In Between
Title: In Between
River Pebbles, No 11
Title: River Pebbles, No. 11
Outline - Cool Zone
The outline was accomplished with Prismacolor Verithin on the cool zone of the Icarus board.
Color Mapping - Warm Zone - Low Temperature
After drawing the outline I proceeded to map the main colors with Neocolor artist crayons on the warm zone of the Icarus board using a low temperature.
For more on color mapping with artist crayons you can view the following videos:
Melting - Warm Zone - High Temperature
With temperature setting at maximum, I melted the artist crayons using clay shapers (also known as color shapers).
For more on melting artist crayons you can view the following videos:
Tools for Melting Artist Crayons
In the picture above you can see the two color shapers I used for melting and the wet sponge for cleaning. For easier cleaning I spray the surface of the wet sponge with a little Simple Green.
Outline - Detail
Color Mapping - Detail
Melting - Detail
Refining - Detail
Refining with Colored Pencil - Medium Temperature
With the temperature set at medium I developed the colors, values and details of the pebbles by layering and blending colored pencils with a variety of tools like tortillions, paper stumps and a Caran d'Ache blender.
Mounted on 2" Claybord
I finally mounted the canvas on a 2" thick Claybord and painted the sides with acrylic. The artwork is now ready for varnishing.
Impasse
Crescendo
Title: Crescendo
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
17" x 35" - Wax-based Media (Colored Pencil)
Created with the Icarus Drawing Board
River Pebbles, No. 10
Title: River Pebbles, No. 10
For techniques used in this artwork, please see blog post River Pebbles, No.3 - Melting Artist Crayons
Original Photo Reference
When I look at a reference photo like the one above, the question I always ask myself is: where's Waldo?
Waldo, for an artist like me, is a good composition hidden in the randomness of nature. Even when I'm the one setting up the still life, I try not to interfere in the way pebbles fall into place. I just take many pictures while anticipating the game I will play later on my computer.
Waldo can be elusive at times. I have images taken years ago that never produced a single Waldo. But my ability to "see" is constantly evolving; I know there's a Waldo waiting to be found even in the most hopeless image.
Composition
Meet Waldo! I found him in the center of the image. Now that I have him, I want to show him off but, as you can see, he looks a little drab. Light and color will do magic.
Values
Here's what he looks like in black and white.
Values Adjusted
Much better - Waldo is coming to life. I just lightened the top left quadrant and pushed the overall value contrast.
Colors Adjusted
Now we're talking!
River Pebbles, No. 9
And here is my finished piece - in honor of Waldo of course!
Title: River Pebbles, No. 9
For techniques used in this artwork, please see blog post River Pebbles, No.3 - Melting Artist Crayons
Poppy, No. 4
Title: Poppy, No. 4
River Pebbles, No 8
Title: River Pebbles, No. 8
For techniques used in this artwork, please see blog post River Pebbles, No.3 - Melting Artist Crayons
River Pebbles, No. 7
Title: River Pebbles, No. 7
Outline - Cool Zone
The outline was accomplished with Prismacolor Verithin on the cool zone of the Icarus board.
Color Mapping - Warm Zone - Low Temperature
In this step I blocked-in the main colors on the warm zone with very low heat, just enough to soften the waxy pigments without melting them or blending them.
Burnishing & Blending - Warm Zone - Medium Temperature
After setting the temperature control at medium, I added additional color until there was enough pigment to obliterate the paper. Then I began blending using the point of a tortillon or the side of a paper stump with a very light touch.
Colorless blenders were used to soften edges and details.