Dragon Fruit
May 26, 2016 § Leave a comment
I discovered dragon fruit at a co-op some years ago and was taken by their exotic colors, tail like growth, and their resemblance to fish. I decided to depict them in a pastel swirling through space with their tails flowing after.
Persephone in the Eaves
April 10, 2016 § Leave a comment
Serial imagery can be created by depicting your subject withing its setting, stepping in more closely, and finally even more to examine its finer details.
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!!
http://amzn.to/2001iXP 
http://amzn.to/1VxTPxX 
http://amzn.to/2006b36 
http://amzn.to/1VxWasO 
http://amzn.to/1PM897S
Joe and Frankie
November 5, 2015 § Leave a comment
One last view of the drawing of Joe and his Boston Terrier, Frankie as a pup. I’ve been working on revisions and at some point I have to say I’m done!!
Final Version of the Drawing of Joe and Frankie
October 22, 2015 § Leave a comment
Nearing the final stages of the mixed media drawing of our grandson Joe and his Boston Terrier Frankie. I had originally thought it would be watercolor with colored pencil, however I found pastel provided the drama and abstractions where needed. The pose was a difficult one and I was very unsure of it. However, time and the light play over the subjects led to subtle nuances which added to the story line. Plus I enjoy this tender moment in Joe’s relationship with Frankie.
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.
r.
Bling!
September 7, 2014 § Leave a comment
This pastel drawing highlights complementary colors revealed in the contrast of the icy blue colors of a necklace against the fiery hot yellow oranges of the background. The shapes of the jewelry wind in and out of the picture plane.
Falling Peonies in the Shadows
December 27, 2013 § Leave a comment
Thought I’d give us a reminder of summer with this colored pencil/ pastel of peonies. It’s dark, wintry, and cold where we are. While the snow is beautiful, it’s nice to see some color.
Swirling Dragon Fruit
November 15, 2013 § Leave a comment
I came upon an unusual food item in an organic grocery called dragon fruit. I was struck at the similarity they bore to fish with the brilliant pinks and tail like fronds. I imagined different colors and sizes of them swirling and chasing each other. The result was a pastel activated with spiraling forms throughout the composition conveying a sense of motion and speed among a world of lush hues.
Old Man in the Eaves
September 26, 2013 § Leave a comment
Here’s a look at two views depicting the architectural sculpture of an old man under the eaves of Pillsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The work was completed in colored pencil, Conte’ crayon, and pastel and on two very different papers; Canson colored and a Fabriano hot press showing two different vantage points and two different effects, The drawings were part of a series looking at the relationship of the buildings we create and the architectural ornamentation that adorns them.
Dr. Mary McNaughton and Drawing 