 For an artist, there is always a high level of excitement that comes with unwrapping a package filled with freshly acquired art supplies. However, the opportunity to receive a package containing coloured pencils from a discontinued line dating back to 2005 dwindles with each passing year, making it increasingly unlikely to acquire such coveted items.  Fortunately, auction sites like eBay occasionally list Berol Karismacolor pencils, and I was extremely fortunate to discover a couple of sellers who are currently selling off stock from a craft supply clearance, allowing me to acquire some brand new stock. It was quite a surprise to discover some of the rarer colours in the collection as well. Pencils, both coded and non-coded, plus some discontinued colours can be found through these sellers. Links can be found in the article link at the bottom of this page.  Karismacolor pencils were the European counterpart to the widely favoured Prismacolor Premier pencils. The original Prismacolor pencils debuted in 1938, while Karismacolor emerged in the late 1980s in England. In 1995, ownership of the company transferred and production shifted to the USA. The emergence of new European pencil brands likely contributed to the dwindling sales of Karismacolor pencils, and coupled with elevated shipping costs, led to their discontinuation in 2005.  The Karismacolor pencils were originally offered in 72 colours, with each pencil prominently showcasing the designated colour name on the barrel. Over time, the colour palette expanded, and colour codes were introduced to align with the Prismacolor range. Throughout the production period, a total of 129 colours were created, but due to discontinuations, the largest available set consisted of 108 colours.  Should you wish to acquire some of these pencils, the links that direct to the sellers of the Karismacolor pencils can be found below. I have written a comprehensive article about these pencils, which can be accessed on my Step by Step Art website by clicking this link. Please be aware that I am not affiliated with these sellers. I am aware of the challenges in finding these pencils, and having had a positive buying experience myself, I wanted to pass on this information to others.
If you have fond memories of the Berol Karismacolor pencils, please leave me a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
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The latest articles available at www.stepbystepart.co.ukI have some great news: I've created an art-focused website catering to beginners and experienced artists. You can visit www.stepbystepart.co.uk to read the latest articles and explore my art workshops and tutoring. Recently, I uploaded four new articles that might interest you - especially if you enjoy working with coloured pencils. However, if you prefer graphite or watercolours, there's something for you too! You can learn about tonal paper and how it can enhance your work, try the tonal layering exercise with your pencils, and even explore the benefits of HP watercolour papers. These resources will be helpful in your artistic pursuits.
New articles coming soon to Step by Step ArtUnfortunately, I could not send out the Winter Newsletter due to being occupied with commission work in December. However, I am thrilled to announce that I will release four new articles at the start of May. These articles will provide valuable insights on soft pastels, specifically Unison pastels, and a step-by-step guide for those new to pastel art on creating a tonal sky. Additionally, there will be two "Starting Out" articles. The first, written by Welsh Artist Chris Chalk, will focus on the three essential items necessary to begin your oil painting journey. The second, written by myself, will offer guidance on starting with coloured pencils. If you want to receive the Step by Step Art newsletter, you can find more information about it here. Keep yourself informed by subscribing today to get the latest updates.
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Karen M Berisford After a 10-day hiatus from the art studio, spent visiting family in my hometown of Chesterfield and enjoying a much-needed holiday in Dover, I have returned and am now catching up on work. Prior to my departure, I completed five new articles that are now featured on the webpages of my official art tutoring website, 'Step by Step Art'. You can discover these within its pages – for even more content, visit the Articles page.
The paper used is Art Spectrum Black Colourfix, and the coloured pencils are from the Caran d'Ache Luminance series. Feel free to experiment with any black paper and pencil set. Try it out and email me your creations to be featured on the page; I'm eager to see your work. Select any image to read the associated article. It will open a new browser page.
Acrylic paints are an excellent choice for artists due to their quick-drying nature and vibrant colours. They can be used to mimic the styles of oil painting or watercolour, offering versatility to suit any artist's preference.
Whether you're a beginner seeking guidance on art supplies or an established artist comparing brands, the Step by Step Art website is your resource. It features a range of articles on different products and recommendations, with new content added regularly. To explore an article that catches your eye, click on the corresponding image. This action will open the page in a new tab, guiding you to the website.
Our website is designed to serve a diverse array of artists. We feature a variety of mediums such as coloured pencils, graphite pencils, acrylics, soft pastels, and others provided by contributors. We are planning to offer written step-by-step tutorials and mini-video tutorials for artists both in the UK and internationally. Additionally, you can request articles on particular subjects.
Through this website, you can reserve spots in pencil workshops with me. You can also access the latest newsletter for up-to-date articles, product reviews, recommendations, tutorials, and other art-related content that might capture your interest. If you think someone else might benefit from this post, feel free to tweet it, or drop a comment below with any inquiries or insights. I trust you'll find the resources offered here valuable. Help and advice is at hand if so....For those who are not aware, I also have an official 'Step by Step Art' website that allows you to book an art workshop, or read one of my articles, that cover a plethora of art related subjects including coloured pencils, paper reviews and pastel reviews too. The article section is still in the early stages but I will continue to add more articles as often as possible. My latest article focus's on coloured pencil brands, as I trial a selection of coloured pencil brands, which I currently have in my personal collection.
The 5 'tests' shown in this article includes:
This article also gives information on the importance of paper weight (gsm), information on each pencil including costs (GBP) and lightfast ratings as well as my own thoughts on 'adapting to coloured pencils' . I hope that this will be of help to all coloured pencil artists out there from those starting out looking to buy their first range to those interested in how each brand compares to the others.
I have been creating pet portraits since the 1990s. Initially, I relied on physical photographs, which posed a challenge viewing any fine detail. The evolution in camera technology, which continues to improve year on year, provides me with high-resolution digital photos that I can zoom into, and allows me create the intricate detail you see in my work today. Nevertheless, my portraiture focuses less on mere photographic replication and more on delivering an outcome that achieves a harmonious balance of contrast and colour. By refining any imperfections, I aim to present a more natural and aesthetically pleasing portrait that will enhance your walls for many years to come. The article discusses a portrait that demanded much more than merely replicating the photo reference. It features Ern, a chocolate Labrador Retriever. The commission, intended as a birthday surprise for a husband, necessitated that the final artwork be a true representation of his beloved dog.  Introducing Ern the Chocolate Labrador... The photograph presented is a breathtaking capture, initially appearing to be the perfect reference image. However, it became evident that the mouth was not in a naturally relaxed state, presenting a distended appearance rather than a typical, relaxed posture. Furthermore, the intense sunlight resulted in both overexposed and underexposed areas of his face, and the intricate details in the neck region were obscured by dark shadows. Observe the change in his colour when he steps out of the sunlight in the images below. It's as if he's an entirely different dog!  First, correspond with and confirm important details.Discussing these details with the customer prior to beginning the portrait is crucial. After numerous email exchanges, the decisions were finalised. It was also requested to "give him a "normal mouth" I'd really appreciate it!" " Hi Kat, thank you for the lovely photos of Ernest. I've noticed that he has coppery brown fur in some images, but in others, his fur appears much darker. Which is his natural colour? " " His fur appears dark in the photos, typically when he is wet. However, he actually has a gingery tan colour around his ears and muzzle. One of the photos I sent was captured with a professional camera, which I believe showcases his natural colour more effectively. " " I like that photo, but I was unsure whether his colour might be too vivid, knowing the sun could have caused oversaturation. However, it's excellent that you've clarified this. "
Thorough research is crucial before commencing the portrait.To create a pet portrait from a photo needing significant alterations, I begin by searching online for pictures of the same breed in a similar pose and I will refer to them throughout the drawing process. In creating this portrait, I utilised approximately 15 different images, including some of Ern from provided photos and others found online. The search for 'matching' images can span a few hours, and often, I also need to edit the reference image. This is all done before I even begin the actual drawing process. Ensuring the accuracy of Ern's colour was a challenging task; however, the most complex aspect of the illustration was ensuring that the anatomical structure of his mouth was correct. Given that this gift is intended to be a surprise, I had to get this right. I even bribed our lovely black Labrador Haze, by encouraging him to pose in the garden. This allowed me to capture a series of images that provided valuable reference for ensuring that the detail was accurate. The time dedicated to the completion of this portrait was around 25 hours.  Thank you so much for all the hard work and effort put in to make the numerous photos I bombarded you with come to life! The portrait is just amazing, beautiful and captures Ern perfectly! If you are interested in a personalised pet portrait or any other subject matter, consider browsing my gallery to explore my work and the various mediums available. Feel free to visit the commissions page to request a quote, make a booking, or for direct inquiries, email me at [email protected].
If you have a question, please share them in the comments below. |
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