Week 11: Green

5 images
A few styles this week!

I did a chalk and charcoal still life on pink sugar papr this week. I had an idea that I would have another go at home, but so far haven't found the time and energy together. I used pixlr editorto change the background instead :)

My son, drawn from a photo using inktense pencils and water wash. I have added the 'before' version so you can see the incredible changes that the water makes to these pencils.

Any fans of Blackadder out there? I really wanted to do this subject but wasn't sure how I would do it until I was reminded of this style by a somewhat cheeky request from a woman I haven't had any contact with for about 6 years.
Fine liners and digitally added block colour using pixlr editor.

Week 10: Night

3 images 

I had lots of ideas this week - sadly not enough time and energy to do all of them. Here are the three I completed.

This me and Nick in the summer on the beach in Exmouth.
My daughter took the photo and is keen to take most of the credit for this - my interpretation is low down in terms of artistic merit!
Black card and antique white inktense pencil.

Corfe Castle. The actual photo was taken just before sunset,
although it was getting dark, it wasn't THIS dark.
I did improve this after I saw the scan, but then I wrecked it by trying to blend it.
Happy I saved this version.
Black card and blending pencils from a high street store (WHSmith).

Sitting around the fire pit with friends on a summer evening but wrapped in blankets and wearing as many clothes as we can find!
From a photo
Fine liners and cartridge paper

Week 9: Texture

2 images

I was a bit stumped and also very busy this week, so here are my two humble offerings.
Both with colour pencils, in the second one, the pencils were blended with baby oil on cotton buds.

Inspired by The Little Book of Hugs - Kathleen Keating

Random textures around where I was sitting.

Week 8: Coffee

1 image 

I had every intention of using coffee as paint. The effects are often stunning, however I remembered that I really hate the smell!
Here is my first contribution: 
Coffee sacks. Inktense pencils.
A bit clumsy still, but I am happier with this than my other 'pencil paintings'.

Week 7 Farm

8 images

I have tons of photos of farms taken on holidays to Wales and the West Country, and also from photography outings. My favourite location for lavender and sunflowers is Hitchin Lavender Farm.

Here are this week's offerings:

These sheep were on a farm in Dorset next to our campsite. A friend's son found that when he clapped they came to him. There was a whole field of ewes and one busy ram.
I intended to make a very simple line drawing but my fineliners came out, first for the grass, then the trees. Once up loaded I couldn't resist adding some bucket-fill using Pixlr editor.

This is a farm in Llaneglwys, in the Brecon Beacons near the bunkhouse, owned by my children's secondary school which we have stayed in regularly.
I wanted to use my new blendable pencils but found in my first attempt I was over working it and it just looked boring. This version was done in about five miutes and, to me, feels fresher and has more life.

And finally, we have Hitchin Lavender Farm. Maybe next time I will attempt the sunflower field as well.
Again, the quick sketch and wash found more favour with me than the one which I worked harder on and thought about more carefully. Below is the first attempt, before and after I added water to the inktense pencils.

Week 6 Magic

2 images

I really thought I was going to do Puff the Magic dragon, but it didn't get as far as paper!

Still trying out different types of subjects and techniques, I used blendable colour pencils and drew these two girls playing.
To blend the pencils, I had been told to use cotton buds and baby oil. When the moment came I couldn't find either (despite a shopping trip) so I used some torn up coffee filters wrapped around a cocktail stick and body shop's cocoa butter beautifying oil.
It worked OK and smells delicious!
More work needed on my faces especially, the figures are too stilted - we will get there with practice!

My second attempt is a more familiar technique, although I am a bit rusty.

A quick 3B pencil sketch.

Week 5 Kitchen*

2 images

I struggled to find inspiration this week, so I started with a play one words: a kitsch hen.
Having found my way in, I drew her in her kitchen and she became the Little Red Hen.
Inktense pencils.

For my second drawing I was going to use watercolour or blended pencils and seem to have reverted to my fine liner.
I thought so hard about where I would find my inspiration and was certain I would use either the Queen of Hearts baking tarts or three blind mice, when all of a sudden I found myself choosing to do Monica's kitchen from 'Friends'.

*I am so pleased to add this update :

My Monica's kitchen was featured in the blog!

Kitchen picks #illo52weeks blog