COOKIES
This site uses cookies to allow web functions only and does not use personal data or tracking.
Adara
“Adara” – Female european kestrel 9 x 12
I decided to revisit the toned paper to see how I feel about it – I had forgotten how challenging it was! Thankfully Strathmore has now produced a better version of this paper which I will be trying out in future.
Murphy
The lovely Murphy is now complete!
A new challenge for me – a strange but very enjoyable surface called drafting film, used by architects and planners but increasing in popularity among coloured pencil artists.
12 x 16
Buzzard
Juvenile common buzzard. I used the lightfast paper again to see how it handles feather texture, and I found it a little tough going in comparison to doing fur. More experiments needed I think.
12×16
Chester
Very happy with how this has turned out – first time using the new Derwent Lightfast paper and oh my, this paper is like nothing else I’ve ever tried! I think it has been made by magical wizards!
This gorgeous chap is called Chester and was a Birthday gift.
Lola
Yes, I still do puppers now and again amongst all the bird madness! I decided to try the Fabriano for the first time as it is a very popular choice among coloured pencil artists. It has an almost canvas-like feel, and I wasn’t sure if I preferred having more grain – some experiments are needed I think, but overall I was happy with how this one turned out.
FFC – Calendar Project
I’ve been a bit quiet on here due to working on a BIG project that I can now share – I have been creating illustrations for the first-ever Female Falconers Club Calendar.
To celebrate and support women in falconry, these illustrations are of club members and their birds of prey.
The calendar is a complimentary gift for members.
Kestrel
A lovely male kestrel.
Since having a bit more time during lockdown I’ve been researching and looking into yet more techniques for pencils, which I am now putting into practice with this new piece, and I am rather happy with how things are going. No matter how long or how many drawings you do, there’s always new things to learn – it’s never boring!
Falconers Wedding
Wedding invites I was asked to create for a falconer friend. Several sketches and ideas were suggested before finally arriving at a lovely image of a pair of peregrines ‘kissing’ (in reality feeding each other).
The cards were then held together using a leather falconry jess and eyelet (for the non-falconer – these are used on a hawk’s legs), completing the theme as many of their invited friends were also falconers.
The invitations were sent out but sadly due to Covid the wedding has now been postponed, which is a shame as these cards have been one of my favourite designs I have done. A new date card will be issued in due course and I wish the couple well for the future.
Colour Swatch
Something I’ve wanted to do for a while but not had the time is a colour swatch of my pencils. I am forever just scribbling on bits of paper when I am deciding which colours to use on a piece, and since I also had some new colours I figured lockdown would be an ideal time to do this.
During the process, I also discovered that the colours react a little differently on watercolour paper than on normal stock, a lightbulb moment that explains why I have been having trouble with this paper since I started using it. Going forward this has improved my latest piece a great deal – you never know when you will learn something new!
Nimbus
“Nimbus” A curious juvenile lanneret
9 x 9 on Strathmore Toned Grey
I have several shots of this inquisitive little fella which I might do as a series – what do you think?