This is the second work in a new series of small art depicting some of my favorite subjects. The purpose of this series is to produce more regularly while also working on large pieces. Working small allows me to be more experimental with the Icarus Drawing Board. With each artwork I plan to share something interesting about how I made it.
Title: River Pebbles, No. 2
Size: 5" x 5"
Medium: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil (Verithin and Softcore) and Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencil
Miscellaneous: Lyra Splender Colorless Blender, Gray Paper Stumps
Surface: Stonehenge Paper
Technique: Icarus Drawing Board
Here you can see my set-up. I like to have everything close-by; the pencil tray sits on top of my Icarus board together with the Swifter Duster and the cotton towel. Taping the paper to the glass can be very helpful especially when burnishing on the warm zone.
This yellow timer above is my constant companion. It helps me be more productive and more aware of interruptions. Once I got used to it, starting it and stopping it have become second nature.
To the right of my drawing board I keep two sharpeners: the X-Acto School Pro is electrical and works well with different diameter pencils; the Derwent is battery operated and, even though is made for pencils, I've used it to sharpen crayons for many months with no ill effects. The two sharpeners sit inside an acrylic photo frame together with a thick, moist sponge where I clean my pencils after I sharpen them.
The video above is a slide show of River Pebbles, No. 2. Please come back for my next blog post: River Pebbles, No. 2 - A Closer Look, where I will show you a detailed step-by-step of the project.
6 comments
Ines
January 23, 2012
I love the brilliant colours in your works, the shining realistic effect.. cannot wait for the step-by-step post… Thanks so much sharing it with your followers :)
Ester Roi
January 23, 2012
Thank you, Ines, I can always count on your kindness! :)
Jill
January 23, 2012
Wow, the slide show is great, it lets your piece come to life right before the viewer’s eyes. :)
I really love that shiny red pebble too, how do you make them shine like that?
Teresa Mallen
January 23, 2012
Woo-hoo, another gem and I love that lucious red shining out amongst all of the other wonderful colours. That timer of yours simply shouts look out, Ester means business! :-) You go girl!!! You are an inspiration to the rest of us - managing our time is sooooo important.
My ‘word’ for this year is ACT, no wasting of time pondering the odds of success with something or spending time staring at my navel, just knuckle down and do the work. I have written the word out, big, on mat board and it is in a not to be missed location in my studio. No excuses, I must ACT! From timers to mat board signs, we do what we have to!!!
Ester Roi
January 23, 2012
Thank you, Jill! That was my intention with the slideshow. I’ll explain how I make the pebbles shine in my next post, however I can tell you now that there are no magic tricks.
Ester Roi
January 23, 2012
Thank you, Teresa! I think we all inspired each other!
I really like your “No excuses, I must ACT”. I shall remind myself of your motto whenever doubt, stress, or laziness creep in.