Sunday 5 February 2012

When the heart rules the mind

It's been a busy week at work again so I've had very little time to settle down, chill, and to get any art done. All that left brain exercise was starting to take me off course a little ... so I decided that I needed to give the right brain some 'me-time' !

I did finally get to sit down in the studio this morning (Sunday). I took out my (A4 Kraft sketchbook), a small set of Caran d'Ache Pablo coloured pencils (gorgeous if you haven't tried them yet), and tested out my new portable sketching easel. I poured a litttle Zest-It into a tin and dipped the pencil points in there to help to loosen the pigment and draw out richer colour from the oil-based dry pencils.

I really enjoyed doing this little imagination sketch and may try this method again en plein air with a real landscape or townscape ... that is when it warms up a bit! Lots of snow here in the East this morning! I really do love the stuff (and so does Louie) but it is flipping cold here ..... Good for the rosy cheeks, but not for the dry hands .... Ouch!

Happy painting and drawing to you all !

'Seasons must change', coloured pencil, 16x18cm/6.5x7in

17 comments:

  1. Dear Michael, as you say you like comments, I decided to be a little nosy and comment on the paper you are using. Please, buy a better paper! If you have already discoverd how wonderful Pablo pencils are, you must try them on a good quality paper 100% cotton, acid free, with some texture ( or not) as those I use for watercolour ( Arches, Fabriano Uno, Saunders Watterford). I know they are not for drawing and there must be good papers for drawing,only I dont know because I buy for watercolour and use for drawing. Once you try a real good paper you will see the difference. Dont waste Pablo pencils on kraft paper, it's a pity!

    Your drawing is lovely, the composition is very interesting and I like so much the colors you chose! Wish you a happy week, light work for your left brain

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  2. Thank you for your commems, Anamaria. As a water colourist I do use mainly 100% cotton papers but this was just a CP sketch to help me to relax back into my art! :)

    The Seawhite Kraft paper is quite thick, almost like card, not like normal thin cheap Kraft paper at all. It will take the punishment of dry pencils and will also take both wet and dry media ( I have used it for gouache and oils) and it has a nice mid tone and good texture for most media too :)

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  3. Nice colors in your landscape. Leave time for you, it is important for personal balance, even if it's a quater of an hour by day.
    Happy paintings to you too ;)

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  4. Glad you found some art time, Michael! Lovely landscape and delicious colours!

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  5. Lovely drawing...wish I had imagination! I have to agree with Anamaria though. I think it would have been even lovlier with a better choice of paper.

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  6. Good Morning Michael.
    Lovely to see you back. I like this one, especially coming from your memory. That is something that I have a problem with. The subject for me has got to be infront of me. Well done Michael and keep going with your paintings. All the best.
    Vic.

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  7. Stay warm Mike.
    I agree with Anamaria even for a fun piece use good paper. You will happier with the results, even better than you eel now with this nice piece.

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  8. Beautiful landscape with lovely colors. I would suggest to remake it in a watercolor version, I'm quite sure you will do a masterpiece! Ciao!

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  9. A beautiful landscape....made up just like that ? ! That is great skill. And I agree with everybody, the colors are lovely!

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  10. Michael, I didn't know about oil pencils. I must try them. Can you erase--or wipe out with the solvent?
    Good paper of course, but there are times when one reaches for whatever is most handy(the back of a Suduko puzzel printed on copier paper comes to mind). I have a charcoal done on newsprint (OMG) fifty five years ago; it's doing fine matted and framed and underglass hanging in the guest room.

    This imaginary landscape is terrific. Colors are good, composition excellent. A place you've seen and held in memory I suspect.

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  11. Looking gooooood.... I enjoy using the kraft paper books too, I like the colour that gives a nice warmth to the drawing and the slight tooth. I've been preparing watercolour paper with a buff wash ready to do some drawing on as an experiment.
    I hope you get more time soon to fit some painting in. It's so hard to do when you have a full time job.

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  12. Well I LOVE this! It is a beautiful, calming, tranquil scene, oozing with mood. I love the colours, the composition - and yet it is just a sketch? Fabulous!!

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  13. Hello Michael, just wanted to say I do like this.. I haven't been around much but will catch up.. Not going to comment on paper and such, but your work deserves the best..
    BJ

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  14. A nice little sketch Michael and I'm impressed that you were able to do this from your imagination. Love the fact that you've explained the process too. :)

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  15. Good morning Michael, oh yes this is lovely. Coloured pencil is so difficult to work with and you did an outstanding job.

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  16. This is so beautiful! I loved the atmosphere in it. Really, really nice.

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  17. Thank you so much everyone - so many lovely encouraging comments :) I wish I had the time to reply personally to each and everyone of you!

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No silly verification words here - all comments are appreciated! Thank you :)