Firstly, I like the process of mixing colours and mediums and using a brush (though I have a loooong way to go before I get any of it right!).
Secondly, because of a point Bill made that's been rattling around in my brain for months. He reckons the average Joe places less value on pencil drawings because it's a medium that anyone can use. Sure, they may not be able to use it particularly artistically, but because we all use pencils every day, the artsy mystery is removed. So there's a perception that a pencil drawing is less valuable.
Now I'm not entirely sure I agree with him, but I can see his point. And after such a long break from art, it seemed like a good time to try something new and see how it goes.
So here's how it's gone so far.
Pencil on wood (done during babysitting my 2 month old niece who was courteous enough to sleep through the entire experience!).
After a couple of coats of some kind of timber sealer that Bill recommended, I tried a heavy pink background (oil paints). Bill hated it. Dave reckoned you should be able to see the wood grain if you're painting on wood. Plenty of people liked it, but I tend to listen to Bill and Dave because they don't pull any punches.
So I rubbed back the pink to a much softer level. I prefer this, though the wood grain here isn't the best looking grain I've ever seen. Once I get the hang of this, I'm going to track down some more attractive timber.
I'm still pretty crap at mixing colours. So I figured I'd practice by trying to match my own skin tone. At the risk of sounding like a loony, I did thoroughly enjoy painting on my hand.
Tonight I've redone the background, whitened her hair and started on her dress. But she's now at an awkward teenage stage, so I'm holding off on posting her until her blemishes clear up and she learns how to use makeup properly.
Wish us luck!
xk
14 comments:
I can definitely understand what he's saying. People /think/ that... but obviously they haven't seen a good colored pencil drawing!
Just yesterday I played with colored pencils for the first time in years! I was surprised to find out, that I used the same technique for those as I do for painting. Turned out very cool! :D
Anyway...your painting looks amazing!
A lot of people do think that. When I had my first show, and the majority was coloured pencil, when people found out it WAS pencil and not paint, some of them turned their noses up at it. And SO many people said "why didn't you just paint it?" Oh, and my favourite line was "So when are you going to 'step up' into paints?" Ooooh, grrr. It's not a fair perception, but Bill's right, it is out there. Pisses me off!!
I love how this is coming along Kate! And I think the painting-on-hand technique is brilliant! I've only ever painted four pieces, and no people yet, so I'll be jumping in to the painting people thing with you soon! (HOPEFULLY start practising tomorrow.)
Can't wait to see the finished piece!
xo.
Oooh, I am excited to see your results. You will fall head over heals for paint, I know I did. Even when I play around with other mediums, I end up back with paint, it is just so versatile and forgiving.
Alex, I know exactly what you mean. There is a perception that you start with pencil and 'move up' to paint.
Actually I suspect there's also a perception that you then start with acrylics and move up to oils.
I'm convinced it's to do with the accessibility of the medium. If it's something anyone can use, it's devalued in the eyes of many people. I'd be interested to see the reaction to a really good crayon illustration!
xk
I like the where the wood grain shows through - it seems to give it a little something.
I am not sure what it is either, but I always feel like my art has a sort of school art feeling when I use colored pencils.
as an art lover i tell you - dear artist :-) - that as long as i like the art - meaning - as long as i like what i see - i don't give a heck about the material used. i would never judge. and just because pencil is a medium that anyone CAN USE, anyone isn't always ABLE to use it.
i like you artworks. on paper. on wood. on skin. you go girl! i pat your back!
I think your doing great and I can't wait to see it complete!
I did it the wrong way round - I started out using oils and acrylics and now I am on a journey exploring all the other mediums I can get my hands on. Last year I had a fascination with inks but this year I am really loving pencils and I got a new Wacom tablet on Monday which has led me to get back into digital colouring which combined with an initial pencil drawing I think produces a really polished result (check out my blog for an example of what I mean) but I think there is definitely no getting around the fact that people will always value an oil painting higher than pencils or acrylics and I think it's because most non artsy folk would have never tried oil painting so it seems much harder than anything else. After trying my hand at so many mediums I would say ink is pretty much the hardest as it is the least forgiving of all - but I still love it :)
I adore ink! But it definitely has a mind of its own. I never feel like it's really me making the image - the ink kinda does its thing and it wither works out or winds up in the bin.
There's no taming it I tells you!
xk
Hey to make a skin colour start with a colour called Burnt Umber. From there you can make almost any skin tone by adding yellow or fuschia in very small amounts. If you are doing watery painting use water to lighten, if you are using thick paint use white but add it very very slowly and watch the other colours with it. Water is best. In fact, if you are using Gauche paint, a tablespoon of water with only a tiny drop of burnt umber is almost the perfect skin colour right there for a Caucasian with lightly tanned skin.
Mixing colours in paint is my favourite part of painting. It really does excite me.
your linework is outstanding...
But I think the style of coloring/painting you are doing works against it though. I think it may have something to do with the hazy indistinct 'liney' look of the pencil crayons competing with the strong outlines of piece.
I'd suggest losing the pencil crayons or whatever you are using and experimenting with new mediums and techniques and finding a better way to finish your pieces. I have a hunch that watercolor or acrylic/oil washes would really complement your linework.
Just my 2 cents, because you seem like you are searching for something....
-simon
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