A couple of years ago I bought a full set of Prismacolors on impulse, ended up on my shelf as nice dust collectors. Yes, really need that when main medium is soft pastels.... ;)
I've done a couple of test-runs, but I didn't get a feel for the waxy pencils, being used to the smooth pastels. But I really love a finished CP-drawing, bright colors, layers of mixed colors, the details.... Brings me to todays post, a cat done in CP. Impulse to use the CP's really, my main idea here was to simplyfie my rendering of form and shapes, catch the light and still create a realistic image. I guess the fascination for light and shadows lies within every artist, no matter what subject or medium.
My approach this time is to layer marks, no burnish, but I still want a smooth finish. The paper I'm using seem to have good qualities for CP, it's smooth and takes on the marks like butter. That's what I missed on the previous tries, and really gives me a boost! Fun, even pretty fast, I'm enjoying the process. Still got a bit to do, I don't like the cut off look, especially at the bottom, so I'll be putting in more fur to make it smoother. Will do a a few touch ups too, a few loose hairs, more definition to the whiskers, a few highlights. Eager to get on to a new drawing, this is fun!
Got any comments - I'd love to hear them! :)
Colored pencil on black paper, 9x12".
Jumping from one thing to another these days....from realistic CP-drawings to landscape in pastel. Over at my favorite artist-community on web "Wet Canvas" I joined a class on painting snow. So much fun, and a wonderful teacher giving us critiques. I've talked about me being landscape-challenged before, but determined to figure out the tricks. Being the realist I am, it is a difficult transition to make. Different technique, different approach - I guess all in all different way of thinking and seeing. Working from a photo I've kept in my reference library, cropping and playing with composition, and playing with colors I've not used before. What I have here is a good composition, and also some good color combo's. Of course, hard to keep away from details, but I've managed to keep it down and let the composition do the work. Pleased so far, but stil have some finishes to do. I'm not happy with the shadow from the telephone pole, gonna push it way back. It kinda adds to an abstract feel to the painting, but are now competing with the focal point - the grasses in the creek. And I'll do some thinking - where did the rabbit go......?
Done tweaking, gonna call this done. Had a hard time getting a decent photo of the drawing, wax is really giving a good shine there. Guess this better be done in daylight, or by scanner.
I have a few pastels on the go too, and to many unfinished waiting for the last strokes....I'll get to it soon enough. For now I just need to paint, get into it again. I've been looking forward to fall this year, I've had a few images in my head for a while of autumn still lifes. Don't you just love the colors...I find the combo of yellows, oranges, blues and reds so appealing. Going back to glass in this piece, I wanted to play different textures against each other.
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