Stages in a Mixed Media Drawing
February 15, 2016 § Leave a comment
I recently have been working with mixed media works using colored pencil and watercolor. This first piece of a pileated woodpecker is the contour which provides the framework for my drawing. I can’t stress enough how important this stage is in revealing your personality as an artist, demonstrating form in the subject, and laying out your composition. I draw quite blind and by that I mean I keep my eye on the subject and let my hand become a tool of the eye. Prismacolor is one brand of colored pencil I use often.
Old Man in the Eaves
February 4, 2016 § Leave a comment
A drawing from awhile ago of a sculpture on the face of Pillsbury Hall on the University of MN campus. This is from another vantage point and is in colored pencil with Conte’ crayon on Canson paper (the rough side).
Using Multi Media
January 30, 2016 § Leave a comment
This is a colored pencil piece with pastel and Conte’ crayon. I would like to recommend the products used in this drawing. First, the use of colored paper; Canson, Arches, Strathmore, Rives all come in large sheets (usually 22″x30″, Canson usually runs smaller. By using colored paper, you change the equation of the value spectrum. Now you need to determine where on a scale of black to white this color fits. The white of the page will also need to be created. Therefore, keep in mind to save the value of the paper and create the white areas. Canson paper was used for this piece. A variety of colored pencil, mostly Derwent as well as Conte pastel pencil also comprised the media. For the highlights, white and pale yellow Conte crayon became indispensable. When using colored pencil, I would advise using the pastels sparingly and only to stretch the existing colors. I cannot over stress the aid of using a kneaded eraser. One can squeeze it into very fine shapes to erase tiny areas as well as being able to mold it into any shape you please. It leaves no oil residue on the page. And most importantly, you can bounce it off of walls when frustrated!!
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Florals in Reds and Greens for the Holidays
December 16, 2015 § 2 Comments
Thought I’d post a couple of my drawings with reds and greens to keep in the holiday spirit.
Peonies in the Shadows
December 4, 2015 § 1 Comment
I’m re posting a color drawing I completed a few years ago of a cluster of peonies casting shadows in the garden. I love how the flowers get so loose just before coming apart and provide even more interesting shadow shapes.
Contour of Joe and Frankie
October 7, 2015 § 2 Comments
This is the contour for a drawing of our grandson Joe and his Boston Terrier Frankie. This is the stage where I get in all of the crucial information and provides the framework for the finished gradations. Taken into account is the light source, area of focus, and a true sense of form or what is three dimensional about my subject.
Lion of Pillsbury Hall
August 27, 2015 § Leave a comment
This is a great compelling snarling face from the walls of Pillsbury Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. It was completed in colored pencil and pastel on Canson paper.
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