tvx_coloredpencil_collection

[thevaliantx]

I am trying to streamline my posts that contain images in them, so that I can find them later. For the longest time, it seemed, I was posting my colored pencil stuff over in the art journal section. But then, it dawned on me that I don't even DO 'journals'. Some day I'm going to, but as beautiful as the journals are over there I'm not sure I could bring myself to JUST sketch something in color and finish it off with words. I'm not very good with word anyway, I don't think.

Here's the start of my collection. Being new to this I'm completely up in the air as to which medium I will settle on and REALLY start learning to draw with. I have always been the type to really, to my detriment, thin myself out with all sorts of interests. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, we KNOW where that ends.

So.....I think that for me, as a new artist, to ever grasp the art of drawing, it will have to happen, either by the leading hand of a medium I settled on, or one hundred percent in conjunction with 'all sails facing the wind' of that medium.

As the ol' Wet Canvas cliche goes, C&C welcome!!!

[Jazz]

WELCOME TVX to the Coloured Pencil Madness -now you have dipped your toe (so to speak ) in the wonderful world of CP you will never leave HUWAHAHa.......Uhm!....sorry about that!(cartoon villain head on!).

Anyway, if you haven't already check out the library here as it is jam packed with great info and techniques, not to mention some beautiful work.
I think I can see with your work that you have the drawing talent you just need to push your use of colour a bit further -either by using more pressure or by layers on layers of light CP pressure.

One of the things we all love to know is what paper you have used and what brand of pencils you are using? It helps for those in the know(not me) to advise you properly on your work.

I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Ali

[thevaliantx]

Thank you for replying. I admit that I get frustrated here at WC, at times I feel that if my stuff isn't perfect no one will reply. No doubt there are a lot of folks here who draw incredibly well, and are masters of light, shading and color. I hope to be that some day.

Your suggestion that I push my use of color a bit further has me wondering if I am afraid of making a mistake. Imagine the colored pencils having invisible feet, and they are tiptoeing across the canvas hoping to not be heard.

I have not been listing the specifications of my pieces because I felt the type of drawing tool and paper (an extension of me) weren't good enough for me to give credit too. I do realize now that maybe part of the reason folks here are puzzled with my work IS that they don't know anything about what I'm using to create this stuff.

It doesn't help that my pieces are ALL OVER THE MAP, hardly anything I do has any visible plot to it. The shell without the beach. The shark without the poor victim's flippers floating on the surface of the ocean. The can of pepsi that looks like it's been sitting there since 1984.

[clydeine]

Well welcome! There are artists here of all types and levels. I find this place a great area to get ideas, help and information. You have to define where you want to be as an artist and look for the help that will get you there. Everyone here is nice and very helpful.

[thevaliantx]

I've no doubt that folks at WC are nice and helpful, my 200+ posts indicate I haven't run away.

The problem I have is that the only 'community' I belong to, in terms of art, is WC. In my neck of the woods (Pittsfield, MA) I haven't been able to find any groups that welcome beginning artists. Sure, there is the Friday "art walk", but I refuse to pay an application fee to see if someone will accept or reject my work. I'm not looking to make money off my work, nor am I looking to make someone else money to be my judge. You know it's bad when you walk into, literally, the only art supplies store in town and the person running the shop said she "doesn't know of anybody or any group" that welcomes new artists. To top that cake, the Berkshires are known for (or maybe they think they are?) great artists.

[thevaliantx]

Jazz, I tried to push as much as I could into that pepsi can.

Pepsi Cola said that I could color the thing as much as I wanted () as long I respected their copyright. (just kidding).

I began to get wax buildup on the paper.

The specs for the piece are:

Derwent Studio Color Pencil
Cra-Z-Art Color Pencil
Crayola Sketchpad
Derwent Graphic 2B
Pepsi can sitting on table

EDIT: because I have the perspective wrong, I decided to add shading on both sides of the bottom of the can to represent the thing tipping over. We do spill a lot of drinks in this house.

[thevaliantx]

I can't remember if I uploaded this drawing of a banana or not.

[douglass]

Love the banana! I can almost smell it!

[KarenESP]

Nice work on all of them. Especially love the title of your shark, Happy Trails, that's funny. Looking forward to seeing more posts from you! Great diversity of subjects too!

[TessDB]

Originally Posted by thevaliantx

The specs for the piece are:

Derwent Studio Color Pencil
Cra-Z-Art Color Pencil
Crayola Sketchpad
Derwent Graphic 2B
Pepsi can sitting on table

So the best thing you can do for yourself at this point is get better paper and stop using the student-grade pencils.

The waxy build-up you're getting is because your paper isn't nearly toothy enough to allow you to put down multiple layers. Sketching paper is for sketching. Which is a good habit and skill to have. But if you're aiming for more full-blown super-saturated deep-color cp pieces, you aren't going to get there with sketch paper.

Student grade pencils just aren't good for layering, either. They're usually too hard, the pigments are weak, and they simply won't do most of what you're wanting them to.

The Derwent Studio pencils are good-- but there are other types that may work better for you. Try to get a few different brands from open stock and try them out. Also get some different types of paper-- Stonehenge or hot press watercolor paper are good to start with (cold press has a texture that can be difficult for beginners). They're also pretty easy to find and won't break the bank.

As far as finding a local art group... have you checked with your local library? Here, there are two different groups that use the meeting room at the library once a month to have a "sketch-in". Folks bring something they're working on, hang out, chat, etc. Here, it's mostly retired people in the two groups, and they are really welcoming and eager to encourage people just starting out. Another place to check would be with your local Y. Ours offers a few art classes pretty cheaply, so that could be a good way to get some in-person instruction and meet others just starting, too.

Good luck!
Rosemary

[ocmd123]

Drawing single objects is actually a decent way to start. Several years ago we had a Drawing from Life thread in the forum. We would just identify a topic for the month, and people would draw items from that category from life. Most were common objects around the house b/c that's what's readily available. You can learn a lot about lighting, shadows, shading and shapes by doing that. You are on the right track!

[Jazz]

TVX - I can see the colour being pushed on your coke can and I think it looks better for it -do you? I do understand the fear factor, I think most artists at all levels feel that way.

I really like your banana -it is a more complete artwork and looks well studied, which is a convoluted way of saying it looks real.

Rosemary is right about the paper and quality of pencils, thats why ppl tend to ask what you are using that way we understand or have a better chance of understanding if you have a problem that you need help with, I think that made sense?!

Anyway, keep going but above all -enjoy yourself, dont get bogged down in worrying where you are at compared to others -it doesn't matter.

I am looking forward to seeing more of your work and if you need help or just want encouragement then post it in its own thread or even start your artwork and display it as a WIP right from the beginning.

Good Luck.

Ali

[thevaliantx]

Ali, I did try a WIP over in the Art Journal sub-forum, but that was a nightmare. Not at all the fault of anyone there, I just got a bit too enthusiastic, and did little planning. Perhaps someone in that thread was foretelling the piece's demise, but s/he said it looked like an abstract. All I know is that in the end it sure didn't look like anything concrete.

[Jazz]

LOL nevermined better luck next time. Seriously though it is a great way to get guidance after all there is only so much we can say when a piece is finished and I personally find it easier to absorb new skills and info if I am actually doing it at the time of telling.
Anyway, there is plenty you can learn here just by doing what your doing and thats -getting involved .

Ali

[thevaliantx]

Originally Posted by ocmd123

Drawing single objects is actually a decent way to start. Several years ago we had a Drawing from Life thread in the forum. We would just identify a topic for the month, and people would draw items from that category from life. Most were common objects around the house b/c that's what's readily available. You can learn a lot about lighting, shadows, shading and shapes by doing that. You are on the right track!

Perhaps someone could start up such a thread again? I don't have the energy to go hunting in my apartment looking for something that others might be interested in drawing. Thankfully, my wife is as boring (sometimes) as I am.