Today I wanted to give you a peek of the drawing I have in-progress. Finally! A chance to get back to pencils and paper. :) I absolutely love working with my beads, but very much missed drawing.
So, I decided to be patient, get the pencils out and work on this a
little bit at a time.
I prefer working with colored pencil when adding color, so I brought out my favorite Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils. My paper is also one of my favorites, Fabriano Artistico, 140 lb, hot-press watercolor paper. This takes both the ink and the colored pencil well, so it's a great choice for these types of illustrations. This particular piece is on a 9" x 12" size sheet.
I did some test swatches on a separate sheet of paper to compare colors to the reference photo. I also wanted to start with the darkest shadow areas, and decided that a base layer of deep cobalt green (#9201-158) would be best. This is more of a blue-green, and you can see the areas where that is the first layer.
On top of that, I began layering permanent green olive (#9201-167). Again, you can see where I started adding that and how it begins to bring more depth to the shaded areas.
I have a few other greens that I will layer in as I go, including pine green (#9201-267), may green (#9201-170) and earth green (#9201-172).
Here is the drawing with the reference photo so that you can see what I am working with:
The key for any colored pencil drawing like this is PATIENCE!! I tend to want to get it done in the limited time I have to work on something, but end up rushing it and not taking my time to really layer properly.
The other important key in colored pencil work is a *sharp pencil point*. This is emphasized over and over in all of the drawing books I have, particularly on botanical illustration. A sharp point allows you to blend layers of color more smoothly and create the details needed without making it flat. This all combines to create a richer drawing with depth and detail.
Do you work with colored pencil? What do you like best about the medium? What is the most frustrating for you?
Wish me patience and sharp points and I will keep you posted on my progress!
10 comments:
Carol, fantastic work! Thanks so much for sharing the types of materials you work with. What sort of ink/pen do you use?
I haven't worked with colored pencils in a long time, but they were an obsession of mine when I was in my early teens! I did a lot of crazy floral patterns, which I'm looking to get back into/make into fabric.
Once again, amazing work! Your patience is paying off. :)
Looking forward to seeing the finished product, Trillium grandiflorum is one of my favorites. I added a dark-eyed junco done in Polychromos to my blog today. www.buroakbotanicals.blogspot.com Still very happy with the Polys...
Thanks, Sarah! I use Rapidograph technical pens. I usually use the thinnest nib I have which is a .25mm/3x0. I also have a set of Copic multiliner markers that come in really fine sizes as well. I can't wait to see your fabric designs when you get a chance to work on those!
Carol
Thanks, Nate! I love the trillium, too. I have this one with the blossom closed and I'd like to do one with it open (have some good reference photos that I can use.) It would be great if I could someday just do a great study from the live plant outdoors, but for now, the photos will do! Stopped over and saw your junco - looks great!
Carol
You've made a wonderful beginning, Carol. I look forward to seeing the finished product.
Such a beautifully delicate drawing Carol, and the colors equally delicate too. Keep those pencil points sharp!! :-) Anita.
Thanks! I'll have to start looking around for those. :)
Very nice!
thanks for the steps, and keep the
tutorials , coming.
Learning a lot, with the step by step.
Thanks again
Lois
Looking great, Carol! You're so right about keeping those pencils super sharp. I have to always remind myself to do that.
Thank you all for your comments! It's coming along slowly. Will post an update soon, I hope!
Carol
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