Pelican Encounter-Final

Well, after 10 days and many, many hours and many, many layers, it is done. I started this on March 11 and today is the first day of spring, March 21. But it takes as long as it takes. I am still not totally sure I am done.

Turned out pretty good, even Hubby, (surprise!) said so.

Now, the Verdict on the Colourfix.

I like it.


Pelican at Juno Beach
Susan Tschantz
c. 2015

It does have a lot of tooth, and you will find it eats the pencils. This is understandable, as it is designed for heavy use with charcoals and pastels. I suspect it leans heavily towards soft pastels.

I did enjoy finding a board that was already tinted and already had the marble dust(?) (I am not sure what they use for the tooth. I have used marble dust and gesso with acrylic paint to tint myself).

So in addition to the cost of the board, you will use your pencils rather quickly and will sharpen a lot! Really a lot!

I only have the final burnishing to do. I did use a stump to blend, which proved really useful. I did not find the use of a medium, like mineral spirits as useful on this board as on some surfaces. Wax bloom was not as evident either. and I might revisit the feet tomorrow when it has had time to set up a little.

Crafting supply tools

I don't know about you, but my stash of pencils, mostly colored pencils is a mess.

Over the years I have quite the collection. At one time, this was not a real problem, as I simply keep them in portable silverware caddies, the plastic kind that are made to carry around outside. I had a couple and I could divide my pencils by color. I did not worry about brands or types. Ignorance is bliss!

Worked find, until I started having to take them places. Then I needed to keep them from rolling around and falling out. Many of my sets I keep in their tins, but as you add more colors, there are naturally, no slots for those.

And I am too cheap to buy enough of those pencil rolls.

I need one for each type, Inktense, Graphtint, pastel, etc. and for those I work with constantly, I still need to divide the stash by color family.

What is a cheapskate to do?

Well, Helen South, in her blog, about.com/drawing & sketching, has a list of things you can make to organize yourself and your studio.

So now I have to dig out my fabric stash and get to work!

http://http//drawsketch.about.com/b/2010/09/10/cozy-crafts-for-drawing.htm

of all the crafts listed, this one is my favorite, the pencil roll.

http://yougogirl.typepad.com/you_go_girl/2009/02/guess-what-today-is-no-its-not-my-birthday-nope-not-my-anniversary-groundhog-day-has-passed-and-valentines-isnt-yet-here.html

My thanks to Cassie for posting this on her blog, You Go Girl!

Try Different Colored Paper

Figure 1 - White Conte on Purple Paper

Paper of a different color or shade can lend interest and even drama to your drawings.

Try something different for drawing on whether you use pencil, pastels, charcoal or conte’. Even very dark papers can be used.

White and light media look dramatic when using very dark paper.

But don't rule out dark paper for dark media!

Experiment! Try everything. Don't assume. Make the support as much a part of the artwork as anything drawn on it!

Figure 2 "Apple & Pear" in conte & charcoal