Hellebore Oils	Giomar’s Orchid Colored Pencils
2 to 3 days	Class 102, Tuesday 8 am to 12 pm This is the picture of one of the classes I am teaching at the Artist Expo convention this year. I am very pleased with the frame selected. Information on the frame will be available to participants. Join me! Artist Expo TRY PASTELBORD WITH ME! read bellow

Colored pencils tips and techniques

I can not emphasize enough the importance of selecting the right type of surface for your piece. In a previous blog I mentioned several of the surfaces I like to use, Pastelbord being my favorite. In the next posts I will talk about mediums and varnishes because that would be an important factor in determining which surface to use.

Which medium do I use with colored pencils?

I sometimes use Gamblin Gamsol which is a very safe solvent with absolutely no odor. I am very allergic to mediums and solvents and this one is really odor free and does not give me any allergies. Like any medium you have to take precautions when using it. Always use a tiny amount and wash your hands between each use. Ensure that you keep the lid closed during the painting session.

Why do I use this medium?

I like working with surfaces that have “tooth” or texture because I apply many layers of pencil. These layers of pencil will be contained between the grains of tooth texture and will not rub off the surface. Burnishing the piece will give it beautiful richness.

Burnishing means to blend and fill in the tooth of the surface.

There are several ways to burnish a piece:

1. Using heavy pressure with the pencil to blend the pigment and flatten and fill the tooth of the surface. This produces a slick and shinny surface but will not allow adding anymore layers.

2. Using a colorless blender will have the same effect as using pressure with pencils. It will bring the wax of the pencils to the top of your surface and will not allow applying anymore layers.

3. Applying Gamsol will work as a burnisher by blending your piece and filling in the tooth but you will be able to continue adding layers of pencil.

Why using Pastelbord?

Pastelbord is a hard surface that will allow you to use solvents. It also can be burnished with pencils without running into the trouble of making a whole on your paper. It also permits you to varnish your piece. Varnishing techniques will be on our next blog.

One final thought; your piece will have more value if it is not framed under glass. If the piece is varnished there is no need to frame it under glass.

Do you want to try Gamsol?

Join me  at the Artist Expo 2012 class #202  – Multimedia Apple, Wednesday 8am to 12 pm. Beginners are welcome!

What is painting?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the verb “to paint” as to apply color, pigment or paint. There are several mediums used for painting, watercolors, acrylics, oils or colored pencils. They all contain pigment and the difference between them is the medium used to bind the pigment. For example, Prismacolor Colored Pencils are made with a wax binder, the binder of oil paints is linseed oil or another drying oil, watercolors have a water soluble base gum binder, and acrylics have a water based acrylic binder.
I believe it is correct to say that we are painting with colored pencils.

Colored Pencils Tip and Techniques # 3

When painting with colored pencils you have to treat them like oil paints and imagine that your painting is wet. Any color you apply on top of another will be mixed with the color underneath. It will help studying the color wheel and the properties of color when painting your own designs. With colored pencils you are applying transparent layers of color. The more layers and values you apply the more depth your painting will have. Also, applying many layers fills more your paper and blends previous layers of color hence softening the appearance. Remember to keep your pencils sharpened.

Artist Expo Convention

Registration opens Sunday, March 4. Register Here

Both are in Colored Pencils

Beginners are welcomed!

SDP 2012 Conference

There are 6 open spaces in the Jade Teapot colored pencils class and several in the Azure Eggs oils class. Register Here

PATTERN PACKETS

We now have over 100 designs and due to space limitations we are sorry to inform that printed pattern packets will be discontinued when the supply at hand is sold. If you are interested in a specific pattern take this opportunity to get it now before they are gone. All colored pencils’ pattern packets will be sold without the pencils. If your order can fit in a flat rate envelope or box, email me and I can send you an invoice with revised shipping.

SEMINARS

All designs, except for the ones taught at conventions that specific year, will still be available for seminars. We have opened some seminar slots in 2014, since 2012 and 2013 are now full. Visit our website for the complete schedule and / or email us for more information.

WOOD PIECES

We have discontinued all wood pieces. Some are left in limited supply. We will have for sale some remaining surfaces in the studio at discounted prices.

ARTIST EXPO

Classes # 101 Giomar’s Orchid in colored pencils / Tues 8 am to 12 pm  This class is for beginners.

Class # 202 Multimedia Apple in colored pencils / Wed 8 am to 12 pm   The background and the highlight were painted with acrylics, but everything else was painted in colored pencils. The main purpose of the class is to teach you how to use mineral spirits with colored pencils. The class is listed as advanced level as it is a four hour long class, and will be taught at a fast pace with no teacher’s help. Beginner students are welcomed.

Online registration starts March 4, 2012. Class directory is available now online.

Colored Pencils Tip and Techniques #2

On the previous blog we mentioned that there was a technique to remove excess wax buildups. This technique only works on some types of paper. It involves using a scrubber brush. Please be advised that it should not be used on Colourfix or Pastelbord as these two surfaces scratch easily. This is not a technique that I personally use as I prefer to be gentle with my surface and use sharpened pencils. But, for any student that is having trouble with wax buildups this is a very convenient technique. You will gently scrub the area with the brush and it will help with the blending and remove some of the wax buildup.

Heart of Ohio Tole Convention, Columbus, Ohio 

Class 664 (B)  Friday August 17, 2012

1 to 5 pm

This is a piece in progress painted over a small cabinet for pencils available from Ann Kingslan and Mary Gibilisco.  Order Here.

It will be taught at Heart of Ohio Tole Convention in Columbus, Ohio this year. The class at Hoot will include the full size pattern will all three finches. However ,due to time constraints, only the bird on the right will be demonstrated. All three finches are painted the same way and the one on the left side is in The Decorative Painter of Summer 2008. I hope you can join me for the class at HOOT!

Pencil Tip and Technique #1

In the previous posts we talk about selection of pencils and surface. I explained to you that I like using paper with texture because it will hold more layers of pencil. Now, the following blogs will be addressed toward tips and techniques.

The first tip I need to emphasize is the point of your pencil. Because the paper has texture you need a very sharp point to go inside those crevices. Having a dull point will only put pressure on the surface and bring the wax to the surface. If you have a lot of wax buildup it will be difficult to add more pencil. There is a technique to remove that excess wax buildup but I will leave that for my next post.

OILS

 Society of Decorative Painters Conference in Wichita, KS
Azure Eggs – Brief Description
Class 0160
Wednesday 1 to 5 pm

This is a beginner class designed for the first time painter or for those students that would like to give oils a try. We will teach you how to load and hold your brush properly, what is the right amount of paint in your brush, how to give form to an object, establishing a light source, blending techniques, tips on saving your paints, and finishing your piece. You will also learn how to easily paint tree branches and twigs.

Give oils a try, join me!

Registration is now open for both of these classes:

He is painted on the top of a sewing box. In the inside panel of the box, I painted the Azure Eggs,

Jade Teapot   SDP 2012 class #0115, Tuesday 1 to 10 pm. This piece is painted on my favorite surface for pencils. Do you want to try pencils, or have you tried pencils and want to learn new tricks and techniques? This class is a good opportunity to try a new surface and expand you knowledge on the subject. Join me!

Colored Pencils

This blog is a summary of the pencils I use  and my point of view on this matter. Keep in mind that it does not include all the pencils available in the market.

Types of Pencils

There are three types of pencils:

1. Oil based

2. Wax based

3. Water soluble

Pencils that I like to use

A. Sanford Prismacolor

1. Prismacolor Premier (150 colors)- are soft core, wax based pencils. This is the most popular type of pencil because of its wide range of colors and the availability in the market. Most of my pattern packets are done with Prismacolor because I have the student in mind.

2. Prismacolor Verithin (36 colors) – are hard, thin core, wax based. These pencils are excellent for intricate details, making cleaner borders, and lettering.

3. Prismacolor Art Styx (48 colors) – are the same as the Premier but without the wood casing. They are good to cover large areas.

B. Derwent Cumberland

1. Inktense Pencils (72 colors) – water soluble, bright intense colors. Behave like ink. Very hard to erase and might stain paper permanently.

2. Inktense Blocks (72 colors) – the same as the pencils but woodless.

3. Derwent Metallic (12 colors) – These are water soluble but I like to use them dry.

4. Aquatone (24 colors) – These are water soluble pencils that are woodless and are excellent for certain techniques where you scrape the pencil.

5. Graphitint (24 colors) – These are water soluble graphite pencils with a hint of color that do not fade. The color becomes more vibrant when you add water. They are good for drawing.

6. Coloursoft (72 colors) – These are soft core, wax based pencils.

7. Signature Watercolour (40 colors) – water soluble, lightfast pencils

8. Studio (72 colors) – hard core, wax based. These are the same colors as the Artists but slimmer and harder cores. Good for details.

9. Artists (120 colors) – medium- hard core, wax based

10. Sketching (24 tones)- soft, water soluble, good for sketching and drawing

11. Watercolour (72 colors) – water soluble

C. Faber Castell

1. Polychromos (120 colors) – oil based soft core. These are the pencils I like to use for my portraits.

D. Caran d’Ache

1. Pablo (120 colors) – soft core, oil based

2. Luminance (76 colors)-I consider these the Rolls-Royce of pencils. They are soft core, wax based with excellent lightfastness but very pricey.

E. Lyra Rembrandt

1. Polycolor (72 colors) – soft core, oil based

What is lightfastness?

The lightfastness or permanence of a pigment is its resistance to change on exposure to light. The resistance to light will determine the years of life of your work.

Which pencils to buy?

The pencils you will buy will depend on the following factors:

1. How much you want to spend on pencils?

2. Are you doing this as a hobby or as a profession?

3. Are you designing for teaching?

4. Do you want to sell your art?

5. Do you want a watercolor effect?

6. Is this for a portrait?

All pencils can be intermixed and in an ideal world it will be great to get different colors from each brand and expand your palette. On most brands the color matches on their different sets. Except for Derwent where only the Studio and Artists matches the colors.

If you are doing this as a profession, you want to get the pencils with the most lightfastness. You will also want to have a good range of colors from different manufacturers. Pencils that have more lightfastness are more expensive. The same applies for having a good range of colors.

If you are designing to teach, you have to consider that the most popular brand for students is Prismacolor as it is available every where, have the biggest range of color and is not as costly as others.

The type of pencil you use will also depend on the technique  you are using or the effect you want to create. With water soluble pencils you can use many exciting techniques and they can be intermixed with dry pencils. But, if I am painting a portrait I want to use the Polychromos oil based pencils.

Finally, we are individuals with different tastes and what you like might be different compared to what another person likes. Try different brands. They have small sets. See what feels better for you.

Don’t forget to sign up for one of my classes!

I want to wish you all a joyous season with your friends and family.

Once a colored pencils artist said to me that “Good paper was more important than good pencils.” I agree with her and this is why I believe it is ultra important to start talking about the paper or surface you will use.

The paper or surface you will use will depend on several factors.

1. The type of pencils you are using, dry, water soluble, oils or wax based. (My next post will talk about pencils.)
2. How heavy handed you are.
3. The type of framing that you will use (with or without glass)
4. What type of finish you will use (fixatif, varnish, etc)
5. If you will use any mediums such as Gamsol (mineral spirits)
6. How many layers of pencils you like to apply.

These are the list of surfaces I like to use:

1. Fisher 400 Paper
2. Janelle’ Hand Dyed and Collage Paper
3. Art Spectrum Colourfix
4. Ampersand Pastelbord
5. Bamboo Paper

Some other papers used by other artists are:

1. Bristol Strathmore
2. Stonehenge
3. Museum Board
4. U-Art
5. Mi-Teintes

My preference in surface is due to the fact that I like applying many layers of values. I find that surfaces with more texture will hold more layers of pencils. Your technique and the sharpness of the point are also important factors. (These will be discussed at a later blog post.)

Let’s talk about the surfaces I use:

1. Fisher 400 Paper-

This is the paper I use for my portraits. It is only available in England. I use oil based pencils with this paper and it cannot be varnished or sprayed.

It is expensive. But, it is what works with the portrait technique I use.

buy here

2. Janelle Hand Dyed and Collage Paper -

It comes in different colors and since it has texture it holds many layers of pencil.  I like this paper because it is strong and can be glued to wood surfaces, varnished, you can use a heavier hand, and can be cut with a deckled edge ruler.  I do not recommend it for projects that will use the mineral spirits.

You can buy it at JanelleJohnson.com.

3. Art Spectrum Colourfix –

The natural toothy surface is ideal for pastels, pencil, or charcoal, as it will hold multiple overlays of color without the need to fix between layers. It comes in 20 different colors. It scratches easily and you have to be careful how you cut it as it will break. I recommend that you cut it with scissors and not an exacto knife. I like to glue it to wood surfaces and it can be varnished. It is an inexpensive paper. I do not recommend using it for projects that will use the mineral spirits. It is available at most art supplies stores.

4. Ampersand Pastelbord -

This is my favorite surface because it holds many layers,  it already comes on a hard surface, it can be varnished, framed without glass and you can use mineral spirits or acrylics. The drawbacks are that it only comes in 4 colors and it also scratches easily. Choosing your color is very important as the grain will show in your finished piece. The color you choose will depend if you have a warm or cool tone, and if it is high or low key. If you have very dark areas in your composition, it will be better to use Grey or Green.  You can buy it at any art supplies store and it is not too expensive. Sign up for my colored pencils class at the SDP 2012 conference if you would like to try this surface.

 5. Legion Bamboo Paper –

This is the paper I like using with the water soluble pencils.

 It is a mixed media paper,  strong, and  eco-friendly paper made from 90% bamboo and 10% cotton.

Available at Dick Blick.

Papers used by other artists:

The Bristol, Stonehenge and Museum Board are very nice papers but they are very smooth and will not hold many layers of pencil. You need to have a very soft touch with these papers.

Mi-Teintes comes in many colors and it is a very inexpensive paper but stains easily and I have noticed it is not for beginners. It does not hold many layers.

U-Art is a good  alternative for Colourfix but it only comes in one color.

I hope this was an informative post. Next time we will talk about Pencils.

Please tell your friends about my Blog.

Upcoming Classes and Seminars

April 14-15, 2012 - Connecticut Society of Decorative Painters – East Lyme, CT

May 15-16, 2012    Society of Decorative Painters’ Annual Conference

Registration starts January 4, 2012

June 9- 10, 2012 - Magnolia Chapter – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

For a complete listing of seminars go to my website. Seminar space available in 2014. 2012 and 2013 are now full.

Vote here

My next blog post will be all about PAPER used with colored pencils.