Portrait WIP - 2nd Round

colored pencil

12 x 14"

Here's my second post of the current portrait commission I have on the drawing board.

This is one of those pieces which is labor intensive, but one of my favorites to do. She is an exceptionally lovely young woman and it's a pleasure to honor her (and her parents) with this portrait.

It's always a huge responsibility and an honor when someone hires you to do a portrait of their child.

November Virtual Sketch Date

"Light Play"

colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

5 x 7"

Here's my drawing for the November VSD. And I just have to say, I love participating in this monthly draw-fest. It's so much fun to interpret the reference photo in my own way and then check in on the other artists to see what they've done. I'm always amazed at how we all see things so differently and yet, each artist makes such wonderful work.

Check it out if you haven't yet here. You'll see links to work from all the participating artists on Sunday, November 23.

And, hey, if you can draw, you ought to give it a try. Be fearless!

New WIP - Commissioned Portrait

Thought I'd share a progression of a current commissioned portrait on my table. I started this before the cruise and am now working hard to finish up.

The young woman is the daughter of a high school friend of mine; she has hired me to do portraits of her children at their graduation from high school. (Appropriate, no?) This is her youngest child and, alas, I'll just have to wait until she has grandchildren for the next round.

I am working this on Strathmore Bristol Vellum in colored pencil. It measures12 x 14".

Cruise Recap

Our ship, the Carnival Pride

Here's some news and a few pics from my class on the Mexican Riviera Colored Pencil Workshop cruise. Thanks to Ann Kullberg who organized the entire workshop, I was invited to be one of the workshop instructors with Ann, of course, and Gemma Gylling. It was a wonderful trip with a wonderful group of workshop attendees. (I think I've made some new arty friends!)

In my workshop we focused on drawing marbles on two layers of Dura-lar Mylar. With this technique you can render an intense, glowing depth of field which works particularly well for glass objects. Below is my sample drawing.

This technique can be a little tricky and complicated since you have to work on both sides of the surface and ,therefore, draw backward from your reference photo several times. I wasn't sure how the class would handle this or react to it, but I was so pleased as they all came away with some wonderful pieces!

And, because I, too, thought of this trip as a little bit vacation, I took some time out on our balcony to enjoy a little refreshment afterwards. In the big comfy robe they provided. With warm sun. Ahhh. (See even if you're an introvert, like me, you can put yourself out there in the world; you just need a little R & R after!)

Bon Voyage

"Reclining Nude"

6 x 8"

colored pencil on canvas

I am currently sitting in a hotel room waiting to board the ship for the Colored Pencil Cruise (as I call it). And being one of the instructors, I am a little nervous. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally looking forward to it; the sun, the fun, the time away; but I'm still a little nervous.

Having been an instructor and business owner for over 15 years (owned a Jazzercise franchise), I know that being a wee bit nervous is not necessarily a bad thing. It tends to keep you sharp, alert and aware of every word that comes out of your mouth. I've found it can energize me, the class and the students.

Wish me bon voyage and to break a leg (what do you wish a workshop instructor!?) I'm hoping to blog a bit about my experience and show you some of the things I see and the people I meet.