Pencil on toned paper

Here are a couple of experiments using graphite pencil and white coloured pencil, plus a touch of white gel pen on grey paper. I am reasonably happy with the results. I like the looser style. I am not taking so long getting everything exactly right and using much less detail Which is good for a change.

Another Tiger

An experiment using ballpoint pens for a portrait, I like the vibrant colours and the ink flows beautifully so will probably be using them again. 

Tiger just completed, I've called it 'Concentration' because he looks as if he is concentrating on prey to pounce on. 

I used Derwent Tinted Charcoal pencils as I really like the muted colours for wildlife, I did use a yellow and a terracotta Derwent Pastel pencil, in small areas of the fur, just to lift it a little. The paper is Canson sanded paper, which I wasn't that keen on, it's quite rough and has a very gritty feel to it, I much prefer Fisher 400 if I am going to use a sanded paper. The size is A4.

A couple of new drawings

These two new drawings are quite small 6x4" Faber Castell Polychromos on Pastelmatt.

I had the urge to get back to my favourite subject of animals, and found it very satisfying. 

The scan of the Owl is pretty grim, very grainy (not sure why) the original is much smoother looking. 

I am hoping to get some prints done of these little ones to sell online...we'll see.

The Old Breakwater - Porlock Weir

I don't often post here now, sadly I think almost everyone has moved to facebook, blogs seem to becoming a little redundant. Sometimes I think there is no-one out there?

Anyway this is my latest small drawing. 'The Old Breakwater-Porlock Weir' done on Fabriano Artistico HP paper (my favourite support for coloured pencils) using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. Size is 6"x6". I do quite enjoy doing these little ones as they don't take very long to do so I dont get fed up with them.

This coloured pencil drawing of mine, 'Dartmoor Magic' was runner up in the

 Ken Bromley cover comp 2017 

I was so pleased, this picture has done very well for me and has now been sold.

Field Poppies

One I have recently completed. It is quite small, just to keep my 'pencil' eye in while I take a break from some Acrylic paintings I am doing. I find pencil drawing very relaxing while painting needs more concentration.

Size: 7" x 5". Pencils: Faber Castell Polychromos on Fabriano Artistico HP paper.

Poppy Seed heads

Oh dear, posts are getting further and further apart. I've not done much in the way of coloured pencil art recently, I have been trying out new mediums, but here is a small piece I have just completed of some poppy seed heads from my garden. I needed to chill out a little and coloured pencils let me zone out while I work on a drawing.

Pencils: Faber Castell Polychromos

Paper: St Cuthberts Somerset Velvet 

Size: 7" x 7"

Dartmoor Magic

I am so thrilled at the success of this picture, not only did it win Best in Show and Best Landscape awards at the 2017 UKCPS Annual exhibition, it has also got second runner up in the Ken Bromley Art Supplies catalogue cover competition and..... now it has sold at the Clevedon exhibition here in Somerset, so it has really paid me back for all the time and effort put in to it.

Best in Show UKCPS Annual exhibition 2017

I was hugely thrilled to have won Best in Show with my Landscape 'Dartmoor Magic'. This can be seen at The Menier Gallery in London until 6th May.

Simba - African Lion

I started this one along time ago and thought it deserved to be finished, so hear it is.

Pastels, both soft and pencils on Fisher 400 paper which is my favourite support for pastels. You can get so many layers and the pastel keeps on sticking. Produces much less dust too and is not so delicate either. An all round great paper.

Old tree with moss and rocks.

Oh dear, such a long time since the last post. This is one I have been working on and recently finished. I so love these old trees covered in moss. This was something of a challenge but I do like a challenge!

Title: I haven't found anything suitable yet

Support: Fabriano Artistico HP 300gsm (my favourite paper)

Media, Prismacolour pencils and Pro Marker blender pen.

Size 14" x 14"

My ref photo taken on Dartmoor last year.

I have been out on the Quantock hills at Fyne Court this morning looking for some more old trees to draw. I'm on a roll and it was such a beautiful day it would have been a shame to waste it.

Pictures recently completed for an Exhibition

This is the last one just completed for my Exhibition at the Ilminster Art Centre on 16th May. I have been working flat out to produce some new work to show and am now done. I think I will take a short break now and get on with some gardening which badly needs doing.

 Watching the girls go by

Here are a couple of others that will also be at the show.

One of the Few

Wash and Brush-up

Spring Meadow - Fox

I cant believe it was February when I last posted.

This is to go with the Spring Meadow - Hares. Thought the fox looked a little disappointed that the hares have sussed him in the grass. No breakfast for him then!

Polychromos pencils

Support: Fabrianno Artistico HP

Mounted onto cradled board. Size: 50 x 20cms

The Stare - Tiger in graphite pencil

Just completed  'The Stare'. It was drawn on Mellotex paper and then mounted onto a cradled wooden panel. I used 3B 6B and 2H pencils and the background was done using a large graphite block (Derwent) Size: 50cms x 40cms.

Pat the greyhound

Pat crossed over the rainbow bridge recently and left his family very upset. This picture was commissioned for the husband as a Christmas present and for the family to remember him by.

Size: A4

Paper: Fabrianno Artistco HP

Pencils: Faber Castell Polychromos.

I am safe to post this as they don't really do computers so very unlikely that it will be seen.

Poacher's Delight. White Rhino cow and calf

This is my contribution to the Strathmore Pass the Journal project. Starthmore the paper manufacturers, are sending a number of journals around the world to artists to fill in. Each artist has a double page to use for whatever subject or medium they choose. This is my contribution. Reference photo by Gary Jones with thanks.

http://www.strathmoreartist.com/pass-the-journal/about.html

Moon Shadow

I cant believe how long it's been since my last post.

This is my most recent drawing. I wanted to achieve something with some dramatic lighting using graphite. The uneven background is not quite so obvious in the original, the scanner has accentuated some marks etc which you do not see.

I intend to mount it onto a cradled wooden panel, so no frame needed. 

Size: 15"x15"

Graphite pencil 3B, XL Derwent graphite block and graphite dust.

Support: Mellotex paper

Title: Moon Shadow

Greyhound in coloured pencil

Meet Toby, a much loved greyhound who has sadly passed on. This was a Christmas present to his owner, so it should be safe to post up now.
It was done on Fabrianno Artistico HP using Faber Castell polychromos and measured A3 in size.

Still life in coloured pencils

This is my latest, just completed. I don't usually do still life's, but I enjoyed the challenge. I have titled it 'Red' for obvious reasons, The idea originally was to do 4 pictures, using all white, all blue, all green and this one, not sure that this idea will go forward. My history of following through with series has not been good up till now.

Pencils: Prismacolour

Paper: Fabrianno Artistico 300 HP

Size: Approx. 20" x 9"