November 2026 Showcase - Colored Pencil Artwork
The three artists featured in the November 2026 issue of COLOR Magazine Showcase share the stories behind their beautiful colored pencil artwork here in our blog.
One Thing I Seek by Angela Macaulay
20 x 26 cm
Faber-Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Ache Pablo and Luminance, and Derwent Lightfast colored pencils on Clairefontaine Pastelmat. (Reference photo used with permission from Wendy Hodgkins Corniquet, Free Reference Photos For Artists Facebook group.)
In my artwork titled ‘One Thing I Seek’, I wanted to capture the quiet strength and deep emotion found in this single moment of worship.
Being my very first colored pencil portrait, this piece marks a significant milestone in my artistic journey. Having previously worked almost exclusively in graphite, I was challenged to explore creating with colored pencils. What began a few years ago as a simple colored pencil drawing of a family pet unexpectedly became the turning point that led me to embrace colored pencils as my primary medium. I love to experiment with different surfaces, Pastelmat and drafting film being my favorites to work on.
In creating this piece, I was immediately drawn to the expressive profile of the woman and the striking warmth of her red headscarf in contrast with the muted colors and soft background. The gentle gesture of her open hands speaks of her complete surrender.
One of the aspects I love most about working with colored pencils is the slow, deliberate process of building layers to create rich color, realistic skin tones, and subtle depth. I don’t use solvents in my drawings; instead, I let the pencils do all the work by slowly blending and adding lights over darks on Pastelmat, leaving the details for last.
The intricate folds and delicate patterns of the headscarf in this piece proved to be the greatest challenge, but also the most rewarding, as each layer of pencil gradually brought the portrait to life.
Rather than simply recreating a photograph, I aimed to invite the viewer into this intimate and quiet moment of reflection and the beauty found in everyday people.
About Angela Macaulay:
Angela Macaulay is South African-born, raised in Canada, and now lives and creates in Australia. She is a self-taught artist, creating realistic works inspired by her experiences and the people and wildlife around her. Her art celebrates life, beauty and joy.
See more at Angela’s Facebook art page.
Fallera by Joan Wells
9.4 x 12.6 inches
Faber-Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Ache Pablo and Luminance, and Prismacolor Premier colored pencils on Canson Mi-Teintes Velvet. (Artist’s own reference photo.)
In our retirement my husband and I have been spending a couple of months in various countries and I spend quite a bit of time trying to capture the culture and feel of a country through pictures which I share on my social media accounts. This past year, I was lucky enough to spend two months in Spain, and luckier still to be there during Fallas. This festival runs over many days in the Valencian Community and includes gatherings and parades where the locals wear traditional Valencian costumes. The women, or ‘Falleras’, have the most beautiful intricate costumes in many different colours. One day, while we were having lunch in an alleyway in Denia, a parade of Falleras passed by and I snapped some quick photos of the girls with my phone. This Fallera in particular caught my attention. The red dress she was wearing was the perfect colour for her and she had an almost regal bearing as she waited in line. She posed for me a couple of times but the best photo was when she wasn't paying attention to me. As soon as I arrived back home to my pencils I began drawing her.
It was a challenging portrait due to all the detail of her costume, but I wanted to capture her beauty and the magic of that day in Spain.
About Joan Wells:
Joan is a self-taught artist living on the North Channel of Lake Huron. Since retiring in 2024 she spends her time travelling, enjoying lake life and drawing interesting faces.
Kestrel on Window by Ricky Hill
14 x 11 inches
Prismacolor, Faber-Castell Polychromos and Rembrandt Polycolor colored pencils on Strathmore Bristol 300 Series Smooth paper. (Artist’s own reference photo.)
Early one summer morning as the sun was rising, casting a soft, golden light along the quiet street, I was walking when a beautifully hand-carved doorway and window caught my eye. The intricate woodwork immediately drew me in, but as I looked closer, I noticed a striking detail atop the frame. Perched calmly above the window was a kestrel, its sharp gaze fixed directly on me. For a few brief seconds, the rest of the world seemed to fade away during that still, magnetic moment of eye contact.
That quiet connection—where raw natural wilderness met intricate human craftsmanship—became the primary inspiration for this colored pencil drawing. Using fine layers of colored pencil, I aimed to recreate the delicate contrast between the soft texture of the bird's feathers, the warm tone of the carved wood, and the ambient morning light. This piece serves as a visual memory of an unexpected encounter and the quiet harmony found between nature and art.
About Ricky Hill:
Raised near Lake Erie, Rick’s paintings and sculptures are shaped by the region’s wildlife and history. Driven to tell a story through movement and balance, his work is inspired by the creative process itself—using scale and texture to bring each piece a sense of balance and flow.
See more at www.rickhillbronze.com.
Download the digital version, or subscribe and save! Each issue is packed with step by step projects, critiques, colored pencil tips, artist profiles and much more.