pencil art into the next generations.
The UK Colour Pencil Society – Silver Exhibition will open in the West and North Galleries from Tuesday 17 March 2026 - Saturday 21 March 2026, 10am to 5pm. Free admission to all.
