Stagnum Benedictionum

[A Gruesome Time]

Just went through and looked at all the progress updates, still amazed - I shared this on my facebook, hope you don't mind... I've got some friends who would definitely appreciate your talent!

[bleuie]

I thought making the colored pencil stick on canvas was the only challenge I have to deal with—I couldn't more wrong!
I never have thought my first commission would entail so many firsts!

1. First time to work on a large scale drawing. It's driving ME nuts!
2. First time to work on a large scale polyptych drawing. Believe me, it's much easier if this was just a single large panel.
3. First time to combine several photo references for composition. Hey, I'm still a newbie ok?
4. First time to draw water lilies. Whites and lights are the hardest thing to render with CP on canvas.
5. First time to draw a dry leaf. I don't even know how to make it look like it's floating on water.
6. First time to draw bamboo. I thought it was easy—I was wrong again.
7. First time to draw underwater rocks. Finding the right eraser to do the job took me a while.
8. First time to draw coins and shell. Good thing they're underwater so not much details needed.
9. First time to draw Koi fishes. One is already difficult enough, but five of them?
10. First time to make a color chart for a drawing. I've learned this here at WC, it's a life saver.

I'm not over the hill yet, but slowly and steadily, I'll get there somehow. . .

Thank you all for your continued support.

[talinka]

First time or no- you seem to be nailing it. This is beautiful!

[bib]

You master all this "first times" beautifully! It's really an admirable work!

[marilyn h]

I hope your getting thousands for this. It is so wonderful.

[marieUK]

I agree with Marilyn, I hope they are paying you what this is worth !!!!
This is a trully outstanding work of art and deserves every bit of praise it gets. I have rated this thread because your unique style belongs in the Colour Pencil Library for all to see.

[leopard58]

Hi bleuie,

This is absolutely stunning! You are doing a fantastic job on this and I too hope you are being paid very well for it.

I've been away from my CP's for a long time and now you have inspired me to get them out again! I even have stretched canvas and acrylic paper pads and now I'm itching to try them.

Experienced or not, you are a master of CP and I am in awe of your amazing artistic abilities.

Thanks so much for sharing this journey with us.

Allison

[KJSieloff]

I'll say it again Bleuie - if there's anyone on this forum that could pull this off, you could. I also am in awe of your talent. This is absolutely stunning!

Kate

[ocmd123]

Ammmmmaaaazzzzing! Really. Just jaw-dropping.

[bleuie]

Thank you very much everyone.

I didn't ask much for this one but I'm more than compensated for the effort for the following reasons.

1. I'm glad that the client trusted me enough for this commission, considering that CP is not considered as a fine art medium here in my country, and I am a newbie at that. A pretty risky investment for him.

2. All the experiences and knowledge I've gained while working on this are priceless.

I've learned a lot, plus I'll be able to buy more colored pencils and still have some extra spending money—it's more than I can ask for.

[ourcassidy!]

Bleuie, as others have said...amazing!

Sad but same here in the states...CP is certainly not considered fine art...oh there are some who appreciate it...but...except for those of use who actually do the work few realize what actually goes into a project such as this.

I admire your outlook on the "payment" for this project. All too often artist as well as folks from all walks of life think "payment" has to be about currency. As you so kindly pointed out...experience, trust, knowledge...hard to put a price on those things. And anyway it has been a big plus for those of us on this forum!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Pam

[ArtbyPeggy]

Bleuie you've more than mastered your firsts and WOW!!!!!

Peggy

[faminz]

brilliant stuff... Made me wonder about CP on Canvas now..
I hope you can answer a couple of questions?

what pencils?
How to you ensure no smudging of the white canvas with your hands?
Is the canvas gessoed?
How do you transfer reference photo outlines to the canvas?

[bleuie]

Originally Posted by faminz

brilliant stuff... Made me wonder about CP on Canvas now..
I hope you can answer a couple of questions?

what pencils?
How to you ensure no smudging of the white canvas with your hands?
Is the canvas gessoed?
How do you transfer reference photo outlines to the canvas?

I use Koh-I-Noor and Van Gogh colored pencils

I put the canvas frame on an easel, my hand doesn't touch the canvas to avoid smearing.

It is primed with acrylic gesso.

Once I have the final layout, I coat the underside of the paper with colored chalk and trace the sketch onto the canvas. It's similar to using the graphite method but I found colored chalk much easier to erase.

[Mado]

This is so stunning Bleuie !
I try to find words but the other members haven taken them all !
Just "bravo" then and keep up the good job !