The first layer or “grisalle layer” is painted totally in black and white. All tonal values are established. It looks like a black and white photograph. No thought is even made about color at this stage. The paintings composition, light and darks, forms are built in this stage.
Again, no color is even considered, just tones.

The next layers are the color layers. This allows a colorblind artist to take their time and glaze color on top of the black and white base painting. It is like color tinting a black and white photograph. Color is used transparently like a sheet of glass over the black and white painting. To make the painting process easier, use a limited palette of colors.

Rembrandt’s work is an excellent example of what can be done using just red, yellow, black and white paint.

If you like drawing in color, colored pencils are a good medium for you. The pencils have the name of the color printed on them. You can even do a grisalle layer technique if you prefer too. Again, if it is still difficult, use a limited palette of pencils. Too many colors in a piece of art usually hurts it vs. helps it.

If you prefer to draw in black and white, you can still produce stunning artwork with some color. Work on a colored paper or board. Neutral colors work best. Canson Mi tientes paper is an excellent paper to work on.

Pencils
Charcoal pencils come in black and white. General’s makes a white charcoal pencil to be used with their pencils.A black colored pencil will give a very good tonal range.

Pen and ink offers possibilities as well.