Fishy Tale

I recently participated in an art show sponsored by the art alliance of which I am a member. 15% of all proceeds were to go to MD [muscular dystrophy] and I'm seriously hoping that they aren't depending on me to prosper. 15% of my sales was 75 cents. Hardly any traffic through and my ego is somewhat comforted that no one did very well. Oh, well. At least I had time to work on this little colored pencil fish. I saw a tutorial online like this and I thought it would be fun. It's on Canson drawing paper. It seems to work better for me to apply lighter layers of color and then blend with either a colorless blender or thinner. I've been using something called "Extra Mild Citrus Thinner #115" from Eco House. An artist friend told me that she wasn't able to find this at our local Hobby Lobby [where I purchased mine], but they do have a web site: http://www.eco-house.com/

Anyway, my suggestions are:

1. Apply light layers of colored pencil

2. Blend with the thinner.

3. Use a colorless blender pencil to go back and blend areas with more detail or that you want to be smoother.

Since this is a "decorative" piece" I went back and outlined with a black pen. I have found that after using the thinner, the pencils slide like butter over the paper. [If you're into butter :)]

Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. :)

Angel Baby and Wild Ride

These sketches are from my art journal. The one on the top is a watercolor pencil painting of my youngest granddaughter and the bottom is a colored pencil drawing of the next to the oldest. With seven grandchildren I have plenty of cute models and they are very patient when "Ama" gets out her camera. While watercolor pencils can be used the same way as colored pencils, take advantage of the "water" for some nice wahses. I've found for me "layering up" with the pigment before applying water gives some richer washes. Plus, the pencils give the added advantage of being able to go in and pick out some details.

Journal This

I'm not much on journaling. I begin well. At least the first day or two and then I lose steam. But I have recently been inspired by some artists on the web who do a "painting a day" and decided I could try my own version. Something more on the order of a "painting every other day or so". So here is something from the first part of October. Maybe I'll catch up. These are in no way to be considered complete paintings or drawings. More on the order of doodles. Less pressure to think of it that way:) This first sketch in in water-soluable oil pastels. Couldn't locate a brush, so I used a wet finger. [and no, I didn't lick it]