More Graphite with a hint of colour - Peeping Tom

Peeping Tom

12.5 x 14.5 cm

Graphite and coloured pencils on drafting film

This is the third in the series of graphite pencil portraits with a hint of colour. The reference photo for this lovely little fellow was kindly provided by Juno from Artist Friends Network.

I approached North Light Books to see if they might be interested in a book on producing photorealistic work on drafting film. They were very interested in looking at a book proposal, but only on traditional supports, rather than the drafting film. I feel there is an abundance of books out there about achieving photorealism on paper and more traditional supports, and will persevere with the idea of a book on drafting film, mainly because there is so little information out there about it. From the publisher's point of view, I guess it is best to stick with safe ground. From an artist's point of view, I feel we are always hungry for that elusive medium or support that will help us achieve what we would like to achieve in our minds eye, and it is always so exciting to try new mediums and techniques.

Graphite Portraits - latest artwork 'Bright Eyes'

Bright Eyes

10x14cm

Graphite, black pencil and sgraffito on drafting film

I have always preferred working with colour, but lately have been dabbling with graphite pencil, and think I could become addicted. Whilst I adore colour, it is such an interesting exercise to focus only on shade, light, tone and texture. This latest work is of my neice Katie, and I will now be offering Commissioned Graphite portraits on Ebay and Etsy and from my website. My next project is to combine a bit of graphite with colour for some variation. Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!!!!

Mini Portrait - Reece in Acrylics

Reece

8cm x 11cm

Acrylics on RTX300 Rtistx Panel

Recently my nephew, Reece, expressed disappointment that there wasn't a portrait of him on my website, so with his birthday looming soon, I thought it was a good time to remedy the situation. Still experimenting with acrylics, I dug out some Rtistx Panels that I bought a year ago to do watercolours on. For anyone who hasn't come across these panels before, they are an absolute delight to work with. They come in four different surfaces, and the ones that I purchased were the RTX300 which are suitable for Oils, Acrylics, Pen & Ink and pencils. They are sturdy 3mm boards with the finest tooth surface, and I have to say I am a bit happier with the end results of the acrylics on this board over the colourfix paper. For more information on Rtistx visit http://www.rtistx.com/.

Self Portrait

Self Portrait 10 x 15cm

One of my goals for this year was to do a self portrait, and so I took this opportunity, whilst having a bit of a break from doing art to sell. I must admit it is a little bit confronting as you map each line and contour that has slowly etched itself onto your face. I am long past that age where you stand in front of a mirror for hours, and our loved ones are probably much more familiar with our faces than we are ourselves. I still feel twenty, but doing a self portrait reassures me that I'm definitely not twenty - however, I wouldn't swap those hard earned lines for a smooth face now - they are a part of me and represent a wonderful life for which I'm very grateful!!!!

ACEO Commissioned Pencil Portraits

I have decided to launch a new listing on ebay, etsy and artfire for ACEO sized commissioned people portraits, but it has been quite a while now since I have done any, so needed an updated image to use with my listings. This is our oldest son's girlfriend, Laura, who made the perfect model. She is a beautiful girl and we love her to bits. This ACEO is not for sale.

Finished Innocence

Here is the finished piece of little Miriam - what an angelic face she has! This original ACEO is available for sale in my ebay store and will be available for sale as Ceramic Tile Art, Framed Tile Art and Keepsake box just in time for Mother's Day.

WIP Innocence - stage 2

Working on this little one brings back all the wonderful memories of when our own boys, three of whom are now well into their teens, were tiny like this and almost (I do say almost!!!) makes me clucky again. They are so perfect at this age, especially when asleep, but they are a lot of work too.

WIP - Innocence

There is something so appealing about the innocence and beauty of a little baby sleeping, and so this week I felt the urge to try and capture that with the coloured pencils on drafting film. I have to say it is much easier to capture fur with this medium, than the smoothness of skin. Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter break - mine was fabulous with some quality time spent with family, but the art got a bit neglected, (which sometimes makes way for new inspirations) so it is now back to the drawing board!