untitled colored pencil work in progress 8" x 10"
Prismacolor on bristol
I've been working on and off on this colored pencil piece since July of last year. Why has it taken me so long you ask? Because I am very impatient and sometimes I just get frustrated with how long colored pencil takes me.
I look at how much work I've gotten done in the last hour and realize that I could have accomplished the same thing with my watercolors and a hair dryer in about ten minutes. Which then makes me put this colored pencil piece away and go work on my speedier watercolors.
But still, there's something about colored pencils that appeals to me. A lot. I don't know if it's because it's more similar to drawing, one of my major loves in my art life. Or if it's because looking at a box of colored pencils with hundreds of color choices feels like the best grown up 'coloring' experience ever.
Probably both, but maybe a little more with that last one. I still look for excuses to color with my kids in their coloring books. So fun. :)
So, now that I've played around with acrylics and colored pencil I think I'm ready to get back at home with my watercolors. I kinda miss them. I have a couple of paintings that I'm REALLY excited about that I can't wait to get started on. I think that's one of the best thing about the whole painting process. The anticipation of getting started on your next great project. Don't you think?
See you next week everybody!
Huzzah!
This is just beautiful. Everybody needs a change now and then. I too have been playing with colored pencils of late, soon I may return to my acrylics. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow this looks just like one of your watercolours at the first glance. You are so good with just about every medium.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Crystal, it may be a boring title, abut the "painting" most definitely is not [I don't quite know whether to call a pencil work a painting?] It does look like a watercolor.
ReplyDeleteWow. That is coloured pencil? I had to enlarge it to get a better look. You are a woman of many talents ; ) It's just beautiful. And I have to say again how much I love the one you have posted on your blog masthead. <3
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to add anything to these comments. I, too, thought it was one of your gorgeous watercolors. You are very talented. And patient! Wonderful job, Crystal. Can't wait to see your next paintings.
ReplyDeleteLove this. It makes me wish I had a gorgeous baby boy with midnight blue eyes. He's darling! I mentioned you in my post, friend. Have an awesome week!
ReplyDeleteEven I thought it is watercolor.. This is as amazing as any of your watercolor.. I am just thinking whether you are for real..
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful piece, Crystal and you like the colored pencils so much because it is therapeutic. There is something about coloring that calms the spirit. In fact they use coloring in many psychological evaluations and therapies for that very reason. Ask a nurse! Now go play in the paint.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, this is beyond gorgeous!! Lots of patience:) I used to use colored pencils exclusively when I was in college. Lots of renderings of interiors, why I didn't pull out some watercolors I don't know, could have saved me a lot of late night hours. Beautiful work! You're in the home stretch now:)
ReplyDelete"ditto" for all the above comments!!!! Amazing piece of work -- and your patience!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh this is absolutely GORGEOUS! And worth every single moment spent on it too :0)
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the anticipation of a new painting. I have lots of ideas collecting in my head and I am enjoying slowly crossing them of my list of 'to do's' as new ideas form.
I can't wait to see what's coming up next with you :0)
Wow! Your colored pencil work is fantastic! I do agree that the anticipation can make us really enjoy our work.
ReplyDeleteSo, what is next? Sculpture? This is beyond words. I love your work.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Crystal- as usual the face just glows and I love the soft colors!
ReplyDeleteSimply stunning - as are all your pieces! We don't get Prismacolor here in the UK but I do still have some of the much coveted Berol Karismas :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree Crystal , when you get a really good inspiration the anticipation is terribly exciting ; anyway this portrait was worth waiting for, I really don't know how you do it, the glow and softness of the skin, the expression of the eyes...just amazing!
ReplyDeleteoooo this is just breathtaking crystal!! i know how you feel about the pencils...a wonderful medium but so labor intensive. this is incredible. also, i still get that "new box of perfect crayons" feeling whenever is see brand new paints, pencils, pastels...i just don't wanna touch 'em they're so perfect. happy creating, this is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful painting Crystal.! You're such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSupercute! It is delicious how you manage to get such softness rendering skin in any medium, and I'd leave it at that but the first thought that came to mind wasn't other than "CRAZY!", yeah, it is crazy how you did that background in colored pencils, you're my idol!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful portrait, I love looking at your work, very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAmazing drawing! I know how time-consuming working with colored pencils is and I've never done anything this refined but what I loved about it was how meditative it was. Very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOH, look at those gorgeous eyelashes! I too thought it was watercolour...amazing job!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Crystal, this is amazing.. You are so very talented! I love seeing your work come to life and your finished pieces are always unbelievable to me.. Great job!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful,that is all I can say!!!
ReplyDelete