Creativity! Color Drawings 4 | Confessions of A Watcher

My new-found creativity is costing me money. I was using graphite pencils drawing a certain actor when I had the urge to see him in color.

Back I headed to the arts supply store for color pencils and a few how-to books. These books were a rude awakening. A color pencil was not the same as a regular graphite pencil but with color. Using them is an art in itself; that’s why the medium is called color painting and not color drawing. Oh my.

The books also informed me I needed a lot more supplies before I could start: harder finishing pencils; acetate under my arm to prevent smudging; a color blender; the right paper; masking product; proper tape; fixative, an electric sharpener. I needed the right pencils to use just the right amount pressure on transfer paper to get my image from a sketch to the work paper. I needed to study techniques like burnishing, underpainting and color blending. I needed to practice, practice, practice light, medium and heavy shading because – wait for it – color pencil can’t really be erased. Oh. But, the books reassured, don’t be nervous, just jump in and have fun.

After my hand stopped shaking, I jumped in. The first painting, a weirdly shaped apple, resembled something out of a Salvadore Dali work. Not good. The second was a scratchy looking unappetizing pear. Hmm. The third and fourth were more tries with a more normal looking apple and red bell peppers. That certain actor won’t be a color painting until I stop sweating blood over vegetables and fruit, alas.

If you can’t see flash, the links are here and here.

Still life shading lessons, color pencil

19 thoughts on “Creativity! Color Drawings 4”

Nice vibrant reds! Thanks for sharing your process. It’s a promising start and you’re making light reflections and shadows already!

The materials sound expensive but I wonder how much it would cost to have Richard Armitage pose?

judiang on October 25, 2011 at 12:18 am said:

Thanks! Well, now that you put it that way, these supplies are really cheap. 😉
Teuchter on October 25, 2011 at 12:55 am said:

Oh Bccmee!! Those last three or four words of yours conjure up such ideas!! 😉

I think your apple and peppers are great, judiang! Wish I could be that talented. Keep it up. I know we’ll see more great thinks from you!
- judiang on October 25, 2011 at 2:41 pm said:
  
  Thanks! Now she’s got a scene in my head: I’m in life class and in walks the male model. He takes off his hooded robe to reveal himself as — and then I wake up. 😉
  - Gratiana on October 25, 2011 at 6:21 pm said:
    
    And whom might that nude model be, dear Judiang?
    Hmmm. Me thinks I have an inkling. Ha!
    Cheers! Grati ;->
  - GratianaDS90 on October 25, 2011 at 6:22 pm said:
    
    2nd try at posting:
    
    And whom might that nude model be, dear Judiang?
    Hmmm. Me thinks I have an inkling. Ha!
    Cheers! Grati ;->

The peppers are delicious – full of subtle vibrancy! This is lovely, following the process and results.
If you pay the REAL RA to model, make certain it’s a life class…

judiang on October 25, 2011 at 2:43 pm said:

Thanks. You all are terrible. If RA walked into a life class I couldn’t draw him because my hand would be shaking too hard. It would have to be Stick Figure Richard. 😉

Please continue, Judiang! I am looking forward to your further studies. As Bccmee already pointed out, you already do light and shadow work, really elaborate and realistic(ally ?) looking. ;o)
What an idea bccmee created, though I don’t think he would or would sit still for the time it needs to get a picture done ;o)

CDoart on October 25, 2011 at 8:17 am said:

Sorry for the double message. I had problems posting and now the comment appears double ;o) Sorry!
judiang on October 25, 2011 at 2:45 pm said:

Thanks for the encourage. It’s interesting I’m wandering into drawing when I’m supposed to be writing. Hmm.

All this teasing is making me want to look up life drawing classes. Need the foundation anyway and who know, maybe I’ll get a cute male model. 😀

Don’t worry about the double posting; I took care of it.

Wow! I love that your creativity is bursting forth right now and thanks for sharing it with us!

judiang on October 25, 2011 at 2:49 pm said:

I’m waiting for the writing to burst forth on the other end…hmm, let me rephrase that. 😀 Thanks for the encouragement.

Looking good, Judiang! I cannot wait to see more! 🙂

judiang on October 25, 2011 at 2:50 pm said:

Thanks. Next up: nude RA from life class. If only, eh? 😉

Hi Judiang!
I love your apple! It looks delicious. And the sheen you put on it–as if it were catching the light–is amazing. Keep up the good work.
Cheers! Grati ;->

P.S. My reply to your life drawing class comment above, but the window wouldn’t let me comment (error message):

And whom might that nude model be, dear Judiang?
Hmmm. Me thinks I have an inkling. Ha!
Cheers! Grati ;->

judiang on October 25, 2011 at 7:52 pm said:

You comment came through loud and clear.

Thanks! I haven’t a clue who that model can be? John Simm? *snickers*

Great job with the fruit! You’ll be sketching RA in color in no time. This is one of the great things about fandom, the artistic creativity it brings out. 🙂

judiang on October 25, 2011 at 7:54 pm said:

Thank you. I’m not sure about in no time but he’s a goal. Hopefully some time in the near future. 🙂

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