Looting the Robin's Nest

Last summer there was a funny little finch who was obsessed with manmade stuff for his nest near my garden. He would bring pieces of kleenex, a HUGE piece of the waxed paper liner from a cookie or cracker box, etc. After the baby robins had left their nest nearby, I saw this little finch trying to snitch the one manmade item in the robin's nest--a slim little strip of paper. Unfortunately, it was woven into the nest well enough that he couldn't pull it out and had to give up. I've had it in my head to do a picture of him since then. Colored pencil, 8x10.

Green Vase

Colored pencil, 9x12. This one was MUCH more difficult than I anticipated. I've spent a frustrating week on it and glad to be done. The reference photo I took was actually of the vase sitting on my kitchen floor--white tiles with black grout. I didn't want the lines in the final drawing, so I had to do all the reflections in the glass while leaving out the black lines. In some places (particularly in the cut glass areas) it was almost impossible to tell what would be happening in a certain space if the black line wasn't there! Whew! Moving on...

Dog Fur Exercise

This is a small colored pencil piece done from an Ann Kullberg kit. I've wanted to learn how to depict fur with colored pencils and this seemed like a better idea than taking an entire class just to learn about fur. She sends out a reference photo, step-by-step instructions on colors to use, blending techniques, and photos taken at 5-6 stages, including the finished drawing. It was a fun little exercise and although my dog's fur doesn't look as fine as her dog's does, I'm fairly pleased. I need to take more time, sharpen my pencils oftener, and start concentrating on individual hairs earlier in the process.

Iris

Tried a different colored pencil technique--using a preliminary grisaille (grayed underpainting)--and I'm not sure florals are the best use of a grisaille. No blending (just a little dry brush scumbling over the background), just layers and layers of pink, blue, magenta, indigo, etc.

Peppers II: Color Wheel

8x10 colored pencil. Had a lot of problems with this one. It's okay but I'm not ecstatic about it. The color in the background is particularly uneven because I made a poor attempt at texture and then had to cover it all up to try to get rid of it (don't ask--it involved a true blue color stick and a metal cheese grater--actually not a bad idea but not for this piece). Also struggled with the dark side of the yellow pepper. I'd like to have a go at that section again.

The Pepper Project: Pepper I

I want to do three 8x10 colored pencil works of colorful peppers for my kitchen (which is especially strange, since I don't eat peppers--but they're so beautiful!). I took 35 photographs of peppers yesterday and this is the first painting. I actually like it, even though there's an obvious problem: the light source. This is really bizarre because there appear to be two light sources even in the photograph! The sun was the only light source but the shadow of the pepper goes straight east (if you will) and the plate shadow heads southeast. So, it may take me 4-5 attempts to get three usable works (but for my kitchen, who cares?).

Merry Christmas

I did this little 4x6 colored pencil piece--a detail from a photo posted by Ruth on Painting Friends. The photo was of a large bouquet of flowers but I liked the Christmasy feel of these little red berries surrounded by greenery.

Plums

I've re-worked this 8x12 colored pencil piece since I originally posted it. I added a slight background to show the plum shapes and strengthened the reds/yellows in the light areas of the plums. I've also strengthened the white highlights in the glass dish. Not going to do anything else to it--enough is enough. I believe I chose a paper that was too dark and nearly lost the plums! I learned a lot and look forward to trying another challenge with toned paper.

Watch Your Step

Many years ago when talking to my mom on the phone, she mentioned that some robins had built a nest on one of my dad's ladders. I have a small fake nest and eggs on a shelf in my house and one day I was looking at it and remembered her little story. This painting is the result. 9x12 colored pencil.

2nd Place Intermediate Division - Intermountain Society of Artists Fall Show

I was pleased to walk into the fall show opening tonight and see that my "Sandwich Bag III: No Leftovers" had won 2nd place, intermediate division. Apparently they didn't call any of the award winners in advance for this show, so I was completely taken by surprise (didn't even take my camera, so there's no photo of me with a goofy grin standing by my painting). I was so pleased! The Members of Merit of the ISA (professional artists who have won many major awards) aren't allowed to take part in the fall show, so it's not so overwhelming and makes everyone feel like they have a more equal chance to win when they're not going up against some of the biggest names in the area. The artwork was still very high caliber and it was a very nice honor to take an award.

A little background...

I started really taking an interest in art at a rather late age, and began with about five years of watercolor. I still love watercolor, but have never felt completely comfortable with it and for the most part just find myself frustrated.

About two years ago I tried working with pen & ink and colored pencil and feel like I've really found my niche! I still flounder around a bit with the watercolors, but I love the control I have particularly with colored pencil and when stippling with pen & ink.


This is the first colored pencil piece I did in April 2007.
(Watch Your Step, colored pencil)