Raylea in pink, colored pencil

Rebecca Willoughby · 06-23-2002, 01:38 AM

Under the advice of the wonderful Chris Saper, I am posting this prisma pencil painting of my daughter for critique. It is 16 x 20 and is done entirely in prisma pencils on Stonehenge paper. I painted it for her room and she picked the animals. I know that the animals are not lit correctly. I'm working on that. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Rebecca Willoughby

Rebecca Willoughby · 06-23-2002, 01:59 AM

Here is a closeup of the face. It is not as grainy as it appears in the post. I will have to ask Ann Kullberg how to keep that from happening, since she is literally the colored pencil portrait queen!

Thanks,
Rebecca

Tom Martinez · 06-23-2002, 08:58 AM

The objects appear to be pasted onto the background. I believe that this is because of your outline edges. Notice how the grass in the foreground appears to belong there and the foliage in the background also appears to be in the background. This is because the edges have been softened on those objects that are further away from visual plane. Those objects that are near are sharper than those away. Some edges are sharp, some soft and some will disappear and blend into the surrounding area. Nice work... you certainly can control that media. Good luck with the finished product. I'm sure that your daughter will be pleased.

Lon Haverly · 06-23-2002, 08:21 PM

Just a couple of comments. The eyes are a little out of line with the eye axis. The jaw line seems a little wide on the viewers right. And the nose/mouth seems a bit long. I can more easily show you on Corel, if you don't mind.

Rebecca Willoughby · 06-25-2002, 12:47 PM

Thanks Tom and Lon for the critiques! I can't wait to get back into it. But I have a couple of commissions to complete first. I love this media!
It layers really well and it is a great excercise in drawing skills! Everyone should try it!

Thanks Again,
Rebecca

Gene Snyder · 06-25-2002, 03:21 PM

Hi Rebecca,

If you go with the modifications suggested, I'd be interested to know how you do it. I've used colored pencils for a long time (although not as much as I used to) and I find that it is a very touchy media where I have to do a lot of planning and layout in order for it to turn out successfully. Once an area is "worked up" to a certain degree, it is very difficult for me to change it. I can't cover or wipe out.

Also interested if you know of any ways to cut down on the waxy sheen from built up wax in the tooth of the paper. (Can't remember where, but I read somewhere this is called bloom).

If you haven't already done so, try colored the pencils on colored paper. It has a great effect and supplies an overall tone to unify the work.

Good luck! Great portrait!

Lon Haverly · 06-25-2002, 08:08 PM

I do not necessarily suggest changing it. I agree that pencil is hard to correct.

Rebecca Willoughby · 06-25-2002, 10:55 PM

The technique I use involves multiple layering. It is not that hard to lift if you don't do it over and over again. A kneaded eraser or some "sticky stuff" works pretty good. If you need to go even further a baby wipe can pick up some color as well. Again it only works if you don't do it over and over again.

Wax bloom is easily prevented by using fixative. The same stuff you use for pastels. It doesn't happen with light layers. It only happens when the surface is really worked hard.

I have completed several portraits and other works on toned paper. It is really great. I would direct you to my website, but the webmaster says it is still about two weeks from being up and running! I will post my current piece here in the next couple of days. It is a mixed media piece that has colored pencil and guache.

Thanks,
Rebecca