E Aloha E

[Dave F]

Hello all, It's been a while since I've posted so I picked up the pencils and started drawing again. Here is my latest. It's called "E Aloha E" which ids the formal way to say aloha or welcome. This is 16x20 Prismas done on pastelbord with a Neocolorr underpainting. I'm basically done. I just need to sign it, varnish it and frame it. Comments are always welcome. Thanks for looking. Dave

[bleuie]

Very impressive work, it's nice you've put in some close up pics, the details are amazing

[ocmd123]

Beautiful, soft colors!

[noodle1]

Just wonderfully done..it brings me back in time. Your greens are stunning and the woman is just perfectly rendered...Beautiful.
Would like to ask, you mentioned varnishing it...would you mind telling me with what and the advantages of doing that, trying to learn all I can..

Elaine

[Dave F]

Thanks for the nice comments. I really appreciate them. To answer your question Elaine, I varnish my drawings with a UV blocking coating or varnish that helps the lightfastness and protects the drawing. I work on a rigid Pastelbord made by Ampersand that actually helps speed up the process of colored pencil (which can take months to complete sometimes). I first block in all the colors that I choose with Neocolors and then wash the color in with water to eliminate all the white of the board which gives me a a solid color underpainting. Then I start using the colored pencil. I lay down just enough pigment and I blend it with brushes. This helps spread the color and eliminates the pencil strokes to get smooth, soft results. I use either a spray varnish by Golden or Krylon. They are both UV resistant. You can choose gloss or matte finish. I usually apply 4 to 6 thin coats, letting each one dry completely between coats. After it is varnished and dry, I frame it without glass or mats. I pop it into a frame myself and save alot of money on the framing. I was a professional framer for several years so I know how outragous the prices can be for framing. I hope this helps to answer your question. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thanks, Dave

[RobinZ]

Awww, love it! Congrats on a successful piece!

[bib]

This is very beautiful!
-----------
Angela

[evartpat]

Very nice!

[marieUK]

I loved this when I saw it on the other forum and I love it here. Its brought a great bit of warmth to the cold winter here.

[noodle1]

Thank you so much for answering me Dave...Ampersand Pastelbords..well these are just about the only thing I use...to paint on with acrylics, blending is so fantastic but they're kind of gritty don't they rather eat up your pencils???
I have a few small 5x7 panels I just have to give it a try..and get some varnish. I know another favorite of my artists here, Carol, uses a brush to blend so far I haven't had much luck with doing that but must persevere especially with the poly's. Like the idea of no glass in a frame and oh yes frames are killers in prices. I've used Krylon before but not on cp's...you have given me a wealth of info, thanks too for telling me how you start to finish. Never too old to learn I say...haha me that is.

Elaine

[PlaysWithPencils]

What a wonderful piece of art and great information another go for Ampersand Pastelbords, I have to try this. I have an 8x10 sitting in the draw for a long time now. Someone was just asking about varnishing in another thread too.
Thank you for sharing it is a beautiful landscape!

[Flamingogirl]

Nice job! You really nailed the Hawaiian mood. Well done.