After 10 days away from the art studio, visiting family in my old home town of Chesterfield, as well as fitting in a well needed holiday down south in Dover, I am now back and catching up on work. Before I went away, I finalised 5 new articles that have been created within the webpages of my official art tutoring website 'Step by Step Art'. Here's what you can find within it's pages - take a look at our ARTICLES page to find even more.
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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. |
AuthorKaren M Berisford Select tags below to search the news blog directory.
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