Kathy's Colored Pencil Drawings

[Kathysutterlin]

I found a lovely tutorial to draw these plum cherries on Ann Kullberg's website.
I used Prismacolor Premier pencils.

Details

[Win]

Lovely shading Kathy 

[Happychappy]

    Brilliant. Kathy, I noticed that you are using your new set of Prismacolour pencils.  How do you find them and did you use Gamsol on the background which is so much darker?  Anyway, you did a super job on the cherries.   Love to view your work.   


Patricia

[Kathysutterlin]

  Win. 
 

[Kathysutterlin]

  Thanks, Patricia. You are such a lovely support. 
Yes, I used my new Prismacolor pencils. They were easier to use than the student grade. I did not use the gamsol this time. I was able to get a fairly even coverage without it.  I did use my colorless blending pencil quite a bit. It really helps to soften the edges subtly.

[BarryC]

Nice job Kathy.

I have found that when I use a blender I end up ruining the tooth of the paper, which prevents additional layers. But I have a heavy hand which I struggle with to overcome. I use OMS to move the pigment into the tooth so the paper does not show through.

Saying that, the last couple of my drawings, such as the Rainbow Birds, I used no OMS or blending stick. Trying to use a light hand and add more layers, but the heavy hand still sneaks in.

Doesn't it seem like there is so much to learn with CP? However cleanup is a breeze!

[Kathysutterlin]

Nice job Kathy.

I have found that when I use a blender I end up ruining the tooth of the paper, which prevents additional layers. But I have a heavy hand which I struggle with to overcome. I use OMS to move the pigment into the tooth so the paper does not show through.

Saying that, the last couple of my drawings, such as the Rainbow Birds, I used no OMS or blending stick. Trying to use a light hand and add more layers, but the heavy hand still sneaks in.

Doesn't it seem like there is so much to learn with CP? However cleanup is a breeze!

Yes Barry,

There is much more to learn than I expected. I find that I get in a hurry and heavy handed too. Then it is really hard to get the even coverage. Yikes! I am certainly going to learn about patience with this medium. 
I totally love the easy clean up. 

I just got my log in for the Colored Pencil Club. There is a lot of information.  I'm a bit overwhelmed. I am waiting for my invitation to the Facebook group. I'm hoping they will be as welcoming and helpful as PB.

[Steve Weatherwax]

Super job, Kathy! What paper are you using? And of the mediums you've tried, do you like this the best?

[Kathysutterlin]

This is a bromeliad plant that sits on my desk at work. Overall, I am delighted with how it turned out even though I have a huge amount to learn with colored pencils and composition. I'm thrilled that I was able to figure out my colors and shadings on a drawing of my own.

I'm not overly excited about the background. It did not blend all that well with the gamsol this time. I used a paintbrush instead of a blending stump. I will keep experimenting and trying different blending techniques.

I would love any insight and suggestions.

Details

[Kathysutterlin]

  Steve.
I used Strathmore Bristol vellum for the cherries and Strathmore colored pencil paper for the bromeliad. I'm liking the colored pencils a lot but I also love pencil drawing, watercolor, and pen and ink. I guess they are all my favorites.

[MaryAnne Long]

Very pretty and colorful, Kathy.  It's a bit more "scratchy" than the other ones you have done, though.

aloha

mea

[Happychappy]

    Kathy a great job on the Bromeliad drawing which as Mea pointed out, isn't as smooth as your other drawings.  Your actual flower and leaves are smoothed nicely but I honestly feel that the paper you used (Strathmore Colored Pencil) is the problem for that is what I used for my rose drawing and I wasn't a happy chappy with the outcome which was too "scratchy" looking. I think the paper has too much tooth which I mentioned in my rose drawing post.   However, I am pleased that you tried it which is now proof that the paper may be the problem as it is too rough. Having said that, I understand that one has to have some tooth for coloured pencil because of the layers one has to apply but I just felt it was a little too much. Just my thoughts.


Patricia

[Kathysutterlin]

  Mea and Patricia.
Yes, scratchy is a good description. I was disappointed that the background turned out the way it did as I was really getting the hang of how to draw the plant. 
Using the right supplies and techniques in combination makes all the difference.  I'm not going to give up on the CP paper yet. The drawing actually looked better before I applied the Gamsol. I will try a few test drawings on it and see if it is the paper or my application that is the problem. 
I always appreciate your honest and helpful insights.

[Win]

You need to work when at work  but as everyone says practice practice practice even when at work 

Your bromeliad is well drawn and lovely Kathy,  I dont know anything about CP but I think your background strokes are maybe too long and in all different directions, whether this would make a difference in a smoother look I couldnt say, just my thought
 

[Kathysutterlin]

  Thank you, Win. I fully agree with you about the background. When it did not turn out, I just kept messing with it. All in all, I learned a lot about both what does work AND what does not.