.... at least I hope.
Some might have been wondered where I've been the last month. The simple answer is I was sick.
Wow, I had no idea how bad one can feel over such a long time. But indeed it is or better was possible. I caught kinda gastritis - seems I had to much stress in life and soul for a while.
I could not bend my body to reach the keyboard or to draw (remember my short arms?) - just sitting on the sofa watching TV or lying in bed and THIS definately is not what I like.
Well, some days ago my husband gave ma a huge huuuuuuge huuuuuuuuuuhe incentive to make the last healing steps quickly, he registered me for Mike Sibley's online course at www.drawpace.com - believe me I was close to fall unconscious down to the floor seeing this. Sooooo happy!!!!!!
The course starts on Thursday and I can't await it!
And of course besides that I am glad to feel like a human being again - nearly. :)
5.10.09
Back into life
20.8.09
Prisma lightfast vs Prismas Premier
Yesterday I received my very first Prismacolor Lightfast pencils. Only 5 but enough for trying out and comparing.
My first impression and my later as well is that I like them but they are definately NOT comparable to their little brothers and sisters the Premiers.
Lightfasts are in my opinion much harder and the pigment is not that willing to stay on the paper. I made a diect comparison with Premiers - means nearly the same colors were compared.
Also the solving with both oil and Zest-It was not that nice. And I had problems to apply enough layers to achieve a look I am used to get with my "cheep" prismas.
Maybe it's the colors I used (cobalt blue hue, canary yellow, raw umber, diox. purple hue, neutral grey 2) and I had bad luck to order just the hardes colors but however - after using and comparing these I am sure I'll stand by my Prismas and Pablos - both are much better! Maybe not that lightfast - but I do not care about it because my art is not that good or precious - it is a problem of the future generations to conserve and restore the "masterful artwork" of Mrs Alberts. <--- me. 
In the meantime I've heard that Sanford stopped producing these pencils and the 'lightfast' pencils will be incoorporated into the regular prisma line.
12.8.09
Barry, the cat
I started with the line drawing - oh no, I started with making a grid over the reference photo and THEN the line drawing! And surely I forgot to make a photo first I started with a first layer of Prismacolor Indigo. I used my Stylus for indenting the whiskers and some other hairs under his chin.
I went on layering next layers of indigo and ultramarine and a little bit of black grape (I LOVE this color!).
After I asked my friends on PPN they gave me some good tips how to do the reflecting areas of Barry's fur and so I added some slate grey and powder blue and a bit of true blue. I blended everything with almond oil.
Black was added with heavier pressure at the dark areas and very light layers at the - guess where - lighter areas, right! Again some layers of the blues and the slate grey and again blending with almond oil. The ears got both two layers of Clay Rose and Light Peach and where blended with ......... ye - he - heeees - almond oil. While I blended the ears I could easily draw the black color with my oily cottonbud into the skin area of the ears so that it looks really like hairs.
I burnished most areas with white and then made the "pillow" (it's not a pillow but an upholstered lying surface of the kitchen-scratch-tree) with different reds and orange as a finish layer. and to stress my patience I of course had to do the background tiles of the wall (which is exactly so awry and crooked like it looks here. hm ... okay ... not THAT crooked...) with the same colors like the ear plus Peach. At last I added the shadow area with dark violet and indigo and a very light layer of black.
Now I call it finished although I could have done more on the wall tiles. The painting is not so bluish i.r. especially his top nose.
It was fun to paint this, especially because my 'model' sat besides me and watche part of the time while I was doing him. This wy it was easy for me to adjust the color of his eyes and so on. Here and there he tried to help me with dipping his tail into the oil and then to blend but I told him that I better o this. And this nice guy was NOT upset. ;)
"Barry"6.8.09
Latest CP painting
CP painting for a challenge at our Pencil Painting Network.
Prismacolors blended with almond oil on Canson *Pure white Drawing' board. Size 210 x 110 mm
Homebakery
29.7.09
Please help to help
Today I came over this article - it is a bout an abandoned cat that must have been treated very bady because her tail must be amputated.
Please have a look yourself and visit her blog and watch Kira. She is a very sweet black cat and needs help.
I know how it is to wish to help a cat - we have nine, all rescued from the street. And so I gave Sarah a little bit to help Kira and I hope many people will do so too - and spread out that Sarah needs help, this also is a huge help.
28.7.09
Great news
14.7.09
Honored?
I wanted to know some special things about their clutch pencils and the difference between graphite, polymere leads and their mars micro carbon. I received an answer via email with the explanation and a big compliment on my drawings (I added a link to my gallery at PPN)
And via snail mail a pencil!
Wow! What a really nice company! Unfotunately the pencil was not that good for me to use - it has a triangular grip which is not useful for me because I always turn my pencil some millimeters to have a sharp point at anytime. Except I ant to have a chisel edge. ;)
But the gesture is so great and I said thank you and explained them why this pencil is not good for me. I received an answer where they said that it is a pity and so on but they will send me another pencil to try out. Another wow!
Is this cool or what! But it comes much better:
They also asked if I would be so kind to make a drawing for their Bureau. Oh - and guess what I said...... Yes of course! LOL
Maybe this doesn't mean much but first it is only fair to gift them a drawing for they gave me two pencils (the second one isn't arrived but I received their second email yesterday) aaaaahaaaand - to have a foot in the door of or contact to a company that produces pencils can be helpful - or what do you think?
Here is the pic - it is an ATC done with their mechanical pencils with leads 2B, B and 5H and a kneaded and an electrical eraser.
12.7.09
A portrait
Last days I felt pretty much adventurous and good regarding drawing after repeating some excercises from Betty Edwards book "Drawing on the right side of the brain.". So I decided to try my hands on a self portrait. and I must confess that I am very satisfied with the result.
Of course I already posted it at PPN and my friends there said that it is a good sketch and nicley done, but I MUST work on achiving better likeness. Gosh - I was sooooooooooo sad...............
Do you all too think that I have to work on the likeness?
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:-)) ;-))
6.7.09
My artists of the month
I suddenly had the idea to show paintings and drawings of artists I like very much. I know many artists do so butI think it won't hurt anyone if I also have my "artist of the month". And because I ALWAYS must do anything in a different way I think I nor will have an artist of the month neither one of the week.
No. I will have two artists of the month - one colored and one monochrome artist. (ROFL - sorry for the play with words)
(color)
Juno Kughler: 'Indian Girl'
If you want to see more of her artwork or if you want to read about her you can visit her homepage JunoKughler.com or her blog Looking Glass hours. Btw - she is good writer too.
(monochrome)
English House by Doreen Cross
I hope you like my choices for this month.
If you know an artist who should be the next "My Artist Of The Month" - no matter if it is you yourself or a friend or one whose artwork you like please send me an email at cp-art@t-online.de
4.7.09
New leads, new luck
It is real graphite, no polymere, no synthetic or whatever leads are made of. The softer leads like 4B and 6B are REALLY dark and the harder one like 2H, 4H and 6H are wonderful to blend and light but not scratchy. I love them!
The following pic is done with a 4B lead exclusively. I wanted to try our a Tromple L'oeil drawing for a long time but never had enough "yes-I-can-feeling" to start. Yesterday was a pretty good time, hubby had a nap and I felt like trying out my new leads on a drawing, not only on maling another grey scale LOL.
I used that 4B lead in a Staedtler clutch pencil (my favorite brand for lead holders), a pencil eraser which is also new and my beloved electric eraser on Hahnemuehle 'Nostalgie' (smooth sketch block).The graphite lead was really really nice to draw with. I could achive dark deeps and also light layers of grey.
Of course this drawing isn't finished yet but so far it was huge fun, especially because I achived what I wanted to with this lead.
I don't know why I didn't like mechanical pencil - clutch pencils - before, they are wonderful easy to sharpen either with the F-C mini-lead-sharpener or with the Dahle lead sharpener, which I also have since yesterday.
Woooo - I had huge problems to figure out, how the Dahle worked and this let me break into perspiration. But close before I wanted to throw this d.... thingy into the next corner I noticed how I have touse it. So easy! But I needed more than 10 minutes to understand. Gosh - how can one single darkhaired woman be so blonde!?!?!?Okay, I still have no idea for what the little wholes right and left are good for - but main thing is the sharpener is doing his sharpening-job - and it is doing this phantastic.
27.6.09
Just a drawing
20.6.09
Mike Sibley's book Part II
Okay. I now have worked through the first 40 pages and I like what I read so far.
What I like very much is that in his paintings there are rarely the pencil strokes visible, you know what I mean?
Some artists only work with strokes, bigger, finer, heavier, lighter, hatched, cross hatched, all visible strokes. Mike prefers to see not the single stroke and this is what I like.
And another thing was remarkable for me. Mike mostly uses clutch pencils but I never liked them and preferred wooend case pencils. I do not care if the weight in my hand changes. But I gave the 'Clutchers' another chance to become friends with me. And - tadaa - we became close friends.
I had the chance to purchase five clutchpencils made by Staedtler for 5 $ - which is VERY cheap here - and some leads (F-C). I already had mechanical pencils and bought some GOOD leads for them also - and I can't believe why I didn't used them before.
It is much easier - no sharpening or only sharpening the lead with a tiny lead sharpener (F-C) which I can hold easily. The leads I bought are wonderful also. I have no idea if the Staedtler leads are very different or how, but I am satisfied with these clutch pencils and their 'fill-ups'. :)
So I already benefit from the book. Joanie, a close friend, mentioned at PPN, that she finds the price too high and I I think too that this book is a little bit overpriced (not my reduced copy). But when I compare it with the books we can buy here in Germany where we have to pay 16 $ for a tiny brochure size A5 (140 x 210mm) and not more than 40 pages with big letters it is cheaper than everything in Germany. In general seems Germany to be a developing country concerning pencil art, especially colored pencils.
So Mikes book is much more worth than these - how much I will know when I go on. And he is an outstanding artist, very well known and maybe the name raises the price too.
I guess there are many books about drawing in USA and UK which are at the same level and cost only the half or less. Can you recommend good books on graphite drawing?
19.6.09
I'm a Fan!!! (Part I - Music)
16.6.09
GOT IT!
Since a long time I dreamt to have Mike Sibleys book "Drawing From Line To Life". Although I know it is good to let money roll I sometimes have problems with letting roll too much for a single product.
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6.6.09
Drawing day 2009
3.6.09
Ouch
Because I hurt my finger (it thought to have a little fight against a door knob and lost...) I couldn't do any artwork for a while. But some homoeopathics and a little resting helped a lot and now I can show two pic - one finished for a challenge at PPN and another one for my own pleasure.
20.5.09
A win and many ATCs
7.5.09
Kristy Kutch on WCPs
Watersoluble Pencils Include Watercolor Pencils- Plus New Varieties
Originally, the watersoluble pencil was a watercolor pencil, featuring a rod of watersoluble pigment-plus-binder neatly encased in a wooden sheath. This type of pencil is widely available and offers plenty of exciting, vivid possibilities and a tremendous range of colors.
Cretacolor of Austria produces a watercolor pencil tapered rod, a very dense, heavy aquamonolith which is all pencil-product and no wood casing. Cretacolor also has introduced (in 2008) Marino watercolor pencils, lightfast watercolor pencils in 36 colors.
Cretacolor also markets a range of watersoluble graphite pencils, which apply like graphite but which dissolve into grey washes when wetted.
British Derwent Watercolour Pencils were available for many years in 72 shades, each hue corresponding to one of their wax-based Studio Pencils. Recently, though, Derwent has expanded the definition of watersoluble pencils, adding 24 colored graphite pencils, Graphitint Pencils, to their line. These can be used dry or wetted with a brush for surprising hues-that-pop.
Another unique Derwent pencil is the collection of 72 Inktense Pencils, described by the manufacturer as the first watersoluble ink pencils. Inktense pencils are quite vivid when dry and stay brilliant and vivid after being dissolved. They are also more staining and permanent than watercolor pencils (so watch that white shirt or blouse!) Jane DeMeyer of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin created a stunning Hawaiian sunset with Inktense pencils which truly showcased their vivid intensity.
The watersoluble pencil may be used for dry drawing and left completely dry and textured. (It is not possible, however, to sharpen it to a needle-fine point like that of a Verithin pencil.) It also can be wetted with a solvent blending-marker, which releases the pigment so that it looks a little grainy but mostly dissolved. The most stunning effects can be seen when the pencil layer is wetted with a damp brush or spray bottle, allowing the pigment to transform into a dissolved wash. Watersoluble pencils can also be drawn heavily onto a spare piece of paper to make a homemade palette, wetting the swatch and dipping the brush into it for painting details right from that custom-mixed puddle of pigment. There are other possibilities for drawing with a wet pencil tip into an already-wet area for a streak of intensity, drawing dry into a wet area for a finer "shot of color", spattering the wet pigment with a toothbrush for a loosely airbrushed look, and grating the pencil pigment onto a damp area for some dynamic, intense grains of color.
Another consideration is to apply the watersoluble pencil(s) on a white surface, brush over the pigmented layer with a wide, wet brush, and thus tone (tint) the drawing surface. This do-it-yourself color selection is especially helpful to the artist who would like to find a certain shade of colored paper or board which is simply not available. Gail Ribas of Acadia Workshop Center in Southwest Harbor, Maine, paints dynamic landscapes in pastel, watercolor, or colored pencil. She said that often she often begins by toning her white paper or board with a shade of orange, then proceeds with blues for the sky and water over that orange surface. The underlying orange complementary color (the opposite color on the color wheel) adds an amazing, vibrant "pop" to the landscapes and surprisingly does not "scream" orange at the viewer. (This surface-toning process would be a good application for the more permanent Inktense pencils.) Of course, the white drawing surface could be tinted blue, lavender, green, or any other desired color.
Watersoluble pencils can be used for interesting background effects, too. Protecting the drawing of objects in the foreground with frisket film (cut in the pattern to cover it), then spattering with a toothbrush is one option. This creates a loose, pleasing background that I have nicknamed "poor man's airbrush". Yes, it is certainly a good idea to practice it on scrap paper first. Learn to dab off the toothbrush at least 4 or 5 times to control excessive drips. Once mastered, though, it is fun and unique.
Recently, while I was finishing a coastal scene, my ocean waters looked too placid against those rugged boulders. (Although it was a calm day, the scene still needed some artistic license and begged for a little action!) I worked upon an idea (once suggested by a student during a demonstration) for that sea-spray that rises up from white-capped waves. This technique for foamy wave action is quick, fun, and quite natural-looking. After the water was drawn and developed almost to completion, I carefully flicked some clear water (with a soft toothbrush) on the crest of a wave. Then I quickly grated my white watercolor pencil over the tiny wet dots and the white pencil granules clung to them just like sea foam! I even added a little grated pigment in an aquamarine color to that white foam, plus a light shade of ultramarine blue, to give the froth some depth, subtle shadows, and dimension. After this process, I allowed it to dry and then sprayed the whole piece with a fixative spray.
Many years ago, as a beginning watercolor student, I truly struggled with lifting dry watercolor pigment by dragging a kneaded eraser across the area. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it was futile, depending upon how staining and permanent that particular pigment happened to be. A white plastic eraser works much better, I have learned. A battery-powered white plastic eraser is amazing for lifting dry pigment! (Do not try this when any part of the painting is still damp, as those flying eraser crumbs cling to wet areas!) Just remember to let the paper dry thoroughly before erasing, so as not to damage, gouge, or scar it.
A new valuable hint (which I recently learned from www.wetcanvas.com ) is for gently lifting an area to be lightened with a damp Mr. Clean Magic Rub Eraser. This is a cleaning product commonly found in the grocery store, and it costs about $2 for a package of 2 Magic Rub Erasers. It does not require the artist to scour the painting surface, just lightly brush across it. Rinse the eraser, blot the surface, and repeat the process if necessary. Be sure to purchase the original, no-frills version of this product, not the one with Febreze added.
Note: Newly accepted under the definition of “colored pencil” by the Colored Pencil Society of America are watersoluble crayon products. Most frequently mentioned are Caran d’Ache Neocolor II (126 colors), but the (discontinued) chunky crayon-like watersoluble Stabilotones are included, too. I contacted the C.P.S.A. national board about whether Lyra Aquacolors (48 colors), Cretacolor Aquastics (80 colors) or the discontinued Faber-Castell Aquarelle Sticks (40 colors) also fall under this definition, but have not received a reply. I am assuming that “no news is good news” and they they are colored pencil products, too, since they seem to be similar products.
4.5.09
Long lazy weekend ....
I haven't done much artwork the last days. There are days where I better don't touch a pencil or something with which I could ruin a painting. *lol
But I took a great photo (at least I love it and must laugh when I look at it). Some of you know that we have 9 cats, all former street-kitten who lost their mothers. In 2003 we picked up a twin pair who was only about 14 or 17 days old (eyes just had opened). The yearned and yearned about 200 metres away from our home but I heard them - whyever. Hubby and I went there and found these two babies - crawling on the street! 
The neighbours there said that the mother was away and one sibling already killed by a car - but "we don't care, they are old enough and will survive, we give them a little milk." They couldn't even walk and because of hunger they where on the street - Gosh - I was such angry. 
So we picked them up, both where not very healthy because of so much unger and milk the got. But we made them healthy (thanks to homoeopathics and a good vet later) and of course they still live with us.
The twin brother is a great "washer". He loves to slick heads, especially hubbies head when he sleeps. And you know how rough a cats tongue is. But hubby "nothing-can-disturb-my-TVsleep" didn't notice that mostly. Yesterday I had the chance to take a photo of these two pretty guys. :) Look:
sometimes a good photo is better than a ruined piece of art. 
At PPN we just have our first ATC exchange, I am very excited and hope that many of our members will participate. I love these ATC trades, it is wonderful to send and to receive these tiny artworks from all over the world. If you feel the same come and join us, our network is growing every day and I am very proud to be a member if the pencil painters!
28.4.09
Two ATCs
I hadn't much time the last two days for doing much art - and also not for going on with my farmhouse or the castle or the still-life - but I felt like doing something quick so what's better in this case than an ATC!
I did these two - kind of phantasy art or whimsical or .... I have no idea how to name this style.
"Seahippo"
"Earthlove"
Both are done with Cd'A Supras wet and dry on clairefontaine pastelmat.
23.4.09
Thirsty kitten
And the running water it is her biggest joy:
22.4.09
Update farmhouse and more
Just a quick update without many words:
17.4.09
My new CPs
and I have to confess: BEST EVER!
o Supracolor are made by Caran d'Ache, a producer in Switzerland.
o They come in a range of 120 colours.
o They are watersoluble.
o They are wax- and oilless (this word looks strange, or not?) so they have no wax-bloom or glossy shine.
o They have the same color chart as their "siblings" Pablo, the oil or waxbased CPs made by Caran d'Ache
The lightfastness is very good:
# - 7 of 120 pencils have one star = good lightfastnes
# - 66 of 120 have two stars = very good
# - 47 of 120 pencils are rated with three stars = excellent!
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14.4.09
An apology
Oops.
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I am so sorry - how could I forget the wonderful Scribble talk????
Years ago I joined in there but then the place there became a bit more quiet and I used more other media than pencils.
Teresa mentioned it and I am so happy to have it back because it is a wonderful community for pencil painters. Have a look at SCRIBBLE TALK - it is well worth.
And a special Thank You to Teresa Mallen who brought this back in my mind. Btw - visit her blog, she is an amazing artist and a wonderful encourager and motivator!
Still-life and a discovery
Last days I tried out Caran d'Aches Supracolor Soft pencils. I bought them about one or two months ago (lucky shot) but never used them.
But now I decided to give them a go and I am totally thrilled. I started a still-life with my Prismas (outline and a little layering on the candle-holder) on Clairefontaine Pastelmat (coloured) and then went on with the supracolors.
I added different layers on the candle-holder and the apple, wettened the colour, let it dry and then added more layers.
It was huge fun to work this way and the surface seems to fit perfect.
This is the reference I worked from. I took this photo two years ago in autumn so it is more an autumn picture but who cares....
7.4.09
Juicy Dura-Lar :-))
Some days ago hubby seemd to miss me. *lol* I was busy with drawing and didn't watch the time so hubby asked me if I was in the wide wide universe *lol)
I laughed and answered 'No, just spending time with an orange or better a photo of an orange from Alyona Nickelsen's CP book.
I am not that enthusiastic about her book, I expected more if I'm honest. Although when I started to read the book I thought it is phantastic and it definately has some very good chapters on composing and color theory and so on. And of course it is good if you haven't seen other CP books before like Ann Kullberg or especially Janie Gildow.
However - I started the orange from her book - but my own way (I have no solvent yet - will come in a few days). And - I used the very first time Dura-Lar. It behaves very different from eg Stonehenge paper or Bristol board, doesn't take so many layers as I'm used to apply but -------------- I LOVE IT!I made some mistakes but I am pretty satisfied with the result.
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I now darkened the left peel. I'm not sure if it is better now or if I ruined it.
3.4.09
Invitation
Art is a wonderful thing and we should be free in our art. Especially when we belong to a community. Nobody is allowed to tell us how many artworks we do or show to other people.
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There are many good communities like Wet Canvas, Let's make Art, Craft Crowd, Give your walls some soul and so on which are worth, very well worth, to join. But I haven't found any community for CP artists so I now will try to start one.
It is called
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31.3.09
Farmhouse - update IV
This morning it seems that we'll have a rainy day but that's okay - nature needs rain for waking up all the blossoms.
I worked a little bit more on my farmhouse and now - step by step - I feel a little bit more satisfied.
I fixed the bad perspective a bit and added greens and blues to the background trees.
For the most of us drawing/painting is kind of balance for the daily life we all should be free in our art. Drawing and painting what we like is one of the most satisfying and wonderful things.
26.3.09
Farmhouse - update III
Some days ago I was so happy - spring had come and it started to be warm and cozy outside, the sunshine was bright and warm and promised to feel very good being outside.
Yesterday morning I woke up and couldn't believe my eyes - our whole garden was white and my nose felt like an icicle. Coooooooooold!!!!!!
Winter had come back. Oh how I hate to have cold and snow again but the good thing is that it won't take long until we have springtime and summer - and we all complane about the heat. *lol
After a pretty long time I at least had a little time to work on the farmhouse. The tree still gives me a little headache but I now let it flow and hope the best.
°*°*°*°
While sitting on our sofa and watching TV (with a cat on my lap and besides me on one side. On the other side snorkling hubby and a dog besides me *rofl*) I started a drawing. The "reference" is from mind, I once saw a painting similar to my drawing and tried to remember it and bring it to paper.
17.3.09
Farmhouse - update II
Here's the next step.
I first made a very light wash with a light green, keeping gaps for the roof and sky shining through, and then added darks for the darker area and I paid attention to the direction for leading the eye to the house.
I have to add many more layers of light and dark greens and for the very dark parts kind of darker red but - miraclemiracle - I am pretty satisfied with the result.
Btw - the walls are not SUCH reddish as they appear here.
16.3.09
13.3.09
Farmhouse
<- My current workspaceMany times I saw photos of them but mostly they were too small or I simply forgot to "grab" it. *lol
Now I've found a pretty nice photo in a journal and yesterday I started with the outline. I used a watercolor pencil - light warm grey - on Stonehenge white (or natural white, don't know how this white is called). It is easy to erase and doesn't smudge like a graphite when I work over it with my prismas.
Not sure where this will end but it is fun to draw. I fear I will have some problems with the foreground tree but I'm learning and the only way to learn is to practice.
11.3.09
Tulip on Stonehenge
As promised I now post my tulip that I've done yesterday with Prismas on my new Stonehenge paper. I must confess that I am not good at flowers but wanted to make a tulip for a long time (I love tulips, they are my second fave flower).
Mostly flowers turn out kind of childish when I draw or paint them but this time I'm pretty satisfied.
It must be the Stonehenge - it's a dream. Adding layers after layers is so easy I never thought that it could be such easy - and fun!
Okay, have a look:
This morning I added some more darks and now I call it finished and an ATC because the size is about 6x9 cm/2,5' x 3,5'-
10.3.09
Hooray, Prismas!
Jippiieeeh - I got Prismas and Stonehenge!!!!
It has been a huge problem to purchase Prismacolor colored pencils in Germany or in Europe in general.
Because of a real good friend (thanks so much, Joanie and Rose and Birdie xoxoxox) once got a huge set of Prismas as a gift two years ago. Of course the most often used pencils went down and so I used them less - and this blocked me a lot. Okay, I tried out pastels, pastel pencils and the last time watercolors, but nothing was really satisfying me as CPs do.
I of course have bought some other brands like Faber-Castells Polychromos and Lyras, but none of these CPs are what I like very much.
I also bought a set of Derwents and these pencils are really good, but nothing goes over Prismas.
Last week I typed the word "farbstifte" (german for colored pencils) in google and - wooohoooooooooo - there was a new shop (Farbstifte.net) and now guess which brand of CPs they sell..................
Yeeeees - my beloved Prismas. I am sure you can imagine what I did at once! I made a huge order and replenished my Prismas - and bought a set of the new 2006 colors aaaaaand: I bought STONEHENGE PAPER!!!! It was never sold in Germany before, and also Dura-Lar is now available here.
Yesterday I received my order and the feeling was like christmas. Oh, I love to unwrap all the pencils and the paper, sharpen all pencils and put them in my CP cabinet.
And of course making a colorchart with the new pencils. and I must say that I love these new colors - they are perfect for landscapes, these pencils are a must and I have missed them. Derwents Coloursofts had these colors already but the Prismas are definately much better, softer and more brilliant and vibrant.
For those who don't know the colors yet here they are:
1092 - Nectar
1093 - Seashell Pink
1094 - Sandbar Brown
1095 - Black Raspberry
1096 - Kelly Green
1097 - Moss Green
1098 - Artichoke
1099 - Espresso
1100 - China Blue (Isn't this an song of Enya too?)
1101 - Denim Blue
1102 - Blue Lake
1103 - Carribbean Blue
Wow - they are all great and my fave color is 1092 "Nectar" - perfect for skin, treetrunks, sand, wood, great one. But also the greens are wonderful for foliage - together the the last "new colors" - the colors 1080 up to 1091 they are what a landscaper needs.
And the Stonehenge paper is definately the best ever for CPs. It is always highly recommended in nearly every book about colored pencils and I am so glad that I now can purchase it. I tried it out with a little tulip and it is amazing how many layers it takes. I will show the tulip tomorrow (I forgot to take a photo at daylight).
This shop sells a lot more new stuff like ZestIt or Gamblin Gamsol, Blue Tak, Frisket - everything that was not "gettable" here before.
Anja, the wonderful kind and friendly owner, sells to wherever needed. She is definately a darling and a great artist too.
and if you now think that I am thrilled - you are totally right. And I look forward to the next day - trying out more of my new goodies.
6.3.09
Teeth, CPs and more
Last days had been terrible. Friday night I just felt that I am on the way to get a toothache and yes. I got one - and a very very bad toothache, worse than I was used to. I tried to distract me from that pain with drawing but it didn't work really good. The drawing got darker and darker. On monday I wanted to go to dentist - no way. we live in a very rural area and there only is one dentist I can reach and exactly this dentist was not there. But thanks heaven he came back tuesday and belive me I was the first he saw when he opened. Okay, my teeth now is swimming in the deep and dark dentists "old-tooth-jar" and I am feeling better. Yesterday I started a drawing for a challenge on Wet Canvas. It is my first figure drawing and I am astonished about the result, I always thought that I'm not able to do it. I think the start is good - better than expected.
But please look - am I or should I better do landscapes:
I use Prismas on Hahnemuehle "Sketch" ( matt) 21 x 29 cm.
1. light peach - a light first layer
2. deco pink as a second layer and
3. peach for the darker and black grape (I love that color!) for the very dark areas.
Oh - and I worked y bit more on the cherry:
26.2.09
Wow
I am so happy and feel honored so very much - I received my first Blog-Award!!!!!
Dors, an artist whom I love and adore gave it to me. Please visit her blog Dors Art - you will be amazed too.
(*bursting with proud and all this joy*)
Pet portrait and wildlife art by Karie-Ann Cooper
Arthur Simo Art Corner
Blueberries, Art & Life
From Forensic to Fine Art
To those I nominated, please take a moment and pass this award on to other worthy blogs that you like.
25.2.09
Daily sketchbook 2
My daily sketch today is a colored drawing of a cherry. I loved and will ever love this medium for it's ease and because I don't have to build a lot for my work - no waterbowl, no palette and brushes, no paints and turpenoide - just paper and the pencils.
It is not finished yet (he he he - you didn't thought that.......) but I thought it couldn't hurt to show it right now.
I used Koh-I-Noor CPs on drawing board. Size of the board is DIN A 5.
23.2.09
Daily sketchbook 1
Today (and yesterday evening) I felt like drawing one of our cats from a photo. She was sitting in the kitchen on her favorite place. *lol Good for us when we want to do the washing-up - we can't!
22.2.09
did you know this?
I never heard of Jon Gnagy. And obviously he made his video tutorials a long time ago. But nevertheless they are wonderful. Have a look.
21.2.09
On my sketchblock / drawing board
Because Geoff Kersey said that he never had seen a good watercolor painting that came out from a bad sketch/drawing I grabbed my graphite pencils and decided that I from now on make a daily sketch and a weekly drawing.
But what the heck is the difference between sketch and drawing????? I wondered about that since I started to make art (or try to *lol*) !
Unit last night.
I couldn't sleep so I got up and started my computer, surfed to "Jerry's Artarama Free lessons site" and watched one of Chuck MacLachlans drawing-instruction videos. I guess it was "Perspective made simple" where at the end said a single sentence: A drawing is a finshed sketch.
With this video Mr MacLachlan not only made perspective simple but also solved my so-long-gnawing-mystery on the difference between both.
However - I made a quick sketch yesterday evening (yes, I know everyone can see that it was a quick one.... next will be better) of our windowsill:
This sketch shows our wooden windowsill with a tiny plant (plastic - because of the cats), a lantern and a rose quartz. You can see it here:
Kim (our youngest) and Nicky
And this morning I started a graphite drawing - my reference is from the cover of Christopher Leeper's book "Realism in watermedia" - a great book btw and a great artist ( please have a look at his homepage) and I use a Vang sketchblock (it's okay but I prefer smoother paper) and a 2B and 6B graphite pencil.
I'll show this in a new post.
19.2.09
Mill - step III
17.2.09
Watercolor mill - step II
.
Now here comes my 1. real watercolor painting.
I started with a drawing while I watched TV, not knowing that I would later decide to use watercolors and pen. How funny, the movie I watched was "Moulin Rouge" - two mills at one time .....
I started with the drawing:
I then applied a bit pen (Faber-Castell) and much masking fluid on the areas that I want to keep white.
Next step was making a light wash of cobalt-blue with a tiny bit mudder lake for warmthen the sky and then I put out the color for the clouds.
For grabbing out the color I used either a damp brush or a damp piece of kitchen roll.
Then I started to add greens (veridian, lemon yellow and cobalt-blue with different amounts each time) for the trees and bushes.
Now the mill got it's green cloth on, again the same mix for greens as for the bushes.
And here is where I am so far.
I used watercolorpaper made by Gerstäcker (a shop here in Germany) - 240 g/sm and rough (cold pressed?), 17 x 24 cm and as a reference an old calender photo of 2002.
To be continued ...................
Starting with watercolors
.
Because I am a beginner I bought a good but inexpensive set of 24 tubes "Reeves Watercolour". I already had paper for my former painting attempts. Different papers, tons! *lol
And I have a wonderful husband who has open eyes and while shopping he stumbled over this thingy here:
On the easel: "Hot Dane" (Soft-pastels)
He at once thought "Wow - this could be a great easel for my beloved wife!" :))) and bought it.
He is right, this "easel" which is a bookstand made of bamboo is definately great for me. Not too large and easy to handle.
Also Kim, our youngest cat is thinking so. She always watches me painting or drawing and this new "buddy" pleased her very much:
On this photo you also can see my new bought watercolor stuff: The tubes, a small sponge, a palette, synthetic brushes roundbrush No 16, 12, 8, 4, 3 and 1 and a No 2 rigger, a goat hair brush 1,5" and masking fluid (very important, I had no idea how useful this is!!).
Graphite pencils and a rubber I of course have already.
Also watercolorpaper I bought months before because I needed it for colored pencils and pastels.
10.2.09
Welcome to my art!
May I introduce myself a little bit?
My name is Martina, I am born in 19- okay, not such interesting. :-)
I am a self-tought artist and I live in Germany, near to Hamburg.
I love to paint and draw and started to learn it in December 2006.
My main medium has been colored pencils, pastels and mixed media - but predominantely colored pencils.
My favorite theme to draw and paint is nature, pets and wildlife. and a bit still-life, but I'm learning this yet.
