Using Colored Pencil on Ampersand Aqua Board Osprey Colored Pencil Artwork Finished

New Work

So, I like to explore and try experimenting with different surfaces when using colored pencils. So I decided to experiment with Ampersand Aqua Board. It has an acid-free textured clay surface that supposedly can absorb watercolors just like watercolor paper. What piqued my interest in using this type of surface, is that your artwork can be sealed with a sealer or coating and it doesn't have to be framed under glass. How nice that would be, not to mention more affordable. As in my last blog post, I thought in order for me to use this surface I thought if I primed it with Brush and Pencil's Colored Pencil Textured Fixative the colored pencil might adhere better to the surface. After finishing this artwork, I would not recommend this type of surface when working with colored pencils, mainly because the surface of the aqua board makes it very difficult to apply many layers of colors using colored pencils. In addition, the surface makes it difficult to complete a lot of detailed work using colored pencils. It also really eats away the colored pencil leads quickly. Ampersand Aqua Board, however, is definitely well suited for watercolors and gouache.

Title: Osprey

Medium: Derwent Watercolor Pencils, Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Marco Raffine Colored Pencils, and Yasutomo Pearlescent Watercolors

Drawing/Painting Surface: Ampersand Aqua Board

Reference Photo: My own

Artist of the Week

I stumbled across this UK artist in reading Making the Mark's Blog on Derwent's Exhibition Winners. Artist, Sarah Gillespie, had an entry that was mind blowing. All the little details of crosshatching. It was just an incredible piece.  You can check out her pencil, graphite and charcoal artwork here http://www.sarahgillespie.co.uk/

Colored Pencil Resource of the Week

Here is a great video tutorial on how to draw a bird by the virtual instructor using Derwent Colored Pencils. 

Keep on Creating!

Have a blessed weekend!

New Home, New Colored Pencil Works, and Colored Pencil Tip of the Week

Hey Everybody!
It's Spring Break, Winter Term is finally over with, and it has been a long time since my last post. I have been so overwhelmed with classes this last term, so many essays to write that I have had no time to pick up a pencil and draw. Then I got an eye ulcer in my eye and I wasn't able to see very well for the past two weeks. In addition, we moved out of the house we were renting and bought our first home.

Our New Home

So still have some unpacking and organizing to do, also a lot of yard work. I hope to get that done this week along with some much-needed drawing time.

Now that it is Spring Break, I plan on picking up where I left off on my latest work in progress. “I Believe” Medium: Color Pencil I am presently working on the shirt and background.



I Believe





Colored Pencil Tip of the Week

There are many ways to lift up or remove colored pencil from your work. Whichever method you choose, do so carefully, so you do not tear or ruin the surface of your paper.

Bet Borgeson illustrates two ways here http://www.mightyartdemos.com/mightyartdemosfrbkborgeson2.html
and then over at my website I explain a few ways to remove colored pencil
http://www.mooresartgallery.com/colorpencilremovaltips.html

Colored Pencil Tool of the Week

Many colored pencil artists out there use pencil extenders. Extenders are a handy little tool to extend the length of your pencil when your colored pencil becomes too short to use.
Here is one I found that you have to check out this marbled pencil extender over at Etsy  http://tinyurl.com/cp7fg84
In addition, here are some others over at Amazon.

I hope everyone has a blessed Easter weekend!

Easter Pictures

Take Care and God Bless!
Keep on Creating!



New Colored Pencil Works, Colored Pencil Tip & Colored Pencil Resource of the Week

Hi Everyone,
So sorry I haven't updated in a while. I have been so busy with school, I just haven't had much time to work on any colored pencil artwork. I made it a point to set homework aside to post something today.


I am putting school work aside on Friday, October the 26th and maybe possibly the 27th to throw out some ACEO and other sketches. So if you are interested in checking the sketchfest out and purchasing any of my sketches check it out here  http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com/sketchfest/index.php

Colored Pencil Artwork Updates

I have two work in progress updates to share. I am not as far along as I hoped to be, but I will be working on them both this weekend.

The first work in progress is of a cougar.
Medium: Colored Pencil
Paper: Canson Mi Tientes 
Reference photo courtesy of Karine Aigner Photography www.karineaigner.com

The second work in progress is a commission portrait of Frans and Trish.
Medium: Colored Pencil
Paper: Bristol

Zazzle

Zazzle has a great deal going on cards 50% off on all cards. Use Code at Checkout: ALLCARDSALE
Offer expires 11/27/12
A great time to order some of Christmas theme cards if you are interested
http://www.zazzle.com/mooresart/cards
  

Colored Pencil Tip of the Week

A video on colored pencil tips by Janie Gildow focusing on the basic colored pencil techniques.
https://youtu.be/tFGBQJCnwbI

If you search for colored pencil tutorials or drawings at YouTube, you will find some amazing helpful informative videos to help you grow as an artist. I think it is important to see how other artists work with the medium you like to work in. You might discover helpful tips, ideas, and techniques you never knew about.

Resource of the Week

A great site I have discovered for helpful art advice and tips.
http://emptyeasel.com/art-business-advice/general-art-advice/

I hope you all have a great upcoming week!

Take Care and God Bless!

Keep on Creating!

Updates, Colored Pencil Tip & Art Resource of the Week

Hi Everyone,
So all week I have been getting ready for school, which starts Monday  :)
I have been practicing up on my keyboarding, and I got some of my books and school supplies. I am awaiting my pell grant to get the rest of my books.

I have been suffering with tendonitis all week. Pulled some tendons in my left wrist/arm while lifting heavy things. So my wrist has been wrapped up in a brace. A constant ache shooting from my wrist up my arm. Fortunately, it is not my drawing hand :)

Updates

So I am working on the details of the cougar. Either the sale of the original or a print will be a donated to http://www.wildcathaven.org/ Which is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill, ‘last hope’ sanctuary for big cats. It is located in Sherwood, Oregon. 

Colored pencil on Canson Mi Tientes. I am thinking I might change the one ear. I am not happy with it, but not sure yet.

On the portrait of Frans and Trish I have transferred the sketch to the paper and started working on the background. I Just starting applying colors using a light pressure, so kind of hard to see what I have done in the scan.

Colored Pencil Tip of the Week

Protecting colored pencil artwork is important to prevent UV Rays, wax bloom, and damage to your artwork. There are several products out there that artists use, but as with all products I advise to test first, before you apply the sealant.

When you apply the clear acrylic coating, you will not have to put your artwork under a glass frame. If you use just fixative, you will need to put your artwork under a glass frame.

The workable fixatives are great to prevent wax bloom, seal the work, yet still allow you to continue to work on the piece. You want to spray a thin coat, otherwise it will fill the tooth of the paper, creating a glass-like surface, making it hard to apply any more layers of colors.

Krylon UV Resistant Clear acrylic coating does not work well with watercolor pencils or works that you have combined with color pencil using some type of wet method technique. The colors change drastically.

• Krylon Workable Fixatif 
• Sennelier Delacroix Fixative for Pencil and Charcoal
• Lascaux Fixative for Pastel Charcoal and Graphite (forms a lightfast non-yellowing seal)
• Golden Archival Spray Varnish (provides a protective layer)
• Krylon UV Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating (protects against harmful UV light rays)
• Krylon Crystal Clear Varnish Spray (seals and does not yellow)

     

Art Resource of the Week

A wonderful colored pencil demo by Alyona Nickelsen
http://www.artistsnetwork.com/articles/art-demos-techniques/colored-pencil-nickelsen

I hope you all have a great upcoming week!

Take Care and God Bless!

Keep on Creating!

www.mooresartgallery.com