Leaf - Work in Progress

Steps 6-7

As I continue my progress with the leaves, I added Goldenrod and Yellowed Orange over the whole leaf. (Steps 6-7)

Steps 8-11

Then I added Crimson Lake in the shadow areas that are red. I also started pressing harder with my pencil to apply more color. I noticed that the right corner in the shadow part of the leaf needed more Black Grape. I applied the Black Grape before putting Crimson Lake on top of it. (Step 8)

I added Orange in the highlight areas and anywhere else I saw Orange. I think I ended up covering most of the leaf in Orange. (Step 9)

I added Pink, Beige, Deco Pink (discontinued) in the blemish areas of the leaf. (Step 10)

When I stopped, I was using Scarlet Lake in the highlight areas that are red. (Step 11). I’m not done applying the Scarlet Lake but you should notice the difference on the next post.

I'm at the point in the painting that is requiring me to look very closely at detail. I love this part of the drawing process. I will begin to increase the pressure of the pencil and also begin to add little bits of different colors throughout the painting.

Leaf Details

I decided to share with you the step-by-step process I am taking with this painting. This is done on a 7" x 5" piece Stonehenge with Prismacolor colored pencils.

After drawing the outline, I took a Dark Green pencil and lightly applied it in the red shadow areas of the leaf. I am using Dark Green because it is the compliment of red. Putting these two compliments together creates a rich shadow color.



Next, I added Celadon Green in the highlighted areas that are red. Then I applied Black Grape over the Dark Green. I added Canary Yellow in the yellow highlight areas.

This took approximately 1 hour to complete these few layers. The other leaf that is almost finished took between 3 - 4 hours to complete. I usually wait until last to complete the background. I know, I know....it's a no, no. I will tweak the leaves after the background is complete.

2009 Art Goals

These little kids didn't seem to be behaving themselves during lunch.

I usually do not make goals in life because very rarely are they met. Our Creator frequently leads me in other directions. This year, though, I decided to try to set some goals around my art. I would like to further my career with art in 2009 and need some guidelines to go by.

2009 Art Goals
Create a newsletter
Create a website
Egg Tempera techniques
10 hours studio time each week
Enter 3 – 4 local and international exhibits
Promote correspondence drawing course
Blog – minimum of 3 entries a week
Research teaching by video
Promote commissions
Create a price list

I am thinking about setting studio hours to help keep me on track. I don't believe that creativity should be rushed so I have had trouble having enough pieces available for shows or sale. I would like to know if you have studio hours and how that works for you.

Sister's Birthday

My sister turned 50 this past week! So, in celebration, I baked and decorated two cakes for her party. I'm still a rookie at this cake decorating thing but it was fun to do. Everyone seemed to like the taste of the cakes for which I'm thankful. The best part....my sister had a wonderful time.

I have a list of goals that I am working on to share with you all. I'm still working out everything I want to put on my post, so be patient.

Merry Christmas

copyright Valerie Jones

Colored Pencil

8 1/2" by 5 1/2" on Stonehenge

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas this year!

Graphite Completed

"Laremi" copyright Valerie Jones

Graphite on Strathmore Bristol Smooth 100lb

I seemed to have this little jewel on the drawing board for quite awhile per the calendar. It only took 11-15 hours to complete, so that's a plus. I used the following pencils, give or take a few. Staedtler 4B, 2B, B, HB, H, 2H, Sanford Design Ebony, and a Grumbacher Willow or Vine charcoal stick. The Ebony, 4B, and 2B was used in the darkest shadows. I used the B for normal shading and the HB, H, and 2H for smoothing out the skin tones. Everything was blended using blending stumps of various sizes. At the very end, I used the charcoal stick in some of the darkest areas. To finish this off, I sprayed the work with Krylon Workable Fixative, Matte Finish. This is a surprise gift for a friend, so in the mail it goes this week for its 300 plus mile journey.

It's snowing and very cold here today. We had a high of 17 degrees F today and the low is supposed to be 15 degrees F. The wind chill is 3 degrees F. Brrr. I know it's a lot colder in other parts of the country but this is cold for us where we live.

I probably won't be posting much over the next several weeks. That's not really anything new, is it? My sister is coming for a 2-week visit beginning next week. We can hardly wait!

I'll leave you with a quote I found the other day.

The best thing is the feeling you get when you’re inspired. ~ Penelope Dullaghan

I hope you all have time to be inspired over this busy holiday season.

Colored Pencil Work In Progress

"Colors of Fall" work in progress

on Stonehenge Paper 5x7

I had a colored pencil demonstration at a local gallery yesterday. I worked on this leaf painting and have a long ways to go to completing it. I have to complete it because some of my students said they'd be looking for the finished piece to show up at class. It's a fun piece so I'm looking forward to finish it.

I'm still working on the Little Baby graphite drawing too. Life has been busy with little time for drawing or blogging.