The editor of 'Colored Pencil Magazine' approached me to write an article about my involvement with 'Paws For Charity'* over the past three years. I enthusiastically embraced the opportunity, which culminated in an extensive four-page article. It encompasses a segment detailing my identity as an artist, provides valuable tips and product recommendations, and presents a detailed, step-by-step guide on crafting a Snow Leopard eye. *Paws For Charity is no longer operational. I wanted to share some insights from the article that could offer valuable content, guidance, and practical advice, which may be beneficial to coloured pencil artists, particularly those who are just beginning their creative journey. Throughout my life, art has been my passion and driving force. In 2011, I embraced this calling fully, establishing myself as a self-employed professional artist and art tutor. I originated from Chesterfield in the UK, which is situated close to the Peak District in Derbyshire. In May 2015, I relocated to Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, to join my partner and fellow artist, John Graham. Both being artists, John transformed the spare room into a studio, providing ample space for me to work and create freely. Additionally, it provides the essential storage for my extensive collection of art supplies. I dedicate a significant portion of my time to creating custom made portraits for clients both in the UK and internationally, in addition to running art workshops that focus on a range of mediums, but primarily coloured pencils. Being an artist is a journey, and for me, it's an integral part of my identity. I always emphasise to my art students the value of savouring the artistic journey, rather than hastening through it. If we reached our peak abilities overnight, the incentive for improvement would vanish. What would be the purpose? The joy and challenge would be lost. In every artwork I create, I aim for excellence, while recognising that art is subjective and not everyone will resonate with the same style. This acceptance grants me the freedom to relish in my work without the pressure to satisfy everyone's taste. About the art products I useFor my coloured pencil artwork, I consistently use heavyweight, acid-free, and archival paper. A weight of around 300gsm is ideal as it accommodates multiple layers and guarantees durability. Initially, I exclusively utilised tonal papers, particularly the grey and tan tones, because they provide a neutral starting point that enhances both highlights and shadows. Black paper is also a favourite, as it contributes to an atmospheric finish and necessitates fewer layers for a significant effect. For larger works, I opt for a robust heavyweight paper like Colourfix, which is more widely used by pastel artists. Coarse paper may cause pencils to wear down more rapidly, especially those with softer cores like Prismacolor. However, its textured surface holds pigment well, reducing the need for multiple layers to achieve similar levels of detail. Moreover, it allows for the incorporation of mixed media, like acrylics. Adapting to different paper textures can be a challenge if you're accustomed to smooth surfaces. I would recommend that you experiment with the paper before committing your artwork to it. Previously, I owned a vast collection of coloured pencils, many of them lacked the quality of todays brands and currently use just two brands: Caran d'Ache Luminance and Derwent Coloursoft. The Luminance pencils exhibit a slightly firm texture, making them well-suited for intricate details. In contrast, the Derwent Coloursoft pencils feature softer cores, making them ideal for creating soft backgrounds and layered tones. Before investing in a new range of pencils, I always test the black and white ones first. This allows me to assess their opacity, application, and how they compare against other favoured brands. If they meet my standards, I'll either purchase individual pencils from open stock, choosing colours I frequently use, or opt for a starter set. The white pencil holds significant importance in my artwork as it must provide the luminosity needed for catchlights and highlights. Additionally, it serves as a tool to lighten other colours, thereby expanding the range of my colour palette. The concluding section of this article provides a brief overview of how I crafted this Snow Leopard's eye using coloured pencils on black Art Spectrum Colourfix paper. I maintain a specialised website featuring this tutorial, among others, covering various subjects and mediums for artists to explore. To access the page and attempt the tutorial, click on the image above.
I'd love to hear about your own individual insights and approaches to work. In the comments section, please share your own preferred products that contribute to your most successful outcomes.
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This year marked my inaugural submission of artwork to The 11th Annual UKCPS Open International Exhibition, and I am delighted to share that my piece has been selected. The exhibition is scheduled from October 6th to November 25th, 2012, at the Nuneaton Art Gallery & Museum in Warwickshire, UK. The entries will be judged by Dr. Sally Bulgin, Managing Director & Editor of "The Artist," Graham Brace, a founding member of the UKCPS, and Leah Lister, the Marketing Manager at Derwent. I seldom submit my work to exhibitions and competitions; however, due to my passion for coloured pencils and my desire to elevate the medium's profile, I opted to enter my Snow Leopard drawing, titled 'Snow Queen'. " The UKCPS, also known as UK Colour Pencil Society was founded in 2001, inspired by a collection of people who, despite having never met, shared a passion for the art of colour pencil. They promote the art of drawing for the public benefit through the use of colour pencils by providing at least one annual exhibition to showcase work with workshops and demonstrations to help educate the public how to use colour pencils and by providing such other support to educate the public as the trustees deem appropriate. " For more information about the UKCPS, please visit this page. About the the development and inception of 'Snow Queen'This piece was created on black Colourfix paper, known for its texture and typically reserved for pastel works. For this drawing, I used a variety of coloured pencils from ranges such as Karismacolor, Derwent Coloursoft, and Caran d'Ache Luminance.
I find Colourfix paper to be a fascinating medium for coloured pencils. While the texture of the paper limits the number of layers I can apply compared to standard cotton papers, a few layers are enough to attain a comparable level of realism. It was delightful to work on this piece, and although its larger dimensions of 20" x 30" exceed my usual scope, I enjoyed the challenge. |
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