July 2026 Showcase - Colored Pencil Artwork
The three artists featured in the July 2026 issue of COLOR Magazine Showcase share the stories behind their beautiful artwork here in our blog.
Koi Amidst The Tranquil Waters by Bonnie A. White
9 x 12 inches
Prismacolor colored pencils on Canson, Bristol vellum textured surface. (Photo reference from Pexels.com, copyright free/public domain.)
I have always been drawn to nature and water, having nurtured Koi for years. But when I started this piece, I was drawn to see them in an abstract world of color that would match their brilliance. The reflections and suggestions of their school are minimalized but still show the grand scheme of their colors and family ties. Water carries the most beautiful reflections and can represent anything your mind creates at that moment. The deeper blues suggest cooler waters emerging into the warmth of greens, carrying tiny microscopic life amongst the koi. The detailed scales in an array of colors get lost as the deeper water swallows the moving tail. I wanted this piece to bring all the feelings of water that we experience and to cool us as well as bathe in its healing warmth. While experiencing this, let your mind take you to wander in a place of tranquility.
About Bonnie A. White:
The artist, created from a time too young to recall, sold her first piece at the young age of eighteen. She gives glory and honor to our Father for her gift, and the late Beverly Melrose, whom she studied under. She continues her work as a commissioned portrait artist while veering into many mediums and subjects with a passion for colored pencils.
See more at www.facebook.com/bonnie.white.31337
Our Tap by Gillian Samuel
11 x 7 inches
Prismacolor colored pencils on Canson Colorline 220 gsm. (Artist's own photo reference.)
I love to continually challenge myself and break away from the usual format. For me that is animals But then I discovered the beauty of old metal when I was traveling through Europe. I was fascinated by historic buildings and photographed many doors and door furnishings. I loved the colors of the old metal and the thought of all the hands through time that have touched and molded them.
I used these reference photographs and drew a series of works. Prismacolor pencils are my preferred medium and are perfect for blending. They allow me to create the beautiful, muted colors and tones. Who would have thought though that the piece I submitted, a simple garden tap, could become such a beautiful and worthy work of art?
About Gillian Samuel:
Gillian emigrated to Australia from the UK and lived an equestrian life until she retired and picked up a pencil. Predominantly an animal artist, she is in high demand for her detailed pencil work. She specializes in dogs and horses.
See more at www.facebook.com/animalartbygilliansamuel/
Hare in a Spring Garden by Jan de Ville
12 x 18 inches
Polychromos, Luminance, and Pablo colored pencils on drafting film. (Reference photo of the hare by Debbie-Anne Hope, used with permission.)
Hares are very mystical in English folklore. At the time I had a beautiful English cottage garden so l imagined the hare hiding in and around all the nooks and crannies of my herbaceous borders amongst all my favorite spring flowers. Every flower you see in the drawing was growing in my garden. The drawing evolved over a few weeks as various plants blossomed. They all looked so pretty so I just kept incorporating them as l went along, and the drawing ended up a lot bigger than l had intended.
We don’t see so many hares nowadays, but when you do it’s something that will stop you in your tracks; the most usual place is in field gateways. They are definitely one of my favorite animals to draw.
About Jan de Ville:
Jan is a self-taught colored pencil artist from North Devon, UK. She is inspired by the spectacular coastal scenery of her local area and has a lifelong love of nature and animals.
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