I have thoroughly enjoyed this artwork from start to finish and it is one of my favourite pieces – mind you I say that about all my artwork!

Well finally I actually managed to complete an entire artwork in coloured pencil feeling totally confident on the journey. I can’t tell you how much practice this has taken and time of course.

There was actually a point when I thought I was going to throw in the towel and not make it as a coloured pencil artist. That said when I was at the lowest point thinking – I really can’t master this technique – I decided to take a break and following this I practiced some more, and some more, and some more.

Well finally, its true, after much patience and practice and dedication, I really learnt the value of persistence as I’m now at a level where yes I can do this. I cant say that I’m where I want to be right now, however I have seen the light at the end of tunnel.

I wonder what it is that makes artists so self critical?

The answer is a positive one – being self critical actually leads you to the road of improvement! I do have to chastise myself sometimes for being overly critical of myself and actually give myself a bit of a pat on the back! Mind you self praise has never been one of my strengths.

And for those of you who want the technical details, well here we go;

Process & Materials Used:

Arches hot press water colour paper

Creatix Acrylic Airbrush Paint with Sparmax Airbrush

Caran D’ache Luminance & Faber Castell coloured pencils with final highlights in Derwent Chinese White

Brush & Pencil touch up texture (this stuff is seriously amazing for adding bold white highlights – if you haven’t tried it – it is well worth it)

Windsor & Newton masking fluid

Pan Pastels (these also albeit very expensive are worth the investment as in my opinion it enables you to lay in the background so much quicker – which if you have ever used coloured pencils – you will totally appreciate how long this process normally takes).

Well just below I have added one of my acrylic painting in the same series just to show how coloured pencils can be just as lovely as an acrylic painting. Well thank you for taking the time to read this and see you on the next blog 🙂

Method:

I was actually brave enough to draw out the subject (Tardis) then cover with masking fluid then spray the whole of the paper with creatix airbrushed layer. This formed the basis of the background for the coloured pencils and pan pastel to sit on layer by layer.

I wasn’t sure if the masking fluid was going to work but hey presto – woo hoo yes it did. I did ensure all of the products I used were acid free and lightfast.