Monday, June 30, 2008

IF: Feirce


I hadn't intended on posting this for IF until right as I was creating this entry, but it fits in a way. Colored pencil on copy paper.

I enjoy colored pencil, but need to work on blending. Want to get some smooth Bristol paper to see if that makes a difference. Anyone know?

16 comments:

Kathleen Rietz said...

Nice job! : )

Smooth paper is not meant for colored pencil. It will not go on as nicely, nor look as vibrant. Colored pencil is meant to be built up in layers and blended that way. But, Prismacolors also makes a blending pencil if you still wnat to blend it even more.

Tom Barrett said...

Thanks for the tips, Kate.

I have the blending pencil, but didn't like it. It doesn't seem as soft as the colors themselves. So I have been blending with the base color. I guess just practice, practice, practice! :)

Edrian said...

Great job!
I really like the expression and body language of your elephant!

Carli said...

I love it. the idea is so cute. I love the elephants expression.

sketched out said...

Hee hee, just love this poor little elephant. His face is so expressive. The little mouse is also adorable! Great idea for the theme.

Speaking of colored pencils, you know what I just love, are the Carbothello pastel pencils. http://www.dickblick.com/zz200/09a/ Not only can you blend them, (because they are pastels) but if you add water, they act as water color pencils as well. So there are many different techniques you can play with there: blending, adding water, and layering.

If you decide to give them a try, use an exacto and sandpaper pad to sharpen them, because they will just break on you in a regular pencil sharpener. Just in case you've never done that, I found this tutorial online.

http://www.petermcclory.com/sharpening-traditional-wooden-pencils-1

Alicia Padrón said...

Oh he is adorable Tom! The CP looks really good too!! :o)

I agree with kate, the blending is tricky. It is best done in layers. Try to use is very softly it is easier that way. Touch the CP on the page very lightly and go stronger when needed.

I say keep trying different papers till you find what you like. :o)

Annika said...

What a great expression, he really looks scared!

Tom Barrett said...

Thanks, everyone, for your nice comments. And thanks, Linda, for the tip on the pencil. Will have to check those out.

Cheryl said...

Great take on the theme...and ditto on the colorpencil advice already given. I even like a base color w/watercolor or marker and then blend colorpencils on top of that.

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

Thats a great expression on the elephant!

I think getting paper with some tooth/texture may help. Would love to see you do some experimentation with that!

froggie is... said...

awww!!!! he's a cute little blue pachy...love him, tom! mannnnnn! you can't FIND this kind of good pencil advice just ANYWHERE! (took some serious notes from what the girls all said!) hey, COLD PRESS arches is fun...pricey, but urk, whaddya gonna do? i like the way it builds on the sheet. you'd have a ball with that, tom! :))

Bee said...

Good choice for the theme, super elephant with a really successful pose.

Dav DiDi said...

This is funny .. hehehe

Shannon Melville said...

sweet and friendly, and nice natural style

Shannon Melville said...

thanks for your nice thoughtful comments on my blog. It is an honour to have my blog listed on your page :) Have a nice weekend and keep up the lovely drawings

Tom Barrett said...

Thanks again for all the nice comments!