Experiments in Colored Pencil

In my search for artwork that can be done at times I can't be in my studio I keep coming back to colored pencils. I find my strength in the "art arena" seems to be anything done in a "drawing" style. Such as scratchboard, pastels, colored pencils, and ofcourse illustration done with pen and ink or graphite.
I had my mom here for a few days again to give my dad a short break (she has alzheimers for new readers). When she's here I can't be in my studio, thus this is part of the reason for the search. I have to say if I can get it worked out to my satisfaction I think colored pencils will be the answer.

Experiment #1 was done using MDF board. It was going well until I needed to put more layers on in some areas and the board wouldn't take any more. So I sprayed it with workable fixative- either it did NOT like the board or it was because it was the bottom of the can. I'm suspecting the latter. It was like I had sprayed the piece with varnish- so that was it. I couldn't do another thing. :-( It was looking somewhat like a watercolor before it was ruined.




2.25"x3.25"
I finished this piece done on Arches water color paper yesterday. I was able to achieve my darks that I wanted, but still not really happy with the support. I'll keep experimenting.

Duck, Duck, Goose- completed

Just finished the last bits of touch ups this afternoon. These fellows were alot of fun to paint. This piece is done in acrylics, the ducks and geese were done mainly with the new interference acrylics. I do believe I will like them for certain applications.

Here is a close up of a couple of the fellas...
This piece is 3"x5". Traditional miniature.

Updated Works In Progress

Last week was a total wash as far as getting anything done with having my mom here to take care of and this week has been almost as bad. I tried to work some on the turtles last week- the first photo of it was where it was previous to last weeks work.


I had a hard time trying to get the color corrected as you can see. I think the true color is "somewhere in between" these, although I believe it is closer to the bottom one. I have the sun coming in the window- directly in my eyes. Evening seems to be the only time I really have to do this sort of thing and it's always such a bad time to try and see the color.


I was able to do some painting today. When I go down to the studio I have hopes of getting further than I ever do. Today was no exception. I spent alot more time down there than it looks!!! These miniatures take alot of time to get them "right".
I've been "fighting" with that goose all afternoon, and now the duck has joined the fray! Persistence hopefully will pay off and I'll get them the way I want them!

Of Geese and Swans, Grebes and Turtles- a Day of Heaven

What a beautiful day we had yesterday. The sun was out, the ducks and geese and swans were out- it was just heavenly- a bit more wind than I liked but one can't have everything! I thought I'd show you just a bit of what we were able to enjoy- and I hope you enjoy as well... one of those "wish you were here" moments. :-)


We saw bluewing teal and grebes...





...Swans- I need to see if I can figure out if they were trumpeter or tundra swans-



...Canada Geese...





More geese...

...bathing geese...




...after the baths...


...swimming ducks...

...sleeping swans...

...a few of these type shots- don't ya just hate when that happens?!...



Not great, but have you ever tried to photograph a flying teal- they are FAST!!!

Some of my favorites- them little "turtle bumps" on a log...

This fellow was very exciting to see...





...and then there are always the good old mallards and woodies...
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful time together. What more could you ask of a day than this? Good company, beautiful day, relaxing moments, exciting views, wonderful times in nature. It was a bit of heaven...

Finished swan, and my student's first piece.

I completed the swan this afternoon. Just had touches left to do. I am definitely getting a bit "senile"- I could have sworn I had taken a photo in progress between this and the water- went to post it this weekend- no photo. Too late then. Had it so near completion you probably wouldn't have seen the difference! Ah, well....

I have been mentoring a young piano student of mine who I find to be a true sweetheart. She has always loved my paintings- even bought a small print once for her father's birthday. I believe she is 13 now and not a bit of the normal "know-it-all" teenager do I ever see. Just very enjoyable to spend time with. Anyway, I offered to teach her to paint and she has graciously let me post her first completed piece. It is a mini ofcourse, not tiny, tiny, but still in the correct size limits other than I'd have to see if the 1/6th rule was perhaps not quite on. She just finished it this evening. Hope you enjoy seeing her work. Maybe we'll have another new miniature painter! :-)

Ducklings, Ducklings, Turtles and More!

WOW- What a gorgeous day I had Wed.! The weather was spectacular, the sights at Como even better! I went intending to try and find the ducklings- hardly was out of the car when I saw the cutest little boy with a HUGE hat playing in the dirt. Couldn't get to the camera quick enough so missed that shot but got a wonderful one of his "dandelion for mom". Would have loved to just follow him around the lake! But I was there for a purpose- ducklings, so... Ducklings I got! I can't believe the lovely shots I got- what fun they will be to paint. I even splurged and got some enlarged just to put up in my studio to enjoy when next winter hits! As always-turtles galore as well. They are so fun to watch, but so wary. You can't get too close- they're gone, ker-splash!
I had hoped to go out again yesterday in another direction but my back and leg just wouldn't let me. Perhaps next week. If so, I'll be glad I waited! This is the most beautiful time of year and so short.

I'm BACK!!!

I haven't been allowed into my blog since I first set it up!!! Hoping it will finally like me and let me post!

I have entered the world of miniature art and am loving it. Just sent off a number of minis to 2 shows this morning. Ready to start a new piece tomorrow. For now here are a few of the minis I've submitted to shows. The little pomeranian was sold back in the fall, but the others are on their way to The Snow Goose Gallery in Bethlehem, Pa. and Seaside Gallery in Nag's Head, NC. I'll try and post more tomorrow.