More Love for Color Pencils

Since I've decided to take a break from the watercolor and I didn't feel like setting up the acrylics, I sat down with my colored pencils again.  Tonight I completed "Pears".  The other picture, "Lemon Tea", I had done a few weeks ago but never posted.  "Lemon Tea" was done relatively quick.  I wanted to use white as a primary.  I also wanted to tackle the tin flower pot.  Couldn't quite master the reflectiveness of the pot though.  I am pretty happy with the tea pot and the daisies. 

"Pears" on the other hand I am very happy with.  I really enjoy burnishing.  The colorless blending pencils and marker really help to smooth away the tooth of the paper.  I was hesitant to add the dots on the skin of the pear.  I waited until I was more or less done and then decided to go for it.  I think it makes it look more realistic.  The creamy flesh of the inside of the pear was a combination of White, Creme, and Light Peach. All were layered multiple times in different combinations to really achieve that particular color.  The pears were a combination of, Crimson Red, Tuscan Red, Pink, Carmine Red, Poppy Red, Goldenrod and Mulberry.  Again, all were layered in different combinations to match the red of the pear's skin.  One of my favorite techniques I learned from my favorite art instructor was the use of indigo blue.  I rarely, if ever, use black.  indigo blue just adds that touch of color to a neutral area, in this case the shadows.  I may end up framing my "Cherries" and "Pears". All of these pieces ("Cherries", "Pears", and "Lemon Tea") were completed on Canson Pastel 9x12 paper. Using the colored paper add to the whole composition of the pieces I think.  Automatic background!

It's rewarding when I am actually pleased with my work.  The completion of "Cherries" and "Pears" really makes me happy and accomplished.  I hope everyone enjoys them too.



"Pears"
8x11, Colored Pencil, Canson Pastel Paper 98#




"Lemon Tea"
8x11, Colored Pencil, Canson Pastel Paper 98#



For the love of colored pencils

It's amazing how much time there is that I DON'T get to paint/draw, but when I do, it's heaven. The previous work "Cherries" was a lot of fun and I think really successful.  As a result I decided to give the colored pencils another go.  This time I used my best friend's photo from this year's cherry blossom blooms (I won't post the original w/o consent of  the photographer).  I used the burnishing techniques this time as well.  Not quite as successfully as before, and my blending marker was too stained by the "Cherries" to use it effectively.  I went beyond nature's palette, with the inclusion of Light Ceruleen Blue, Prama Violet, and Canary Yellow.  I find it to be a rather pleasing "Spring" palette, since cherry blossoms bloom in spring it was appropriate.  I used Canson Pastel Paper again this time in Blue.  It's also executed in a 4x6 space.  I wanted to make it smaller.  It not only helps me keep things tight, but I think for composition and display purposes it would be suited better as a smaller piece. Enjoy!

"Cherry Blossom Buds and Blooms"
Colored Pencils (Prismacolor)
Canson Pastel Paper