August 2026 Showcase - Colored Pencil Artwork
The three artists featured in the August 2026 issue of COLOR Magazine Showcase share the stories behind their beautiful artwork here in our blog.
Just Chillin'by Andrea Hares
7.3 x 11 inches
Polychromos colored pencils on Mounting Board. (Photo reference by John Cameron, used with permission.)
We are lucky to live on this beautiful planet. Let’s face it: There is so much to inspire people to be creative, be it the written word or the visual wonders we have.
I am draw to nature. The ability to get so very close to creatures who would probably not sit down and let you pet them is remarkable.
I felt I had been allowed to share a personal space with this leopard. He is so comfy and relaxed, looking like he had just had a little snooze, hence the title Just Chillin.
There were many complexities in this piece: the fur, bokeh background, and achieving life in his eyes. Keeping the colors true and ensuring I achieved a real depth to the piece were important, hopefully making the viewer feel that they too had been briefly invited in.
About Andrea Hares:
Andrea has been married to Peter for 35 years, has one son, Adam, and a very loveable, demanding pooch called Sam. Since retiring four years ago, Andrea is loving creating very detailed artwork and shares her time with this and looking after her 93-year-old dad.
Ivy League by Kathryn Hansen
17.25 x 12 inches
Prismacolor colored pencils on Canson Mi-Teintes Velvet. (Artist's own photo reference.)
About four years into our seven-year journey fostering cats of all ages, Diamond and her sister Dolly came into the care of my youngest daughter and me. They were among the most beautiful cats we had ever fostered, and we fell in love with them immediately. Dolly was eventually adopted, while Diamond stayed a little longer. In time, she became so woven into the fabric of our family that adopting her felt inevitable.
In our new home, Diamond rarely ventures beyond our small back patio, so when I noticed her sitting quietly and contemplatively on the steps to the upper terrace, I stopped sweeping leaves and took a few photos. Looking at them later, I was struck by her beauty in that moment and knew immediately I had to draw her, adding her portrait to the wall of pets I’ve drawn over the years.
About Kathryn Hansen:
Kathryn Hansen’s drawings are focused around her passion and devotion to animals and nature. After her art training at the University of Stevens Point in Wisconsin, earning a BFA in Studio Arts, she studied illustration at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and then fine art at the Associates of Arts in Sherman Oaks, CA.
See more at www.kathrynhansen.com/
Man's Best Friend by Vanessa Harding
8.7 x 11.8 inches
Polychromos and Derwent colored pencils on Canson Mi-Teintes Black. (Artist's own reference photo.)
My father passed away last year followed shortly by his Jack Russell, Milly. Having been bed bound for the last 18 months of his life, his two dogs brought him great comfort. I loved the photo of him and Milly enjoying a tender moment together, and I felt this drawing would be a lovely memorial and bring some comfort to my mother.
The lighting and the shadows enhanced the mood of the drawing, giving what I hoped would be an Old Masters’ feel to the drawing.
Using black paper was a first for me, having always used drafting film previously. I was pleased with how the drawing turned out and, whilst challenging at times, using this paper added to the development of my skills.
About Vanessa Harding:
Vanessa is a self-taught artist living in Hampshire. Having been forced to retire early due to ill health, she looked to art to bring her enjoyment and fulfilment again. She found colored pencils and has continued to develop her skills by further focusing on capturing realism and attention to detail in her drawings.
See more at www.facebook.com/vanessahardingart/
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