Summer Lilly in Color - Update

Here she is, all finished. We gave the original to my Mother-in-Law for Christmas this year. After Christmas I took her in to get it matted and framed. I love how it turned out. It is always fun to see your art all dressed up and ready to display. I don't think I will ever get over the giddy feeling that comes with seeing a piece completely finished (frame and all) for the first time.

The mat is actually a Mauve Taupe, similar to this primrose, but the lighting in this picture makes it look brown.

Do you know who invented the color mauve?

Summer Lilly in Color

I decided to try this study again, in color this time. I haven't worked with colored pencil much in the last ten years which has made this adventure even more challenging. I am finding I have to give myself more time to adjust to the medium. Especially since I am used to being able to manipulate color simply by mixing in a little blue or yellow and working them together on my pallet. It's a whole new game when your colors are limited to what's in your hand and how well you can blend them on the page. As you can tell I have quite a bit left on her hair and then I'll move onto her shirt. I am still trying to decide what to do with the background. Should I leave it white or attempt to bring in some depth? Do I stay true to the photograph or do I invoke my artistic freedom? Sometimes there are just too many choices.


Medium: Colored Pencil on Watercolor Paper

Golden Glory

If you follow my blog regularly you might recognize this lady, you've seen her before here, here, and here. The inspiration behind this sketch is the idea that a woman's long hair is her glory. I am thinking this sketch will be a muse for a few paintings in the near future.


Medium: Charcoal and Colored Pencil on Rough Paper with Digital Finishing