Sunday, January 30, 2011

Looking for a Mate - Coloured Pencils on Wood

Looking For a Mate
19.5 x 29.5 cm
Coloured pencils and Pan Pastels on Wood
I'm actually between illustration jobs, but just wanted to squeeze in a quickie (I am referring to artworks by the way) just for fun. I am going to try to create one artwork on wood per week, even if they are simple ones like this. My husband was fairly unimpressed, declaring that it seemed to be missing something... to be fair I usually do add a lot more detail, but for a change I am looking at doing some Trompe L'Oeil scenes that are quite simple in composition.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Karen I love these works on wood from you, but would love to know what sort of wood you are using, and how you are sealing it ? Does CPs "stay on it", it it shiny after sealing etc....so may questions lol come on do tell ?

Unknown said...

LOL Vic, - so far I have used pine, bamboo, and the last was rubberwood, basically whatever I can get my hands on. I do seal the wood initially, then use the clear colourfix primer and the pencils go very well on this. It does need a light sand to take the extra tooth off though. Once finished I do two coats of fixative, followed by three coats of a satin varnish, but I would imagine this could be substituted for the gloss or matte varnish depending on preferences.

Gillian Mowbray said...

I love the simplicity of this - it makes for a compelling composition. Just proves how versatile CPs are!

Unknown said...

It sure does Gillian and thank you for your encouraging words :))

Unknown said...

wow, these are fantastic karen, i love the way you are using your surfaces, and i love the simplicity of the subject too!

Autumn Leaves said...

I think it is fabulous Karen. (And thanks for the little giggle too!) Is the wood of the dresser painted or is that the natural wood base you've let show through? Either way, I like this fun composition and it is so very beautifully done!

Unknown said...

Thank you Maria and Sherry for your kind words!!! Sherry that is the natural wood grain showing through, although it was a bit pale, so I warmed it up with a glaze of Burnt Sienna Shade Pan Pastel.

Unknown said...

Looks like I have gotten a little behind with the blogs.
I love the sock and when I look at it I am waiting for it to fall. The bread and mice are wonderful also the gorgeous kitten.

Brilliant work as always Karen.

Unknown said...

Oooops forgot the LOL at the quickie. hehehe.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback Dors - I really am having a blast. LOL about the quickie - my teenage boys just shook their head when they read that - I am a total embarrasment to them which makes it all the more fun :))

artbyakiko said...

Great idea to take advantage of the actual wood! The handle make it look like the wood is even painted.
I've been thinking about trying Trompe L'oeil. They are the realism at best.
By the way, I've been hearing about cyclone Yasi all day. I hope you are OK.

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Karen you are so busy!! I really like what you are doing with all the different surfaces and media! I had to look up the colorfix primer. Thanks for all the tips and wonderful work! You are an inspiration!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Akiko and Barbara for your wonderful comments. You are an inspiration too Barbara and the best part about all this internet networking is that we can learn and be inspired by each other.

Akiko, I would love to see you do some Trompe L'oeil - with your eye for detail and mastery of realism, you would do an amazing job!!!


Thankfully we do live a fair way from where Yasi hit, although we used to live there, so have friends who have been affected. The wonderful thing is that it appears, despite all the destruction, that no-one has been hurt or injured. The happy news was that a lady called Akiko gave birth to a baby in one of the evacuation centres during the cyclone and I thought of you!!! :)

Carol Andre' said...

I LOVE this piece, great subject. Tell your husband sometimes we just need to KISS to go along with a quickie!!! (Now, that should REALLY make your boys shake their heads, and maybe even shudder!!! LOL.) I think it has plenty of detail, it just looks like the "real deal"- you certainly have mastered the Trompe L'oeil

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Carol for the giggle and for your lovely feedback - where would I be without internet friends!!! :)

Debra Keirce said...

Simple is good! SO good! Another wonderful work Karen!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Deb!!! :)