Quiet ShadowsNeocolor II and colored pencil on pastel board
8 x 10 inches
copyright 2008 by Ann Thompson Nemcosky
This has been on my drawing board for a long time. I finally had the chance to work on it this weekend and I believe I have it complete. Although I do reserve the right to tweak it just a little as I live with it for a while.
I recently got myself a set of 24 Derwent Coloursoft colored pencils mostly to see what all the fuss was about. I was curious about Derwent's new line of Coloursoft pencils ever since seeing the gorgeous pieces Nichole Caulfield produces with them on pastel board. And the fact that they tend to have higher lightfast ratings than some other brands is also something to consider. I tried them out on this piece with mixed results. I began this drawing my usual way with Neocolor II crayons as an underpainting, washed with water. When applying the Coloursoft pencils over top I was at first pleased with the way they laid down on the pastel board. But after a while I began to feel I was fighting with these pencils. I also used a few Prismacolor colored pencils and could tell the difference in their application. The Prismacolors feel a bit waxier and the areas washed with Neocolors seem to accept them better. Probably because Neocolors are very waxy as well. The Coloursoft are more powdery when applied to the textured pastel board and when I tried my technique of blending with a brush I found I was brushing a lot of the pigment away. So back and forth I went. However, I am still intrigued with using my Coloursoft pencils and will likely try them again. Now I just wish I had ordered a larger set!
14 comments:
Ann, your work is stunning! And you have inspired me to continue to grow as an artist. Thanks for giving me lofty goals to aspire to!
Mark
Great, Ann. the reflections are excellent. I'm a big Nicole fan too.
So fluid and dream-like. I may have to give those Derwent pencils a try as well...We'll see..;)
very nice piece :D
I also found that after a few layers with the Coloursofts over Neocolours that I was fighting trying to add any more colour. I just made sure that I had most of the colour laid down with the Neocolours so that I only had to use 2 or 3 layers of the Coloursofts to get a more detailed look.
I love the Coloursofts, I'm trying to use up all my Prismas and switch completely to using the Derwents. Sick of the Prismas always breaking. If you can get Coloursofts in open stock, I would do that instead of getting a set, some of the colours don't have the best lightfast rating, but its only a few. I really do wish though that they would make a few more green shades.
Oohhh, gorgeous! I love the reflections created in the water :D Lovely indeed ^_^
Thanks everybody! I'm glad you all stopped by I appreciate everyone's feed back :)
Jennifer - I am so glad you mentioned your experience with Coloursofts. That is really very helpful to me! When I do the underpainting with neocolors I use fairly flat areas of color, sometimes a complement of the color that is going on top, in order to liven up the color of the final piece. It's a carry-over from the way I used to paint. So you can see why I had issues. None of our local art suppliers carry Coloursofts so for any purchase of them I have to order, which is a drag :( But I am too so tired of breaking Prismas. And then there's the whole lightfast thing. Oh well, I will keep experimenting with Coloursofts as they do have qualities I like. Thanks again!
This is just beautiful, Ann...such limpid water!
Wow this is a fantastic painting! It looks like a photograph!
This is just lovely Ann! I love it! :)
Oh, Ann, this is exquisite!
Thank you Kate, Pamyla, Kasie and Lynn!
took a look around your blog, nice delicate work. Thanks for the visit and comment on mine. I have been busy doing artwork but have not taken the time to post! You have captured the water, beautiful!
Gorgeous reflections, Ann ... their shapes are so whimsical, I could get lost in the patterns. Lovely piece!
just love this piece! it looks to peaceful and still full of life and movement. great job!
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